What to see and do in Bordeaux?

In France there are several beautiful cities that mix the elegance and ornamentation of old buildings with the hustle and bustle of modern cities; in this sense, the city of Bordeaux is one of them.

The French call this city Burdeaux, and it has the particularity of presenting a uniformity in the appearance of all their buildings, where it seems that all the architects used the same material to make their structures.

In this article we will show you the essential places to see in Bordeaux, which are highly appreciated by world tourism, either for its great beauty, the imposing architecture or the attractions it has to offer.

The essential places to visit in Bordeaux

1. Saint André Cathedral

Gothic cathedral builders kept the secrets of sacred architecture.

Spaces where the magnificence of the architecture is connected with the symbolic messages of the images, managing to move the parishioners who attended the mass. Once you are close to the cathedral, its huge towers that look like spiers brushing the sky dominate.

In front of the entrance portico, you will be able to see several images carved in the stone, such as the round figure similar to a mandala that the stained-glass has, or the triangular shapes above the doors.

Inside, the arches that protrude from the ceiling stand out, which support the building, with its altar that acquires a colorful effect, since the sunlight penetrates through the stained-glass windows that generate that multicolored effect.

It is located near the Town Hall, separates the old from the new Bordeaux, and is one of the main points of the famous French way of Santiago.

2. Pey Berland Tower

The ambition of the French architects who built the Saint André Cathedral was to place a monumental bell tower of such magnitude that it was one of the largest in Europe.

When this bell was ready to be installed in the cathedral tower, its weight was not going to be supported by the structure, so they decided to build a separate tower to house it.

This is how this imposing building was built in the Pey Berland square, which today can be visited in Bordeaux, from where you can see the most impressive views of the entire city.

3. Monument aux Girondins.

The Girondin Monument is one of the important places to see in Bordeaux, since it is a huge tower 43 meters high, surrounded by a fountain with bronze sculptures, and crowned with an imposing statue of an angel of freedom.

This great monument is located in the center of the city, specifically, in the Plaza de los Quincunces.

It is the ideal place to enjoy numerous cultural and sporting events, as it is one of the most important points in Bordeaux.

The construction of this tower was done to honor the memory of the Girondins, who were one of the two most important political groups of the French Revolution.

When the other group, radical and violent, called the Jacobins assumed the leadership of France; many Girondists died, and this monument was later built in their honor.

4. Bordeaux Stone Bridge

In France, it is known as the “Pont de Pierre”, and it is another of those essential places to see in Bordeaux.

The Stone Bridge, passes over the Garonne river and communicates with the area called: Cours Victor Hugo on its left bank, and on the right bank of the river, the La Bastide neighborhood; where you can visit the Botanical Garden or the discos with their great nightlife.

This beautiful bridge was built by one of the greatest figures in history, Napoleon Bonaparte, who had it built to solve the problem of crossing the Garonne River.

To visit this beautiful historical monument, the recommendation is to do it at night, since at this time the 17 arches of the bridge are illuminated in such a way that you will be able to appreciate the illuminated reflection of the bridge in the water, creating a unique and unrepeatable postcard of your trip to Bordeaux.

5. The Aquitaine Museum

The people of Bordeaux call this museum, Musée D´Aquitaine, and it is the perfect place to learn about the history of this beautiful region of France, beginning with prehistoric times, all the way to modern times.

Within the walls of this prestigious museum, is the tomb of the writer Michel de Montaigne, as one of its most prominent inhabitants.

In addition, you can see exhibitions that review the first settlers of Aquitaine, the oyster collectors, the winemakers, among others.

One of the most controversial times in the history of mankind was the slave trade, where Bordeaux had a participation, which is shown in one of its permanent exhibits, showing artifacts and utensils from those times, in addition to describing how it was this traffic.

A good example of how heroic and not so beautiful deeds are part of history and are shown never to be forgotten.

6. Museum of Fine Arts

If you want to observe the great masters of European painting in the times of the greatest splendor of this beautiful art, the Museum of Fine Arts is the visit you must do, since it is there, where the works of artists such as Rubens, Van Dyck, Jordaens, David Teniers the Younger, among others.

In the same way, the painter and biographer of the greats of the Renaissance, Giorgio Vasari, can also be seen in the galleries of this museum, in addition to, Tiziano, Verones, Sebastiano Ricci and many more.

However, French painting is the main protagonist of the prestigious Museum of Fine Arts, where artists such as Monet, Renoir, Corot, Creuze, Chardin, among others, are the dominant trend in the exhibitions in this building.

One characteristic is that in this complex elements of ancient architecture are combined, such as the medieval church-like hall where temporary exhibitions are presented, and the other parts with a much more modern architecture.

7. The City of Wine

Since ancient times, wine has been one of the most important beverages of humanity, since ancient times, its manufacture is carried out similarlys nutritional and relaxing properties are a seal that many linked to divinity.

Within the walls of the city of Bordeaux, there is one of the most important museums in France and the world, the theme park known as: the city of wine, where the majestic modern architecture is the first thing that will catch your attention, when you are in the adjacencies of this museum.

When you enter the city of wine, you will be able to learn about the different ancient cultures that used this drink, you will learn about manufacturing methods, the celebrations where it was consumed, the gods that represented its use, among other peculiarities worth knowing.

Then you will know how the manufacturing was carried out through history, having tasting in some areas, and all in a simple, playful and special way, where children can also participate in guided visits to this interesting museum.

8. Place de la Bourse

The Plaza de la Bolsa is one of the most emblematic, iconic and unmissable places to see in Bordeaux.

Not only because of the beauty of the square and the buildings themselves, but also because of the incredible "water mirror", which reflects the entire architectural structure of the square over the water.

In this area, children, youth and adults can enter the water mirror, playing with the water, cooling off if it is hot, or enjoying the effects of water or steam that are released from the ground.

Without a doubt, these are some of the biggest attractions to see in Bordeaux; We hope that this travel guide will be of great help to you.