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Accueil » Que faire à Bordeaux ? » THE GRAND THEATER OF BORDEAUX, A SPECTACULAR AND PRESTIGIOUS MONUMENT

The grand theater of bordeaux, a spectacular and prestigious monument

The Grand Théâtre de Bordeaux is a historical masterpiece located on the Place de la Comédie, in the heart of the city of Bordeaux. Built in 1780, it imposes its neo-classical style in the city of Bordeaux. Thanks to the architectural work accomplished by the artistic geniuses of the time, it ranks among the most beautiful theaters in the world. During a guided tour or during a performance, you will be captivated by the beauty of this national opera, which makes it an emblematic place of Bordeaux and which hosts many ballets and concerts every year. Discover the Grand Théâtre, one of the most beautiful opera houses in France.

THE HISTORY OF THE GRAND THEATER OF BORDEAUX

The Grand-Théâtre de Bordeaux was built between 1773 and 1780 on the glacis of the Château Trompette, on the site of the Gallo-Roman forum where the “Temple des Piliers de Tutelle” was located. The construction was decided by Louis Armand du Plessis, Marshal-Duke of Richelieu in France, who awarded the work to the architect Victor Louis. The theater was inaugurated on April 7, 1780, after nearly seven years of construction, with the performance of Athalie, a tragic play by Racine

Since its inauguration, the Grand-Théâtre has been an important cultural symbol of Bordeaux, with a diversified program ranging from theater to opera, dance and concerts. The theater is also famous for its classical architecture and its imposing facade, which make it one of the most emblematic buildings in the city of Bordeaux. An architectural jewel, this monument is so spectacular that it inspired the architect Charles Garnier for the Paris Opera.

THE NATIONAL OPERA OF BORDEAUX, AN ARCHITECTURAL WONDER

Seen from the outside, it is a sumptuous monument. Its appearance is reminiscent of a sacred temple with its 12 Corinthian columns that adorn the facade. Each column is surmounted by a stone statue representing 3 goddesses and 9 muses of Greek antiquity. At night, the statues shine thanks to a play of light. At the end of the year, lighting and projections are set up to highlight the beauty of the Grand Theatre.

These illuminated statues of muses beautifully enhance the place and make it unique. The connoisseurs will recognize the goddesses:

Venus, goddess of Love and Beauty with her two doves, Hera, goddess of Marriage and Fertility with a peacock and Minerva, goddess of Wisdom and War, adorning her helmet and shield.

These goddesses are accompanied by 9 muses:

• Euterpe for music,
• Urania for astronomy,
• Calliope for eloquence,
• Terpsichore for the dance,
• Melpomène for the tragedy,
• Thalie for the comedy,
• Polymnie for writing,
• Erato for lyric poetry
• and Clio for history.

When you enter the Grand Theatre, you first arrive in a vestibule where the grand staircase rises. Access to the auditorium for the public is via this staircase, which splits into two ramps on each side. The heart of the building, the majestic auditorium can accommodate 1114 people precisely. This room is sublimated by the colors of the Royalty, namely blue, gold and white. Looking up, one can admire the fresco painted by Jean-Baptiste-Claude Robin that covers the dome. Suspended from its cornice, an imposing chandelier weighing more than a ton, illuminates the spectators with its 400 lamps

THE GREAT THEATER OF TODAY

The Grand Théâtre de Bordeaux opens its doors to the public outside of its performances. Guided tours are offered to discover the backstage and the history of this symbolic place of Bordeaux.

The National Opera of Bordeaux and the National Orchestra of Bordeaux also share the stage and offer some of their shows (performances, ballets, symphonic concerts…) throughout the year. Thus, the shows offered expand the repertoire of the Grand Théâtre. You can attend a show, a concert, a ballet, classical or contemporary. The Bordeaux Auditorium is now home to the Bordeaux Aquitaine National Orchestra (ONBA). Take the time to discover this exceptional monument and book your guided tour online

VISIT BORDEAUX DIFFERENTLY

Departing from Place Tourny, you can board one of our tourist buses to visit the city of Bordeaux in a different way. Make yourself comfortable in our panoramic bus and discover the greatest monuments of Bordeaux. Start the tour with an audio-guided visit of the Girondins monument, the Place de la Bourse and the Water Mirror, the Cailhau Gate, the Burgundy Gate, the Big Bell, the Law Courts, the High Court, … Would you like to know more? Discover our tourist program

Top picks at the time

Bordeaux is rich in history and heritage with its 350 UNESCO listed buildings. Each one more unusual than the next, don’t miss out on discovering them.

