Location: Bordeaux
Top Things to do in Bordeaux
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Top 10 Budget-friendly Things to do in Bordeaux, Nouvelle-Aquitaine
After many years of hard work, the "Sleeping Beauty" has awoken from its slumber. The city is beautifully restored and has an ultra-modern public transport system. The “Port of the Moon” is also now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Stone Bridge, with its 17 arches, crosses the Garonne, offering pedestrians a lovely view over the docks and harbor. Take a stroll through old Bordeaux in the Triangle d'Or and stop at Place des Quinconces, France’s largest public square. The city of Bordeaux is an ideal base for exploring the greater wine region’s unforgettable sights and tastes.
Restaurants in Bordeaux
1. St. Andre Cathedral
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,362 reviews
This beautiful 17th century church is one of Bordeaux's main attractions.
Reviewed By JElliot32 - New South Wales, Australia
Bordeaux's cathedral is massive Gothic pile, very reminiscent to us of many other Gothic churches we visited around France and Spain. But there was also plenty more about St Andre's to ensure we did not succumb to 'cathedral overload' here. Its towering spires, highly decorated doorways and flying buttresses all catch your eye from the square outside, while from the inside the ribbed vaults of the soaring ceiling and the light shining through the stained-glass windows are awe-inspiring. Best of all though were the cathedral's magnificently decorative rose windows. Also of note is that Eleonor of Aquitaine married here in 1137.
2. Church of Notre-Dame de Bordeaux
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 367 reviews
Not to be confused with its more famous namesake in Paris, this 11th century church is beautiful in its own right, with its elaborately carved facades and detailing.
Reviewed By 750dimitrisl - Sydney, Australia
Notre Dame Church is a beautiful, baroque style church, built in the 17th century. We happened to be passing by, while walking around the streets of the city and went inside. It is quite elaborately decorated and contains lovely paintings and other artworks. It is worth taking the time to stop by and have a look.
3. Grand Theatre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,235 reviews
Considered by many to be the cultural heart of the city, this elaborately carved opera house surprises the senses with its fine architecture and interior design as well as its world-class performances.
Reviewed By CwparisR - Calgary, Canada
My husband and I attended the afternoon performance on a Saturday. Very beautiful opera building and the ballet was outstanding.
4. Place de la Bourse
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6,857 reviews
Reviewed By Effecrisse - Milan, Italy
The square is really marvelous, we can be breathless at night thanks to a spectacular lighting and to the Miroir d'Eau just in front of the palaces that perfectly reflect on it. You can take fabulous pictures there!
5. Pont de Pierre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,367 reviews
Reviewed By Staidthere - Jakarta, Indonesia
Bordeaux has two iconic images: the Place de la Bourse city square and the old stone bridge. For history and beauty, we prefer the 200 year-old Ponte de Pierre because, like the Statue of Liberty in New York, it must have been the first image of Bordeaux to weary travelers who crossed the Garonne River and passed into the safety of the city through the Bourgogne Arch. Until 1965, it was the only bridge across the river. The 17 small regular arches are characteristic of old stone bridges (steel construction allows longer spans), and today the repeating arches exhibit a graceful image of their former glory, especially just before nightfall when the details of the bridge including the Napoleon seals, are still visible among lights on the arches reflecting off the river. The lovely evenly-spaced 19th century overhead lamps made us pause just a bit longer to contemplate the bridge and its history, despite the rush of evening commuters. We suspect the old bridge should be reinforced or replaced, but it has been preserved more for aesthetic reasons, like the Charles Bridge in Prague, because nowadays only pedestrians and lighter public transport pass over it.
6. Cite Fruges-Le Corbusier
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 108 reviews
Bordeaux industrialist Henri Frugès commissioned the visionary architect Charles-Edouard Le Corbusier, to create this unconventional neighbourhood. 50 houses were built in 1926, and restored in the 1970s. This brought out renewed respect for the buildings, which are now listed and protected in a national heritage zone (Protection du Patrimoine Architectural Urbain et Paysager).
7. Port de la Lune
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 160 reviews
Reviewed By Malarchy - Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Le Port de la Lune is the old harbour at Bordeaux on the Garonne. Nowadays it loosely refers to the promenade between the Pont de Pierre and the Pont Jacques Chaban-Delmas. The backdrop on the Left Bank is beautiful and it is a pleasant place to walk, cycle, or run on a sunny day. The old port is no longer in operation but there are still occasional visits from cruise ships. It is far from the best way to experience Bordeaux but fortunately these monstrosities do not stay for long. It is also possible to get a small boat along the Bordeaux stretch of the Garonne from here. The promenade as a whole is lovely. Several spectacular buildings face it such as the Palais de la Bourse which in the right period of the year is reflected in the Miroir de l'Eau. The buildings generally that can be seen from the promenade are lovely. The Garonne is a flowing river and dredges up quite a lot of mud. Despite that it is a thoroughly pleasant waterway to pass alongside. The view to the Right Bank is much less interesting and is clearly the poorer relation. The bridges at either end are impressive in their own ways but form a backdrop rather than a core part of the area. The aspect that makes this area work is how lively it is. There are always people enjoying the area passively or actively. A particular highlight is coming across street dance collectives by the Miroir de l'Eau. On Sundays a nice little market springs up mainly swelling fresh products. At the new bridge end there is a shopping avenue with a series of restaurants. The whole area is well maintained despite its popularity. It is a genuine pleasure to experience and a wonderful promenade.
8. Musee d'Aquitaine
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 734 reviews
Set in the heart of the city, the Musée d'Aquitaine retraces the history of the region, from prehistory through to the present day. The museum exposes rich regional and extra-european collections of archeology, history and ethnography. This "Museum of civilization" presents each years several temporary exhibitions about history and cultures of the world. It offers to public a varied cultural programming: lectures, screenings, round tables, guided tours, concerts, meetings with foreign communities, educational workshops... Easily accessible from the tram B (stop Musée d'Aquitaine) or A (stop City Hall / Hôtel de Ville).
Reviewed By SergioR1 - Eastbourne, United Kingdom
Centrally located and near a tramway spot. A good way to understand the city and region. Superb collection of Roman archeology: mosaics, statues, estellas etc. Good collection of local ethnographic history, world cultures and slave trade. City development and main trade. All well presented in different languages: French, English & Spanish. Friendly staff you can get out and back into the museum with your ticket.
9. Tour Pey-Berland
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 809 reviews
Situated to the south-east of the chevet of the Cathedral of Saint-André at Bordeaux, the tower of Pey-Berland serves as its bell tower, built in the 15th century in the Gothic style. Its isolation was due to the wish to provide the Cathedral with magnificent bells which would not threaten the structure with their vibrations. Designated world heritage site by UNESCO.
Reviewed By imagosumlux
You get to climb 61 meters, in a two meter column, up 231 steps to see the view of the Gargoyles. Sure there are times when you’re thinking the foundations date from the the 16th century but the the final product was by the same architect that created the Statue of Liberty (and that hasn’t fallen yet). Seriously, its a strenuous 15 minute ascent if you’re in any doubt don’t try. I can imagine it would be challenging to many people. However, the payoff in views is worth the risk. Even just seeing a cathedral from above is architecturally illuminating, never mind the 360 degree views of Bordeaux city. For 5 euro, its a steal. More excitement and fun than a roller coaster.
10. Grosse Cloche de Bordeaux
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,051 reviews
Reviewed By TV2451
This is one of the most famous landmarks in town and needs to be on your walking tour. It's a castle-like town with a clock, quite old and impressive.
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