Is the Bordeaux City Pass worth it for a weekend break?

Yes, it’s definitely worth getting the Bordeaux City Pass for either 24, 48 or 72 Hours!

I’ve just come back from a weekend in Bordeaux with my hubby, where we took advantage of the 48-Hour Bordeaux City Pass.

I wasn’t sure if getting the pass would be worth it, as often, these things can be problematic with lots of restrictions and provisos attached to them. 

Plus, you’re never quite sure if you’ll use them to the full and get value for money.

In this article, I’ll break down exactly how I used the pass to save both hubby and I over €50 between us,

Is the Bordeaux City Pass worth it?

Yes. The Bordeaux City Pass is definitely worth it. Just by visiting two museums, doing a boat tour and using public transport, we saved money using the 48 Hour pass.

My savings using the Bordeaux City Pass

La Cite du Vin – €21

Les Bassins des Lumières – €15

Bordeaux Guided Boat Tour –  €15

Public Transport – €10

Pey-Berland Tower – €6

TOTAL €67

My City Pass was €44 giving me a saving of €23.

How much is the Bordeaux City Pass?

You can choose from 24, 48 or 72 hours passes, so it’s perfect if you’re spending a long weekend in Bordeaux or even just one day. But it doesn’t activate until you use it for the first time. The options also include a Junior Pass version for ages 6-18.

At the time of writing this article [year], these are the prices for the Bordeaux City Pass.

CityPass	Price
Bordeaux City Pass 24 hours	€34.00
Bordeaux City Pass 48 hours	€44.00
Bordeaux City Pass 72 hours	€50.00
Youth Bordeaux City Pass 24 hours	€19.00
Youth Bordeaux City Pass 48 hours	€26.00
Youth Bordeaux City Pass 72 hours	€31.00

Where can you buy the Bordeaux City Pass?

The quickest and easiest way to buy your Bordeaux City Pass is online, which you can do right here >>>

You’ll then need to pick your pass up from the Bordeaux Tourist Office at 12 cours du 30 Juillet.

They are open from 9 am till 6 pm Monday – Saturday and 9.30 am till 5 pm on Sundays and public holidays.

It was all pretty seamless, to be honest. And because we didn’t arrive in Bordeaux until 7 pm on Friday, we picked our passes up first thing on Saturday. 

The tourist office is easy to find as it’s right in the centre of town in front of the Quinconces. And for us, only a 20-minute walk from the apartment we were staying in.

What is the Bordeaux City Pass?

The Bordeaux City Pass is an absolute must-have for anyone visiting the city of Bordeaux, which you can get from the Bordeaux Tourist Office. 

It really is your golden ticket to experience all the city has to offer. It provides free access to over 20 museums and monuments, including some of the city’s most iconic landmarks.

Plus, you get unlimited use of the public transportation system, making zipping around the city a breeze. 

And trust me, as Bordeaux is such a walkable city, it won’t take long for your feet to begin to ache, and you’ll be glad to hop on one of the city trams to get you to the next stop on your city tour.

But I’m not done yet, there’s more!

The pass also includes a free guided tour of the city and even offers significant discounts at various shops, restaurants, and shows around the city.

What is included in the Bordeaux City Pass?

There are so many inclusions in the Bordeaux City Pass it’s hard to know the best way to take advantage.

My suggestion, if you’re only in Bordeaux for the weekend, is to pick one main attraction for each day and then, add in a couple of smaller things around it.

That’s what I did, and it worked well, as I didn’t feel like I was rushing from one thing to the next.

The inclusions are broken down into four main categories:

BORDEAUX MUSEUMS & EXHIBITIONS

This was one of the biggest drawcards for me as the two museums that were top of my list, and both fairly pricey, were free with the City Pass. Some of the inclusions are:

• La Cite du Vin
• Les Bassins des Lumières
• Aquitaine Museum
• CAPC Contemporary Arts Museum
• Fine Arts Museum
• Bordeaux Museum
• Museum of Decorative Arts and Design
• National Customs Museum
• Sciences Exhibition Centre
• Wine and Trade Museum
• Museum of Maritime History
• Sea and Marine Museum

BORDEAUX ATTRACTIONS

There are quite a few attractions to see in Bordeaux that have small fees attached such as the Pey Berland Bell Tower and the Porte Cailhau which are included in your city pass

BORDEAUX TOURS

Choose from 1 city tour as part of your pass. Choices include a train with audio commentary in a language of your choice, a bus tour with English audio, a fun cruise with historic commentary or a guided walking tour of the city.