We have put together a list of the most important places in the Port de la Lune to visit…

Cap Sciences, as an emblematic venue for intellectual entertainment, uses its creativity to offer exhibitions, encounters, surprising activities and popular events. These experiences allow visitors to explore evolving knowledge, the latest innovations and topical issues.

The MÉCA is the the house of creative economy and culture of the “Nouvelle-Aquitaine” region.

This asymmetrical arched building is both a regional hub for creative players and a space for artistic discovery and interaction for the general public . Located at the other end of the crescent formed by the Garonne as it passes through Bordeaux, it represents the ideal complement to the Cité du Vin.

The Musée des Beaux-Arts de Bordeaux regularly invites contemporary artists to take a personal look at its collections. Valérie Belin presents Les visions silencieuses, a major monographic exhibition.

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Performance spaces

The grand theatre of bordeaux, the auditorium of opera national de bordeaux.

The history of the Grand Theatre of Bordeaux, inaugurated on 7 April 1780, has been punctuated by various events over the ages. The building is still considered one of the most beautiful theatres in the world and was the work of renowned architect Victor Louis. In addition to its aesthetic value, the building has exceptional acoustics thanks to the wooden structure surrounding it.

On its façade, the 12 Corinthian columns are crowned by 9 muses and 3 goddesses from ancient mythology gazing into the distance, designed by Pierre Berruer.

Nearly a century after its construction, Charles Garnier drew inspiration from the grand staircase for his design for the one in the Opéra de Paris.

The task of decorating the dome in the theatre was entrusted to Jean-Baptiste Robin. The theme chosen by the artist was “Apollo and the muses approving the dedication of a temple built by the city of Bordeaux”, a three-fold tribute, both allegorical and realistic, to the arts, the craftsmen who built the theatre and the city of Bordeaux.

The current chandelier was installed in 1917. Weighing 1.2 tonnes, it is made of Bohemia crystal and holds an impressive 400 lights.

Some of the most celebrated artists have performed and captivated audiences in this architectural masterpiece in Bordeaux, including Liszt, Cinti-Damoreau, Falcon, Viardot, Talma, Nourrit, Duprez, Rubini, Petipa, Chaliapine, Schipa and, in more recent years, Plácido Domingo, Gustav Leonhardt, Natalie Dessay, Cecilia Bartoli, and Carolyn Carlson.

L'Opéra National de Bordeaux au Grand-Théâtre de Bordeaux

Today, under the direction of Emmanuel Hondré , the Opéra National de Bordeaux manages this stage and offers a large part of its programming there.

The Grand Theatre is also home to the Artistic, Technical, Administration and Finance, and Development and Communication Departments, as well as housing the workshops and guest artists.

HISTORY OF THE GRAND THEATRE

PERFORMANCE 1870-1960

ROUTE OF HISTORIC THEATRES

VISITING THE GRAND THEATRE

The Tourist Office hopes to be able to resume guided tours soon.

VISIT THE GRAND-THÉÂTRE

Information and bookings at Bordeaux Métropole Tourist Office by calling +33 (0)5 56 00 66 00 or  by e-mail

Galerie média

The Auditorium of the Opéra National de Bordeaux is located in the heart of the city's historic centre, and opened its doors on 24 January 2013. With its spectacular structure and acoustics (the work of Belgian acoustics expert Eckhard Kahle), this ideal venue offers a programme that is as prestigious as it is eclectic.

Financed by the City of Bordeaux with the support of the State and Aquitaine Regional Council, and designed by the music-loving architect Michel Pétuaud-Létang, this new temple of music - 1,440 seats and the largest orchestra pit in Europe - offers audiences masterpieces of musical literature and creations, favouring exchanges with musicians and even opening up to jazz.

Since its opening, the Auditorium of the National Opera of Bordeaux has welcomed many prestigious artists, including Lang Lang, Karita Mattila, Jordi Savall, Anne Gastinel.

