I am here, in Bordeaux city! And what a beautiful city it is. The weather has certainly turned up its best behaviour and I could fully embrace Bordeaux. Four days gave me enough time to shop, dine, and take a day trip out to Dune du Pilat and more wineries. Some of my other favourite vineyards were just 40min away. Great! Here is my ultimate guide to Bordeaux city.
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Bordeaux City – the ultimate Guide
The city itself isn’t just about wine. Bordeaux is absolutely worth exploring and I coudn’t believe I was finally here. It is a big city and I explored most of it by foot. I loved wandering past the grand 18th-century buildings. I enjoyed walking through the streets, visiting some shops, and having snacks along the way.
Two of my favourite areas was the Chatrons district, especially Rue Notre Dame, and Saint-Michel, a historic part in Bordeaux city with a more bohemian vibe. Both areas were full of antique shops with incredible finds. It would certainly be fun buying lots of unique treasures, however, my car was full with luggage and wine already! So I just browsed, which was still fun.
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Dining in Bordeaux is a treat as well. Whether it’s a riverside lunch with views of the Garonne or an elegant dinner in the city’s buzzing centre. The architecture, the atmosphere, and of course the food, give Bordeaux a nice charm that I really liked. Extra bonus: I met the artist Leandre Lerouge in his little gallery. Great art, great artist! I am certain, I will definitely return to Bordeaux.
Of course, when in Bordeaux, day trips to the surrounding areas are inevitable. From the wineries to the Dune du Pilat, it wouldn’t be an ultimate guide to Bordeaux city without mentioning them.
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Dune du Pilat
The Dune of Pilat, also called Grande Dune du Pilat, is the tallest sand dune in Europe. I only heard about it at the hotel, where they kindly recommended I make a trip to the dunes. And as I was already planning to visit the Margaux wineries, I thought I could do both. Especially since it was a sunny Saturday.
The Dune du Pilat is certainly a standout in the otherwise forested landscape, with vineyards and the Atlantic Ocean always close by. To my surprise, there were quite a lot of people walking up the dune already. Although I arrived quite early, I had to pay for parking, but entry to the dune was free. Phew! To climb up, you could either take the stairs or go on the sand, choosing between an easier slope or a steep hill. Of course, I chose the steep one. It was a great workout, and the view from the top was amazing!
With a busy day still ahead, I took a few photos, walked back down, and headed to the wineries for more wine tasting. The Dune du Pilat is certainly worth a trip!
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Wineries
If you’re staying in Bordeaux city only, it’s certainly a great base for exploring the surrounding wineries. From Saint-Émilion (read about my stay here) to Margaux and Saint-Julien, every region is within reach from the city. As I had already done my château hopping and stayed outside Bordeaux, I chose to visit the Margaux area after my visit to the Dune du Pilat. The drive took a little longer than I expected. However, it was a gorgeous day and I had plenty of time. So, why not enjoy more wine tasting!
Chateau Lanessen and Margaux wine region
Another highlight of this trip was the wine tasting at Chateau Lanessen. It’s an older but beautiful estate, surrounded by endless vineyards, and currently undergoing major renovations. The winery actually has been purchased by Penfolds Australia a few years ago.
The drive through the Saint-Laurent-Médoc area was just as lovely, with vines lining the road and châteaux appearing along the way. While the Saint-Émilion area felt more glamorous and grand, it was wonderful to see this side of the vineyards too. It looked exactly how you imagine Bordeaux wine country to be. After a week here, I feel like I’ve certainly become an expert in Bordeaux wines!
And I have been to the Burgundy wine region and the Champagne region before. Read here for more.
All in all, from visiting Cognac and Bordeaux city to climbing the Dune du Pilat, this trip has been nothing short of amazing. With one week to go, it was time to head south to San Sebastián in Spain. I couldn’t wait!
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