The 5-Day Guide to Bordeaux, France

Looking for affordable, quality jewelry?

L'Atelier d'Amaya has two locations in Bordeaux, and I couldn't leave without buying a couple things. Their designs are extremely simple but unique, and extremely affordable for real gold and silver. They have rings, necklaces, bracelets, you name it! They also sell online and ship to the US, but you'll want to pop in the cute little pink store for sizing.

Looking for endless shopping?

Get on the tram and stop at Hôtel de Ville, where you'll find blocks of luxury shopping brands as well as independent shops. Think Luis Vuitton, right around the corner from an authentic Italian Olive Oil shop.

Looking for a rustic spa to unwind?

La Zoologie has an interesting name, but it's named as such due to their homage to nature inside. Surrounded by trees, plants, and fresh air they provide all essential spa services. They also have lunch so no need to interrupt your spa day to go out and grab a bite! You can grab the 'Déjeuner & Spa' package for 3.5 hours and enjoy the outside, inside.

Looking for a local bookstore?

Librairie Mollat Bordeaux is perfect for anyone working on their French skills, or anyone wanting to get a gift for a French-speaker back home. I found my Cosmopolite workbook to help me pass the DALF (French proficiency exam) and it's perfect immersion that it's all in French!

Looking for a bit of home?

Promenade Saint Catherine has more of the classic shops you're used to — H&M, Lush, Starbucks and Hurley. This is like an outside mall. Great place to stop and use the bathroom while out shopping! Extremely clean.

Looking to just sit in peace?

The Jardin Public is a well-taken-care-of city park. There is a bridge overlooking the water for all of your pensive moments and romantic gestures.

Looking for wine education?

La Cité du Vin (The Wine Museum) is open most days between 10 am - 6 pm. Just make sure to check their website for holiday closures.

Day trips

Saint Emilion and Medoc are two of Bordeaux's premier wine regions (right bank, and left bank respectively). You are definitely going to want a combo tour and spend the day out in wine country where it's vineyards for miles. It's a breath of fresh air from the city and, hello? Tasting wine? There's also Entre-Deux-Mers which is a third region that produces the lesser-consumed, but still impressive white wine.

Looking for something sweet?

Pepite Cookie is an adorably decorated cookie shop with amazingly soft cookies. I got a milk chocolate and a double chocolate. They have 3 sizes available for those who have self control (and those who know they do not); mini, ‘moyenne',’ and ‘grand.’

Looking for something upscale?

Ressources is a local Michelin star restaurant known for their unique style of a course menu. They do not do starters, mains, and desserts; they instead organize their dishes by simply savory or sweet. All portions are the same size and I had the privilege of letting the chef choose all of my dishes! The wines picked for my dishes by the house sommelier were absolutely perfect and I made sure to keep the names for when I get back home.

Looking for true Bordelais?

La Brasserie Bordelaise was the first place I ate while on my trip. Had a beautiful lunch in this classic, French restaurant. The atmosphere was small, yet welcoming with many locals stopping in for lunch during the workday. They had a great wine selection so you’re bound to find something you like, and the service was swift and accurate.

Looking for a local wine tasting without the turned-up-noses?

Le Pied à Terre is a local wine center within walking distance of the Bordeaux city center. Run by two French brothers, this little cellar in town provides intimate tastings for small groups. Well worth the money and the brothers are super humble about their profession! You get to taste three wines, plus, play a fun guessing game at the end with a mystery wine. The cellar sells wine you can only find in France as well, so you get an exclusive parting gift if you choose at the end.

Looking for a tasty caffeine break?

L'Alchimiste is a tiny coffee shop, where you probably won't get a seat, but you'll get a prize selection of coffee. They pride themselves in being knowledgable about whatever your drinking from the region of the bean to the name of the specific farm it was grown. They are very committed to ethically sourced coffee, which makes you feel better when purchasing. nThey are tucked away in an alley, so make sure you peak around corners.

Looking for breakfast in a country that doesn't have it?

Try Møna! They have traditional European breakfast of a tea/coffee plus a bit of bread. They also have more filling items like baked goods, hams and cheeses, and fruits. Stop by for lunch to try their avocado toast or wheat raviolis.

Looking for more sweets and you don't care about the consequences?

Pierre Mathieu is well-known as Bordeaux's best pastries. The head chef was previously pastry chef at the Mandarin Oriental in Paris, so you know that's a title you can trust.

You'll also want to stick by Baillardran to try the traditional recipe for the French canelé - the classic caramelized custard pastry you can put in your pocket. Side note: they have rum-free versions for those who prefer.