The Best Walking Tours in Bordeaux

Bordeaux is a wine-lover’s paradise and an extremely stunning metropolis. I first went there in 2010 and have been an enormous fan ever since. Its 18th-century core is a UNESCO World Heritage Website, and the entire metropolis is brimming with upscale wine bars, nice eating places, and a few good upscale procuring. It’s an excellent stunning metropolis (my favourite avenue within the nation is right here).

There’s a number of historical past on this metropolis and, like elsewhere, among the best methods to expertise that is to take a strolling tour of the town. There are many wine and meals excursions in Bordeaux that may deepen your go to.

However, since not all are created equal, I wished to share a couple of of my favorites. Right here’s my record of the most effective strolling excursions in Bordeaux:

Whereas these could also be the most effective free and paid excursions on the town, Bordeaux has much more to supply. Listed here are 5 different insightful and academic tour firms:

1. Workplace de Tourisme de Bordeaux

The official tourism workplace runs a handful of excursions, although its guided strolling tour is the most well-liked alternative for first-time guests. It’s an incredible two-hour primer led by an knowledgeable native information who will help you get off the vacationer path, present you the scenic highlights, and illuminate the town’s previous.

You may also hop on their half-day vineyard tour, on which you’ll cease at both one or two wineries (relying on the day) to study concerning the significance of wine to the area and tradition. You’ll additionally study concerning the winemaking course of and get a couple of samples too. It’s an inexpensive and enjoyable introduction to Bordeaux’s vineyards.

Excursions begin at 15 EUR.

 

2. France Like a Native

You probably have a candy tooth, France Like a Native runs a mouthwatering pastry and bakery tour that’s good for vacationers seeking to indulge. Lasting 2.5 hours, the tour contains stops at over a half a dozen outlets the place you may attempt contemporary breads, pastries, and chocolate, together with favorites like ache au chocolat, Dunes Blanches, and canelés.

Along with attempting numerous candy treats, you’ll additionally get to see most of the highlights as you discover the historic metropolis heart. And since excursions are restricted to simply 10 folks, you’ll have loads of time to converse with the information, ask questions, and chat with the bakers and enterprise house owners whose enterprises you’ll be visiting.

Excursions begin at 76 EUR.

 

3. My City Expertise

Should you’re a French speaker and have seen the primary highlights (and loved your fill of meals and wine), get off the crushed path and discover Bordeaux’s artwork scene. My City Expertise provides a cool 90-minute avenue artwork tour in French that traverses the town, from the port to the north aspect, and is filled with neat anecdotes and funky artwork. It’s a enjoyable cultural exploration and a pleasant addition to what you’ll see and study on a extra “basic” tour.

If artwork isn’t your factor, there’s a thriller strolling tour (additionally in French) that illuminates the medieval metropolis’s myths, legends, and haunting ghost tales. It’s an fascinating mixture of historical past and thriller, lasting a fast 90 minutes.

Excursions begin at 15 EUR.

 

4. Châteaux La Croizille & Tour Baladoz

If you wish to get out of city, this vineyard tour and picnic is the proper brief escape. And at simply 48 EUR, it received’t break the financial institution both. Situated in Saint-Émilion, a picturesque area lower than an hour from Bordeaux, right here you may take within the sweeping views as you picnic, having fun with some wine and a scrumptious meal earlier than your tour. After your picnic, you’ll get to discover two wineries (one conventional, one trendy) and study their historical past and manufacturing strategies, together with how the grapes are grown and harvested, and the way the wines are bottled. In fact, there can be extra samples too!

Simply word that transportation to the beginning of the tour just isn’t included, so it’s essential organize your individual from Bordeaux.

Excursions begin at 48 EUR.

 

5. Wanderer Footsteps

Should you’re an evening owl, Wanderer Footsteps provides a few enjoyable night excursions that convey the town and its previous to life. First, it runs a ghost tour that explores the spooky aspect of issues. You’ll hear about tragic lovers, ghosts, and extra as you wander the historic metropolis heart. It’s an entertaining mixture of historical past and legend and an ideal addition to any of the extra customary strolling excursions above.

Additionally they provide a daily highlights tour, however within the evenings. What I like about that is that it frees up your day, so you are able to do a vineyard tour when the solar is out after which absorb the highlights of Bordeaux within the night.

Excursions begin at 25 EUR.

***

Bordeaux is a must-visit spot for anybody visiting France. Even in case you don’t love wine as a lot as I do, there’s numerous historical past to take pleasure in, superb meals to eat, and a few enjoyable day journeys close by. I all the time love my time right here. And, in case you take one of many above excursions, you’ll positively have a better go to than you’d in any other case!

(And, whereas these are my favourite excursions right here, the web site GetYourGuide has tons extra choices if you wish to take a look at one thing else.)