Bordeaux

Day 1: Bordeaux’s golden heart and riverside rhythm Ease into Bordeaux’s “dynamic elegance”: grand 18th‑century stone, car‑free plazas, and a slow, pleasure‑first pace. Keep things unhurried, linger on terraces, and let the rhythm of the Garonne set your day.

• Morning: Start at Marché des Capucins for coffee and a plate of oysters at a stand like Chez Jean‑Mi; greet vendors with a friendly “Bonjour” and order a chocolatine with your coffee. Stroll to Cathédrale Saint‑André and climb Tour Pey‑Berland for honey‑coloured skyline views; the limestone glows in soft morning light.
• Midday: Walk the mediaeval lanes of Saint‑Pierre via Porte Cailhau and the Grosse Cloche, then pause for a set lunch (formule) at a neo‑bistro nearby; ask for a carafe d’eau to keep things light. If it’s Sunday, browse the open‑air market along the Quai des Chartrons for picnic supplies.
• Afternoon: Drift up to Place de la Bourse and the Miroir d’Eau; in warm months the mist cycle is a cooling treat and fabulous for photos. Loop the Triangle d’Or for window‑shopping along Cours de l’Intendance and Passage Sarget; pop into L’Intendant to see the spiral of Bordeaux bottles.
• Evening: Take an apéro at Le Bar à Vin (opposite the Grand‑Théâtre), then dinner in Saint‑Pierre; reserve ahead for Thursday–Saturday. Time your post‑dinner stroll for the Miroir d’Eau reflections when the façades are illuminated; finish with a warm canelé for dessert.

Day 2: Right Bank creatives, wine culture, and riverfront life Cross the river for Bordeaux’s progressive side: street art, eco‑spaces, and contemporary icons. Today blends cycles, sips, and culture—perfect for feeling the city’s bobo spirit.

• Morning: Cycle or tram across Pont de Pierre to the Darwin Écosystème for coffee at Magasin Général and a wander through co‑working hangars, skate park and murals. Amble the Parc aux Angéliques for the best skyline view back to the 18th‑century façade des quais.
• Midday: Ride north along the quays to Cité du Vin; the building is as striking as the exhibits—book timed entry. Lunch across the street at Halles de Bacalan (casual stalls ideal for sharing plates and a crisp local white).
• Afternoon: Continue to Bassins de Lumières (in a former submarine base) for immersive art; book ahead, and bring a light layer for the cool interior. Alternatively, return to Chartrons for Rue Notre‑Dame’s antiques, galleries and coffee stops; Sunday late morning is lively with the local market.
• Evening: In summer, head to Guinguette Chez Alriq for riverside music, dancing and simple plates under the trees; arrive early. In cooler months, opt for a performance at the Grand‑Théâtre (bookings open weeks ahead) and a cosy dinner in the Triangle d’Or.

Day 3: Wine country or deep‑dive architecture—choose your adventure Dedicate your last day to the region’s soul. Either follow the vines to a château or stay in town to trace two millennia of architecture—from Roman ruins to timber towers.

• Morning: Wine option: Pre‑book a half‑day to Saint‑Émilion or the Médoc (hotel pick‑ups or train + château shuttle); morning tastings are quieter and light for the palate. Architecture option: Visit the Palais Gallien (Roman amphitheatre remains), then the CIAP at Place de la Bourse for city models and context.
• Midday: Wine option: Bistro lunch in the village (Saint‑Émilion’s backstreets are calmer just off the main square); try a glass of local dry white before the reds. Architecture option: Cross to MÉCA for contemporary culture and river views from the monumental ramp; grab a simple lunch nearby.
• Afternoon: Wine option: Second estate with a contrast—pair a traditional château visit with a modern winery to see how design shapes winemaking; ship bottles rather than carrying. Architecture option: Tram to Euratlantique to see new eco‑builds like the timber‑framed Tour Hypérion, then return via the riverside promenade.
• Evening: Back in the centre, enjoy a cave à manger (buy a bottle at near‑retail plus small corkage; staff will suggest producer‑led gems far below grand‑cru prices). Seasonal notes: autumn brings cèpes on menus; winter is peak oyster and lamprey season; summer terraces fill late—dine from 20:00 like a local.

Tips that make the trip smoother:

• Trams are frequent; a day pass simplifies hopping between quays, Chartrons and Bastide. The centre is very walkable; bikes (VCub) are ideal along the river paths.
• Many independent shops close 12:30–14:30; most restaurants close Sunday/Monday, so book around it. For busy nights, reserve lunches and dinners several days ahead.
• Markets: Capucins is best early; greet vendors, don’t handle produce unless invited, and snack standing at counters for the most local feel.

By Air

• Bordeaux–Mérignac Airport (BOD) sits about 12 km west of the centre.
• Into town:
  • Tram A (direct to Mériadeck/Quinconces/Hôtel de Ville): about 35–40 minutes; frequent services.
  • TBM bus 1+ to Gare Saint-Jean: roughly 40–50 minutes.
  • Taxi/ride‑hailing: typically 25–35 minutes off‑peak.
• Flight network: year‑round links to Paris (CDG/ORY), Lyon, Marseille, Nice and many European cities (e.g., London, Manchester, Dublin, Amsterdam, Brussels, Geneva, Madrid, Barcelona, Lisbon).
• Alternatives:
  • Bergerac (EGC): about 1 h 30–1 h 45 by car/train.
  • Biarritz (BIQ): about 2 hours by car/train.
  • Toulouse (TLS): about 2–2 h 30 by train/car.

By Train

• Main station: Bordeaux–Saint‑Jean (Gare St‑Jean).
• High‑speed TGV INOUI:
  • Paris Montparnasse: fastest from about 2 h 04 (very frequent).
  • Paris CDG Airport: around 3–3 h 30 (some direct services).
• Other key journeys (direct or 1 change):
  • Toulouse: about 2–2 h 10.
  • Arcachon: about 50 minutes.
  • Bayonne/Biarritz: about 2–2 h 30.
  • La Rochelle: about 2 h 30–3 h.
  • Nantes: around 4–4 h 30.
  • Lyon: about 4 h 45–6 h.
  • Marseille: about 6 h.
  • Lille: about 4 h 30–5 h (often via Paris/CDG).
• Local TER highlights: Saint‑Émilion about 35–40 minutes; Libourne about 25 minutes.
• Station access: Tram C links Gare St‑Jean to the centre in roughly 10–15 minutes.

By Coach

• Operators: FlixBus and BlaBlaCar Bus run frequent domestic and international routes.
• Stops: near Gare Saint‑Jean (Quai de Paludate/Belcier area).
• Typical times:
  • Paris: 7–9 hours.
  • Toulouse: 3–3 h 30.
  • Bayonne/Biarritz: 2 h 30–3 h.
  • San Sebastián: 3 h 30–4 h 30.
  • Bilbao: 5–6 hours.
  • Barcelona: 8–10 hours.
  • Madrid: 9–11 hours.

By Car

• Motorways:
  • A10 from Paris/Loire Valley.
  • A62 from Toulouse.
  • A63 to/from Bayonne–Biarritz–Spain.
  • A89 from Périgueux–Clermont–Lyon.
  • A65 connects via Langon to Pau.
• Ring road A630 (Rocade) is often congested at peaks and summer weekends.
• Approximate driving times (clear traffic): Paris 5 h 30–6 h 30; Toulouse 2–2 h 30; Biarritz 2–2 h 30; San Sebastián 2 h 30–3 h; La Rochelle 2 h 15; Arcachon about 1 hour.
• Parking in the centre is limited/expensive; consider park‑and‑ride (Parcs‑Relais) on tram lines.