The Auditorium of the National Opera of Bordeaux hosted the 20 th  Victoires de la Musique Classique, French classical music awards, in February 2013.

Concert dans la ville

Opera House guided tour

Bordeaux's city centre features a marvellously elegant monument. The Grand Théâtre has delighted visitors and been the pride and joy of Bordeaux for over two centuries.

• Bordeaux's must-see monument
• 50 min guided tour
• Headquarters of the Opéra National de Bordeaux
• The auditorium, to be seen from a glazed box

A majestic building designed at the end of the 18th century by the architect Victor Louis, the Grand Théâtre is undoubtedly the most spectacular. It stands on the site of the ancient Roman temple of the Pillars of Tutelle. Its elegant and refined neo-classical architecture makes it one of the most beautiful theatres in Europe.

It is one of the few remaining theatres to have been built entirely of wood. It was inaugurated in 1780 with the presentation of Racine's "Athalie". Since 1990, ongoing restoration work has restored the Grand-Théâtre to its 18th-century glory, while adapting it to the needs of our time.

The guided tour includes an exterior presentation of the building, followed by a visit to the vestibule, the Great Staircase and the auditorium, to be seen from a glazed box.

Guided tour in French, English or Spanish - choose your language.

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se présenter 5 mn avant l'horaire de visite. Accessible aux personnes en situation de handicap.

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Grand Theatre de Bordeaux

18th century architectural gem & home to the Bordeaux National Opera

Located on the Place de la Comédie, the 18th century Grand Théâtre is an architectural masterpiece by Victor Louis.

Its interior is sumptuously decorated in blue, white and gold – the colours of royalty. The grand stone stairway imposes upon you as you enter and leads the way to the auditorium. In the course of its long history, dotted with theatre plays, operas and concerts, the Grand Théâtre has hosted the most famous of artists. It is now the home to the Bordeaux National Opera and hosts operas, symphonies, recitals and ballets. Guided tours of the theatre are available.

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Grand Théâtre of Bordeaux

A true architectural jewel, precious, sublime, impressive and with a fascinating history. That would be an apt way to describe the Grand Théâtre de Bordeaux, or Grand Théâtre, an obligatory stop on any travel itinerary. We know for a fact that Bordeaux has such important and impressive historic buildings that they are jaw-dropping. Among those, the Grand Théâtre, occupies a special place on the list, without leaving aside its long and outstanding history.

What is the Grand Théâtre of Bordeaux?

Developed on the Place de La Comédie, the Grand Théâtre Bordeaux has a past of more than 300 years. It shines and stands out for its architectural beauty, which leaves everyone who visits it in love. Of Bordeaux’s public buildings, this one is ranked as one of the most popular. It is developed on the land that in the past occupied the temple of the Piliers de Tutelle. This, in turn, bordered the old Gallo-Roman forum of the city.

History of the Grand Théâtre of Bordeaux

Around 1770, Marshal Richelieu, governor of the province of Guyenne, established a kind of modernization for the city of Bordeaux. This included the construction and improvement of various public spaces, as well as squares and buildings, such as the Grand Théâtre. Bordeaux had an old theater, located in the vicinity of the town hall, near the Grosse Cloche. However, in 1755 it was destroyed by a voracious fire, so it was necessary to build a new establishment. It was then that Marshal Richelieu himself hired the Parisian-born architect Victor Louis to take charge of the work. The work began in 1773 and lasted seven years. It was in 1780 that it was finally inaugurated, with Athalie’s performance. The building has an impressive appearance and pays a kind of homage to the ancient temples. It has 12 Corinthian-style columns that adorn the facade. Each of them has a statue at the top, made of stone. Nine of these correspond to muses and the other three to goddesses of ancient Greece. Inside, the Grand Théâtre Bordeaux has a large foyer with an impressive staircase leading to the auditorium. It is divided into two ramps, one on each side, to give access to the boxes. Undoubtedly, the jewel in the crown is the impressive theater hall, with a capacity of more than a thousand people. Over time it has undergone several renovations, returning to the original colors of the building, blue, white and gold.

