Things you love to do in Bordeaux

If you like museums you may love the Museum of the Aquitine. Bring a translation app, quite a bit of the signage is French only. It's this part of a larger trip to also see the Dordogne Region? That was one of my favourite regions in Europe I've ever been to.

If you like wine, make sure to visit Le Bar a Vin. It is opposite the Tourist Office and near to the Opera House.

It is set up by local vignerons giving you the chance to taste local wines at a fraction of the normal price. They have a constantly changing list of wines from €2.50 to €12 per glass. You can also purchase charcuterie, cheese or mixed platters.

We had a wonderful lunch there, with terrific advice from the sommelier for a fraction of what anywhere else would have cost.

It is also housed in a spectacular historic building with some beautiful stained glass.

https://www.bordeaux.com/en/bar-a-vin-bordeaux/

We did the Cite du Vin and were completely underwhelmed. Nearby to that though is the Bassin des Lumieres, a digital arts space in old World War II submarine bases. This was excellent, although of course the art display changes constantly.

Dinner at l‘Entrecôte almost directly across the street from le Bar a Vin . Arrive early!

More detail about my stay.. My apt should be near Place Gambetta.

Thanks, Kay, but I am a vegetarian although will have fish in a pinch. Did you try any non steak main courses.

Vote #2 for the Museum of the Aquitaine! It is excellent!

I also enjoyed the big Cathedral Saint-Andre as well. While there is only one wall in the nave remaining from the time, this is where Alienor d'Aquitaine married her first husband in 1137. He became King Louis VII 2 weeks after their marriage when his father died.

I also did the Musee des Beaux-arts. It was fine, not superior after you've been in Paris but worth seeing. There are 2 buildings. I also did another art museum nearby but I can't tell from the map what it was. (apparently not memorable, hahaha. They were having a special exhibition which I don't recall either, hahaha.)

I also sought out the statue of Modeste Testas, an enslaved woman from Ethiopia who spent time enslaved in Bordeaux before she was shipped to Haiti. One of her descendants was a President of Haiti. It's along the very lovely esplanade beside the Garonne River.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modeste_Testas

I did not get to the botanical garden if that is of interest to you.

We made our second visit to Bordeaux in May of this year, after enjoying it for a one-night stay (in transit from the Dordogne to Paris) and liking it then.

The Museum of the Aquitaine was good, though yes mostly in French (I could read enough to get by). I had read there was a lot about Eleanor of Aquitaine, which I was looking forward to. If so, I missed that area!

The place that I was totally entranced by was the Water Mirror. We had been to it the first time, and I thought it was fine. That was before I found a great explanation of the cycle and system (probably on the City's website). It cycles through the shallow basin filling, then slowly receding. At a certain point, the water calms and the mirror appears as if by magic. Then, a mist comes up between the individuals cement squares of the basin. Then the water flows back into the reservoir, the water begins to evaporate, and the cycle begins again. If you make it there, stay for the entire cycle (I think 20 minutes).

Enjoy - Bordeaux is a great city, and less touristy than some others in France, which I liked (though I also like cities with lots of tourists, like Paris)

I really enjoyed le Musée Du Vin Et Du Négoce when we visited Bordeaux a few years ago. Learning about the history of Bordeaux wine, the Dutch and English influence on its development, and how it is made and marketed was very interesting. Perhaps more so because at the time we lived in Bourgogne and the two wine making areas could hardly be more different. Learning about Bordeaux wines really helped us understand the difference with Bourgogne.

Great ideas above (though I'm baffled by the "underwhelmed" reaction to the Cité du Vin). I would add the following:

1. Walk along the Garonne riverside from the Cité du Vin to the Porte de Bourgogne, and then returning on the other side of the street

2. Visit the excellent Musée des Beaux Arts

3. Visit the square that is home to the Hotel de Ville (city hall), the Cathédrale Saint-André de Bordeaux and the Pey Berland tower

4. Take in rhe Cours de l'Intendance and the Opéra National de Bordeaux - Grand-Théâtre at its eastern end

5. Shoppers shouldn't miss the Rue Sainte-Catherine

6. Take a ride on one of the excellent trams; if you're arriving by plane you can take it right into the city center

7. Take the short train ride to Saint-Emilion and walk up the hill to the beautiful old village

Hi Laurie Beth! Bordeaux is a wonderful choice (I am biased!) Here is what I'd suggest:
1) Mollat book store (it's huge!)
2) Musée d'Acquitaine (as others have said it really is a must see.)
3) Place de la Bourse
4) Mirror d'Eau
5) Cité du Vin (I consider this a must see for first time visitors who also enjoy wine)
6) Musée du Vin et du Négoce (the 'original' wine museum filled with lots of Bordeaux history)
7) Marché des Capucins (big food market. Go in the morning as it starts closing up around 12:30pm)
8) Churches: Église Ste. Croix, Basilique St. Michel, Cathédrale St. André (this one also has concerts throughout the year so check their website to see if anything is happening during your visit), Église de St. Louis des Chartrons (cute church in a very charming neighborhood with tons of good restaurants.)
9) Restaurants: Lots of good ones. I think you mentioned you don't eat meat so check out Books and Coffee it's by the Grosse Cloches (also worth seeing). And for other restaurants, download the Fork app. I use it all over France and have never been disappointed with restaurant recommendations.
10) Day trip to St. Émilion. You can take train or there is a bus from Place des Quinconces. This could be a half day or a full day.
11) Arcachon. A lovely, art-deco beachtown towards the Atlantic Ocean on Arcachon Bay. Charming! With lots of great restaurants and a beautiful art-deco style.
12) Le Grand Théâtre (this is where the Opéra of Bordeaux performs) is stunning. Visits are by pre booked tours only through the Tourists office.

I'm sure there's more but that's what I can think of off top of my head. Happy planning!

Wow, now I am getting excited about my visit next spring. I have so many wonderful places to research. Thank you, everyone.