Top 7 activities in Bordeaux

As your Bordeaux break begins, it’s time to find one or more activities to enrich your experience. Perhaps a visit to a wine cellar to sample some of the region’s finest vintages? Or an open-air visit directly to the producer?

Landscapes strewn with vines are not just for wine lovers. Walkers and cyclists will love the wide open spaces of the Gironde, with their seaside, golden sands and lush greenery. Alternatively, far from the strong scent of red wine or the sea breeze, try a cookery class. Local chefs will reveal the secrets behind their most exquisite recipes.

Bordeaux is ideally situated on the Atlantic coast. It’s like an invitation to take to the open sea, for a simple nautical getaway or a morning’s fishing? Bordeaux’s waters are so rich in fish that even beginners will be able to make a good catch.

One thing’s for sure, in Bordeaux there are as many and varied activities as there are bottles of wine.

What to do in Bordeaux? 7 ideas for activities

Find something to suit all tastes, whether nautical, cultural, gastronomic or simply unusual! Choose from our selection of Bordeaux activities. Whether you’re a solo traveller, a couple, a family or a group of friends, your stay promises to be wonderfully lively. More than just activities, enjoy real experiences to share with your loved ones.

1. Master the recipes for the perfect cannelé and Basque cake

Category: €€ / Gastronomic / Cultural

Description: Who hasn’t succumbed to the unique flavour of a cannelé from Bordeaux? These rum-flavoured sweets, both tender and crunchy, have won over palates all over France. Take a cooking class with an experienced pastry chef and discover the secrets of preparing this sweet treat. And that’s not all! You’ll also learn how to concoct a generous Basque cake. A 100% gourmet activity to share with your friends and family.

Good to know: Although this is a group class, you can also take advantage of the pastry chef’s private advice. This way, you can transform the experience into a special moment with your loved ones, making it all the more memorable!

2. Fishing on the Garonne with a professional fisherman

Category: €€ / Unusual/ Cultural

Description: Traditional fishing techniques will soon no longer be a mystery to you. Follow the expert advice of Jean-Marie, the last professional fisherman in Bordeaux. Discover the reality of his passionate profession on the fresh waters of the Garonne! It’s just over 2 hours of adventure, fishing and strolling around, discovering unsuspected places such as the famous fishermen’s carrelets. An aperitif to share will bring this charming adventure to a close.

Good to know: Your professional guide offers another unique experience: night fishing for Pibale. This expedition, which lasts around 2 to 4 hours in the dark of the Gironde, is absolutely unique in France. Discover an exceptional fishing method, perpetuated by Jean-Marie. The experience is more expensive than the initial outing, so contact him directly for more information.

3. Explore the Bordeaux Wine Route

Category: €€ / Gastronomic

Description: Would you like to spend an afternoon discovering the vineyards of Bordeaux? Then head to the Bordeaux Tourist Office and climb aboard a bus that will take you on a tour of the vineyards and châteaux around the city. Accompanied by a guide, you can taste great wines while admiring the local architecture. A different destination is offered every day of the week. It’s an all-in-one solution for a comprehensive overview of Bordeaux winegrowing!

Good to know: From Bordeaux, you can combine wine and exceptional local heritage. Ask at the Tourist Office about wine tasting in the village of Saint-Émilion. Local guides will provide transfers from the town centre and give you all the information you need about this unique village, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

4. Sailing the Garonne in a canoe or kayak

Category: €€ / Unusual

Description: On the east bank of the Garonne, not far from the town centre, an instructor awaits you for a fun and sporty canoe (or kayak) trip. Between the Chaban Delmas bridge and the Pont de Pierre, you’ll have around an hour and a half to admire the banks and their exceptional buildings from an unusual vantage point! It’s the perfect way to spend a holiday with sporty, adventurous friends!

5. A different way to visit Bordeaux on a gourmet getaway

Category: €€ / Unusual / Gastronomic

Description: Wine won’t be the only star of your visit to Bordeaux! The proof is in the pudding with this exceptional tour that will leave no speciality on the banks of the Garonne. Bakeries, chocolates, cheeses… A visit full of flavours and a real treat, rounded off by a hearty 100% Bordeaux meal. All in all, a real treat! The gourmet escapade will be sprinkled with local history and news. Just what you need to satisfy your body and mind, I promise.

6. Solve the riddles in Bordeaux’s biggest escape game

Category: €€ / Unusual

Description: Get ready to race against the clock… In a larger-than-life setting, follow the trail of Jack the Ripper or the Saint-Émilion cellar robbers. There are so many incredible stories and scenarios to keep you on the edge of your seat as you race against the clock. Will your team outsmart the plot?

7. Become an axe-throwing ace

Category: €€ / Unusual / Sporty

Description: Darts will soon seem devoid of all sensation! After all, how can you compete with throwing an axe at a wooden target? In an ultra-friendly atmosphere, let off steam until you can’t hold your tool any longer! Then enjoy a refreshing beer to the sound of rock music. There’s no need to worry about safety – you’ll be perfectly supervised. Come away invigorated by this unusual activity, which promises even more unusual encounters.