On the ceiling, you can see a beautiful fresco that was painted by Jean-Baptiste and Claude Robin, who shape the dome. Another detail worth noting is the chandelier, weighing approximately one ton and with more than 400 lights. Today, the Grand Théâtre de Bordeaux remains the cultural heart of the city. In fact, the Bordeaux National Opera and the National Orchestra of Bordeaux gather here to perform their shows. It also hosts ballet performances, symphonic concerts and more.

Opening hours and prices of the Grand Théâtre de Bordeaux

When it is not offering performances, it can be visited to eat each of its facilities, as well as its wonderful history. It is open to the public from Tuesday to Saturday between 1:00 pm and 6:30 pm. It is closed on Sundays and Mondays. The price per person for the guided tour is 10 €, with a duration of approximately 50 minutes.

How to get to the Grand Théâtre de Bordeaux?

Getting to the Grand Théâtre Bordeaux is really easy. It is in the heart of the city, right on the Place de la Comédie, so it will not be difficult to find it.

Visiting the Grand Théâtre de Bordeaux on a Free Tour

There is no doubt that the Grand Théâtre Bordeaux is a true wonder that deserves to be enjoyed. That’s why having a free tour is a real advantage, especially if this is your first time in the city.

In addition to the fact that the tour is adapted to your language, they are led by locals. You will be able to know in detail its wonderful history, which will leave you delighted, because here you can breathe a special magic.

In Free Walking Tours we have a wide variety of FreeTours and Private Tours to choose from. Please, don’t hesitate to take a look at our website !

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Opera House

Bordeaux's city centre features a marvellously elegant monument. The Grand Théâtre has delighted visitors and been the pride and joy of Bordeaux for over two centuries   Along with the operas of Versailles and Turin, the Grand-Théâtre has one of the most beautiful 18th century concert halls in the world!   

THE EMBLEM OF BORDEAUX,  

Of all the public buildings in Bordeaux, the Grand-Théâtre is unquestionably the most well-known and appreciated. It stands on the site of a former temple (Les Piliers de Tutelle) that was once in the middle of a Gallo-Roman forum.  The Grand Théâtre's construction was made necessary by the destruction of a performance hall in 1755. The latter was located in the outbuildings of the former town hall, near the Grosse Cloche. Architect François Lhote, assisted by Soufflot, initially proposed a project that was not accepted by the city aldermen. Eventually, Marshal de Richelieu, governor of the province of Guyenne, imposed the Parisian architect Victor Louis (1731-1800). In order to pay for the construction, the land located on the southern glacis of the Château Trompette was sold.

It took more than five years to build the Grand Théâtre and, after many vicissitudes, it was inaugurated in 1780 with a performance of Athalie, a play by Jean Racine. The rectangular-shaped structure opens up onto Place de la Comédie to the west with a peristyle featuring 12 Corinthian columns supporting an entablature and a balustrade decorated with 12 statues (the nine muses and three goddesses). At the beginning, this peristyle was on the same level as Place de la Comédie. However, in the mid-19th century, it was decided to lower the level to make it easier for horse-drawn carriages to cross.  

ONE OF THE OLDEST THEATRES IN EUROPE  

The auditorium has a circular cupola with a ceiling painted by Claude Robin in the 18th century (and restored by François Roganeau in 1919). The structure consists mainly of wood, which provides for perfect acoustics. The beautiful combination of blue, white and gold (the colours of French royalty) is reminiscent of the opera house at the Château de Versailles built a few years previous by Jacques Gabriel.

The Grand Théâtre was nevertheless innovative, and Victor Louis imagined a clever oblique arrangement of stones maintained by a metal tie beam at the angles of the peristyle in order to support them. This ingenious combination became known as "Victor Louis's nail".  The French parliament also met in the amphitheatre of the Grand Théâtre during some of the most tragic times in French history, such as the Franco-Prussian war (1871). 

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• Tuesday to Saturday 13:00 - 18:30
• Sunday and Monday closed

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Place de la Comédie, 33000 Bordeaux

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Visit Grand Theater Opera National of Bordeaux

Admire the exquisite French building, the Grand Theater of Bordeaux, home of the Bordeaux National Opera. This 18th-century architectural masterpiece fits well in a city of historic stone buildings and greets visitors with its row of statues of mythological figures sitting atop a row of Corinthian stone pillars. It is also the venue for many other acclaimed performances throughout the year.

