Bordeaux is a wine-lover’s paradise and an incredibly beautiful city. I first went there in 2010 and have been a huge fan ever since. Its 18th-century core is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the whole city is brimming with upscale wine bars, great restaurants, and some good upscale shopping. It’s a super beautiful city (my favorite street in the country is here).
There’s a lot of history in this city and, like elsewhere, one of the best ways to experience this is to take a walking tour of the city. There are lots of wine and food tours in Bordeaux that can deepen your visit.
But, since not all are created equal, I wanted to share a few of my favorites. Here’s my list of the best walking tours in Bordeaux:
Take Walks is my go-to tour company in Europe, offering access to places that no other company gets. Their tours feature incredibly knowledgeable guides. Their Ultimate Food Tour lasts three hours and includes three regional wine tastings led by a local sommelier. You’ll get to sample nine different items over six stops while learning about the city, its history, and how Bordeaux became a world-renowned wine region.
Offered daily, this is the best (and most popular) free tour in town and a good introduction to Bordeaux. It lasts two hours and covers all the highlights, including the Gothic cathedral, the Neoclassical Grand Theatre, and the Water Mirror. It’s a perfect primer for first-time visitors. The guides are also full of amazing recommendations for where to eat and drink, so be sure to ask for their suggestions. Just remember to tip at the end!
While those may be the best free and paid tours in town, Bordeaux has a lot more to offer. Here are five other insightful and educational tour companies:
The official tourism office runs a handful of tours, though its guided walking tour is the most popular choice for first-time visitors. It’s a great two-hour primer led by an expert local guide who can help you get off the tourist trail, show you the scenic highlights, and illuminate the city’s past.
You can also hop on their half-day winery tour, on which you’ll stop at either one or two wineries (depending on the day) to learn about the importance of wine to the region and culture. You’ll also learn about the winemaking process and get a few samples too. It’s an affordable and fun introduction to Bordeaux’s vineyards.
Tours start at 15 EUR.
If you have a sweet tooth, France Like a Local runs a mouthwatering pastry and bakery tour that’s perfect for travelers looking to indulge. Lasting 2.5 hours, the tour includes stops at over a half a dozen shops where you can try fresh breads, pastries, and chocolate, including favorites like pain au chocolat, Dunes Blanches, and canelés.
In addition to trying lots of sweet treats, you’ll also get to see many of the highlights as you explore the historic city center. And because tours are limited to just 10 people, you’ll have plenty of time to converse with the guide, ask questions, and chat with the bakers and business owners whose enterprises you’ll be visiting.
Tours start at 76 EUR.
If you’re a French speaker and have seen the main highlights (and enjoyed your fill of food and wine), get off the beaten path and explore Bordeaux’s art scene. My Urban Experience offers a cool 90-minute street art tour in French that traverses the city, from the port to the north side, and is full of neat anecdotes and cool art. It’s a fun cultural exploration and a nice addition to what you’ll see and learn on a more “general” tour.
If art isn’t your thing, there’s a mystery walking tour (also in French) that illuminates the medieval city’s myths, legends, and haunting ghost stories. It’s an interesting mix of history and mystery, lasting a quick 90 minutes.
Tours start at 15 EUR.
If you want to get out of town, this winery tour and picnic is the perfect short escape. And at just 48 EUR, it won’t break the bank either. Located in Saint-Émilion, a picturesque region less than an hour from Bordeaux, here you can take in the sweeping views as you picnic, enjoying some wine and a delicious meal before your tour. After your picnic, you’ll get to explore two wineries (one traditional, one modern) and learn about their history and production methods, including how the grapes are grown and harvested, and how the wines are bottled. Of course, there will be more samples too!
Just note that transportation to the start of the tour is not included, so you need to arrange your own from Bordeaux.
Tours start at 48 EUR.
If you’re a night owl, Wanderer Footsteps offers a couple of fun evening tours that bring the city and its past to life. First, it runs a ghost tour that explores the spooky side of things. You’ll hear about tragic lovers, ghosts, and more as you wander the historic city center. It’s an entertaining mix of history and legend and a perfect addition to any of the more standard walking tours above.
They also offer a regular highlights tour, but in the evenings. What I like about this is that it frees up your day, so you can do a winery tour when the sun is out and then soak up the highlights of Bordeaux in the evening.
Tours start at 25 EUR.
Bordeaux is a must-visit spot for anyone visiting France. Even if you don’t love wine as much as I do, there’s lots of history to enjoy, amazing food to eat, and some fun day trips nearby. I always love my time here. And, if you take one of the above tours, you’ll definitely have a greater visit than you would otherwise!
(And, while these are my favorite tours here, the website GetYourGuide has lots more options if you want to check out something else.)
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