Camping near Bordeaux: discover the city
If you’re spending your camping vacation in Hourtin, a trip to Bordeaux is a must. Situated 60 km from our charming seaside resort, the “Sleeping Beauty” is a city of architectural heritage and fine dining. From the water mirror of the Place de la Bourse to the Cité du Vin, via the promenade along the quays of the Garonne: explore the wonders of one of France’s most beautiful cities.
Come and discover the beauty of Bordeaux in a family atmosphere, just as a couple or with friends.
What to visit in Bordeaux during the vacations
Some of Bordeaux’s museums are free every 1st Sunday of the month. A great opportunity to visit with your family or loved ones:
- the Musée d’Aquitaine
- the Fine Arts Museum
- CAPC (contemporary art museum)
- the Museum of Decorative Arts and Design
- the Submarine Base
- natural history museums
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Bordeaux, the port of the moon, a Unesco world heritage site
Bordeaux is one of the most popular cities in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, thanks to its unique and impressive architecture. Famous above all for its vast vineyards, the city is also home to a wealth of priceless treasures.
The capital of Gironde boasts over 350 listed historic sites. Its city center has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2007. Want to know everything about the city’s development and evolution? A visit to the Musée d’Aquitaine is a must.
It’s a real collector’s room, housing numerous masterpieces and archival documents. Many are dedicated to ethnology and archaeology. A number of art objects from Africa are also on display, bearing witness to the city’s port past and the slave trade.
Cycling the Bordeaux wine route
Walking, cycling, taking the bus, cruising on the river: there are many ways to visit this magnificent city. Bordeaux and its surrounding area boast over 200 km of cycle paths.
Bordeaux’s tourist office offers some sixty tours along Bordeaux’s 6 wine routes, so it’s up to you to choose your own discoveries and tastings. Don’t forget to linger in Rue Sainte-Catherine, Europe’s largest shopping street.
A must-see: Place de la Bourse and its water mirror
One of the most beautiful squares in the city of Bordeaux, Place de la Bourse is a must-see during your visit. Dating from the 1730s, it was designed by Ange-Jacques Gabriel, the King’s architect at the time.
With its typical 18th-century architecture, the square owes its renown to its immense water mirror, the largest in the world, in which you can tirelessly admire the reflection of the buildings lining the square.
The Place des Quinconces and its monument to the Girondins
Currently used extensively for concerts and other events, the Place des Quinconces is the largest square in France. Existing since the 19th century, it is made up of several trees arranged in quincunxes, covering around half its surface area.
The Place des Quinconces also features a monument to the Girondins, a political group from the Revolution, and 2 rostral columns at either end of the square.
What to see in Bordeaux in 1 day
If you want to visit Bordeaux’s most impressive buildings, plan your program well, as you’ll need several hours to tour the city. Among the most interesting are :
- Cathédrale Saint-André, a 12th-century church with a rather Gothic shape
- the Tour Pey Berland, 66 metres high and located right next to Saint-André Cathedral
- the Palais Rohan, which served as the Archbishop’s residence from the 18th century until the Revolution
- the Porte Cailhau and Porte de la Grosse Cloche, former entrances to the town
- Saint-Michel Basilica
What to do on a trip to Bordeaux?
As for the activities you can do in Bordeaux, the choice is quite vast, so take the trouble to choose carefully if your time is rather limited. To visit the city while preserving the environment, there’s nothing more practical than opting for a bike cab.
Available whatever your destination in the city, this type of transport will enable you to discover Bordeaux in a different way. If you’re coming as a romantic getaway or with the family, a trip along the Garonne River will give you a glimpse of the beauty of the city and its surroundings. As a river-sea port, Bordeaux is a popular port of call for various cruise liners.
Bordeaux, a city of waterways and nautical pleasures
If you fancy a boat trip, Port de la lune is home to several cruise companies offering cruises along the Garonne river.
Alternatively, take advantage of your visit to try canoeing or stand-up paddling, for even more thrills. There are also guided jet-ski tours for even more thrills.
With so much to do in Bordeaux, your stay at a campsite in Gironde will be punctuated by multiple possibilities for sightseeing.