Enter the theater to be astounded by an interior that is detailed and every bit as magnificent as its exterior. The extensive use of blue, white and gold represents French royalty. Absorb the feeling of regality by ascending the massive stone staircase that leads to the theater room. The staircase is similar to the one in the Paris opera house both had the same designer. Note that the area occupied by the foyer and staircase is almost the same size as the theater auditorium performances are staged. The theater was designed like this so that 18th and 19th-century high society would have room to parade and be seen.

Step into the theater’s auditorium and you will immediately appreciate its immensity, which includes three levels of open balcony seats that curve along its walls. It has a seating capacity for 1,450 people. Crowning this impressive array of seating is a spectacular painted ceiling and a dramatic chandelier, crafted from Bohemian crystal. This sparkling fixture weighs 1.3 tons (1.2 metric tons) and has 400 light bulbs.

Designed by Victor Louis and completed in 1780, the theater is considered one of the most beautiful in the world. Try to attend a performance to appreciate the incredible acoustics provided by the room’s extensive use of wood that imparts warmth to sound.

Visit the beautiful Grand Theater of Bordeaux located at the historic city center near the riverfront walk. Pay a fee to visit when it is open to the public on most Wednesday and Saturday afternoons that do not have scheduled events. Arrange a tour in advance. The theater’s shop is open Tuesday to Saturday afternoons except holidays.

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You can find out about the history of Bordeaux with a visit to Parliament Square. Check out the shops and top-notch restaurants in this family-friendly area.

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The biggest square in France, this plaza hosts festivals, concerts and markets and features monuments dedicated to famous writers.

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Members of a key political group in the French Revolution are commemorated by this spectacular pillar and statue, which towers over a dramatic bronze fountain.

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The 19 best things to do in Bordeaux

Y ou’re not long in Bordeaux before discovering that all the centre – and half the entire city – is a Unesco World Heritage site. The accolade is in recognition of the unity of its classical and neo-classical architecture and urban development. It’s what you go to Bordeaux to experience – then use as a setting for civilised eating and drinking. The star attraction is the Cité du Vin, an innovative and engrossing overview of the entire subject of wine, not merely of Bordeaux, but of the entire planet. Of course, the place has some other very decent galleries and museums but, once you have done the Cité du Vin, the real appeal is the city itself. Take it at an elegant pace.

For further Bordeaux inspiration, see our guides to the city's best  hotels ,  restaurants  and  nightlife .

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City centre, sample the best of french gastronomy in one morning.

Sylvie Berteaux and her (English-speaking) colleagues lead Miam Event, which offers terrific gastro-tours of Bordeaux's medieval innards. Present conditions have played merry hell with Miam’s programming, but the essential tours remain, taking in the five food and drink halts –  including Bordeaux’s main marker and a charcuterie store, where nibbles of smoked magret stuffed with foie gras come accompanied by glasses of Sauternes. It’s an outstanding way to spend a morning, and an excellent way to explore the city.

Insider’s Tip:  Beyond the general tour, Miam also organises specific guided visits to Bordeaux's main market, apéritif sessions or tours that include a cooking course and lunch.

Contact:  miamevent.fr

Explore Bordeaux’s Golden Triangle

The Triangle d’Or, Bordeaux’s monumental heart, really is a triangle, bounded by three fine boulevards (Cours Clemenceau, Cours de l’Intendance, Allées de Tourny). Take a stroll amid the harmony of honey-coloured stone, architectural sobriety and flanking trees, past top-end shops, bars and restaurants. The focal point (though it’s actually on the edge) is the Place de la Comédie, overseen by the Grand Theatre with its magnificent neo-classical façade. The Corinthian columns announce a blue and gold auditorium as sumptuous as the inside of a courtesan’s jewel box. The best way to experience the place is, obviously, at a concert,  but there are also 50-minute guided visits for €10 (£8.50). Check the website, opera-bordeaux.com, for details online.

Insider’s Tip:  Make sure to visit the nearby Esplanade des Quinconces. As the biggest (almost 30 acres), emptiest square in France, it’s difficult to overlook. Note the statues of philosophers Montaigne and Montesquieu and take a look at the most delirious, symbol-filled fountain you’re ever likely to see – Le Monument aux Girondins.

