Plan the perfect weekend in Bordeaux: Place de la Bourse and its water mirror, a stroll along Sainte‑Catherine and the Grand Théâtre; climb up Pey‑Berland; Cité du Vin with a tasting; the Saint‑Michel and Chartrons districts; public gardens and sunset on the Garonne quays. Practical tips included.
What to see in Bordeaux in 3 days (a weekend)?
This itinerary condenses Bordeaux into one weekend and prioritizes walking routes, grouping visits by area. At the end you’ll find tips on tickets and transport, accommodation suggestions, winery routes and free tours so you can adapt the plan to your own pace.
Day 1: The historic heart
Start at Place de la Bourse, where the Miroir d’Eau alternates reflections and mist. It’s a good spot for your first photos. Then walk along Rue Sainte‑Catherine, lined with shops and cafés. Include a stop at the Grand Théâtre, a benchmark of Neoclassicism.
In the afternoon, head to Cathédrale Saint‑André and climb Tour Pey‑Berland for city views. The cobbled streets and Gothic details make the visit worthwhile.
Day 2: Culture and wine
Devote the morning to exploring Cité du Vin. The interactive tour on wine culture around the world includes a tasting at the belvedere (Belvédère) with panoramic views.
In the afternoon, visit the Saint‑Michel neighborhood, known for its antiques market next to the basilica of the same name. It’s an area with a mix of shops and local life.
Day 3: Art and nature
Start in the Chartrons district, where the CAPC (Musée d’Art Contemporain) occupies the former Entrepôt Lainé (1822–1824), a warehouse for colonial goods. In the afternoon, unwind in the Jardin Public, a large central park with play areas and a pond.
Finish with a stroll along the Garonne quays, with views of Pont Jacques Chaban‑Delmas. The former hangars now house restaurants and galleries, a comfortable setting for your last dinner of the trip.
Tips to optimize your 3‑day visit
- 🎟️ Tickets: Book Cité du Vin in advance (the ticket includes a tasting at the Belvédère) and, if you want to attend a show, tickets for the Grand Théâtre.
- 🚊 Transport: Consider a public transport pass. The CityPass combines transport and access to several attractions.
- 📍 Accommodation: Staying near the historic center cuts down on travel time.
Place de la Bourse and the water mirror
Known as Bordeaux’s main emblem, Place de la Bourse fits well in any urban itinerary. Built in the 18th century, it took around 20 years to complete this complex, which opened the city up to the river. Its construction marked the end of medieval Bordeaux, enclosed by walls, and the beginning of a city more open to the Garonne.
The project was promoted from the 1730s by the intendant Claude Boucher. It was entrusted to Louis XV’s royal architect, Ange‑Jacques Gabriel, together with his father Jacques Gabriel. The result is a hemicycle open to the Garonne with façades decorated with mascarons and wrought iron, in line with the classical criteria of the time.
The largest water mirror in the world is in Bordeaux
Located opposite Place de la Bourse, the Miroir d’Eau has been operating since 2006 and is the largest in the world. It alternates mirror and mist phases over a 2 cm sheet of water. It usually runs from April to October (approx. 10:00–22:00).
The Miroir d’Eau is a public space very popular with families and visitors. In summer you can cool off with your feet in the water. It is located within the UNESCO site “Bordeaux, Port of the Moon” (2007), between the Garonne and the 18th‑century façades of the square.
Porte Cailhau Gate
This gate is one of the key architectural features of the historic center. The fortification was built between 1493 and 1496 and dedicated to Charles VIII, with the victory of Fornovo (1495) as its reference. The monarch is depicted at the center. The structure had a dual purpose: defensive and ceremonial access, hence the combination of decorative and military elements.
Today it has another function: Porte Cailhau houses an exhibition space about the city. From the top floor there are views of the stone bridge and the Garonne. The Saint‑Pierre district, up to Rue Sainte‑Catherine, is one of the busiest areas and can also be accessed through this gate.
Golden Triangle
Although many people associate Bordeaux with its medieval roots, the Golden Triangle showcases its classical side, with buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries. It is structured around Allées de Tourny, Cours de l’Intendance and Cours Clémenceau (next to Place des Quinconces). During the Christmas season, the market is usually held on Allées de Tourny or on Place des Quinconces, depending on the year.
