Bordeaux
Quays on the Garonne, a UNESCO-listed centre with much 18th-century architecture, and the châteaux of the Gironde vineyards.
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Bordeaux is a port city on the Garonne river in southwestern France. It is the capital of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region. The city lies about 500 km southwest of Paris, near the Atlantic coast, and the TGV covers the route in about two hours. The Garonne bends through the city, splitting it into a left bank to the west and a right bank to the east. Much of the 18th-century center is part of the Port of the Moon, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the city is known for its wine.
The draws are the old town, the riverfront, the wine and the museums. Plan at least two days: one for the center, with the Rue Sainte-Catherine shopping street and the Grand Théâtre at its end, and one for a château visit or the Cité du Vin wine museum. A day trip takes you to the vineyards on the hillsides of the Gironde. The climate is oceanic: winters are cool to mild and wet, and summers are warm and somewhat drier.
Bordeaux in five
- Book winery visits aheadMany Bordeaux châteaux open only by appointment, often on weekdays. Book tastings online or through the tourist office.
- Visit La Cité du VinThe wine museum on the river covers wine worldwide and ends with a tasting on the top floor. Book in busy months.
- Ride the tramsTrams cover the center, the quays and the station, and much of the old center is pedestrian. You rarely need a car inside the city.
- Take the train to Saint-ÉmilionRegional trains stop at Saint-Émilion station, a short walk or cycle from the village up through the vineyards. Check the timetable, since service is not frequent.Saint-Émilion
Things to do in Bordeaux
See all attractions in Bordeaux
Need to know
- Airport
- Bordeaux-Mérignac (BOD), about 30–45 min by tram or shuttle bus
- Getting there
- TGV from Paris Montparnasse about 2 hours
- Getting around
- Trams and on foot; bikes along the quays
- Best base
- The old center near Saint-Pierre or the Chartrons district
- Time needed
- 2–3 days
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryRain13 rainy daysHigh10°Low4°Cool, wetJanuaryRain
Poor
- High
- 10°
- Low
- 4°
- Precipitation
- 100 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, wet
- FebruaryPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh13°Low5°Cool, quietFebruaryPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 13°
- Low
- 5°
- Precipitation
- 76 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, quiet
- MarchRain13 rainy daysHigh15°Low7°Mild, showersMarchRain
Mixed
- High
- 15°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 84 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, showers
- AprilRain12 rainy daysHigh18°Low9°Spring, vines budAprilRain
Best
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 81 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring, vines bud
- MayRain13 rainy daysHigh21°Low12°Warm, greenMayRain
Best
- High
- 21°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 94 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, green
- JuneRain12 rainy daysHigh26°Low15°Warm, wine fairJuneRain
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 116 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, wine fair
- JulyClear8 rainy daysHigh28°Low17°Hot, busyJulyClear
Best
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 44 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, busy
- AugustClear8 rainy daysHigh29°Low17°Hot, some closedAugustClear
Best
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 41 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, some closed
- SeptemberPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh25°Low14°HarvestSeptemberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 70 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Harvest
- OctoberPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh21°Low12°Mild, colorOctoberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 21°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 97 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, color
- NovemberRain14 rainy daysHigh14°Low8°Wet, quietNovemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 109 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet, quiet
- DecemberRain13 rainy daysHigh12°Low6°Cool, lightsDecemberRain
Poor
- High
- 12°
- Low
- 6°
- Precipitation
- 104 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, lights
Average daily high and low in Bordeaux, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Bordeaux
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
9
- Feels like
- 6°
- Humidity
- 66%
- Wind
- 14 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
Bordeaux
09:47 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today14°3°0%Monday: Clear. High 14°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Tue12°3°0%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 12°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Wed14°0°5%Wednesday: Fog. High 14°, Low 0°. Chance of rain 5%.
- Thu17°1°5%Thursday: Fog. High 17°, Low 1°. Chance of rain 5%.
- Fri19°6°3%Friday: Cloudy. High 19°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 3%.
- Sat18°5°3%Saturday: Cloudy. High 18°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 3%.
- Sun14°9°47%Sunday: Rain. High 14°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 47%.
Updated 07:18 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Day trips by train
- Saint-Émilionabout 40 minutes by trainA hill village of limestone and vineyards, with an underground church.Read the guide
- Dune du Pilatabout 1.5 hours by train and busEurope's tallest sand dune, on the coast beyond Arcachon.Read the guide
- Médocabout 1 hour by carThe route of the famous châteaux north of the city; book visits ahead.
Before you go to Bordeaux
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Rules for Bordeaux, checked
- France is in the Schengen area. Check the entry rules for your passport on France Diplomatie before you fly.Source
- Limits apply to wine and spirits you carry across borders. Check the customs rules on the French customs website.Source
- Smoking is banned in enclosed public places such as bars and restaurants, so smokers use the terrace.
Plan around Bordeaux
Regions, TGV, EES and money basics
Read the guideArcachonBay oysters and the Dune du Pilat
Read the guideSaint-ÉmilionA limestone wine village by train
Read the guideLa RochelleA port town on the Atlantic coast
Read the guideGetting aroundTGV, regional trains and car hire
Read the guideTravel insuranceCover for missed trains and cancellations
Read the guideBordeaux FAQ
Can I visit Bordeaux wineries without a car?
Yes. Saint-Émilion is reachable by train, and tours from the city cover the Médoc and other areas. For many châteaux, book ahead.
How far is Bordeaux from Paris?
About 2 hours by TGV from Paris Montparnasse.
When is harvest in Bordeaux?
Usually September into October, depending on the year. Some châteaux limit visits during the busiest weeks.
Is Bordeaux worth visiting?
Yes, for its stone quays, the river front and easy wine country. It suits two or three days, longer if you want to visit several châteaux or add the coast.
How many days do you need in Bordeaux?
Two days covers the old center, La Cité du Vin and the quays. A third day adds Saint-Émilion by train, and a fourth the Médoc or the Dune du Pilat.