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Nowhere is Bordeaux’s renewal more evident than along the banks of the broad, idle Garonne River. Less than two decades ago, the detritus of dead port activity – derelict warehouses, no-go zones, lost souls – littered the quays, driving a wedge between river and town. Subsequent transformation has been profound. What was once abandoned is now tailored open space, gardens and greensward. Old warehouses on the Quai de Bacalan have become shops, jaunty bars and cafés and the dirt has been blasted from the merchants’ premises. There’s no finer city riverscape in Europe.

Insider’s Tip: The best lookout is from the Pont de Pierre stone bridge. The long line-up of magnificently regular buildings – all arches, slate roofs and thin chimney stacks – shows how Bordeaux managed trading wealth with style and substance.

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Take in the city’s most magnificent façade

The finest bit of the riverfront is the Place de la Bourse, open to the river but enfolded on three sides by the Palais de la Bourse – the most sumptuous expression of Bordeaux’s confidence. This was the business exchange in the days when traders had wigs and standards. It has the harmonious grandeur of Versailles, but shorn of the effeteness, and makes for a great photo pit stop.

Insider’s Tip: The miroir d’eau – a great expanse of shallow water out front – reflects the palace, as if opening up a different dimension. The effect at night, when floodlit, is mesmerising.

Contact: bordeauxpalaisbourse.com

Browse local artworks from the Renaissance and beyond

Next up, spend an afternoon inside the Musée des Beaux Arts. Its northern wing is full of decent works from the Renaissance – as you'd expect, there's much yearning and beseeching and many Virgins. The southern wing houses a collection of art from the 19th and 20th centuries. In 2024, commemorating the 150th anniversary of Impressionism, the museum receives on loan masterpieces by Manet and Monet.

Insider’s Tip: Look out for animal paintings by Bordeaux-born Rosa Bonheur, notably the hugely powerful horses of her Treading Wheat in the Camargue. Bonheur met Queen Victoria, was a friend of Buffalo Bill and, during her life, sold paintings for a fortune. Post mortem, she fell from favour. Now she is esteemed once more, and about time, too.

Contact: musba-bordeaux.fr

Sample the city's wine bars

Not long ago, wine, like straight lines, was old hat for French groovers. Now it's branché, and wine bars abound in Bordeaux. For proof, pick up the Urban Wine Trail leaflet, or download the app from guide-bordeaux-gironde.com, and stroll round the city's selection of wine bars, populated by sharp young folk snapped into sharper clothes. The city is now fruity, cultivated and mature, with floral and mineral notes and a lingering sensation of elegance. For immediate uncorking.

Insider's tip: Don't miss The Wine Bar at Le Boutique Hotel (whose sommelier will fox you fine). Daily blind tasting sessions are held by a sommelier from 5pm, Wednesday to Sunday, for €50 (£43).

Contact:  hotelbordeauxcentre.com

Entertain yourself with quirky modern art

Artistic endeavour finds its loudest expression at CAPC Museum of Contemporary Art, a warehouse-turned-museum containing a bracing mix of works from the great – via the intriguing – to the absurd. Key works from 40 artists – covering 1960s to the present day – constitute the permanent collection on the former warehouse’s second floor. If names like Raphaël Zarka, Toni Grand or Daniel Dezeuze mean anything to you, then this is your place.

Insider’s Tip:  The museum’s rooftop Café du Musée serves drinks and snack meals, including a lunchtime play-du-jour from 11am to 5pm. You may lunch there, midday-2pm, without paying to visit the museum. You’ll eat and drink surrounded by works by British land artist, Richard Long.

