A weekend in Bordeaux

What better way to start a weekend in Bordeaux than in the Saint-Michel district, one of the city's warmest and most eclectic atmospheres! On the Place Meynard, on this Saturday morning, the weekly market is held at the foot of the Saint-Michel spire, the highest building in the city.

Please note: Until 30 June 2023, the spire is closed to visitors due to renovation work.

Then head up to the Place du Maucaillou and dive into "the belly of Bordeaux": the Capucins market! Your five senses will be awakened during this stroll between the many stalls of this covered market. Stop at one of the terraces to taste some seafood and oysters from the Arcachon basin!

Then head to the heart of the city for an afternoon of shopping and nosing around! You will then pass under the "grosse cloche" before going up the rue Saint James where you can do some shopping in independent boutiques. Don't forget to look up and admire the mascarons on the Bordeaux facades!

Go up the rue du Loup to discover the Place Pey Berland, its cathedral and the Bordeaux town hall. Don't hesitate to visit the Museum of Decorative Arts and Design, to enjoy its magnificent courtyard. Then head back to the city's shopping streets by taking the Rue des Trois Conils.

Continue to Place Camille Jullian where you can take a break at the terrace of L'Utopia, the art house cinema in the former Saint-Siméon church.

Now set off to discover the Grand Théâtre de Bordeaux either via Rue du Pas-Saint-Georges, which will then take you across the Place du Parlement Saint-Pierre, or via Rue Sainte-Catherine, the longest pedestrian street in Europe.

You are now in front of the Grand Théâtre located next to the prestigious Allées de Tourny, a stone's throw from the Place des Quinconces and the Monument aux Girondins.

Time for an aperitif? Head back to the Saint-Pierre district and try one of the many wines on offer at Tutiac, Le Bistro Vignerons, where you will be welcomed with open arms! To end the evening, you can choose between wine bars, cocktail bars, or a theatre evening.

For your 2nd day in Bordeaux, start with a morning breath of fresh air at the Chartrons market on the banks of the Garonne before discovering this district, the historic stronghold of Bordeaux's wine merchants. At numbers 27 and 29 of the Quai des Chartrons, admire the facades of the Dutch houses.

And to delve into the history of wine and learn some historical anecdotes about this former wine merchants' district, take the map "Stroll in the footsteps of wine in the city", available at the OTCBM and online.

A little further on, you can see the imposing maritime exchange. It too is decorated with mascarons, two of which represent the first presidents of the city's seaport: Georges Barres and Etienne Huyard.

Continue your walk through the charming streets of the district, around the Saint-Louis church.

Then go to the banks of the Garonne towards the water mirror opposite the Place de la Bourse. This work by landscape architect Michel Corajoud has become a real attraction (from April to November), alternating between fog and water.

Continue your day by boarding a Bat3 (price of a tram ticket). You can choose to go to the Cité du Vin (half a day's visit, then finish by going up to its belvedere to enjoy a breathtaking view of Bordeaux while tasting a glass of wine from a large international selection).

End your weekend with a stroll along the Parc aux Angéliques, at the end of which you will discover Darwin, a former military barracks rehabilitated as an eco-district. Take a break to taste the local products of the Magasin Général, and then cross the street to taste the artisanal drinks of the Chantiers de la Garonne, with your feet in the sand and a view over the Garonne. A great way to end the weekend with a feast for the eyes and the taste buds!