An easy free self guided tour of Bordeaux for you
You cannot join our free walking tour in Bordeaux? No worries, I have curated for you the key attraction in the city center, and ordered it in an easy self guided tour.
Bordeaux city center is quite big and you can easily get lost if you’re not guided. Of course locals will be happy to help, given that they can speak some english, which is not assured! haha!
Map of the tour
The tour is easy walking, 2km long, and goes through the main attractions in the city center of Bordeaux.
Here’s the link to the interactive google map.
Here are other useful maps of Bordeaux and the surroundings.
The Quinconces square
So, if I was a new comer in Bordeaux, I would start with the Quinconces square (Place des Quinconces). Why? Because you will find there a gorgeous column: the Monument to the Girondins (Monument aux Girondins).
It is one of the main landmarks in Bordeaux, built from 1894 to 1902, dedicated to the Girondins, a group of deputies executed in 1793 during the French Revolution. It symbolises Bordeaux’s attachement to the republic.
The statue at the top represents the Genius of Liberty breaking his chains.
The square itself is 12,000 sqm, the biggest in Europe. If you wonder what are those majestic trees all around, those are plane trees!
The Place de la Comédie
From “les Quinconces”, you can easily reach the Place de la Comédie towards the South.
On the way, you can stop buy the tourist office located 12 Cours du 30 Juillet.
On the Comedy square, you will find one the most amazing opera houses in Europe, built from 1773 to 1780.
Opposite to the Opera House, the Grand Hotel Intercontinental.
What we have here is a stunning 18th-century neoclassical building, designed by Victor Louis, the same architect behind the adjacent Grand Théâtre.
The Sainte Catherine Street
Walk towards the South, see that big pedestrian street? Here you are, the street Sainte-Catherine.
The Sainte-Catherine street is from the 13th century and it is the longest shopping street in Europe: 1,5km for 230 shops.
Mark the place and come back after the tour to do some shopping!
By the way, more than 12 million people a year walk the street!
The Place de la Bourse
Turn left and walk down the Saint-Rémi Street. You will end up in the Place de la Bourse.
The Place de la bourse is THE landmark of Bordeaux. Built between 1735 and 1755 during the reign of Louis XV, it displays a classic French architectural style with facades decorated with mascarons and ironwork.
It is the symbol of Bordeaux recognized throughout the world and a very popular site for tourists, particularly for the water mirror accross the street. Needless to say that the place has become one of the most famous photo spot in France.
The Place du Parlement
On the place de la Bourse, face the middle building. You came from the Saint-Remi Street on the right. Take the street on the left towards the Parliament square.
The Place du Parlement was listed as a historic monument on 17 April 1952.
It’s a popular meeting place for the people of Bordeaux: “les Bordelais”. You’ll find plenty of restaurants and bars with terraces.
It has an 18th-century “classic” architecture style and is part of Bordeaux’s protected area.
The Place Camille Julian
The Place Camille Jullian perfectly embodies Bordeaux’s blend of historic heritage and contemporary dynamism.
See the church? It’s actually an arthouse cinema! The name is Utopia.
The central monument is made up of ancient stones discovered in 1921 in the Roman ramparts. Those are reproductions to preserve the original ones.
The Place Pey-Berland
The Place Pey-Berland is dominated by the Cathédrale Saint-André, a masterpiece of Gothic architecture. It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1998.
The Pey-Berland Tower, built in 1440, offers a panoramic view of Bordeaux (accessible by 230 steps).
The square is the centre of Bordeaux’s religious and political life, with the town hall at the end of the square.
Here we are! A self-guided tour of the centre of Bordeaux!
If you’d like to find out more about the city, its hidden corners and secrets, don’t hesitate to join our free tour! It lasts 2 hours and will allow you to discover the city through the eyes of a local!
