Bordeaux 3 Day Itinerary

Bordeaux: A 3-Day Itinerary for Wine Lovers

This itinerary focuses on exploring Bordeaux’s rich wine culture and offers a mix of famous vineyards, charming towns, and local experiences.

Accommodation:

  • Recommendation: Stay in the heart of Bordeaux at Hotel de Normandie, a boutique hotel with a classic Bordelaise feel. (Change this to your preference)
  • Location:

Day 1: Exploring the City & First Sips of Wine

Morning:

  • Activity: Start your day with a stroll through the charming streets of Bordeaux city center.
    • Must-See:
      • Bordeaux Cathedral: Admire the stunning Gothic architecture and intricate carvings. (Free entry)
      • Place de la Bourse: Witness the grand 18th-century building and its reflecting pool.

Lunch:

  • Restaurant: Enjoy a traditional lunch at “Le Petit Commerce” - known for its delicious seafood and affordable prix fixe menus.
  • Food/Drink: Indulge in fresh oysters, grilled fish, and Bordeaux wine (a Bordeaux Burger is a great option for a casual but tasty introduction).

Afternoon:

  • Activity: Embark on a self-guided “Bordeaux Wine Walk” through the city’s historic center. Explore the charming streets while sampling local wines at various bars and restaurants.
  • Location:
    • Wine Bars: Visit “Bar à Vin Chez Dupont” or “Le Bar à Quartier” for a casual “wine bar” experience.

Evening:

  • Restaurant: Indulge in a fine dining experience at “La Tupina,” a renowned restaurant offering traditional, rustic French cuisine with a focus on Bordeaux’s culinary heritage.
  • Food/Drink: Sample local delicacies like magret de canard (duck breast) and indulge in a glass of Sauternes wine at the end of a long day.

Dinner: Enjoy a leisurely meal at “Le Chapon Fin,” a Michelin-starred restaurant known for its exquisite tasting menus.

  • Food/Drink:
    • Must-try Wine: Sauternes is a sweet white wine from the region.

Wine Tasting:

  • Must-See: Visit “Château Pape Clément” and experience the unique blend of history, art, and architecture while indulging in a glass of their acclaimed wine.

  • Things to know:

    • Reservations are essential for vineyard tours and tastings.
    • Consider joining a guided wine tour for a deeper understanding of the wines and the region’s history.
    • “Wine Tasting” is a common phrase used to describe the experience, but it can be confusing for non-French speakers.

Tips:

  • Transportation: Utilize Bordeaux’s excellent public transportation system (including trams, buses, and VCub bikes) for easy navigation within the city.
  • Food/Drink: For a traditional Bordeaux wine tasting experience, consider visiting a “Grand Cru Classé” estate (a renowned and classified winery).
  • Wine Walk:

Day 2: The Sauternes Route & Wine Tasting Experiences

  • Activity: Explore the “Sauternes Wine Trail” in the picturesque village of Sauternes.

  • Things to know:

    • This region is known for its sweet wines, so be prepared to sample some delicious and unique flavors.
    • Visit a winery outside the city, such as Château Guiraud or Château La Tour Carnet, for a more in-depth look at the winemaking process.
    • Wine tasting

Day 3: Bordeaux Wine Museum & Médoc Exploration

  • Must-See: Immerse yourself in the world of Bordeaux wine at “La Cité du Vin” museum, an interactive and educational experience dedicated to the history and culture of wine.

Must-See:

  • Wine Tasting:

    • Morning:

      • Must-Try Wineries:
        • Château Margaux (first growth) - Immerse yourself in the world of Bordeaux wines at “Le Musée du Vin” (The Wine Museum).

    • Afternoon: Explore the charming village of St. Emilion, known for its UNESCO World Heritage Site status and medieval architecture.

    • Things to know: This region is renowned for its red wines. Consider visiting a winery along the “Bordeaux Wine Route,” such as Château Lafite Rothschild or Château Mouton Rothschild.

Other things:

  • Wine Tasting Experiences:
    • Wine Tasting Tip: Pair your Bordeaux wine with local cheese and charcuterie for a true taste of the region.
    • Food & Wine Pairing:

Beyond the Wine:

  • Visit the “Musée des Beaux-Arts de Bordeaux”: Explore the world of art, from ancient to modern times.

  • Explore the charming cobblestone streets of Médoc: Discover picturesque vineyards and historic chateaux.