Contact: capc-bordeaux.fr

Enrich your bottle knowledge at a museum dedicated to wines

France has long struggled to come up with a worthwhile wine museum: the country had lots, but they were tedious. So, the £63 million Cité du Vin was given a warm welcome when it flung open its doors. The grand, shiny swirl of a building rises by the Garonne river, taking wine into new realms of entertainment, rendering it fun even for those who can't tell a cabernet sauvignon from a dandelion and burdock. The six-storey building is a hi-tech romp of panache, insight and enormous inventiveness – grabbing you by all senses for an interactive waltz through wine and its attendant subjects: art, culture, agriculture, civilisation and sensuality. There are wine tastings, plus a panoramic restaurant up top. The whole was overhauled to even higher standards in 2023. Your afternoon’s booked solid – it’s well worth the €22 (£19) entry fee. Meanwhile, a new “sensory circuit” – Via Sensoria – matches wine to seasons, and to different forms of art, under expert guidance. It takes an hour and needs booking, and paying for, separately. Doing both the permanent exhibition and the Via Sensoria the same day will cost €37.40 (£32).

Insider’s Tip: Particularly memorable parts of the exhibition include a banqueting chamber alive with holograms and a floor show tackling wine, food and festivity through the ages. Look out for a terrific moving boat show, too.

Contact: laciteduvin.com

Visit the world’s biggest digital art show

No doubt about it, the old wet docks, or bassins-à-flot, is one of the key happening districts of Bordeaux. Like ex-docks everywhere, the huge site is going urban chic – apartment blocks, hotels with spas and “signature cocktails”, warehouse restaurants and bars – but without effacing memories of tough work and far horizons. Across the wet docks from the Cité du Vin glower the thousands of tons of reinforced concrete which housed the German U-boat pens in the Second World War. In recent times, and brilliantly, their vast interior has been transformed into a pharaonic canvas for the Bassins-des-Lumières, the world’s biggest digital art show. The 2024 exhibition projects some 500 works by Dutch masters – Vermeer, Van Gogh - onto the former sub base walls, the massively reproduced works moving then segueing into one another, reflecting in the water and enveloping you in the artists’ worlds. Accompanying music billows round the cavernous space. The whole is intoxicating.

Contact:   bassins-lumieres.com

Price:  £

Do some shopping in the city’s artistic quarter

When the English, Irish and Dutch arrived to dominate the Bordeaux wine trade, local worthies wouldn’t have them in the city centre. So they set up beyond the town boundary – in the Chartrons. Long ago enfolded into the city, the district retains its mixed identity of fine-wine houses and narrow workers’ streets. They are now complemented with a mildly bohemian mix of antique shops – notably on Rue Notre Dame – as well as bars.

Insider’s Tip:  After your shopping spree, refuel at the Cambridge Arms pub at 27 Rue Rode for beer, burgers, pie and chips – and a ceiling entirely covered in Commonwealth flags.

Dive into maritime history

Maybe France’s best maritime museum – certainly the best private maritime museum – Musée Mer Marine covers navigation matters, from dugouts to the QEII, via immigration, the slave trade – once a big earner for Bordeaux – the history and fragility of the sea itself and much else besides.

Insider’s tip: Right on the docks, the Halles du Bacalan serves as market and food court in the modern idiom. Stalls run from empanadas through pizza to south-west France specialities, and without breaking the bank at lunchtime.

Contact:  mmmbordeaux.com

Price:  £

Explore Bordeaux’s liveliest neighbourhood

After the broad acres of the Triangle d’Or and, indeed, the Garonne riverfront, the St Pierre district is where Bordeaux gets in touch with its medieval side. The message from fine old churches dissipates progressively amid a throbbing warren of narrow streets and comely little squares. The ancient urban tangle has more bars and restaurants than you could get round in a year of excess. It grows progressively funkier as you near the Place de la Victoire. Running long and arrow-straight through the middle, the Rue Sainte-Cathérine provides leg-sapping shopping for those not up to the ambitious price-tags in the Triangle d’Or. This, in short, is Bordeaux’s liveliest sector. 

Insider’s Tip:  The ill-lit but utterly unmenacing Place de la Victoire is evening-tide HQ for the city's youth (and those who consider themselves as such). Try eating on the bustling terrace at La Plana for brasserie and southwestern specialities – open 9am to 2am every day of the year – before a drink or two at any of many nearby bars. Le Grizzly is one of the more popular, therefore bouncier, choices.

Immerse yourself in Bordeaux’s fascinating history

As you would expect from the name, the Musée d’Aquitaine covers the history of the region from prehistoric times onwards – and does so in spritely fashion. Sections on the Romans and, much later, Atlantic commerce and the slave trade, are particularly interesting.

