How To Spend One Day In Bordeaux: The Perfect Itinerary

Last updated on May 7th, 2024 at 08:59 am

The perfect itinerary for a girl’s day out in Bordeaux

If you’re wondering if you should spend one day in Bordeaux during your vacation in France, then it would be a YES from me.

Bordeaux is a wonderful city, and I prefer it to Paris, mainly because it’s smaller and easier to get around. Oh, and it’s cheaper too.

I recently went to Bordeaux for a girlie day out with my friend Nicky, who hadn’t been before, which I was determined to rectify. And as we both live less than two hours away, it was the perfect place for a day trip.

As we weren’t staying over, we were limited as to how much we could do, but we packed quite a bit into the seven hours we had. Nicky’s appetite for Bordeaux was well and truly whetted, and we’re already planning our next trip. 

So let’s dive in and see what we got up to in our one day itinerary of Bordeaux.

How To Get To Bordeaux By Train

We opted to take the train from Angouleme to Bordeaux as parking in the city can be expensive. And who wants to drive when you’re going to the wine capital of France?

Paris to Bordeaux by Train

The high-speed TGV train is your best bet, whisking you from Paris Montparnasse station to Bordeaux in about 2 hours. It’s fast, efficient, and gives you the chance to watch the beautiful French countryside flying by.

My One Day Bordeaux Itinerary

We arrived in Bordeaux at 11 am and opted to walk from the main train station, Bordeaux Saint-Jean, to Place de la Bourse, as I wanted Nicky to see the Water Mirror.

Plus, it’s a nice walk along the banks of the Garonne River.

And bearing in mind it was February, we were so lucky with the weather. The sun came out, and although there were a couple of heavy downpours, none of them lasted more than five minutes.

When in Bordeaux it’s always handy to have an umbrella, especially in the winter months, as we can get a lot of rain.

The Gates of Bordeaux

Bordeaux isn’t just for wine lovers, there is so much more to Bordeaux than that, including its history. Among its historical treasures are six medieval gates, each serving as a window to Bordeaux’s past.

Historically, like its European counterparts, Bordeaux was a fortified city encircled by an imposing wall with numerous gates allowing entry. 

These gates, namely the Burgundy Gate (Porte de Bourgogne), the Palace Gate (Porte Calihau), the Great Bell (Grosse Cloche), the Mint Door (Porte de la Monnaie), the Dijeaux Gate (Porte Dijeaux), and the Aquitaine Gate (Porte d’Aquitaine), can still be seen today. 

And we saw two of these on our way to the Water Mirror.

Porte de Bourgogne

The first was Porte de Bourgogne, which marks the entrance to the city from the direction of Burgundy.

Constructed in the 18th century, specifically between 1750 and 1755, it was part of the city’s fortifications and designed to welcome visitors entering Bordeaux from the riverside. 

The gate reflects the classical architectural style of the period and was named after the Duchy of Burgundy, signifying the historical trade routes and connections between Bordeaux and other significant regions of France.

Porte Calihau

Next was Porte Calihau, a historical gate that served as a defensive and ceremonial entry point. Constructed in 1495, it commemorates King Charles VIII’s victory at the Battle of Fornovo in 1495. 

The gate is an example of medieval architecture with Gothic and Renaissance elements, showcasing the transition in architectural styles during that period. 

It was part of the city’s medieval walls and provided access to the riverfront. Standing about 35 metres tall, it also functioned as a lookout and defence tower. 

It now serves as a tourist attraction and is one of the main entry points into the city leading to the Place du Palais.

Miroir d’eau and Place de la Bourse

Rather than going into the old part of the city via Porte Calihau, we walked a bit further on to see the Miroir d’eau. 

It’s one of the city’s most contemporary attractions, inaugurated in 2006, and the world’s largest reflecting pool, covering an area of 3,450 square metres.

It was designed to create a visual effect by alternately emitting mist and creating a perfect reflection of the Place de la Bourse opposite and the sky above. 

When I was there in the summer, I couldn’t help myself and ended up kicking off my shoes and running into the water. 

It’s always packed with people as it’s hugely popular, and apparently, UNESCO agrees because, in 2007, it was classified as World Heritage by UNESCO.

I didn’t realise it wouldn’t be working when Nicky and I went, which was such a shame, but it was still worth walking to it as just behind is Place de la Bourse.

Designed by the architect Ange-Jacques Gabriel, Place de la Bourse was completed in the 1750s. 

