20 must-see weekend ideas around Bordeaux

Bordeaux, nicknamed the “Sleeping Beauty”, is ideally situated in the heart of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region for a wonderful weekend exploring. Whether you’re a fan of prestigious vineyards, Atlantic beaches or medieval cities, the area around the capital of Gironde is full of fascinating destinations less than two hours away. From the medieval bastides of Périgord to the wild beaches of the Basque coast, via the vineyards of Saint-Émilion, here are 20 ideas for weekends around Bordeaux that promise unforgettable escapades.

1. Saint-Émilion, the wine pearl of Bordeaux

Just 35 kilometres from Bordeaux, Saint-Émilion is the perfect wine-growing getaway for a weekend around Bordeaux. This medieval town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, will win you over with its cobbled streets, monolithic church and vineyards as far as the eye can see. Take advantage of your visit to sample the appellation’s prestigious vintages at nearby châteaux such as Château Ausone and Château Cheval Blanc. The village also offers charming guest houses in the heart of the vineyards to extend your stay. The Navaway itinerary will allow you to visit Bordeaux before setting off to explore this exceptional wine region.

Also in the Bordeaux guide:

• Visit Bordeaux in 1 day: 29 things to do and see on foot
• What to do in Bordeaux Top 7 activities + Good tips
• Darwin Bordeaux: guide to this alternative eco-system

2. The Bay of Arcachon and the Dune du Pilat

Less than an hour from Bordeaux, the Bay of Arcachon is one of the most popular weekend getaways around Bordeaux. Discover the famous cabanes tchanquées, sample fresh oysters in the oyster-farming villages and climb the majestic Dune du Pilat, the highest dune in Europe. The basin offers a multitude of activities: boat trips, cycling along the cycle paths, and lounging on the fine sandy beaches of Arcachon or Cap Ferret.

3. Biarritz, the queen of beaches

Biarritz remains THE glamorous destination for a weekend break around Bordeaux. This former seaside resort of Empress Eugenie combines Belle Époque elegance with a surfing atmosphere. Discover the Rocher de la Vierge, stroll along the Grande Plage, visit the Musée de la Mer and savour Basque gastronomy in Michelin-starred restaurants. For the full experience, also explore the local markets and take advantage of the town’s renowned thalassotherapy treatments.

4. La Rochelle and Ile de Ré

Less than two hours from Bordeaux, La Rochelle and theIle de Ré offer an exceptional seaside weekend. Explore the Old Port of La Rochelle with its emblematic towers, stroll through the pedestrianised streets and embark for the Ile de Ré. This “white island” will charm you with its villages of houses with green shutters, its salt marshes, its fine sandy beaches and the cycle paths that criss-cross the island. Don’t miss the Baleines lighthouse and the fortified village of Saint-Martin-de-Ré.

5. Sarlat and the Périgord Noir

Sarlat-la-Canéda (Place de la Liberté, 24200 Sarlat-la-Canéda, rated 4.3/5 on Google out of 2,800 reviews) is one of France’s finest examples of medieval architecture. Just 1 hour 45 minutes from Bordeaux, this town in the Périgord Noir takes you back to the Middle Ages, with its cobbled streets, mansions and famous gastronomic market. Make the most of your weekend around Bordeaux to explore the châteaux of Beynac and Castelnaud, canoe down the Dordogne and visit the Lascaux cave.

Download the audio tour to discover Bordeaux on foot and on your own

Before setting off to explore the surrounding area, why not rediscover the capital of Gironde? The Navaway app offers you a complete itinerary for visiting Bordeaux on your own. This audio-guided tour takes you through 29 must-see places of interest, from the Place de la Bourse to the Golden Triangle, via Saint-André Cathedral and the quays of the Garonne. With historical commentary and entertaining anecdotes, discover all the secrets of this UNESCO World Heritage city.