Insider’s Tip: Entry to the museum is free on the first Sunday of the month – except for the months of July and August.

Contact: musee-aquitaine-bordeaux.fr

Admire Bordeaux’s landmark churches

Here, just to the south of the centre in the Ste Croix and St Michel districts, round two splendid churches, is where artisans and port-associated tradesmen once clustered. The quieter, tightly-packed streets still bear the dignity of honest hard work – even though elements from the middle-class professional ranks infiltrated the zone long ago. Start in front of the lovely 12th-century façade of the Sainte-Croix Abbey. Then simply stroll back towards the centre, and envision the sailors, deckhands and drunks, the barrel-makers, blacksmiths and butchers who once enlivened these quartiers. Stop at the flamboyant Gothic Basilica of St. Michael, whose free-standing spire is the tallest and most elegant building in Bordeaux.

Insider’s Tip:  Fans of flea markets might like to show up here on Sunday mornings for the market which fills the square around the St Michel basilica.

Contact:  00 335 5694 3050

Ecosystème Darwin

As mentioned, Bordeaux has absolutely embraced contemporary green and sustainable concerns. Across the Garonne on the right bank, former military barracks have brought forth the hip, very green Ecosystème Darwin. It’s an eco-village within the town with an urban farm, skate park, bric-à-brac outlet, brewery, winery, concerts, artisan outlets and any number of other alternative activities built around the biggest organic restaurant in France. More people show up here than to almost any other site in Bordeaux, which shows just how cool everyone is. That said, it’s welcoming for all. I’m old, and felt quite at home there.

Contact: darwin.camp

Price: free

If you’re in Bordeaux on a short break and fancy a wine trip out of town, consider taking an organised trip. This saves the hassle of hiring a car or otherwise making your own arrangements. It also gets you a vineyard ride in a coach or minibus, in the company of someone who generally knows what he or she is talking about. There’s no better way to get a taster of the world’s most famous vineyards.

A good place to start looking is the visitor site, and a good tour for newcomers is Châteaux & Terrors – five hours of visiting different vine appellations, depending on which day of the week you choose to go. It’s from €50 (£43) pp. The Tourism Office’s own  tours start from the office, at 12 Cours du Juillet. But the visiter-bordeau.com siter also lists tours provided by other outfits.

Like A la Française – Bordovino. Let them take you for an afternoon in and around Saint-Émilion, where there are top-notch domaines to visit. This fine old wine town, just 40-minutes outside of Bordeaux, is built like an amphitheatre and has some pretty decent wines to sample. The €95 (£81) price tag for the tour may sound like a lot, but counts as reasonable value for an excellent Bordelais afternoon. Other tour options at alafrancaise.fr/en/bordeaux/us.

Small outfit Wine Cab (00 33 6 63 09 17 17; wine-cab.com) can take up to three adults in (former) London taxis with driver-guides for château visits and tastings. You can also get stuck into wine blending (assemble your own Margaux), the matching of wine to posh food like caviar and other activities too. The outings are expensive – from €140 (£120)pp – but, if you have the cash, you're unlikely to account it wasted.

This beautiful old wine town, a 40-minute drive west from Bordeaux, is built like an amphitheatre and has some pretty decent wines to sample. If you visit only one wine area, this is the one to consider.

Alternatively, potter out up the Gironde estuary to where the really famous Bordeaux wine châteaux (Latour, Margaux, Mouton-Rothschild) rise amid the featureless flatlands like ancien régime seigneurs. One of the most rewarding to visit is the Château Pichon-Longueville-Comtesse-de-Lalande at Pauillac – a manicured spot if ever there was one.

Contact: pichon-lalande.com

Thirdly, and notably if you’re not bewitched by wine, take the hour-long trip out to the coast. Arcachon is an endearing seaside spot with that permanent sense of impermanence that tells you you’re on holiday, however briefly. Excellent oysters from the lagoon, too – eaten round here with little flat crépinette sausages.

How we choose

Every attraction and activity in this curated list has been tried and tested by our destination expert, to provide you with their insider perspective. We cover a range of budgets and styles, from world-class museums to family-friendly theme parks – to best suit every type of traveller. We update this list regularly to keep up with the latest openings and provide up to date recommendations.

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