Bordeaux Holidays — Wine, Châteaux & the Cité du Vin
Bordeaux
Holidays
The world's greatest wine region — Médoc châteaux, Saint-Émilion, the Cité du Vin and one of France's most elegant cities
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Flight Time
1h45 from London; 2h from Paris by TGV
Best Time
May–June and September–October — harvest season (vendanges) in September is magical
Country
France
Suppliers
our travel partners ·
Bordeaux Holiday Guide
Bordeaux is the world's most famous wine region — a city of elegant 18th-century architecture on the Garonne River, surrounded by thousands of wine châteaux producing some of the most celebrated wines on earth. The Médoc (Château Margaux, Château Latour, Château Mouton Rothschild, Château Pétrus), Saint-Émilion (a UNESCO World Heritage village), Pomerol, Sauternes and the Entre-Deux-Mers are all within easy reach of the city.
Bordeaux itself has been transformed in the past 20 years — the waterfront has been regenerated, the tram network extended, the Cité du Vin wine museum opened in 2016 and the city was named the best European destination in 2015. The historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site — the Place de la Bourse, the Grand Théâtre, the Rue Sainte-Catherine (the longest pedestrian shopping street in France) and the Chartrons antiques district are all worth exploring.
Bordeaux is 2 hours from Paris by TGV and has direct flights from most UK airports. It is the ideal base for a wine-focused holiday in southwest France.
Popular Areas in Bordeaux
Average Temperatures
Jan
8°C
Feb
10°C
Mar
13°C
Apr
16°C
May
20°C
Jun
23°C
Jul
26°C
Aug
26°C
Sep
23°C
Oct
17°C
Nov
12°C
Dec
8°C
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Call 01282 960 460Top 8 Things To Do in Bordeaux
The world-famous châteaux, medieval wine villages, extraordinary museum and elegant city life that make Bordeaux the ultimate wine lover's destination.
Saint-Émilion — The World's Most Beautiful Wine Village
Saint-Émilion, 40km east of Bordeaux, is one of the most beautiful villages in France — a UNESCO World Heritage Site of medieval limestone houses, Romanesque churches and underground wine cellars carved into the rock, surrounded by some of the most celebrated vineyards in the world. The Château Pétrus, Château Ausone and Château Cheval Blanc are all nearby. The village's monolithic church (carved entirely from the rock) and the cloister of the Collégiale are extraordinary. The wine shops and restaurants are excellent.
Médoc Wine Route — The Greatest Châteaux
The Médoc peninsula north of Bordeaux is home to the most celebrated wine estates in the world — the 1855 Classification châteaux that include Château Margaux, Château Latour, Château Mouton Rothschild and Château Lafite Rothschild. The D2 road through the Médoc passes through the villages of Margaux, Pauillac, Saint-Julien and Saint-Estèphe, each with its own appellation and character. Many châteaux offer tours and tastings — book well in advance for the most prestigious estates.
Cité du Vin — The World's Greatest Wine Museum
The Cité du Vin, opened in 2016 in a spectacular building on the Bordeaux waterfront, is the world's greatest wine museum — an immersive, interactive journey through the history, culture and science of wine from ancient Egypt to the present day. The permanent collection covers 20 themed areas over 3,000 sq metres. The Belvedere at the top of the building offers panoramic views over Bordeaux and the Garonne. The wine bar and restaurant are excellent.
Place de la Bourse & the Water Mirror
The Place de la Bourse, built between 1730 and 1775, is the most beautiful square in Bordeaux — a crescent of neoclassical buildings reflected in the Miroir d'Eau (Water Mirror), the world's largest reflecting pool. The Miroir d'Eau alternates between a thin film of water (creating a perfect reflection) and a mist of water vapour — the effect is extraordinary, particularly at dusk. The square is the centrepiece of Bordeaux's UNESCO World Heritage waterfront.
Arcachon Bay & the Dune du Pilat
Arcachon Bay, 60km southwest of Bordeaux, is one of the most beautiful natural landscapes in France — a vast tidal lagoon of oyster beds, pine forests, sandy beaches and the Dune du Pilat, the highest sand dune in Europe (110 metres). The dune offers extraordinary views over the bay and the Atlantic Ocean. Arcachon town has excellent seafood restaurants (the oysters are exceptional) and a charming Belle Époque villa district. The bay is 45 minutes from Bordeaux by train.
Sauternes — The World's Greatest Sweet Wine
Sauternes, 40km southeast of Bordeaux, produces the world's most celebrated sweet wine — a golden, honeyed wine made from Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc and Muscadelle grapes affected by noble rot (Botrytis cinerea). Château d'Yquem, the only Premier Cru Supérieur in the 1855 Classification, is the most celebrated wine estate in the world. The Sauternes wine route passes through the villages of Barsac, Preignac and Bommes, with tastings at many estates.
Bordeaux City — Architecture & Gastronomy
Bordeaux's historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site — the Grand Théâtre (one of the finest neoclassical theatres in Europe), the Rue Sainte-Catherine (the longest pedestrian shopping street in France at 1.2km), the Chartrons antiques district, the Marché des Capucins (the city's main food market, open every morning) and the Rue du Pas-Saint-Georges restaurant strip are all worth exploring. The city has excellent restaurants at every price point.
Bordeaux Food — Entrecôte, Canelés & Oysters
Bordeaux has a distinctive cuisine that pairs perfectly with its wines — entrecôte bordelaise (rib steak with a red wine and shallot sauce) is the signature dish, canelés (small caramelised rum and vanilla pastries) are the city's most famous sweet, and the oysters of Arcachon Bay are among the finest in France. The Marché des Capucins is the best place to buy local produce. The restaurant scene has improved dramatically in recent years — Bordeaux now has several Michelin-starred restaurants.
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