15 Best Places to Shop in Bordeaux and the Wine Country, France

With fourteen stores in Bordeaux alone, Baillardran is going to be hard to walk by without at least looking in its windows at those sweet delights, canelés de Bordeaux. Much like a Doric column in miniature, the small indented, caramelized cakes, made with vanilla and a dash of rum, are a delicious regional specialty.

For a grand selection of cheeses—along with raw milk, smoked-sea-salt butter, bulk honey, and all things creamy and tasty—stop in at Elodie Deruelle's shop, Fromagerie Deruelle.

Within the shadow of the church of St-Michel, a few blocks south of the Pont de Pierre and just off the river, one of the country's largest flea markets operates every second Sunday during the months of March, June, September, and December—all day long. Year-round, a weekly Sunday flea market is also held here, which is just the ticket if you're looking for real bargains away from the storefronts or need a nice excuse to explore the historic St-Michel quarter.

For an exceptional selection of cheeses, go to Jean d'Alos Fromager-Affineur.

To experience the French fascination for comic books, take a peek in this bookstore, where you'll find Tintin alive and well. The café in back is a nice place to get a feel for the bande dessinée (graphic novel) scene, known as the "Ninth Art" in France.

Want Bordeaux's best bread to go with your cheese? Get in line. Apparently, the word's out about La Fabrique Pains et Bricoles because the queue is out the door at this fine bakery—and that's always a good sign.

Next to the tourist information office, Vinothèque sells top-ranked Bordeaux wines.