32 Best Sights in Bordeaux and the Wine Country, France

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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.

Bassins des Lumieres

Fodor's choice

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.

Château Mouton Rothschild

Le Pouyalet Fodor's choice

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.

École du Vin de Bordeaux

Fodor's choice

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.

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Haut-Brion

Fodor's choice

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, 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.

La Cité du Vin

Fodor's choice
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.

Phare de Cordouan

Fodor's choice

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.

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.

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, 33000, France
05–56–81–26–25
Sight Details
Rate Includes: Tower €6, Tower closed Mon. Oct.–May

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, 33710, France
Sight Details
Rate Includes: €5

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.

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.

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, 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

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.

Château Lafite Rothschild

Chateau Lafite Rothschild, Bordeaux, France
Jordi Muray / Shutterstock

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, 33250, France
05–56–73–18–18
Sight Details
Rate Includes: Closed weekends and Aug.–Oct.

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).

Château Latour

Tower of Chateau Latour, Bordeaux, France
Jordi Muray / Shutterstock

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.

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, 33460, France
05–57–88–83–83
Sight Details
Rate Includes: Closed weekends and Aug.

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.

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.

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, 33330, France
Sight Details
Rate Includes: €15

Grand Théâtre

One block south of the Maison du Vin is the city's leading 18th-century monument: the Grand Théâtre, designed by Victor Louis and built between 1773 and 1780. It's the pride of the city, with an elegant exterior ringed by graceful Corinthian columns and a dazzling foyer with a two-winged staircase and a cupola. The theater hall has a frescoed ceiling with a shimmering chandelier composed of 14,000 Bohemian crystals. Contact the Bordeaux tourist office to learn about guided tours.

L'Église de Cadillac

This graceful baroque-style church was founded in 1494 and contains an unusual nave, with upper galleries and a ribbed vault. A striking alter screen, depicting Christ's crucifixion, dates back to 1630. The funeral chapel and mausoleum, the final resting place for the Ducs d'Épernay, can be seen next to the choir.

La Grotte de Pair Non Pair

Bourg's version of Lascaux, this remarkable Paleolithic-era cave, covered with lifelike etchings of mammoths, ibexes, bulls and horses, was discovered by a local archeologist 60 years before its more famous cousin, but here you'll be visiting the real deal. Book in advance, as you're only allowed to visit as part of an hour-long guided tour, which is limited to 18 people at a time.

Musée d'Aquitaine

Two blocks south of the Cathédrale St-André, this excellent museum takes you on a trip through Bordeaux's history, with emphasis on Roman, medieval, Renaissance, colonial, and 20th-century daily life. The detailed prehistoric section almost saves you a trip to Lascaux II, which is reproduced here in part.

Musée des Beaux-Arts

Bordeaux was one of 15 French cities chosen by Napoléon to showcase his war-acquired works (most notably from Italy) along with bits of existing royal art, so this museum has a fetching collection. Expanded to include pieces from the 15th century to the present, it now displays important paintings by Paolo Veronese (St-Dorothy), Camille Corot (Bath of Diana), and Odilon Redon (Apollo's Chariot), plus sculptures by Auguste Rodin. Located near the Cathédrale St-André and ornate Hôtel de Ville, the Museé des Beaux-Arts is flanked by tidy gardens.

Old City Fortifications

Founded in 1280 by Jean de Grailly on behalf of the British king, Cadillac was once a walled city and still maintains the ancient town plan to an unusual degree. Two of the fortified doors still stand—the Porte de L'Horloge, with its old clock, and the Porte de la Mer—along with portions of the old ramparts and several period houses. The tourist office offers informative guided tours in English year-round.

Place de la Bourse

The centerpiece of the left bank is this open square built in 1729–33. Ringed with large-windowed buildings, it was beautifully designed by the era's most esteemed architect, Jacques Gabriel, father of Jacques-Ange Gabriel (who went on to remodel Paris's Place de la Concorde). Across the road from the square, just beside the river is the Miroir d'Eau (Mirror of Water), a large rectangle of shallow water that reflects the sky and periodically comes to life as a fountain.

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Place du Marché

From the castle ramparts, cobbled steps lead down to Place du Marché, a leafy square where cafés remain open late into the balmy summer night—just be prepared for the inflated prices they charge.

Place du Parlement

A few blocks southeast of Place de la Bourse, Place du Parlement is also ringed by elegant 18th-century structures and packed with lively outdoor cafés.

Plassac Gallo-Roman Villas

The remnants of three Gallo-Roman villas, built successively over five centuries on the same site, offer a glimpse into the life of a prosperous landowner and include a 700-foot-wide dining room, galleries, and terraced gardens. The earliest vestiges, richly decorated with mosaics of marble imported from North Africa, date from AD 14–20. An on-site museum provides historical information and displays relics recovered from the site.