It was intended to showcase the city’s prosperity and originally featured a statue of Louis XV erected to honour the French monarch.

It was a central piece of the square’s design, symbolising royal authority and the city’s loyalty to the crown during the period it was constructed. 

However, during the French Revolution, like so many other things during this period, it was destroyed, and in the place where Louis XV’s statue once stood, the Fountain of the Three Graces was installed.

Wine Tasting at Cousin & Compagnie

I don’t think any trip to Bordeaux is complete without a little wine tasting. Whilst in Rome, and all that. 

Strangely enough, for a city famous for wine, there aren’t a huge amount of places that offer wine tasting.

But from previous trips, I knew of a wonderful little place called Cousin & Compagnie just off Place Camille Jullian, hidden away behind its blue door.

As an independent winery in Bordeaux specialising in organic, biodynamic and natural wines, I was excited to try some of their wines. They also happen to be one of the oldest cellars in Bordeaux.

By the time we got there, it was just gone midday, so the perfect time to get tasting. We were offered the choice of 3 or 5 wines to taste, and we opted for three.

I chose red, and Nicky chose white, and I have to say mine were fabulous. Each one was better than the last, so much so, that I bought a €30 bottle of red. 

I’d like to say it was an investment, but it lasted all of 24 hours.

Wander the Streets of Vieux Bordeaux

Walking through the streets of Vieux Bordeaux (Old Bordeaux) is like stepping back in time, with cobblestone streets whispering tales of centuries past.

Every corner showcases gorgeous architecture, from the grandeur of neoclassical facades to the charm of medieval buildings. It’s a living museum where the stories of the past are etched into every stone and beam.

And Bordeaux is known as a foodie city with cosy cafes serving the perfect café au lait to Michelin-starred restaurants offering the best in French cuisine.

But for me, it’s the squares that bring it alive. Nearly every street seems to connect to a different square with bistros and bars around the edge of each one. They are calling out for you to sit and enjoy a glass of wine while watching the world go by.

So after our wine tasting, we wound our way towards the place I’d chosen for lunch, wandering through beautiful street after beautiful street, ending up on Place de la Comedie.

The Grand Theatre on Place de la Comedie

The Grand Théâtre de Bordeaux, located on the Place de la Comédie, is one of the city’s cultural landmarks. Completed in 1780, it was designed by the architect Victor Louis.

When I saw it for the first time on a walking tour hubby and I did, I was fascinated by the twelve statues on the top, so I asked our tour guide what they represented. 

He told me they were the nine muses of Greek mythology, Clio, Euterpe, Thalia, Melpomene, Terpsichore, Erato, Polymnia, Urania, and Calliope, and three goddesses, Juno, Venus, and Minerva. 

The muses are symbolic of the arts and sciences, each muse having her own domain, such as poetry, music, and dance, reflecting the theatre’s dedication to the performing arts. 

The inclusion of these figures signifies the building’s role as a temple of art and culture, embodying the Enlightenment’s ideals of beauty, reason, and artistic expression.

Today, the Grand Théâtre plays host to opera, ballet, and classical music. I’m yet to go inside, but going to a ballet there is on my bucket list of things to do in Bordeaux.

Lunch at L’Entrecôte

I knew exactly where I wanted to go for lunch, to the famous steak restaurant L’Entrecôte. The only thing on the menu is steak, and even then it’s one type of steak. The only thing you get to choose is the way you want your steak cooked.

They don’t take reservations so you have to queue, and queue we did, for over an hour.

So the question is, was it worth it? Definitely, I’d say it’s some of the best steak I’ve had.

It’s a set menu of a Walnut salad entree and sirloin steak with bottomless fries served with their famous sauce.

I have no idea what’s in the sauce because it’s a closely guarded secret. I could definitely taste garlic and butter, but show me a French meal that doesn’t have those two ingredients.

It was served with a half bottle of red for me and white for Nicky and then we shared a massive plate of profiteroles for dessert.

Shopping on Rue Sainte-Catherine

I’m actually surprised we could walk after all that food, but somehow, we did and made our way to Rue Sainte-Catherine. 

As one of Europe’s longest pedestrian shopping streets, stretching approximately 1.2 kilometres (about 0.75 miles), it was the perfect activity for walking off our lunch. Plus, who wouldn’t want to shop on the longest shopping street in France?

And I love the fact, it’s pedestrianised, but boy, is it ever busy. 

On previous visits to Bordeaux, I’ve not bothered to spend much time there due to it being so packed. However, this time around in February, it wasn’t so bad. 

