Bordeaux holidays

How to reach Bordeaux

• Flight time: Flights to Bordeaux from Dublin take about 2 hours 5 minutes. There are also seasonal flights from other Irish airports such as Cork and Shannon.

• Transfer time: Bordeaux–Mérignac Airport is located about 12km west of the city. The 30'Direct shuttle bus takes roughly 30 minutes to reach Saint-Jean train station in central Bordeaux.

• Price: A one-way bus ticket from the airport to the city centre costs around €8. Taxis cost between €30 and €40 for the same journey.

Best time to visit Bordeaux

Choosing the best time for your holidays to Bordeaux depends on whether you want sunshine, wine tastings or fewer crowds.

• March to May is a lovely time to visit, with spring temperatures ranging from 10°C to 20°C. There are 7–9 hours of sunshine per day, fewer tourists and moderate rainfall of about 50–70mm monthly—ideal for relaxed sightseeing.

• June to August is peak season, when Bordeaux comes alive with visitors exploring the vineyards and riverfront. Temperatures range from 20°C to 28°C, and there’s little rain. Expect 10–12 hours of sunshine daily.

• September to November is harvest season in the Bordeaux wine region. It’s perfect for wine-lovers and anyone after a more laid-back experience. Expect temperatures between 10°C and 20°C, 7–9 hours of sunshine and some light rainfall.

• December to February sees mild winters compared to Ireland. Average temperatures range from 5°C to 12°C, with 5–7 hours of sunshine. Rain is more frequent, but the city remains lively with food markets, museums and winter events.

Practical information

• Spoken languages: French is the official language, but English is widely spoken in tourist areas. A few basic French phrases will go a long way.

• Local habits and customs: Dining is taken seriously, with lunch often a long, leisurely affair. The pace of life is relaxed, particularly in cafés and restaurants.

• Health and safety: Bordeaux is a safe city, but as with any urban area, take care of your belongings in busy spots.

• Currency: France uses the Euro. ATMs are easy to find and card payments are widely accepted.

• Getting around: Bordeaux has an excellent tram system that runs from early morning to midnight, including routes to the suburbs. Tickets can be bought at tram stops or local newsagents (tabacs), and passes are available for 1 to 7 days of unlimited travel.

• Electricity and plug types: Voltage is 230V and plugs are the standard two-pin European type. Travellers from Ireland will need an adaptor.

• Time zone: Bordeaux is in the Central European Time zone (CET), which is 1 hour ahead of Irish time. Daylight Saving Time is observed.

Best things to do in Bordeaux

First-rate museums, excellent shopping, fine restaurants and lively nightlife make Bordeaux an absorbing place to spend a long weekend - and of course, there's the wine.

Viewpoints and panoramas

• Pont de Pierre: Built on Napoleon's orders during the Spanish campaigns, with 17 arches in honour of his victories, the views of the river and quays from here are stunning, especially at dusk.

• La Cité du Vin: Not only a museum dedicated to wine, but also a place offering incredible views from its belvedere. Sip a glass of wine while enjoying the breathtaking vista.

The best districts

• Chartrons: Formerly the wine district, this is becoming increasingly cool, sprouting artists' studios, vintage shops and restaurants, as well as a Sunday farmer's market on the quay.

• Place de la Bourse: Stunning both day and night, the city's main square is given a magic touch courtesy of The Miroir d'Eau, a large reflecting pool.

Museums

• La Cité du Vin: In this, the city's finest museum, a visit includes a digital guide through exhibits that take you from wine cultivation and production to the history of the wine trade and current trends - best of all, there's a glass of wine at the end.

• Musée Mer Marine: Set by the water in the area that was the city's thriving port in the 19th century, displays here combine historic maritime artefacts that run through the history of navigation, boat building and exploration.

Parks and gardens

• Jardin Public: A beautiful formal park, the Jardin Public contains the city's botanical gardens as well as a small natural history museum.

• Parc Bordelais: Located in the Caudéran district, this park offers up vast green spaces, a playground and even a small animal farm.

Historical monuments

• Monument aux Girondins: A glorious fin-de-siècle ensemble of statues and fountains built in honour of the local deputies to the 1789 Revolutionary Assembly.

• Cathédrale St-André: Built between the 11th and 15th centuries, with twin steeples over the north transept and an adjacent bell tower, the interior of the cathedral is vast and impressive.

• Grand Théatre: Built by the architect Victor Louis in 1780, the lofty exterior is adorned with pillars, Muses and Graces, while inside is awash with flamboyant trompe l'oeil paintings; attend an opera or ballet, or join a guided tour.

