When you book one of our Bordeaux road trip itineraries, we’ll help you discover the beauty of this UNESCO World Heritage city and its stunning surroundings.
We think exploring France by car is the best option, because it gives you the freedom and flexibility that you don’t get with transported tours. This means that if you particularly like a place and want to spend more time there instead of visiting another place on your itinerary, you can. And you can get off the beaten tracks easily.
This itinerary includes some of the best things to do in Bordeaux city center, as well as the famous vineyards of Médoc and Saint-Émilion, and the beautiful Arcachon Bay on the coast. It combines culture, history, and the world-renowned Bordeaux wines and oysters, so we think it offers something for everyone.
We invite you to browse our self-drive tours in the Bordeaux region
Here’s our suggested 4-day itinerary for a Bordeaux road trip.
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Day 1: Bordeaux City
We have selected a centrally-located premium B&B for travelers that book with us. This allows you to explore the city on foot or tram, and the wider Bordeaux region by car, all at your own pace. We have tested the B&B ourselves and we know you will receive a warm welcome!
Highlights in Bordeaux city include: Rue Sainte-Catherine, Place de la Bourse, the Cité du Vin, and the Bassins des Lumières.
We recommend beginning your tour of Bordeaux in the heart of the city. You may start your day with a walking tour from the Tourist Office near the Esplanade des Quinconces.
Make your way to the Place de la Bourse to marvel at its 18th-century architecture and the stunning Miroir d’Eau. Then, walk along the Garonne river on the Quai de la Douane, and admire the Pont de Pierre. Next, pass through the Porte Cailhau, which was once the main gate to the date and dates back to the 15th century.
From there, you can stroll along to the Rue Sainte-Catherine, the longest pedestrian shopping street in Europe, where you’ll find boutiques, cafes, and opportunities to pick up some souvenirs.
If you like markets, you may enjoy a visit to the Marché des Capucins, which is open every morning except Mondays. You’ll find local produce, cheese and wine, and some lunch options
After lunch, take a leisurely walk along the river (or take the tram) to La Cité du Vin, Bordeaux’s famous wine museum. Here you will learn about the history of wine in Bordeaux and the world, including exhibits that show the techniques used to make wine, and have some wine-tasting opportunities.
If you prefer to have a private guided tour of Bordeaux with a local expert, we work with some fantastic guides and can arrange this for you! Here's an interview with a Bordeaux tour guide we work with.
One of our preferred restaurants is the Le Café du Port on Quai Deschamps. It has a lovely view over the river. We include a selection of restaurants for lunch and dinner in your personal guidebook, if you book one of our Bordeaux tours!
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Day 2: The Médoc Wine Region
Driving Time from Bordeaux city: ~75 minutes to Pauillac, ~45 minutes to Margaux
Today, you will drive north to the Médoc wine region, home to vineyards that are famous around the world.
The most scenic driving route on this trip is the D2 Route des Châteaux, which is lined with vineyards and historic estates between Bordeaux, Margaux and Pauillac.
You’ll get to Margaux first, where you can visit Château Margaux, a stunning 19th-century, neo-Palladian-style villa on a renowned wine estate, or one of the other wine producers. The village is also very pleasant to drive around or explore on foot.
About 25 minutes’ drive north is Pauillac, a charming village with cobblestone streets and more exceptional wine châteaux.
Our favorite Bordeaux wine comes from a winery called Chateau Chasse-Spleen in Moulis-en-Médoc, between Margaux and Pauillac.
If you’re ready to head back to Bordeaux city by mid-afternoon and aren’t too tired, we suggest an artistic change of scenery for later in the day. We love to recommend the Bassins des Lumières, a former submarine base that was converted into a digital art exhibition space. Huge images of famous masterpieces are projected onto the walls of the space, which reflect on the water below in a stunning effect. You can see the latest exhibitions on their website.
If you have booked one of our France tour packages, we can book a guided tour and wine-tasting for you at one of the family-owned estates.
Day 3: Saint-Émilion
Driving Time: ~60 minutes
Highlights: Église Monolithe, Château Coutet
On Day 3, we recommend heading east to the medieval village of Saint-Émilion, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You’ll definitely want to take the opportunity to visit one of the local wine estates. We like Château Coutet, a family-owned estate and organic vineyard offering guided tours and tastings.
For lunch, you may pick up local specialties from the market or enjoy a meal at one of the restaurants in town. We particularly like L’envers du Décor wine bar and bistro.
You may also be interested in visiting the Église Monolithe, an underground church carved entirely from rock. You may book a guided tour of the church at Saint-Émilion’s tourist office.
On our driving tours of France, we recommend our favorite scenic driving routes, so that even the car journey is an enjoyable experience!
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France Just For You
Day 4: Arcachon Bay
Driving Time: ~1 hour each way
Highlights: Arcachon Bay, Dune du Pilat, Oysters
Drive south out of Bordeaux city to visit the sandy beaches of Arcachon Bay, famous for its oysters.
The Dune du Pilat is an absolute must-see in this area. At 100m above sea level, it’s Europe’s tallest sand dune, with the Atlantic ocean and Arcachon Bay on one side, and pine forests on the other. It’s a short walk from the parking lot through the visitor center, and then you can climb the dune to get to the top, and enjoy a scenic view.
For lunch, there are a number of waterfront restaurants in Arcachon that serve freshly harvested oysters. They pair beautifully with a glass of Bordeaux white wine!
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France Just For You
About Our Driving Tours
At France Just For You, we craft personalized self-drive tours of France that showcase the best of France, including Bordeaux. Our itineraries provide detailed driving routes, we’ll arrange for you to stay at premium B&Bs or boutique hotels we’ve tested ourselves, and recommend activities that immerse you in French culture, based on your interests.
Enjoy a stress-free travel experience with the support of our trip-planning team, Emilie, Laura and Clelia. You can reach us at travel@france-justforyou.com if you have any questions!
FAQ
When is the best time to visit Bordeaux?
The best months for a Bordeaux road trip are May, June, September, and October. These months offer mild weather, fewer tourist crowds, and vibrant vineyard scenery.
Avoid July and August, when the region can become very hot and busy, or January and February, when the weather is cold and many attractions are closed. For more information and a month-by-month guide, check out our blog post on the best time to visit Bordeaux.
How many days do I need in Bordeaux?
We recommend spending at least 3-5 nights if you’re touring the Bordeaux region and visiting other regions. This will give you time to enjoy some of the best things to do in Bordeaux, visit some of Bordeaux's wine regions, such as Médoc and Saint Emilion, and enjoy wine-tastings at a few different wine estates.
Longer Bordeaux region tours will give you the time to visit some of the region’s villages and the beautiful coastal areas.