Plus’ we were on a mission to get some new underwear, so headed off to Intimissimi, a recommendation from our fabulous waitress.

After a more than successful visit to Intimissimi, we strolled further down, popped into a chocolate shop for some pressies for our hubbies, Bordeaux is also known for its chocolate, popped our head into Gallerie Lafayette and basically shopped till we dropped.

The Grosse Cloche

Before our train home, we had time to wander further around the streets of Bordeaux and came across the Grosse Cloche. And wow, it’s impressive. 

Literally translating to “Big Bell,” this 15th-century medieval gate once formed part of the city’s ancient walls and is named after the massive bell housed within its belfry. 

It’s one of the oldest belfries in France, and the bell was traditionally rung to mark important events, both festive and solemn, such as the start of the grape harvest or alerting the population of Bordeaux to fires.

The structure features two 40-metre-high circular towers connected by a central building and topped with a golden weather vane in the form of a leopard, the emblem of Bordeaux. 

The current bell, cast in 1775, weighs approximately 7,800 kilograms. Its use was historically significant, signalling various civic events and alerts. Due to its immense size and the vibration it causes, the bell is now only rung on special occasions to preserve the structure and the surrounding buildings.

It also served as a prison, primarily for petty criminals and young offenders, until the late 18th century. Not somewhere I’d want to be locked up in.

Apéro on Place Fernand Lafargue

We just had time after all that shopping to enjoy an Apéro sat outside at L’Apollo Bar on Place Fernand Lafargu in the Quartier de la Grosse Cloche.

I love being able to sit outside like that, especially in February. The square is so pretty, with gorgeous floral displays and a couple of boutique shops.

Is One Day Enough For Bordeaux?

No, one day is definitely not enough time for Bordeaux, however, it’s a great start, although it will leave you wanting more.

The first time I went to Bordeaux I was there for five days, which gave me enough time to get my bearings and really see something of the city.

Some of the major attractions are quite a way apart for example, Bassins des Lumières and La Cité du Vin are a tram ride away from the city centre. 

But if you invest in a City Pass, you’ll get free access to all public transport in Bordeaux, plus free entry to both these attractions.

Plus, to do both these justice, you need time, especially at La Cité du Vin, where you’ll need at least half a day.

What Is The Best Time to Visit Bordeaux?

The best time to visit Bordeaux largely depends on what you’re looking for in your visit. However, broadly speaking, the most recommended times are spring (April to June) and autumn (September to October).

Here’s why these periods stand out:

Spring (April to June)

• Weather: The weather is warm, making it ideal for exploring the city on foot and enjoying the numerous outdoor cafes and markets.
• Vineyards: This is a particularly magical time in the wine regions surrounding Bordeaux, as the vineyards burst into life with new foliage. It’s also a less busy season for wine tours, offering a more personal experience.
• Events: Spring in Bordeaux is marked by several festivals and events, adding to the city’s vibrant atmosphere.

Autumn (September to October)

• Wine Harvest: Autumn is harvest time in the vineyards, a crucial and exciting period for wine production. Some vineyards may offer tours and events centred around the harvest, providing a unique insight into the winemaking process.
• Weather: The weather remains warm and is often considered more stable than in spring, with the early part of autumn retaining much of the summer warmth. The changing colours of the vineyards and countryside add to the scenic beauty.
• Cultural Events: The cultural calendar in Bordeaux remains active into the autumn, with various food and wine festivals taking place, offering a taste of the region’s gastronomic excellence.

Other Considerations

• Summer (July and August): While summer offers warm weather and a lively atmosphere with many tourists, it can also be quite crowded and hot. Accommodation prices tend to be higher during this peak season.
• Winter (November to March): Winter in Bordeaux is cooler and quieter, and personally I prefer it. But it’s also when some vineyards and attractions might have limited hours or be closed.

FAQS: Taking A Day Trip To Bordeaux

Final thoughts: What To See In Bordeaux In One Day

It’s impossible to see everything Bordeaux has to offer in one day, but it will give you a good feel for the city. If you get the chance to stay in Bordeaux, do it, you won’t be disappointed and there are plenty of hotels from luxury to budget.

There are plenty of museums to keep you occupied, many of which are free with the Bordeaux City Pass. And if it’s the food you’re after, there are some great food tours you can do to appreciate all the cuisine Bordeaux has to offer.

And if you have time, the fabulous wineries of Saint Emilion are under thirty minutes by train.