6. Saint-Jean-de-Luz, Basque authenticity

Saint-Jean-de-Luz (Place Louis XIV, 64500 Saint-Jean-de-Luz, rated 4.4/5 on Google out of 1800 reviews) offers you a weekend around Bordeaux steeped in history and authenticity. This corsair town, where Louis XIV was married, retains an incredible charm with its colourful fishing port, half-timbered houses and family beaches. Sample local specialities such as Adam’s macaroons or ttoro, the uniquely flavoured Basque bouillabaisse.

7. The Médoc Wine Route

Discover the legendary Médoc Wine Route, which stretches 80 kilometres north of Bordeaux. This route takes you through some of the most prestigious appellations: Margaux, Saint-Julien, Pauillac and Saint-Estèphe. Visit emblematic châteaux such as Margaux, Latour and Mouton Rothschild to understand the art of Bordeaux winemaking. The route will also take you through charming wine-growing villages and breathtaking vineyard landscapes.

8. Royan and the Côte de Beauté

Royan (Front de Mer, 17200 Royan, rated 4.3/5 on Google out of 2100 reviews) boasts remarkable modern architecture. This seaside resort on the Côte de Beauté, rebuilt after the Second World War, boasts a unique Notre-Dame church and central market. Enjoy five sandy beaches, visit La Palmyre zoo and explore the Gironde estuary. Don’t miss the charming village of Talmont-sur-Gironde, perched on a cliff overlooking the estuary.

9. Périgueux and the Périgord Blanc

Périgueux, capital of the Périgord Blanc region, is the perfect cultural getaway just 1h30 from Bordeaux. Discover Saint-Front cathedral with its Byzantine domes, stroll through the medieval city and visit the Périgord Museum of Art and Archaeology. The town is also the ideal base from which to explore the treasures of Périgord: châteaux, medieval bastides and prehistoric sites.

10. Bayonne, the cultural heart of the Basque Country

Discover Bayonne (Cathédrale Sainte-Marie, 1 Place Monseigneur Vansteenberghe, 64100 Bayonne, rated 4.2/5 on Google out of 650 reviews), the cultural capital of the French Basque Country. This city of Art and History will win you over with its Gothic cathedral, its timber-framed houses along the River Nive and the unique atmosphere of its ferias. Don’t miss the Basque museum, where you can learn about the richness of this thousand-year-old culture, and enjoy the famous Bayonne ham with a glass of Irouléguy.

11. Lacanau, a surfer’s paradise

Lacanau (85 avenue de l’Europe, 33680 Lacanau, rated 4.2/5 on Google out of 1200 reviews) is the surfing destination par excellence for a weekend around Bordeaux. This dynamic seaside resort hosts the Lacanau Pro, an international surfing competition, every year. Enjoy 15 kilometres of unspoilt beaches, renowned surf schools and the festive atmosphere of the beach bars. Lac de Lacanau also offers more leisurely watersports activities for all the family.

12. Graves and Sauternes

South of Bordeaux, the Graves and Sauternes region offers a weekend around Bordeaux rich in oenological discoveries. Visit the legendary Château d’Yquem to taste the finest Sauternes, these exceptional sweet wines. The Graves region will also surprise you with its great red and dry white wines. Don’t miss the village of Sauternes and its rolling countryside, a romantic setting for a gourmet getaway.

13. Cognac and the Charente

Discover Cognac (10 Avenue Victor Hugo, 16100 Cognac, rated 4.2/5 on Google out of 900 reviews), the birthplace of the famous eau-de-vie. Just an hour and a half from Bordeaux, this town opens its doors to prestigious houses such as Hennessy, Martell and Rémy Martin. Discover the secrets of distillation, visit the ageing cellars and taste the different vintages. The Charente also offers magnificent river landscapes to discover by boat or by bike.

14. Bergerac and Dordogne wines

Bergerac (Place de la Myrpe, 24100 Bergerac, rated 4.1/5 on Google out of 750 reviews) offers you a weekend around Bordeaux in the footsteps of Cyrano. This charming medieval town on the banks of the Dordogne is renowned for its wines: Bergerac, Monbazillac, Pécharmant. Visit the Maison des Vins for a full wine tasting, explore the old town of Bergerac with its timber-framed houses and take a gabare trip on the Dordogne.

