If you’re typically someone who enjoys spending vacation time in Paris, then you will find that to visit the coastal, countryside region of Bordeaux in southern France is to experience a different world. Here, the landscape is one of gently rolling hills and white stone walls. The climate is generally comfortable, thanks to the proximity to the Atlantic coast and the Gulf Stream corridor. Bordelais cuisine is delectably divine, with succulent roast duck and fresh Atlantic oysters taking center stage in a crowded slate of gastronomic excellence.
And, of course, there are the chateaus of Bordeaux and their renowned vineyards, where some of the very best wines in the world are made.
For wine lovers, Bordeaux is a little slice of heaven, a number one with a bullet on a bucket list destination. This is, after all, one of the largest wine-producing regions not only in France but in the entire world. The vineyards here see millions of grape enthusiasts each year, visiting wineries and experiencing exquisite tasting sessions.
With so much traffic, of course there are a number of ways to explore the region, suitable for every preference and accessibility level. We’ll go over some of the best ones here. That way, when you’re deciding on luxury France tours, you’ll have options to present to your planner so they can customize a perfect Bordeaux trip.
Getting There
The two main routes to Bordeaux are by rail and by airplane.
Train
The main train station in Bordeaux is Bordeaux Saint-Jean, located near the Left Bank of the River Garonne, right in the heart of the city. This transportation option is ideal for those who love the slower, more scenic route–when traveling from Paris, your two-hour journey takes you through some of the most stunning countryside in France.
Airplane
Bordeaux’s primary airport is the Bordeaux-Mérignac Airport (BOD), about a thirty minute drive outside of the city proper. Non-stop flights from Paris take a bit under an hour and a half, and if you’re staying out in the countryside, this might be the most ideal option.
Getting Around
The Bordeaux winemaking region is incredibly large, with around 250,000 total acres of fields on either side of the Garonne. How much of it you see will depend on the method you choose to travel around. From driving and cycling yourself to being guided around the vineyards, there’s an option for everyone.
Bicycle Tours
Those who love the two-wheeled life will rejoice to know that Bordeaux is eminently cyclable. This is a rewarding way to see the vineyards, as you can soak up the sunshine and be close to the beautiful nature in the countryside.
If you’re the dedicated type who travels with your own bike, then you can bring it along! Bicycles are allowed on the trains in Bordeaux–though you might have to make a reservation for your bike on some of them. Check ahead–so it’s easy to travel between some of the farther-flung chateaus and then hop off for a leisurely bike ride whenever you like.
Bordeaux also has a bicycle and e-bike rental scheme in place called VCub. It does require a bit of a subscription and a security deposit, but it’s a very popular option, and it means not having to bring your bike with you. There are VCub stations at most train, bus, and tram stops in Bordeaux; it really could not be more of a convenient option.
Guided tours that supply e-bike rentals and a tour guide to show you around are also available. This is the most convenient option, as it essentially takes all of the burden of planning and strategizing off your shoulders–nothing but pure enjoyment of the ride and the tour for you to worry about.
Car and Motorcycle Tours
If your preference is for driving–and honestly, it’s difficult to not enjoy the mental image of yourself in, perhaps, a small convertible, the wind in your hair as you explore Bordeaux–then you certainly have some amazing choices here.
You can, of course, rent a car; it’s possible to rent one in Paris and drive down or to rent one in Bordeaux directly. Whichever you decide, once you’re in Bordeaux, you can assemble your own tour based on which wineries you most want to visit, or you can take advantage of the several self-guided tour options that provide you with an itinerary and directions. But otherwise renting a car allows you to explore at your own pace.
Luxury tours with guides that drive you around to the various wineries and tasting experiences are also possible. Have you ever dreamed of being chauffeured around the French countryside in a 1973 Citroёn convertible? Or perhaps you’re more of a motorcycle fan, and you’d love to tootle around in the vintage sidecar of a local’s prized motorbike? Whatever your motorized dreams–including those that are more of the enclosed and air-conditioned variety–they can be fulfilled.
Walking Tours
Fancy going by foot? That, too, is possible!
As with car tours, you can go through the self-led route, where a printed or digital guide to the area of your choice is provided to you, and you manage the tour at your own pace. Some of these self-guided tours will provide a bit of extra assistance in transporting your luggage between resting points, but otherwise, you’re moving in your own time on your own two feet. If you love hiking or walking the Camino but you really want to tour Bordeaux, this might be the best way to combine your passions.
If you want to get your steps in but need someone else to take the planning lead, several enthusiastic local guides head up walking tours over several days through various lovely vineyards. These tours also include rest stops at picturesque bed and breakfasts with all the plush amenities you need to recover from a long, gratifying day of walking and wine-tasting.
For a very unique way to see Bordeaux, consider a Segway tour. It’s not technically by foot, but you’re still standing while you navigate your tour route at a somewhat higher speed than walking. It’s more of a novelty than anything, but it’s plenty of fun and not an experience you’ll forget anytime soon.
Browsing Beautiful Bordeaux
It’s time to take your dream French wine-tasting trip out of the group chat or your diary and bring it to life. Whichever way you choose to explore Bordeaux’s chateaus and vineyards, you’re in for a genuine treat on France’s southwestern coast.
