3 amazing days in Bordeaux

Why did not I meet you earlier, Bordeaux?

I have been living in France for 5 years and I did not HAVE THE Time to go to Bordeaux. Let’s face it… It was never a priority BUT NOW that I have been there I regret it. Bordeaux became my favorite city in France (after Paris, of course). 😛

I do not remember seeing a French city so clean like Bordeaux. I really liked the vibe there! Cool cafes, amazing wine bars and nice people around. 3 days in Bordeaux were like heaven to me! 😀

 

 

So what did I do down there?

To be honest, I went without much expectation and I left with a heart full of good memories… 😀 Meeting friends from Bordeaux, walking around without destiny and discovering the tiny streets of the city felt soooo good.

 

Bordeaux by night: the lights, the good weather and the red wine!

Bordeaux is a city that combines many good things and the nightlife is definitely something not to miss out. If you like sport, exercising by the river (running, cycling, stretching…) can be a very good plan.

If you like drinking wine and meeting new people, that is also fine. By the river you will find many people laughing while eating and drinking (the famous Apéro as Parisians do by the Seine). If you prefer something more classic, you will also have many bar options along the river or in the little streets of Bordeaux. Explore them 😛

 

Bordeaux by day

In Bordeaux you can walk almost everywhere, it is not a very big city.

Along the river you have 2 of the most known monuments in Bordeaux: Le Monument aux Girondins and La place de la Bourse.

Make sure you also check the public garden: it is such a nice place. If you like shopping, you will be delighted with Rue Sainte-Catherine… EVERYTHING: from the traditional Bordeaux businesses to the typical shops that we find everywhere: Nike, Zara or Apple… At the end of this street, you will find La Place de la Victoire, a busy square where many people have lunch during the week.

La Cathédrale St-André, La Tour Pey-Berland are also worth shooting places.

Wine Museum

Going to Bordeaux and not visiting the Wine museum is like going to Rome and not seeing the Pope.

If you like History, you will like it. There is a lot of information about Bordeaux and how the wine became one of the most important activities of the region. Explanations about the production and different methods of making wine are also available. Videos and many artifacts can be found in the corridors. The museum is not very big so, 40 min/ 1h will be enough to check it out.

At the end, the best of the best: Tasting 2 glasses of Bordeaux wine.

Entrance: 10€ (or even less if you are a student).

 

Art museum

If you do not like museums, at least, check the Arts museum’s garden! 😀 The museum is divided in 2 different building the Arts museum and the Arts gallery and it presents pieces from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries.

The best part, the museum is very well located, not busy at all and the ticket price is totally affordable.

Entrance 4€ (or even less if you are a student)

  

One day at the beach in Bordeaux: Lacanau

When I booked my flight to Bordeaux, I thought the beach was pretty close to the city center. I packed so many beach outfits thinking I would spend the 3 days on the beach. When I arrived at the hostel and I understood it would take me 1 hour to get to the beach, I wanted to die. BAD LUCK! I will use all my beach shorts next time, I thought.

Anyway, I actually went to the beach on my third day in Bordeaux. I was a happy kid for a day. 😀 I went to Lacanau with some friends and by car it took us almost 1 hour. Although it was end of the season, we were pretty lucky with the weather and well, the beach was also full of surfers. GIRLS: if you want to find your next hottie, you must have a look around there. You will not be disappointed!

 

Note: Accommodation in Bordeaux

There are not many affordable accommodation options in Bordeaux. YES!!! It is an expensive city to sleep.

I stayed at Hostel 20 and I really recommend it. It is a cosy/ small hostel (maximum 12 people can be accommodated) located in the city center and not far from the river and pretty close to the Wine museum. Staff members are very nice and everything is super clean and tidy. ⇒ Towels and breakfast are included.

 

Have you been in Bordeaux? What do you think about the city?

If you have not had the chance to visit, I hope this post will inspire you and motivate you to go.

 

Beijinho,

Daniela