Bordeaux and the Wine Country

We’ve compiled the best of the best in Bordeaux and the Wine Country - browse our top choices for the top things to see or do during your stay.

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  • 1. Bassins des Lumieres

    Built during World War II as a German U-boat base, this eerie series of underground, water-filled artificial caverns has been re-created as an astounding, echoing event and exhibition space for conceptual art. More than 100 computer-controlled projectors splash huge images inspired by the work of artists as diverse as Gustav Klimt, Ego Schiele, Salvador Dalí, and Antoni Gaudí onto the interior surfaces of the four chambers, reflected in the deep, still water that half fills them. The music of contemporary and classical composers accompanies the ever-shifting images, creating an immersive, overwhelming sensory experience. Dress warmly; it can get chilly in there.

    Impasse Brown de Coulston, Bordeaux, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, 33300, France
    5–35–00–00–90

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: €15
  • 2. Château Mouton Rothschild

    Le Pouyalet

    Most of the great vineyards in this area are strictly private, although owners are usually receptive to inquiries from bona fide wine connoisseurs. One, however, has long boasted a welcoming visitor center: Mouton Rothschild, whose eponymous wine was brought to perfection in the 1930s by that flamboyant figure Baron Philippe de Rothschild. Wine fans flock here for visits lasting from 1 hour, 45 minutes to 2½ hours. Depending on the tour, your visit might include a trip to the cellars, the chai (wine warehouse), and the museum, including a display of wine labels. There, is of course, a wine tasting at the end. Prices depend on the length of the tour and the wines sampled. Visits are by appointment only; be sure to reserve at least two months in advance.

    Château Mouton Rothschild, Pauillac, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, 33250, France
    05–56–73–21–29

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: From €50, Closed weekends
  • 3. École du Vin de Bordeaux

    On tree-lined Cours du XXX-Juillet, not far from the banks of the Garonne and the main artery of the Esplanade des Quinconces, you'll find the Maison du Vin de Bordeaux and its École du Vin. Run by the CIVB (Conseil Interprofessionnel des Vins de Bordeaux, which oversees the Bordeaux wine trade), this school offers two-hour wine appreciation workshops (€29.15) as well as intensive programs and summer courses for professionals. The on-site Bar à Vin is a good place to sample and buy reds (like Pauillac or St-Émilion), dry whites (like an Entre-Deux-Mers, Graves, or Côtes de Blaye), and sweet whites (like Sauternes or Loupiac). This can be particularly useful when trying to decide which of the 57 wine appellations to focus on during your trip.

    1 cours du XXX-Juillet, Bordeaux, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, 33000, France
    05–56–00–22–85

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Sun.
  • 4. Haut-Brion

    One of the region's most famous wine-producing châteaux is actually within the city limits: follow N250 southwest from central Bordeaux for 3 km (2 miles) to the district of Pessac, home to Haut-Brion, producer of the only non-Médoc wine to be ranked a premier cru (the most elite wine classification). It's claimed that the very buildings surrounding the vineyards create their own microclimate, protecting the precious grapes and allowing them to ripen earlier. The white château looks out over the celebrated pebbly soil. The wines produced at La Mission–Haut Brion (Domaine Clarence Dillon), across the road, are almost as sought-after. Visits are by request only and should be booked at least two months in advance.

    135 av. Jean-Jaurès, Pessac, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, 33600, France
    05–56–00–29–30

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: Free 1-hr visits with tasting by appointment only, Closed first 2 wks Aug.
  • 5. La Cité du Vin

    The exterior of this contemporary building is inspired by the way wine swirls when it is poured into a glass; inside, you'll find an interactive museum highlighting the world of wine and wine making. Every aspect of the history, culture, and manufacture of wine is explored through a range of interactive exhibits that are explained via an audio guide. The visit concludes with a wine tasting on the panoramic terrace at the top of the building.

    1 Esplanade de Pontac, Bordeaux, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, 33300, France
    05–56–16–20–20

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: €20
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  • 6. Phare de Cordouan

    While most lighthouses are considered utilitarian, the UNESCO World Heritage site Phare de Cordouan is a beacon fit for a king, and it's easy to envy the lighthouse keepers who live and work here. A succession of royal architects embellished the building from the late 16th to the early 17th century, but its current form dates to 1611. In 2021, UNESCO granted the lighthouse World Heritage status in recognition of its architectural brilliance and unique island location. The stained glass windows, elaborately carved fireplaces and doorways, and inlaid marble floors must make this a rather lovely place to live and work, while the views are absolutely jaw-dropping. You can get here by taking a 45-minute boat from the town of Le Verdon-sur-Mer, located about 25 miles north of Pauillac. Depending on the tides, getting to the lighthouse can involve a walk of up to 10 minutes across wet sand and a sometimes slippy causeway, so wear practical footwear. It's not accessible to anyone with walking difficulties.

    Ile de Cordouan, Pauillac, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, 33123, France
    05–57–42–28–76

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: €49 includes boat ride from Le Verdon-sur-Mer, Closed Oct.–Apr.
  • 7. CAPC Musée d'Art Contemporain

    Just north of the Esplanade des Quinconces (a sprawling square), this two-story museum is imaginatively housed in a converted 19th-century spice warehouse—the Entrepôt Lainé. Many expositions here showcase cutting-edge artists from France and from all over the world.