Day trips in the area

• Dune du Pyla: Europe's largest dune is a mighty mountain of golden sand and the views from the top span the entire Cote d'Argent.

• Angouleme: Maybe the best-kept secret in France – beautiful, historic, lively, full of things to do, and hardly a tourist in sight.

• Wine Country: Bordeaux's wine regions lie in a great semicircle around the city, starting with the Médoc in the north, then skirting east through St-Amilion, before finishing south of the city among the vineyards of the Sauternes - just make sure you have a designated driver!

Activities for families in Bordeaux

Ok, so wine might not be on the agenda (much) for families, but there's stacks to keep the younger ones entertained.

• Theme parks and adventure: Although Bordeaux doesn't have its own theme park, the nearby Parc de la Coccinelle in Gujan-Mestras is an all-inclusive amusement park with rides and attractions for all ages.

• Interactive museums: Best for kids is the Musée Mer Marine which, while examining the effect climate change has on the oceans and the impact of plastic waste and overfishing, has plenty of interactive bits and bobs for the children.

• Beaches: Yes, there are beaches in the city: Bordeaux Lac to the north of the city and Begles in the southern suburbs.

Free things to do in Bordeaux

It might not be the cheapest city in France, but there are plenty of ways in which you can make the budget stretch on your Bordeaux holidays.

• Museums and galleries: If you happen to be here on the first Sunday of the month, take advantage of the museums, all of which open their doors for free. Many of the art galleries are free all the time anyway.

• Visit the markets: Marché des Capucins, Bordeaux's main covered market hall, is an epicurean journey through France, with fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, seafood, breads and pastries - many items you can sample for free.

• Street art: Bordeaux's street art scene is second to none, so wander the streets in search of giant murals; head to the Bassin a Flot district or the hipster Darwin quarter which has a large concentration of works.

• Festivals: Bordeaux's Fete le Vin is the big one, where you can sample wine until your heart's content - but there are free events happening on all the major squares throughout summer.

Nature and outdoor activities

Bordeaux's location within striking distance of forests and the ocean means that there's no shortage of wild and adventurous things to do.

• Hiking: Part of the largest pine forest in Western Europe, Les Landes is not only a beautiful place, but strong on outdoor pursuits, particularly hiking, with superb trails running through the forest and along the coast.

• Surfing: The surfing at Les Landes is world-class, with the town of Hossegor in the south being home to one of the best beach break waves on the planet. What are you waiting for?

• Cycling: Bordeaux is a bike-friendly city with many dedicated cycling paths. Liberty Cycles at 104 cours d'Yser rents out bikes, as does Station Vélo Services at 36 Place de Stalingrad. Or venture out to the surrounding countryside: the Roger Lapébie cycle path is a popular route that takes you through many a scenic vineyard.

Local dishes in Bordeaux

Whilst its wine is justifiably considered the best in the world, Bordeaux's cuisine is just as legendary, and you can eat as well here as in any French city.

Some typical dishes

• Lamproie a la Bordelaise: This most traditional of Bordeaux dishes comprises lamprey, a type of eel, cooked in a red wine sauce with leeks, onions and ham - and the lamprey's blood…

• Confit de canard: Another Bordeaux staple, duck is slow-cooked in its own fat until tender, then served with crispy potatoes and a side of salad.

Meat dishes

• Entrecote a la Bordelaise: A thick, juicy steak cooked in a rich red wine sauce (naturally) alongside shallots, bone marrow and herbs.

• Boudin noir: Blood sausage made with pork blood and fat, flavoured with onions and spices; mashed potatoes or apples are the usual accompaniment.

Fish and seafood dishes

• Cap Ferret oysters: Mussels from Cap Ferret cooked in a broth of white wine, shallots, parsley and butter; utterly delicious.

Street food

• Panisses: Chickpea fritters that are crispy on the outside and soft inside, this ubiquitous street food is usually served with a sprinkle of salt and a squeeze of lemon.

Sweets and desserts

Canelés are small, caramelised cakes with a soft, custardy interior, flavoured with vanilla and rum, while Macarons de Saint-Amilion are chewy, almond-based macarons which are a bit different from the more commonly known Parisian macarons - some say even better.

Local drinks

• Bordeaux wine: The region is world-famous for its wines; from the robust reds of the Médoc to the sweet whites of Sauternes, there's a wine to suit every palate.

• Pineau des Charentes: A sweet fortified wine made from grape juice and cognac best enjoyed as an aperitif or with a dessert.