Bordeaux and its surroundings

Bordeaux, a UNESCO World Heritage Site

"Bordeaux is without a doubt the most beautiful city in France," as Stendhal wrote in Voyages dans le midi. Bordeaux has captivated visitors and, over time, has become a fully-fledged tourist destination. Its tourist numbers have only increased over the years.

Bordeaux, like the Port of the Moon, was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007. Designated a City of Art and History, it boasts no fewer than 347 listed buildings, architectural gems of the 18th century.

The Saint-Jean station (formerly Gare du Midi), built in 1855, and its metal canopy covering the tracks, have been listed as historical monuments since 1984.

Bordeaux has also embraced the river, and since 2006 its quays have offered one of the most beautiful promenades. The revival of the tram, with its first lines inaugurated in 2005, has also largely contributed to restoring the city's former glory. The buildings and their facades have regained their splendor. It's pleasant to stroll through the city, to shop on Cours de l'Intendance or along the bustling 1.2 km long Rue Sainte-Catherine. You can also explore, on foot or by Vélib' (bike share), the Chartrons, Saint-Éloi, and Saint-Michel districts, relax at a café terrace, or catch a show at the Grand Théâtre.

The miroir d'eau at Place de la Bourse, the narrow streets of the protected area, the Pey Berland tower, the Cailhau gate, the Grosse Cloche, the Allées de Tourny, the Rue Sainte-Catherine … are all iconic places to discover, as are its many museums.

The latest addition is the Cité du Vin, north of the historic center, the result of seven years of work, which opened its doors in June 2016. The site reminds us that Bordeaux is also the world capital of wine. Bordeaux is an engaging city, undeniably charming, attractive, and dynamic.

Some must-see places

The Tourny walkways

These wide avenues planted with lime trees and a row of 18th-century facades were laid out by Louis Urbain Aubert, Marquis de Tourny in 1745. These eponymous avenues host numerous events and are a pleasant place for a stroll.

The Place des Quinconces

The Intendance Course

Several private mansions were built there in the 18th century. Today, luxury boutiques occupy the premises. The Cours de l'Intendance connects the Place de la Comédie to the Place Gambetta. At number 19, the Passage Sarget dates from 1878; at number 57, the painter Goya died.

The Stock Exchange Square

We are tempted, and rightly so, to consider it the most beautiful square in Bordeaux because of the architecture of its buildings. It was built in the mid-18th century by the architect Gabriel and dedicated to Louis XV, where his statue once stood, dismantled during the Revolution and replaced in the 19th century by the Three Graces.

It housed the customs house, where a museum has since been established, and the maritime exchange. Bordeaux traded with Africa to exchange glass beads for slaves, delivered to the West Indies in exchange for coffee, cotton, cocoa, re-exported to the countries of the North.

The miroir d'eau, made of granite covered with a thin film of water, created in 2006, is a true work of art by architect Michel Courajoud and fountain designer Jean-Max Llorca. It brings joy to everyone from the first sunny days.

Parliament Square

The lively Place du Parlement was built in homage to the Bordeaux Parliament and features a Second Empire fountain. Taking Rue du Parlement Saint-Pierre leads to Place Saint-Pierre and its namesake neighborhood, which opens onto the Garonne River and is steeped in history. The square, filled in during the 12th century, was once home to the Gallo-Roman port.

Palace Square

It owes its name to the 11th-century fortress, of which only a defensive tower remains today, transformed into a triumphal arch in 1496 to commemorate the victory of Charles VIII at Fornovo in Italy: the Cailhau gate.

Pey Berland Square

Completely renovated in 2004, it houses the Pey Berland tower, built in the 15th century, named after the archbishop, and the Saint Andrew Cathedral.

The superbly sculpted Pey Berland Tower is actually the cathedral's bell tower, which was built separately. At the top of the tower, 50 meters high, there is a magnificent view of Bordeaux and its monuments.

The cathedral was built on the ruins of an 11th-century Romanesque building. It was in the Romanesque section that the marriage of Eleanor of Aquitaine and Louis VII, the future King of France, was celebrated in 1137.

The Gothic choir and nave date from the 14th and 15th centuries. The cathedral has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1998. Opposite the religious building stands the Rohan Palace, built in 1771 and now the town hall.

