Bordeaux in 1 day – Self-guided tour with itinerary and tips

Visit Bordeaux in 1 day? I made it and loved it! With the itinerary that I followed, I was able to have an overview of historic Bordeaux and its main monuments.

So, in your turn, you can download the Google Maps route below for free and follow it on foot to make a nice tourist circuit of Bordeaux.

In this article, I share with you not only my detailed step-by-step circuit but also my good gourmet addresses that make Bordeaux my favorite city in France !

How to visit Bordeaux in 1 day?

Living 2h30 from Bordeaux, I have had the chance to stay a dozen times in this city. And with each new visit, I discover a new nice restaurant, a small market on the corner of a district or an unusual exhibition ... Bordeaux is a small town but it is full of curiosities and places where we like to stroll and inevitably come back. ...

To discover the city of Bordeaux in 1 day, you have several possibilities, it all depends on your desires:

• 1 hour electric scooter ride
• Private tour of Bordeaux with a guide
• Discover Bordeaux by bike
• Visit Bordeaux on foot in 1 day: This is my classic walking tour which takes a full day and allows you to see theessential of the historic center of Bordeaux. See itinerary details below.

Itinerary to visit Bordeaux in 1 day

Here is my itinerary of the historic center of Bordeaux to do in one day to visit Bordeaux on foot. This circuit makes a loop which leaves from Place de la Bourse and returns to Place de la Bourse (obviously since it is a loop!).

Walking tour to visit Bordeaux in 1 day

Start with the Place de la Bourse

With its reflecting pool, this splendid square is the emblem of Bordeaux!

It dates from the XNUMXth century, when Bordeaux opened up to the whole world by leaving its medieval walls and building a royal square.

Discover the Grand Théâtre de Bordeaux

Start my tour by taking Rue Saint-Rémi then turn right onto Rue Sainte Catherine.

Continue straight ahead and turn left onto Cours de l'Intendance to reach the Grand Théâtre de Bordeaux.

Construction strongly influenced by the Freemasons, its facade displays 12 Corinthian columns which correspond to the sum of the ribs of the Sacred Triangle of the Freemasons. Built at the end of the 18th^rd century by architect Victor Louis, the Grand Théâtre, listed as a Historic Monument, would have inspired the founders of the Opéra Garnier in Paris. Today it is the headquarters of the Bordeaux National Opera which schedules its opera season and performances of the Opera Ballet there.

If you have the chance to visit Bordeaux for the end-of-year celebrations, here is how the Grand Théâtre is transformed: It's magical and wonderful!

See the Place des Quinconces and the Girondins monument

From Place de la Comédie, take allées de Tourny and turn left onto Cours du 30 Juillet.

Then turn left onto Allée de Munich which leads to Place des Quinconces (the largest square in Europe).

From there, you simply continue to the Monument aux Girondins.

It is a set made up of gushing bronze fountains and a statue of liberty breaking its chains. It is a posthumous tribute to the Girondins of the Revolution. For the anecdote: during the 2nd world war, to protect it, the Girondins had the good idea to hide it by burying it.

Square of Great Men

To get there, you will have to turn right on Cours de Tournon then left on Allées de Tourny, right on Rue Condillac, left on Rue Jean Jacques Rousseau and you will arrive at Place des Grands Hommes.

The Grands Hommes district, witness to a new era of urban planning, is revealed by its magnificent glass roof where a shopping center is located. For shopaholics, you will find beautiful, very chic boutiques and big brands in this area.

That's not where I dress because I can't afford it, but that's where I buy the famous cannelés de Bordeaux.

This little flan cake with a caramelized color and a soft heart belongs to the culinary heritage of Bordeaux. It is flavored with vanilla and rum. It takes its name from the fluted copper mold in which it bakes in the oven. The Baillardran house manufactures them respecting artisanal know-how and has become the benchmark for Canelés.

So I usually go to Baillardran at 12 place des grands Hommes but there are Baillardran boutiques all over Bordeaux…

The Porte de Dijeau

To continue my circuit, you will have to go right onto Rue Voltaire then onto Rue de Grassi which leads to Porte de Dijeau. This gate is a pretty, typically Bordeaux building that deserves a little photo!

Finally the Saint André Cathedral!

Then head towards Rue du Temple and turn left on Rue Vital Carles and continue on Place Jean Moulin.

You arrive at Saint André Cathedral. It dates from the 11th century but has since been renovated. Listed by UNESCO on the world heritage list, this Cathedral was associated with the routes to Santiago de Compostela.

Now is the time for a well-deserved lunch break!

My good restaurant plan in Bordeaux

Opposite the Cathedral, at 37 Place Pey Berland is the restaurant Le bistrot du Musée. Its setting is pleasant (interior with exposed stonework and pretty terrace in summer). You can enjoy good traditional and generous cuisine there. As for the prices, they are quite reasonable considering the quality of the products.

The little extra of my favorite restaurant is its wine list (more than 50 Bordeaux vintages) with the possibility of ordering by the glass!

Stroll through the small streets of Bordeaux

Off to a little digestive walk! To resume my circuit, you must go left onto Place Jean Moulin then right onto Rue des Trois-Conils.

Continue on Place Saint-Projet and turn right onto Rue Sainte-Catherine. Then, turn left onto Rue des Ayres.

Stop for a good coffee

There, if you like coffee, I advise you to take a little break at the VerdeNero. In a cozy and authentic atmosphere, you can taste exceptional coffees that are roasted on site. For gourmets, their homemade pastries will make more than one crack.

Discover the typical doors of Bordeaux

After a nice little coffee, you will have to continue straight to arrive at Place Fernand Lafargue. This small square is very pleasant because it is surrounded by small cafes and restaurants which liven it up all day long.

My route continues to the right on Rue Saint-James and towards Rue Saint-Eloi.

Here is the Big Bell. It is the symbol of Bordeaux which still appears on the city's coat of arms. This monument was used mainly as a prison. Later, the magistrates of Bordeaux rang this bell to give the signal for the harvest, to announce major events or to alert the population in the event of fires.

Take further left onto Cours Victor Hugo which leads to Porte de Bourgogne. It is not as popular as other gates in Bordeaux and yet it is classified as a historic monument and is worth the detour.

Continue towards Rue des Pontet and turn left on Pl. De Bir Hakeim and join the Richelieu quay.

You will follow the quay until you reach the rue de la Porte Cailhau on the left where you will have to turn to arrive at the famous Porte Cailhau. I advise you to return there in the evening because it is absolutely beautiful with its night lighting…

Erected at the end of the 35th century, this XNUMX-meter-high monument was part of the city walls.

And finish the circuit on the Water Mirror

From Porte Cailhau, you will take Quai Richelieu on the left to arrive at Miroir d'eau Place de la Bourse. And there you have it, the circle is complete!

Where to stay to visit Bordeaux on foot?

And if you have not yet booked a hotel for your stay, here is one of the most beautiful hotels in the city center in the best district of Bordeaux : InterContinental Le Grand Hotel

And for those who have a slightly tight budget, discover the 3 best CHEAP HOTELS in Bordeaux

The circuit that I have just presented to you is perfect for discovering most of Bordeaux on foot but it is far from complete. A single day is not enough to discover all the riches, museums, parks of this city. This is why I suggest you discover my circuit: Visit Bordeaux in 2 days.

Do you want to discover grandiose and wild landscapes very close to Bordeaux? Here are some ideas for a visit: Arcachon Bay - Cap Ferret - Circuit in the Landes - 2 days in the Basque Country - City Tour in Bayonne - Camping stay in the Landes