CITY TRANSPORT

You have unlimited use of all the public transport in Bordeaux including buses, trams and even the river ferry. If you’re driving, then park and ride is also included. And trust me, you don’t want to drive in Bordeaux.

The Bordeaux City Pass at a glance

• La Cité du Vin
• Les Bassins des Lumières
• 15 museums and monuments
• Unlimited access to tram, bus, river shuttle
• 1 Bordeaux guided tour (to be booked at the tourist office)

How I used my Bordeaux City Pass in 48 hours

I contacted the Bordeaux Tourism Office directly for some suggestions for my stay and for guidance on how to make the best use of the time I had.

They were super helpful, and Manon, my contact at the tourist board, gave me some great suggestions for restaurants, markets to visits, the best places to stay and the ‘must-see and do’ places in Bordeaux.

The bonus of FREE Public Transport

This really was such a big bonus for us. As much as I loved walking around the city of Bordeaux.

And I have to add I was wearing comfy shoes, some places just weren’t near enough to walk to.

Both the Bassins des Lumières and La Cité du Vin, the two ‘must visit’ museums on my list, were down at the docks.

And although we could have walked, my feet wouldn’t have thanked me. Plus, I didn’t want achy feet going around the two museums – there really is nothing worse.

I just wanted to enjoy the moment and not be distracted.

All that said, tickets on the buses and trams are great value at just €1.70 for unlimited use, valid for one hour.

But having a city pass took the stress out of knowing which ticket to buy. 

Unfortunately, I didn’t have time to use the ferry to go across to the other bank, but it did seem like a fun and easy way to see a different part of the city.

The Boat Tour on the Gironde

Another great benefit of the City Pass is that you get one free guided tour that you must book in advance at the tourist office itself.

There is a choice of four different types of tours you can do, train, bus, boat or walking. And I tossed up between the bus and boat because I do love a double-decker bus for sightseeing in a new city.

It always reminds me of being a kid in London when we did day trips to the city in the summer holidays.

Hubby won the toss on this occasion as he really wanted to do the boat cruise, and as it was the only thing he asked for, it seemed only fair to indulge him.

The tour lasted around 90 minutes and was a lovely way to see the city from the water. The audio commentary was in French and English, and I had fun testing out my French and seeing if I could follow along.

And I have to say I think my French lessons are actually starting to pay off as I understood a fair amount.

You also got a free drink and canelé (a caramelised crispy cake) thrown in, so it was a great choice from hubby.

Bassins des Lumières

I’d already spoken to a few friends about the Bassins des Lumières, so was excited to do this. It’s hard to do this museum justice in words because you really need to see it to understand it. 

Even photos don’t give you a proper sense of how fantastic it is. 

The entire exhibition is in an old submarine bunker transformed into a massive canvas where digital art blends seamlessly with music.

The images that dance across the walls and water basins below create an environment that is, in a word, mesmerizing.

There are different shows hosted throughout the year, and we went to the Gustav Klimt exhibition and marvelled as gold sparkled everywhere, on the walls, the ceiling and reflected in the water.

The whole show lasts for an hour and fifteen minutes, so it doesn’t take up too much time and is an absolute must-visit. Offering a unique blend of art and technology, all wrapped up in an immersive sensory experience, it will leave you completely spellbound.

La Cité du Vin

La Cité du Vin is no ordinary wine museum. It’s an immersive and sensory journey into the world of wine! What really sets it apart is its interactive nature.

You’re not just reading about wine—you’re experiencing it in a dynamic environment. 

The exhibits are designed to engage all your senses, with multi-sensory displays, olfactory workshops, tasting sessions, and even a virtual reality boat ride tracing the global journey of wine. 

And the architecture—oh, the architecture! 

The building’s bold curves and shimmering metallic facade symbolize the swirl of wine in a glass. The structure is a visual spectacle and a landmark that has become an integral part of Bordeaux’s skyline. 

It’s not just a building; it’s a testament to the artistry and creativity associated with winemaking. 

I loved learning about the history and process of winemaking.

But for me, the pièce de résistance was enjoying a complimentary glass of wine whilst enjoying panoramic views of Bordeaux from the eighth-floor belvedere. 