15. Angoulême, capital of comic strips

Less than an hour from Bordeaux, Angoulême (Place de l’Hôtel de Ville, 16000 Angoulême, rated 4.1/5 on Google out of 950 reviews) offers an original cultural weekend. This town perched on a rocky spur is world-famous for its international comic strip festival. Discover the painted walls that decorate the town, visit Saint-Pierre cathedral and enjoy panoramic views over the Charente from the ramparts.

16. Toulouse, the pink city

Just 2h30 from Bordeaux, Toulouse (Place du Capitole, 31000 Toulouse, rated 4.5/5 on Google out of 3200 reviews) is well worth a weekend out. This dynamic metropolis has an exceptional architectural heritage: the Saint-Sernin basilica, the Jacobins convent and the Hôtel d’Assézat. You can also visit the Cité de l’Espace, stroll through the Victor Hugo market and sample local specialities such as cassoulet in the traditional bouchons.

17. Landes de Gascogne Regional Nature Park

The Landes de Gascogne Regional Nature Park covers more than 315,000 hectares near Bordeaux. This immense forest of maritime pines offers a wealth of activities, including hiking and cycling, wildlife watching and a visit to the Marquèze eco-museum, which tells the story of traditional Landes life. The ponds and streams are also ideal for water sports in an unspoilt natural setting.

18. The Pyrenees and Pau

2 hours from Bordeaux, Pau (Boulevard des Pyrénées, 64000 Pau, rated 4.3/5 on Google for 1200 reviews) offers a weekend around Bordeaux between city and mountains. Discover the castle where Henri IV was born, stroll along the famous Boulevard des Pyrénées, which offers exceptional views of the Pyrenees mountain range, and explore the surrounding valleys. Pau is also an excellent base from which to explore the spa resorts of the Bearn Pyrenees.

19. Limoges, capital of porcelain

Limoges (Place de la République, 87000 Limoges, rated 4.2/5 on Google for 1100 reviews) invites you to discover the art of porcelain, just 2 hours from Bordeaux. Visit the Adrien Dubouché national museum, which has the largest collection of Limoges porcelain in the world, explore the manufacturing workshops and discover the copper enamelling technique. The city also boasts a beautiful historic centre, with Saint-Étienne cathedral and the Bishop’s gardens.

20. Agen and Lot-et-Garonne

Agen (Place du Marché, 47000 Agen, rated 4.0/5 on Google out of 800 reviews) invites you to discover Lot-et-Garonne, a department with a thousand flavours. Visit Saint-Caprais cathedral, stroll along the Garonne and discover the Musée des Beaux-Arts. The region is famous for its plum orchards, which produce the famous Agen prune. Take advantage of your stay to explore the surrounding medieval bastides and sail on the Canal Latéral à la Garonne. The Navaway itinerary allows you to discover Agen before setting off to explore the region.

In conclusion, the Bordeaux area is full of exceptional destinations for memorable weekends away. Whether you prefer the prestigious vineyards of Saint-Émilion, the wild beaches of the Arcachon Basin, the authenticity of the Basque Country or the medieval towns of Périgord, each getaway offers unique discoveries. Don’t hesitate to use theNavaway audioguide itinerary to get to know the capital of the Gironde region before setting off to explore the surrounding area. These 20 ideas for weekends around Bordeaux are just waiting to reveal all their secrets!

What’s the best time of year for a weekend break around Bordeaux?

The best time to visit is from April to October, with a peak in July and August. Spring and autumn offer a mild climate ideal for cultural visits and wine tasting, while summer is perfect for enjoying the Atlantic beaches.

How to organise a car-free weekend around Bordeaux?

Many destinations are accessible by train from Bordeaux Saint-Jean station: Arcachon, Périgueux, Angoulême and Bayonne. For other destinations, organised excursions or local car hire are good alternatives.

How much should you budget for a weekend around Bordeaux?

Expect to pay between 150 and 300 euros per person for a weekend, depending on the destination and the level of comfort you choose. Vineyards and the Basque country are generally more expensive than the nature destinations of Périgord or Landes.