Location: Bordeaux
Top Things to do in Bordeaux
10 Points of Interest & Landmarks in Bordeaux That You Shouldn't Miss
After many years of hard work, the "Sleeping Beauty" has awoken from its slumber. The city is beautifully restored and has an ultra-modern public transport system. The “Port of the Moon” is also now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Stone Bridge, with its 17 arches, crosses the Garonne, offering pedestrians a lovely view over the docks and harbor. Take a stroll through old Bordeaux in the Triangle d'Or and stop at Place des Quinconces, France’s largest public square. The city of Bordeaux is an ideal base for exploring the greater wine region’s unforgettable sights and tastes.
Restaurants in Bordeaux
1. Place du Parlement
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 615 reviews
A pretty town square lined with shops and outdoor cafes.
Reviewed By 750dimitrisl - Sydney, Australia
We walked through this Square a couple of times. There are some good cafes and other shops here and it's a perfect place to sit down for a while. As in other parts of the city there is some lovely architecture all around. This spot has a bit of history as it goes back a very long time. Its name is due to the fact the city's first Parliament was situated here from the mid-15th century until it was abolished, towards the end of the 18th century. It has also undergone a few name changes, but Place du Parlement has survived the longest. Definitely worth a visit.
2. Place de la Bourse
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6,857 reviews
Reviewed By Effecrisse - Milan, Italy
The square is really marvelous, we can be breathless at night thanks to a spectacular lighting and to the Miroir d'Eau just in front of the palaces that perfectly reflect on it. You can take fabulous pictures there!
3. Pont de Pierre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,367 reviews
Reviewed By Staidthere - Jakarta, Indonesia
Bordeaux has two iconic images: the Place de la Bourse city square and the old stone bridge. For history and beauty, we prefer the 200 year-old Ponte de Pierre because, like the Statue of Liberty in New York, it must have been the first image of Bordeaux to weary travelers who crossed the Garonne River and passed into the safety of the city through the Bourgogne Arch. Until 1965, it was the only bridge across the river. The 17 small regular arches are characteristic of old stone bridges (steel construction allows longer spans), and today the repeating arches exhibit a graceful image of their former glory, especially just before nightfall when the details of the bridge including the Napoleon seals, are still visible among lights on the arches reflecting off the river. The lovely evenly-spaced 19th century overhead lamps made us pause just a bit longer to contemplate the bridge and its history, despite the rush of evening commuters. We suspect the old bridge should be reinforced or replaced, but it has been preserved more for aesthetic reasons, like the Charles Bridge in Prague, because nowadays only pedestrians and lighter public transport pass over it.
4. Grosse Cloche de Bordeaux
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,051 reviews
Reviewed By TV2451
This is one of the most famous landmarks in town and needs to be on your walking tour. It's a castle-like town with a clock, quite old and impressive.
5. Porte Cailhau
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 895 reviews
The Port Cailhau, thirty-five metres tall, was integrated into the city walls. In 1864, it was rented by a public letter writer and a person whose job was to weigh salt. They were both evicted in order to renovate the monument. There is a magnificent view of the oldest bridge in Bordeaux, the Pont de Pierre, from here.
Reviewed By MikeH305 - Phoenix, United States
This gate is something to behold. The center tower has a twist in it that provides a photographers delight in me. I looked at this for a while as it was so fascinating to me. Don't look at it though and continue to walk since there are small steps in the area.
6. Le Rocher de Palmer
7. The Water Mirror
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6,549 reviews
The "Miroir d'Eau" is less than 10 years old, but located just across from a monument nearly 3 centuries old, it has become one of the city's main attractions.
Reviewed By FieldsUKandFlorida - Lincoln, United Kingdom
The Miroir d'Eau or reflecting pool is great to play in during the hot weather as we saw, based on the number of adults and children enjoying themselves. It is across the road from the many beautiful buildings overlooking the river.
8. Monument aux Girondins
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,253 reviews
Reviewed By easterntreker - Halifax, Canada
We walked here from our hotel .The fountain and towering column was erected 1894 - 1902. Amazing status of sea horses and sculptures. The only negative is the amusement park spoiled some of the view.
9. Basilique Saint-Seurin
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 57 reviews
Reviewed By MVPinBoynton
While looking for a different church, we came to the Basilica of Saint Severinus. Even though it wasn’t on our to do list we decided to check it out, and we were so glad we did. There was a marvelous relief above the entry. I found out while researching the church when I got home that it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site because it was the head of one of the Ways of St. James. This was quite special, since later in the cruise we would visit the end of the Way at Santiago de Compostella, Spain. When we went inside it was a very dark church. It was interesting with very nice stained glass, but we weren’t going to stay long. Then we saw a sign leading to the crypt. Now that sounded interesting, so down we went. It was amazing with several rooms of sculpted marble sarcophagi, arched columns and just a very cool ambience. When we left, we were able to see the side entrance. This church had been a pleasant surprise.
10. Allees de Tourny
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