Make sure you allow yourself at least three hours here, more if you can, as it’s impossible to see and do everything in less time.

Pey-Berland Tower

A UNESCO World Heritage site, the tower is one of the city’s most iconic landmarks and is named after the 15th-century Archbishop Pey Berland, who commissioned its construction.

It’s a real masterpiece of Gothic architecture and takes your breath away the first time you see it. The intricate carvings and ornate detailing are truly mesmerizing, reflecting the artistic prowess of craftsmen of the era. 

But the tower is not just about aesthetics—it also has an intriguing history. 

Built to house a bell without causing vibrations in the Saint-André Cathedral, it was used as a lookout point during times of war and served as a home for hermits during the French Revolution.

Climbing the 231 steps of Pey Berland Tower proved to me just how unfit I really am, but also, rewards you with the most breathtaking panoramic view of Bordeaux! 

From the top, you can see the Garonne River, and the Saint-André Cathedral, and even catch a glimpse of La Cité du Vin in the distance.

Why I recommend getting the Bordeaux City Pass

The first and most obvious thing is that you save money, and who doesn’t want that when they’re on vacation?

But one of the other big things for me was not needing to buy tickets on trams and buses. I could simply get on the bus or tram I wanted and scan my city pass. It was that easy.

There was no struggle with ticket machines trying to decide which ticket was the one I needed.

And you will need to use public transport in order to visit places like Bassins des Lumières and La Cité du Vin as they aren’t in the main part of the city.  

And although a lot of the city has been pedestrianized the tram runs through all these areas and is quick and easy to use.

Plus, they are extremely clean and feel completely safe to use.

When you don’t need a Bordeaux City Pass

The only time I would say it’s not worth getting one is if you aren’t interested in visiting any of the museums in Bordeaux. 

And this would be such a shame as there are so many great ones to see. 

Plus, many of them are interactive and get you involved, so it’s not just wandering around and looking at things. You’re taking part in the experience and not just a spectator.

Things to keep in mind when you get a Bordeaux City Pass

Whilst I do think a Bordeaux City Pass is more than worth the cost, there are a few things to remember to make sure you can make the most of it. Plus, it doesn’t cover day trips to attractions outside of the city.

Many of the Museums don’t open on Monday in France

This is quite a common thing in France, and I learned my lesson the hard way a few years ago.

We were driving through France to the Pyrenees and started our trip in Paris. I was desperate to visit the Palace of Versailles, so off we went, not realizing that on a Monday, it was shut. 

I can’t tell you how disappointed I was, but I later learned that many of the museums in France close on a Monday.

Forewarned is forearmed, so don’t plan to use your Bordeaux City Pass to visit museums on a Monday.

You must visit La Cité du Vin before Noon

This is the only museum with a stipulation attached when using your City Pass. To gain entry for free, you MUST go in before noon. 

Once you’re in, then it’s no problem, you can stay as long as you like, and trust me, you’ll want to stay as there is so much to do.

You need to make a reservation for the FREE city tours

As I mentioned earlier, you can choose one free city tour as part of your pass, but you must reserve it in advance.

You can’t just rock up and flash your city pass.

You’ll need to go into the tourist office to book, so I suggest doing this at the same as picking up your pass.

The Bordeaux City Pass is a physical not digital pass

In our digital world only having a physical card is a little old-fashioned and prone to issues. If you lose it they don’t replace it so you’re stuck.

The pass is like a credit card and fits in your wallet or purse easily.

But it would be so much easier if they added the option of making it digital so you can have it on your phone or as a physical card.

Your pass is not your ticket in to the museums

I made this mistake when we went to Les Bassins des Lumières. I assumed I could just scan my city pass, and it would give me access, but this is not the case. 

You still need to queue up for your tickets in the museums. The city pass allows you to get a ticket at no cost, but it isn’t your actual ticket.

FAQS on buying the Bordeaux City Pass

Final thoughts: Is the Bordeaux City Pass worth it?

Hopefully, you’ve seen just how useful the Bordeaux City Pass is and how much you can save by getting one. If I’m staying in Bordeaux I usually get one, especially if I’m playing tourist guide.

They are easy to use, give great value and lower your stress and sanity levels when buying tickets on buses and trams.

I’ll be using it again on my next trip to Bordeaux, as I still have so much to see and explore. I love Bordeaux and can’t wait to go back.