    7 rue Ferrère, Bordeaux, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, 33000, France
    05–56–00–81–50

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: €7, Closed Mon.
  • 8. Cathédrale St-André

    This may not be one of France's finer Gothic cathedrals, but the intricate 14th-century chancel makes an interesting contrast with the earlier nave. Excellent stone carvings adorn the facade of the hefty edifice. You can also climb the 15th-century, 160-foot Tour Pey-Berland for a stunning view of the city.

    Pl. Pey-Berland, Bordeaux, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, 33000, France
    05–56–81–26–25

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: Tower €6, Tower closed Mon. Oct.–May
  • 9. Château and Musée de la Citadelle

    This handsome château, which dates from 1723, reveals many layers of history, starting with a typical Gallo-Roman residence and a medieval citadel. The Salle des Gardes's medieval walls were incorporated into the newer building and a restored 13th-century pigeonnier can be viewed on the château grounds. The château museum displays lively carrousel horses and a tip-top collection of antique carriages and other conveyances.

    rue Bistaudeau, Bourg sur Gironde, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, 33710, France

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: €5
  • 10. Château Angelus

    Named for the prayer-signaling church bells that can be heard from its vineyards, this fabled château is a premier grand cru property.

    St-Émilion, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, 33330, France
    05–57–24–71–39
  • 11. Château Ausone

    Just south of the town walls, Château Ausone is an estate that is ranked with Château Angelus as a producer of St-Émilion's finest wines.

    St-Émilion, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, 33330, France
    05–57–24–24–57
  • 12. Château des Ducs d'Épernon

    Overlooking the Garonne River in the very heart of town, Cadillac's château was built by the first Duke of Épernon (1554–1642) as a family seat befitting his wealth and influence. The duke's son fell afoul of Louis VIII when he refused a military assignment and was sentenced to death in absentia (he had already fled to England). Seized during the French Revolution, the Renaissance-style château served as a women's prison and psychiatric hospital until the 1950s. The stately home's lovely contours, ornate fireplaces, and 17th-century tapestries make it well worth a visit.

    4 Place de la Libération, Cadillac, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, 33410, France
    05–56–62–69–58

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: €5, June–Sept., daily 10–1:15 and 2–6; Oct.–May, Tues.–Sun. 10–12:30 and 2–5:30
  • 13. Château du Roi

    A stroll along the 13th-century ramparts takes you to the Château du Roi. To this day nobody knows whether it was Henry III of England or King Louis VIII of France who chose the site and ordered its building.

    St-Émilion, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, 33330, France
  • 14. Château Lafite Rothschild

    Lafite Rothschild is among the most resonant names in the wine world. Even by the giddy standards of the Médoc, Lafite—owned by the Rothschild family since 1868 and a recorded producer since 1234—is a temple of wine making at its most memorable. Prices may be sky-high, but no one fortunate enough to sample one of the classic vintages will forget the experience in a hurry. Tours are offered by appointment only on weekdays at 2 pm and 3:30 pm (email for a spot and be sure to do it far in advance); a tasting is included at the end. Too bad you can't visit the family château on the grounds—its rooms are the defining examples of le style Rothschild, one of the most opulent styles of 19th-century interior decoration.

    Château Lafite Rothschild, Pauillac, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, 33250, France
    05–56–73–18–18

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: Closed weekends and Aug.–Oct.
  • 15. Château Lascombes

    This classically elegant 17th-century château is actually a facade for a sleek and modern operation. Historically considered an underperformer according to its second grand cru classification, Château Lascombes welcomes novices, wine lovers, and professionals to take a free guided tour of the vineyards and cellars followed by a tasting (by appointment only).

    1 cours de Verdun, Margaux, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, 33460, France
    05–57–88–70–66
  • 16. Château Latour

    Tastings and tours at the renowned Château Latour are typically free, but very selective—you have to be a serious taster, accompanied by a guide or professional in the wine trade, and you will be expected to make a purchase. Reservations are also required, and these must sometimes be made a month in advance.

    St-Lambert, Pauillac, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, 33250, France
    05–56–73–19–80
  • 17. Château Margaux

    Housed in a magnificent neoclassical building from 1810, Château Margaux is recognized as a producer of premiers crus, and its wine ranks with Graves's Haut-Brion as one of Bordeaux's five finest reds. As with most of the top Bordeaux châteaux, visits and tastings are by appointment only. While there's no charge for these, appointments are reserved for serious seekers accompanied by professionals in the trade.

    Chateau Margaux, Margaux, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, 33460, France
    05–57–88–83–83

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: Closed weekends and Aug.
  • 18. Château Marquis de Vauban

    Although several estates in and around Blaye offer tours and tastings (all listed on the Tourist Office website), the Château Marquis de Vauban is one of the best with comprehensive explanations of the winemaking process, wine tastings, tours of the vineyards and citadel, and fine dining.

    Route des Cones, Blaye, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, 33390, France
  • 19. Château Palmer

    It is said that in some years the wines of Château Palmer (classified as a third cru) can rival those of neighboring Château Margaux (a premier cru). Now operating according to a biodynamic philosophy, it accepts visitors at no charge on weekdays by appointment.

    Château Palmer, Margaux, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, 33460, France
    05–57–88–72–72
  • 20. Église Monolithe

    One of Europe's largest underground churches, the Église Monolithe was hewn out of the rock face between the 9th and 12th centuries by monks faithful to the memory of St-Émilion, an 8th-century hermit and miracle worker. Its spire-top clocher (bell tower) rises out of the bedrock, dominating the center of town. The church can only be visited on a guided tour reserved online in advance via the tourist office website. The visit includes the catacombs and the underground cell of St-Émilion.

    Pl. du Marché, St-Émilion, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, 33330, France

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: €15

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