Tour guides France > Bordeaux

5 ideas for guided tours in Bordeaux

• The Port of the Moon

  

  The Port of the Moon takes its name from the wide curve the Garonne makes as it crosses the city, like a crescent resting between the banks.

  Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this area reflects both Bordeaux’s merchant past and its architectural elegance. The river’s reflections shift throughout the day, highlighting the golden hue of the stone.

  The quays, lined with perfectly aligned neoclassical façades, create one of the most harmonious urban landscapes in Europe. Every step here feels like a journey. You walk through old medieval gates, emerge onto quiet squares, and look up at beautifully restored buildings.

• Place des Quinconces

  

  In the center of Bordeaux, between the Garonne quays and the old streets, the Place des Quinconces unfolds its vast open space in near silence. Wide, airy, it seems to breathe in its own way.

  Your eyes are naturally drawn to the Monument to the Girondins. Towering columns, statues frozen in motion—it tells a story of freedom without trying to stir emotion. Just there, steady and enduring.

  The trees, carefully planted in the pattern that gives the square its name, trace quiet avenues. This isn’t a place to rush through, but to cross slowly, with no set purpose, letting the silence do its work.

  Not far away, the Grand Théâtre, Rue Sainte-Catherine, and the Chartrons quays extend as natural continuations. Nothing rigid, everything flowing into the next.

  Easily reached by tram lines B and C, the square is one of those places you don’t really expect, yet remember long after.

• Saint Pierre, the historic heart

  

  Once a Gallo-Roman port, the Saint-Pierre district takes its name from the patron saint of fishermen. In those days, the entrance to the port stood right on Place Saint-Pierre—now filled in, yet still steeped in memory.

  The surrounding streets tell the story of this trading past: Rue du Chai des Farines recalls the old grain warehouses, Rue des Argentiers speaks of the goldsmiths, while Rue des Bahutiers echoes the chest sellers.

  Today, Saint-Pierre is one of the liveliest quarters in the city center. With its pedestrian lanes, it invites you to wander—past old façades, bustling terraces, and charming shopfronts. People come here for the atmosphere, to have lunch outdoors, or simply to soak up Bordeaux’s charm.

  Don’t leave without stopping by Saint-Pierre Church. This fine Gothic building dominates the square with elegance, bringing a sense of reflection to the heart of the city’s bustle.

• The Quays

  

  Since their redevelopment, the left-bank quays of the Garonne have taken on a new character. More than just a passageway, they’ve become a place to breathe—alive, diverse. Locals gather here, visitors linger. Eighteenth-century façades, children’s play areas, smooth paths for bikes and skateboards: everyone finds their own rhythm.

  A few stops worth making:
  – The Water Mirror: right across from Place de la Bourse, a thin basin set on granite. The water barely covers the surface, yet reflects everything—the city, the passersby. On hot days, children splash, laugh, and run through it. It operates from May to October.
  – Cap Sciences: just below the Chaban-Delmas Bridge, a center devoted to discovery. Exhibits, games, and experiments for curious minds. A great excuse to learn while having fun, especially as a family.

  Want to see the city from another angle? Just board a boat on the Garonne. From the river, the slopes of Blayais and Médoc reveal themselves in a light found nowhere else. And all year long, the quays pulse with major events: Bordeaux Wine Festival, the River Festival… Moments filled with smiles, raised glasses, and mingling voices. A simple, joyful, shared atmosphere.

• The Wine Roads

  

  Wine lover? Bordeaux and its region offer a unique oenological experience. Here are six must-do routes:

  – The Médoc: famous for its château road and prestigious estates.
  – Graves and Sauternes: renowned for their sweet white wines.
  – Pomerol and the medieval village of Saint-Émilion: perfect for combining wine and heritage.
  – Blaye and Bourg: gems nestled along the estuary.
  – Entre-deux-Mers: nicknamed the “Tuscan corner of Bordeaux,” with its rolling landscapes.
  – Bordeaux Métropole: explore more than 20 châteaux right in the heart of the city.

  To complete the experience, visit the Cité du Vin. This immersive museum explores the history and culture of wine and offers tastings in an interactive setting. A perfect adventure for lovers o