  • Enjoy a picnic along the Garonne River:

Day 3: Wine Tasting:

  • Wine Tasting Tip: Visit local markets for fresh produce to enjoy with your wine.

Lunch:

  • Restaurant: Explore a charming “wine bar” in the Bordeaux region

Dinner:

  • Restaurant: Enjoy a traditional dinner of regional specialties, and pair it with a fine vintage Bordeaux.

  • Things to know:

    • Wine Tasting: Don’t be afraid to ask questions about the wines you are tasting. Winemakers are often passionate about their work and will be happy to share their knowledge.

Day 2: A Day Trip through the Vineyards

Must-See: The “Bordeaux Wine Route”

Things to know:

  • Wine Tasting:

Day 1:

  • Must-See: Explore the charming town of Saint-Émilion.
  • Transportation: You can rent a car or hire a driver to take you on a tour of the vineyards and wineries along the “Médoc Wine Route”

A Day Trip:

  • Must-Know:

    • Vineyard Tours: Most wineries offer tours, but it’s best to book in advance.
    • Wine Tastings:

Other things:

  • Transportation: Explore other areas of Bordeaux like the “Entre Deux Mers” region or a local wine shop for recommendations.

Day 3: Wine Tasting:

  • Must-See: Enjoy a picnic:**

Activities:

  • Wine Tasting Tip:

Enjoy the charm and history of the vineyards:

  • Visit a winery: Explore the “Bordeaux Wine Museum” in Bordeaux

Food & Wine Pairing:

  • Explore the “Entree de Bordeaux”:

    • Visit a vineyard along the “Wine Trail”: *

Day 1: Day Trip to Pomerol

  • Enjoy a “Morning Wine Tasting” at Château Margaux.

  • Other things:

  • Wine Tasting Tip: Explore the “wine bar” concept and sample local wines.

  • Must-See in Bordeaux:

    • The Bordeaux Wine Route, located in the “Libournais” region, is a great place to explore the winemaking process and learn about the different wines of the region.

Wine Tasting Room:

  • Enjoy a “Guided Tour” of a winery in the “Médoc” region.
    • Wine Tasting Tip:

Other things:

  • Visit the vineyards:

Enjoy the scenery and sample wine from different producers:

  • A Day in Bordeaux:

  • Taste Wine:

Enjoy the unique experience of tasting wines in a historical setting.

  • Other things:

  • Wine Tasting Tip: Enjoy the rich history of the region, by visiting a “historic winery” or “vineyard” with your family.

  • Enjoy the “Médoc” wine route:

Enjoy the charm and history of the region and visit some of the many wineries along the way. *

Wine Tasting:

  • Enjoy the experience of tasting wine from different vineyards, each with their unique styles and approaches.

Enjoy a picnic at one of the many “charming wineries” in the “Médoc” region.

  • Other things:

  • Try a variety of wines:

  • Wine Tasting Tip:

  • Visit:

The “wine tasting” experience is often a highlight for visitors, and you’ll find plenty of opportunities to sample the region’s famous wines.

  • Enjoy:

A Day for Exploring:

  • Other options:

  • Wine Tours:

Enjoy a local wine tasting tour, sampling different vintages and grape varietings.

  • Visit:

  • Wine Tasting:

  • Wine Tasting Tip:

Enjoy the “Médoc” wine route experience.

  • Enjoy a leisurely bike ride through the vineyards.

Things to do while visiting the “Bordeaux Wine Region”:

  • Stroll through the vineyards and enjoy the picturesque landscape:

Explore the charming region of “Médoc” and the history of its wines.

  • Visit:

Explore the “Médoc” wine route with a local guide, who can share their knowledge of the region’s wineries and wines.

Enjoy a “wine tasting tour” and indulge in a variety of Bordeaux wines, from the bold and structured Cabernet Sauvignon-based wines to the elegant and complex Merlot blends.

  • Wine Tasting:

Must-See:

  • Enjoy a day trip to the “Médoc” region.

  • Other options:

Enjoy the charming and picturesque towns along the “Bordeaux Wine Route” for a traditional “wine tasting” experience.

  • Enjoy a guided tour and wine tasting, followed by a delicious meal:

Visit the “Château Margaux” (a famous winery in the “Médoc”):

Enjoy a “Wine Tasting: * Enjoy the beauty of the vineyards and the rich history of the region.

Enjoy a variety of wines on your visit to the “Pessac-Léognan” region.