Bordeaux is a perfect city for a weekend getaway. There are many reasons to visit Bordeaux: its gastronomy, its historic center known as "Sleeping Beauty", its photogenic fountain and it is perhaps one of the most internationally recognized cities in the wine world.
It is often called “the pearl of Aquitaine”, in 2007 a part of the city, Puerto de la Luna, was registered as a World Heritage Site by Unesco with 347 protected buildings and more than 1810 recognized hectares, in addition to 3 churches (Saint-André, Saint-Michel and Saint-Seurin), included within the framework of the Camino de Santiago. To this is added that, in 2017, Lonely Planet magazine considered it the number 1 city to travel to in 2017.
Don't worry if you have a low budget for your trip to Bordeaux, here we propose a list of things to do in Bordeaux without spending a single euro.
If you have never visited Bordeaux, we recommend this free tour: free essential Bordeaux tour
Do you need us to give you more reasons to visit Bordeaux?
Visit the Saint André Cathedral
Finding Pey Berland
Pey Berland is the bell tower of the Cathedral of Saint Andrew, it is 66 meters high. It was named after its patron, Pey Berland, promoter of the renewal of the church in Aquitaine. This tower built in the fifteenth century responds to the desire to provide the cathedral with large bells that could have endangered its structure, for this reason the tower is separated from the cathedral.
Inside it consists of three bells, a larger bell and Notre-Dame. Always active, Marie, Clémence and Marguerite ring alongside Ferdinand-André, installed in 1869 and weighing more than eight tons.
Listen to the bells of La Flèche
This bell tower is located next to to the Saint Michel chapel, inside it houses 22 bells, it is impossible not to hear them ring if you are in Bordeaux!This bell tower is 114.60 m high, making it the tallest building in the world in its year of construction. Today this bell tower is the tallest in southern France and the second tallest bell tower in France.
Taking a picture in the Place de la Bourse
The place de la Bourse is one of the places most iconic of the city, dating from the 18th century, it was the first breach in the walls, to be the opening of the city to the river and offer a more welcoming image to foreigners. It also opened the door to the construction of a classical city.
Since 1869, the fountain of the Three Graces has adorned the square, but it was in 2006 when a black granite plate was placed that was filled with 2 cm of water, making it the mirror of water largest in the world.
Stroll Sainte Catherine street
It is the most commercial area of the city, and the longest pedestrian street in Europe, with its 1.2 km long.
At the end of the street you will find the Place de la Victoire, where you can see the Aquitaine Gate.
Plaza Quincones
Place des Quinconces is one of the largest squares in Europe, with a surface area of approximately 126,000 m².
It was laid out in 1820 on the location of the Château Trompette, with the aim of preventing a rebellion against the city.
In this square we highlight two monuments:
The two 21-meter-high rostral columns facing the Garonne were erected by Henri-Louis Duhamel du Monceau in 1829. One symbolizes trade, the other navigation. In 1858 the white marble statues of Montaigne and Montesquieu were added.
The main monument was erected between 1894 and 1902 in memory of the Girondins who fell victim to The Terror during the French Revolution. It consists of a large pedestal framed between two bowls, decorated with bronze horses and troops, and crowned with a large column with a statue on its top representing the spirit of freedom.
It is a very lively square where markets and concerts are organized.
Visiting the decanter of La Cité du Vin
Entering La Cité du Vin costs money, but it is worth it see the building from outside. It has a very particular silhouette, some claim that it is shaped like a flying saucer, although it is actually a wine decanter.
Cross the gate of Cailhau
The gate of Cailhau is located in the neighborhood of San Pedro, known as “ Sleeping Beauty” from Bordeaux. It is one of the six gates that in ancient times gave access to the city of Bordeaux, it was built in honor of Carlos VIII, given its location in the area near the river, this was the main entrance to the city from the port. You can go up to the first floor for free, where there is an exhibition, but the rest is paid.
See the Chaban Delmas bridge rise
This modern bridge was built in 2013 and has the peculiarity of raising its entire central platform by about 55 m to allow the passage of ships.
built in the time of Louis XVI. On its cover we can see 12 stone statues representing 9 muses accompanied by 3 goddesses.
View the Grosse Cloche
This is another of Bordeaux's old gates. It stands out for its bell weighing 7750kg called Armande-Louise. This bell rings 6 times a year, on major celebrations, such as Bastille Day. In the past as a prison and fulfilled a defensive function.
If you want to enter the dungeons you have to pay, we leave that to your choice.
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Cross the Garona River by the Stone Bridge
Our next proposal is that you cross the stone bridge that crosses the Garona River joining the left bank (Cours Victor Hugo) with the Bastide neighborhood (Avenue Thiers) on the right bank. It has been registered as a historical monument since 17 December 2002.
As a curiosity, we will tell you that the bridge has 17 arches, which corresponds to the number of letters in the name of Napoleon Bonaparte. On the sides, each stack of bricks is enhanced by a white medallion in honor of the emperor. There are also small representations of the city's coat of arms, made up of three intertwined croissants or moons. This bridge was the only one in the city until the construction of the San Juan Bridge in 1965.
It's the perfect place to end your getaway in Bordeaux!