Saint-Michel Square

Renovated in 2015, Place Saint-Michel is a picturesque and cosmopolitan square in the heart of Bordeaux's vibrant district. The square is home to the flamboyant Gothic Basilica of Saint-Michel and its detached bell tower, which rises 47 meters above the city and the river. The basilica's architectural details are part of the pilgrimage routes to Santiago de Compostela and it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The square also hosts daily markets.

The Grand Theatre

Built at the end of the 18th century, according to the plans of the architect Victor Louis, at the request of the Duke of Richelieu, it stands on the Place de la Comédie. Its façade consists of 12 Corinthian columns surmounted by statues of muses and goddesses. A listed historical monument, the grand theater was restored in 1990.

Inside, the spacious vestibule is adorned with 16 Doric columns supporting a flat coffered vault with rosettes. Five archways lead to the grand staircase which, a little less than a century later, would inspire Charles Garnier for the staircase of the Paris Opera. It hosts concerts and operas from September to July.

The Stone Bridge

Built on the orders of Napoleon Bonaparte between 1810-1822, it was the first bridge over the Garonne, allowing the right bank, Bastide district, to be connected to the city.

It was closed in 2025 for works to improve Bordeaux's tram traffic.

The Big Bell

This is the only remaining vestige of the city's second set of walls, built in the 12th century. It has undergone numerous transformations. Its bells served a defensive purpose and also announced the start of the grape harvest. It is the symbol of the city and appears on its coat of arms.

The Basilica of Saint-Seurin

Excavations have unearthed a vast Gallo-Roman Christian necropolis. It is one of the oldest churches in Bordeaux; its porch and crypt date back to the 11th century. The site is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, located on the pilgrimage routes to Santiago de Compostela.

The Gallien Palace

These are the remains of the amphitheater of ancient Burdigala. Today, only a few bays and arcades remain of this 2nd century monument.

The public garden

The Public Garden of Bordeaux was designed by the architect Gabriel on behalf of the intendant Tourny in the 18th century. An English-style park with groves, ponds, and playgrounds…

It has a playhouse that delights children. It has been awarded the "Remarkable Garden" label. Since 2007, a botanical garden in the Bastide district has complemented the historic site.

The Jacques Chaban-Delmas Bridge

Named after the former mayor, the Chaban-Delmas Bridge is a unique landmark. It's particularly impressive when its central span is raised to allow cruise ships to dock in the port. Since 2013, it has connected the Bacalan (maritime Bordeaux) and Bastide districts. Pedestrians and cyclists use it for leisurely strolls, enjoying views of both the left and right banks of the Garonne River.

In keeping with its heritage, Bordeaux has a very active cultural life with no less than 11 museums dedicated to fine arts, contemporary art, decorative arts and design, customs….

The City of Wine

The Aquitaine Museum

Located on Cours Pasteur, the historical and ethnographic Musée d'Aquitaine traces the history of Bordeaux and its region from prehistory to the present day. Some rooms commemorate the Atlantic trade and slavery.

The Museum of Contemporary Art

The CAPC Museum of Contemporary Art in Bordeaux offers temporary exhibitions and events throughout the year focusing on art history, music, and contemporary creation. It is located in the Chartrons district. Once a hub of the wine trade, its former warehouses have been renovated and are now a very trendy area.

It is also in a rehabilitated hangar in this district, on the banks of the Garonne, that Cap Sciences, a multidisciplinary place dedicated to science, has set up shop.

An urban area, the green lung of the city

Bordeaux Métropole comprises 28 municipalities spread across both banks of the Garonne River. It currently has 749,595 inhabitants surrounding its central city, Bordeaux (population 243,626). A blend of urban and natural landscapes, it offers 140 km of marked trails to explore. You can even spend a night in peri-urban shelters.

Bouliac is a town at the gateway to the Entre-deux-Mers region. With its unspoiled environment, it perfectly exemplifies the best of both worlds: town and countryside. Bouliac has been inhabited since Gallo-Roman times. Its church, Saint-Siméon le Stylite, is a true gem of Romanesque art. Thirty kilometers of hiking trails allow visitors to explore the town.