24 Hours in Bordeaux, France: The Best Way to Spend Them

Bordeaux, France.
Fountain of Three Graces in Bordeaux, France. Photo by L.Filipe C.Sousa on Unsplash

If you find yourself in Bordeaux, France, with just 24 hours on your hands, don’t worry—you can still have a great time and experience many things. Here is how.

Coffee and Croissant in the Morning

When in France, do what the French do. This means getting to the city center area and sitting for a coffee and croissant. If it’s nice weather, sit outside and soak up the sun and energy surrounding you.

Marvel at the Bordeaux Cathedral

The city center is the perfect starting point for your exploration of Bordeaux. Once you have finished your coffee and croissant, make your way to Bordeaux Cathedral. This majestic building is arguably the most popular tourist attraction in the city and will amaze you with its Gothic exterior and intricate details.

Roam the Rue Sainte-Catherine

Rue Sainte-Catherine is Bordeaux’s most famous street, and it’s an easy seven-minute walk away from the Bordeaux Cathedral. Here, you can experience the best shopping in the city while also enjoying the great architecture and grabbing lunch at one of its many restaurants. And from here, you can easily reach your next stop.

Visit Place de la Bourse

The Place de la Bourse is part of Bordeaux’s old town, which has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage List since 2007. The square is dominated by the Three Graces fountain and is surrounded by buildings designed by Ange-Jacques Gabriel. The entire square is considered a prime example of classical French architectural art from the 18th century.

Relax at Jardin Botanique de Bordeaux

Jardin Botanique de Bordeaux is a historical botanical garden that originated several hundreds of years ago. You’ll be able to walk around and check out more than 3,000 plants, or relax on one of its benches and take in the beautiful flowers.

Check Out the Ceiling Fresco at Grand Theatre

One more thing that you need to cross off your list is the Grand Theatre, Bordeaux’s opera house from the 18th century. You can choose to see a show or just drop in to check out the impressive ceiling fresco painted by Jean-Baptiste-Claude Robin.