Down in the southwest of France, tucked between the river and the vineyards, sits Bordeaux. It’s not exactly a hidden gem anymore, as people have caught on.
Everyone knows it for the wine (no surprise there), but once you’re actually walking those wide streets or just sitting by the river with a glass in hand, you get it.
It’s old, it’s beautiful, it’s easygoing. 2025 rolls in, and suddenly, Bordeaux isn’t just another stop in France. It’s the spot people are circling on their maps.
Recently, we saw stunning holiday pictures of Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar all over the internet. Every frame of his Bordeaux holiday is sheer magic and postcard-worthy. He enjoyed his cycling trips and all other outdoor activities in the sixth-largest city of France.
The photographs have been so inspiring that we even want to visit Bordeaux. However, before making the plan, let us have an idea about the best tourist attractions in Bordeaux.
Bordeaux Tourist Attractions: Why You Will Love Visiting This City In The South Of France?

When you mix it all together—wine, food, history, that easy pace—Bordeaux deserves every bit of attention it’s getting this year. It’s somehow timeless and trendy at once, which isn’t easy to pull off.
So if you’re planning where to go in 2025, put a big star on Bordeaux. Take the tour, sip the wine, and just let yourself get swept up in it.
You’ll leave already planning your return and with dreams of exploring the Bordeaux tourist attractions you missed this time.
1. A City Steeped In History
This place has layers, and I mean thousands of years’ worth. You see it right away: the facades, the squares, the boulevards that feel too grand to be casual.
The whole center is UNESCO-listed, which basically means they’ve done a great job keeping its Enlightenment-era charm alive.
If you don’t just want to wander aimlessly (though honestly, that’s fun too), learn the history of Bordeaux during a Bordeaux Free Walking Tour.
It’s simple. You show up outside Cathedral Saint-André at 10:30 in the morning or 5 in the evening, and off you go.
Roman ruins, wine trade gossip, revolutionary tidbits—they pack it all in. And people rave about it online for good reason.
The guides? They’re into it. Not boring textbook stuff, more like storytelling with a bit of humor thrown in. You leave with this “ohhh, now I get it” kind of appreciation for the city.
2. A Destination For Food And Wine Lovers
Of course, wine is the headline act here. You’re surrounded by vineyards, and whether you dip into a cool little bar in the city or hop out to Médoc or Saint-Émilion for the day, you’ll be spoiled.
But it’s not only about wine. Bordeaux has this food scene that sneaks up on you.
The Marché des Capucins is a blast. It’s messy, loud, and full of seafood stands, cheeses, and pastries.
Grab some oysters, maybe a chunk of bread and cheese, and you’re good. Oh, and don’t skip the cannelés.
They look like nothing special, but the caramelized outside with that soft inside? Yeah, you’ll probably end up eating more than you planned.
3. Bordeaux Is The City Where Old Meets New
Here’s the cool part: Bordeaux didn’t just freeze itself in time. Sure, the classical buildings are still standing proud, but the city found ways to modernize without losing its soul.
The riverfront is the best example—it used to be kind of rough, industrial even, and now it’s buzzing with cafes, bike paths, and parks.
And then you’ve got the Cité du Vin, a museum shaped like, well, a swirl of wine. Some say it looks weird, others love it, but inside it’s one of the best places to geek out about wine culture.
The Darwin Eco-System is another twist: an old military space flipped into this creative hub for art, food, and sustainability. It feels very “new Bordeaux.”
Bordeaux Tourist Attractions Are Ideal For Visits All Year Round
There’s no bad season here. Spring is flowers and patios. Summer brings festivals and vineyard hopping.
Winter has lights and Christmas markets that make the city feel cozy. And the weather? Pretty forgiving most of the time, which means you can wander with a jacket or sit outside with a glass of red almost whenever.
Exploring The Bordeaux Tourist Attractions On A Cruise: The Ultimate Luxury Experience
Do you want to be familiar with a different aspect of the city of Bordeaux and its wine region?
1. Bordeaux, Port Of The Moon
As the cruise glides through the Dordogne or Garonne rivers, the first attraction you will come across is Bordeaux, Port of the Moon, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Bordeaux is the capital of a wine-producing region, and the Port of the Moon is an important trading hub in the global landscape, recording a great commercial value for over 2000 years now.
Also, as a port city, Bordeaux has become an important hub for the exchange of human values.
Moreover, Bordeaux got the name, the Port of the Moon, because of the crescent shape of the river crossing the city.
2. Saint-Émilion
Saint-Émilion is another UNESCO World Heritage Site, which you will love to visit during your cruise trip in Bordeaux. At the crossroads of Périgord, Saintonge, and Bordeaux, you will find this medieval city.
Saint-Émilion also has the best red wine France has to offer. The history of wine-producing in Saint-Émilion goes back to the ancient Roman Period. In fact, it is the oldest wine-producing appellation in the Bordeaux Region.
Explore Bordeaux Tourist Attractions And The Warm Hospitality Of The City
Bordeaux is also one of those cities where getting around doesn’t feel like work. The tram system is modern, the streets are walkable, and locals don’t make you feel rushed.
Most tourist-friendly spots speak enough English that you’re not lost in translation.
If you’re brand new and wondering where to start, go back to that walking tour I mentioned earlier. It’s fun, it’s cheap (well, free), and it doubles as a way to meet other travelers.