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Bordeaux

Bordeaux: the Port of the Moon, connected from the Bourse to the river

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The guide

Bordeaux, a UNESCO site, charms with its honey-coloured stone façades and 18th-century town planning. The Saint-Pierre quarter, the historic heart, unfolds cobbled lanes, small squares and wine bars all the way to Porte Cailhau. Place de la Bourse and its water mirror form the unmissable shot by the Garonne. Walk up rue Sainte-Catherine, one of Europe's longest pedestrian shopping streets, to the Grand Théâtre. Les Chartrons, the former wine merchants' district, mixes antique dealers, flea markets and trendy cafés. On the right bank, the botanical garden and riverside guinguettes offer open views of the city. As the world wine capital, Bordeaux is home to La Cité du Vin, a spectacular museum. The city is easily explored on foot, by bike or by tram along the redesigned quays.

Place de la Bourse and its water mirror set the scene for « Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again » (2018), where Lily James plays a young Donna in the cobbled centre. Bordeaux's classical architecture lends its golden façades to a sequence brimming with sunshine and music.

The water mirror, facing Place de la Bourse, is the world's largest at 3,450 m². The city's emblem is made of three interlocking crescent moons, a nod to Bordeaux's nickname, the « Port of the Moon », inspired by the crescent-shaped bend the Garonne carves through the city.

Walk over to Porte Cailhau, a medieval gateway tucked among 18th-century buildings near the Pont de Pierre. With a data eSIM, Google Maps guides you through the maze of the Saint-Pierre quarter and helps you spot its discreet wine bars along the way.

Must-see

Place de la Bourse and Water Mirror
Bordeaux's iconic duo: classical 18th-century façades reflected in the world's largest water mirror. Mist and reflections alternate every few minutes, delighting children and photographers alike.
La Cité du Vin
An immersive museum devoted to wine from around the world, in a bold building shaped like a decanter. The interactive tour ends with a tasting at the belvedere, with panoramic views over the city and the Garonne.
Rue Sainte-Catherine
One of Europe's longest pedestrian shopping streets, over a kilometre of shops linking Place de la Comédie to Place de la Victoire. The beating heart of Bordeaux shopping.
Les Chartrons district
The former stronghold of wine merchants, now a charming neighbourhood with antique dealers, its Sunday riverside market and cafés. Perfect for wandering away from the tourist bustle.

Good to know

Bordeaux is pleasant to visit from spring to autumn; the September and October grape harvest is a fine time for wine lovers. The TBM tram network, plus buses and shared bikes, serves the whole centre, and the pedestrian quays are best enjoyed on foot or by bike. The city is flat and compact. Mobile 4G/5G coverage is excellent across the metropolitan area, and free wifi is available in many cafés and cultural venues. A data eSIM activated on arrival saves you roaming fees and is handy for navigation and booking visits to the nearby wine châteaux.

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