Tips for visiting the Golden Triangle
- 🛍️ Shopping: Better early in the morning.
- 🎄 Christmas market: Check the location and dates for the current year; the lights are best at dusk.
- 🍷 Food & wine: Book high‑end restaurants in advance.
- 🚶♂️ Walks: A comfortable area for architectural walks and shopping.
What to see in Bordeaux’s Golden Triangle?
Among the grand buildings, you can visit the Grand Théâtre and, if you fancy a treat, the area is packed with fine‑dining restaurants. Comptoir Bordelais or Comtesse du Barry offer foie gras, caviar, champagne or crémant, and truffles.
If you’re in the mood for something sweet, La Maison Darricau combines chocolate with local products such as Agen prunes or wines from Médoc or Cognac. Bordeaux’s signature specialty is found at Canelé Baillardran. To round off your visit to the area, walk through Passage Sarget, a 19th‑century covered arcade.
Place des Quinconces
Place des Quinconces is part of the history of France. Here stands the Monument to the Girondins. The Girondins were one of the factions in the French Revolution, and Bordeaux’s football team (Girondins de Bordeaux), historically among the elite, currently plays in National 2 (fourth division). In 1793, several of their leaders were guillotined.
To mark the first centenary of the storming of the Bastille, the Bordeaux authorities decided to erect a monument in memory of these elected politicians. In 1894 construction began on the Monument to the Girondins, which was completed in 1902. The square itself was laid out between 1818 and 1828.
A monument surrounded by a pool symbolizing the French Revolution
The central statue is surrounded by a pool with allegorical sculptural groups (Triumph of the Republic and Triumph of Concord). The ensemble alludes to the triumph of the Republic after 1789. Place des Quinconces is one of the largest public squares in Europe.
Chartrons district
The old town of Bordeaux continues into Chartrons, with antique shops, wine cellars for tastings and urban mansions. Many façades date from the 17th and 18th centuries, on narrow stone streets. The name comes from the Carthusians (chartreux). From the 17th century onwards, the district became established as a wine merchants’ quarter; in the 19th century the Entrepôt Lainé, a warehouse for colonial goods, was built here.
Saint‑André Cathedral
Alongside its vineyards, Bordeaux boasts a vast architectural heritage. One of its finest examples is Saint‑André Cathedral, in Gothic style, included in the Routes of Santiago de Compostela in France (UNESCO, 1998).
The cathedral was begun in the 11th century; from the Romanesque phase remains are preserved in the interior walls of the nave. The north façade has two spire‑topped towers; the bell tower is detached and corresponds to Tour Pey‑Berland (15th century). Between the 14th and 16th centuries, rebuilding work was carried out in which the Angevin style can be seen in the main nave and chapels. The tympanum of the north portal depicts the Last Judgment.
The City of Wine
Wine is one of Bordeaux’s great attractions and, for that reason, the city has a dedicated space you can visit: an immersive museum and cultural center. It is a sensory, educational experience geared towards wine tourism.
The City of Wine offers more than 3,000 m² of permanent and temporary exhibitions that trace the history of wine from Antiquity to the present day, through grape varieties and winemaking. It complements the existing Wine and Trade Museum in the city.
A restaurant with a wine list of over 500 labels
At Cité du Vin you’ll find the panoramic restaurant Le 7 (7th floor), with a wine list of about 500 wines from 50 countries, and the Latitude20 space, with a cellar of around 800 labels and nearly 50 wines by the glass. You can have a full meal or just a glass with tapas.
This visit can easily be combined with getaways to nearby wine‑growing areas to see firsthand how wine is produced.
The wineries of Bordeaux
Near Bordeaux lies Saint‑Émilion, about 45 minutes away by road. If you have time, include its wineries. In French, a winery is also called a château. Margaux, Pichon Longueville, Yquem, Olivier are notable examples of Bordeaux wine.
The wineries are increasingly open to the public. Cos d’Estournel stands out for having installed a monumental gate from the Sultan of Zanzibar’s palace. Many buildings combine classical and contemporary sections. Spanish architect Ricardo Bofill designed the famous circular winery at Château Lafite Rothschild (1987).
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