Bordeaux is a must-visit destination for anyone who loves wine. It’s also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with historic squares, a Gothic cathedral, and plenty of grand 18th- and 19th-century mansions.
If you have time to explore Bordeaux on foot, try a walking tour to see the city’s most impressive monuments. You can start by visiting the Palais Galien, the ruins of a Gallo-Roman amphitheater dating back to the second century.
1. Palais Galien
Among the many highlights of Bordeaux is the Palais Gallien, the city’s ancient Roman amphitheatre. Though it has lost much of its structure, this remains the city’s oldest monument.
Surrounded by houses and hemmed in by surrounding buildings, the ruins are still impressive to look at. The evocative arches, the monumental door and structural elements are still in place.
A short walk from the hotel, the ruins of this ancient Roman amphitheatre are free to explore. You can also stroll through the gardens around it, which are a lovely escape for a break from the city’s bustle.
The Palais Gallien has a lot of luxurious touches to help guests relax, such as the Nuxe spa and the chic courtyard pool. The hotel also has a gastronomic restaurant that serves dishes that are inspired by the local cuisine.
2. Saint-Andre Cathedral
Bordeaux's Saint-Andre Cathedral (Cathedrale St-Andre de Bordeaux) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is a Roman Catholic cathedral, seat of the Archbishop of Bordeaux-Bazas and a national monument of France.
The church is primarily gothic in style and was constructed between the 12th and 14th centuries. It is located in the city center and was consecrated by Pope Urban II in 1096.
Among the most impressive aspects of the cathedral is its freestanding bell tower, which was erected in the 14th century. Other features include exceptional masonry carvings in the north portal, including a crucifix with the head of Christ on the cross.
The cathedral is an excellent place to start your tour of the Old Center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that has a lot to offer. The area also offers a lot of shopping, cafes, and restaurants.
3. Place de la Bourse
One of Bordeaux’s most famous squares, Place de la Bourse is a must-see. It features a collection of elegant symmetrical palace-like facades, and a central fountain with the Miroir de l’Eau water feature.
Built in the 18th century, the square is a fine example of classical French architectural art. It was commissioned by King Louis XV and designed by Ange-Jacques Gabriel.
The two grand palaces (Hotel des Fermes in the left wing and Hotel de la Bourse in the right wing) and an isolated centre pavilion frame the rectangular royal square. The mascarons on the facades represent Neptune opening the city’s commerce; Mercury favoring this commerce; Minerva protecting the arts; the allegory of Time discovering Truth; and African women in reference to the slave trade that brought wealth to Bordeaux.
4. Saint-Michel Basilica
The imposing Saint-Michel Basilica is one of the city’s biggest Catholic places of worship. Built between the 14th and 16th century, it features a Gothic-style church building and an ornate bell tower (known as La Fleche) that reaches 114 meters in the air.
If you’re a fan of history and want to see more of Bordeaux than just the tourist brochures suggest, make sure to visit this stunning basilica. It’s listed as a World Heritage Site since 1998 and is one of the most significant buildings in this lively quarter of the city.
Another popular place to see in this area is the Marche des Capucins, a weekly market packed with fruit and vegetables, spices, fish and a range of local cuisine. It’s a true Bordelaise institution.
5. Musée d’Aquitaine
Bordeaux is a city full of history, and the Musée d’Aquitaine is a great place to get an overview of it. This museum spans prehistoric times to the present day, and its collection includes archeological discoveries as well as historical artefacts from around the world.
- It also has an exhibition on slavery, which is a new and thought-provoking addition to its collections. This is a museum that doesn’t shy away from confronting its dark past, and is a must-see for those interested in the Atlantic slave trade.
- Located in the Bacalan district, this is another museum that you must visit when you are in Bordeaux. It is one of the newest museums in town and has a remarkable collection of sea and marine related objects.
