Bordeaux is often seen as a city of stone and wine, but it offers beautiful escapes by the water just waiting to be discovered. For this weekend, I suggest mixing urban culture with aquatic relaxation, all without needing to take your car. The goal is simple: enjoy local infrastructure to move from a majestic historical monument to the landscaped banks of an urban lake, using public transport or local services.
The Little Tourist Train of Bordeaux - By FRANCE Voguette
The Little Tourist Train of Bordeaux - By FRANCE Voguette Address: next to the Bordeaux Tourist Office, All. de Tourny, 33000 Bordeaux Google Rating: 3.9/5 (412 reviews) View on Maps Website: http://www.francevoguette.fr/ Hours: Monday: 11:15 – 12:15, 14:15 – 17:15 · Tuesday: 11:15 – 12:15, 14:15 – 17:15 · Wednesday: 11:15 – 12:15, 14:15 – 17:15…
To kick off your stay, nothing beats an overview. This little tourist train departs right next to the Tourist Office, at All. de Tourny. It's ideal if you arrive without a specific plan and want to spot the main routes before you start walking. With a rating of 3.9/5 based on over 400 reviews, it's a popular option for families or those who want to save time while discovering the city. The afternoon hours extend until 5:15 PM, allowing you to adapt to your visiting pace.
Saint-André Cathedral of Bordeaux
Saint-André Cathedral of Bordeaux Address: Pl. Pey Berland, 33000 Bordeaux Google Rating: 4.6/5 (15,540 reviews) View on Maps Website: https://www.cathedrale-bordeaux.fr/ Hours: Monday: 2:00 PM – 7:00 PM · Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM, 2:00 PM – 7:00 PM · Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM, 2:00 PM – 7:00 PM…
Located on Place Pey Berland, this cathedral is an absolute must-see. With an impressive rating of 4.6/5 from over 15,000 reviews, it reflects the significant interest of visitors in this site. The Gothic architecture is remarkable, and the proximity to the Grosse Cloche invites a rich cultural stroll. Note the opening hours: on Monday, it opens only at 2:00 PM, while from Tuesday to Sunday, you can visit in the morning starting at 10:00 AM or in the afternoon. Take the opportunity to admire the Pey Berland Tower right next door, a symbol of Bordeaux's municipal independence.
Bordeaux Metropole Tourist Office and Congress
Bordeaux Metropole Tourist Office and Congress Address: 12 Cr du 30 Juillet, 33000 Bordeaux Google Rating: 4.4/5 (3,947 reviews) View on Maps Website: https://www.bordeaux-tourisme.com/ Hours: Monday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM · Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM · Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM…
Before leaving the center to head to the banks, stop by the Tourist Office located at Cours du 30 Juillet. Rated 4.4/5 by nearly 4,000 users, it’s the logical starting point to pick up transport maps or check the availability of activities. Open every day from 9 AM to 6 PM, it will provide you with all the necessary information to organize your trip to the lake beach. It’s also where the dock for the little train mentioned earlier is located, making the logistics of your day easier.
LE TRAIN
LE TRAIN Address: 87 Quai des Queyries, 33100 Bordeaux View on Maps Website: http://www.letrainvoyage.fr/ Hours: Monday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM · Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM · Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM…
If you're looking for a different transport experience, head to the left bank quays. LE TRAIN, located at 87 Quai des Queyries, offers unique transport services. Although Google reviews are not listed here, the location on the quays provides a pleasant setting for moving around or observing the river. Open from 9 AM to 5 PM from Monday to Wednesday, it’s an interesting stop if you want to combine your cultural visit with a navigation or an unusual trip on the Garonne before heading north of the metropolitan area.
Bordeaux Saint-Jean
Bordeaux Saint-Jean Address: Rue Charles Domercq, 33800 Bordeaux Google Rating: 3.7/5 (2,150 reviews) View on Maps Website: https://www.garesetconnexions.sncf/fr/gares-services/bordeaux-saint-jean
Although our final destination is accessible by tram from the center, Bordeaux Saint-Jean Station remains a central hub of the metropolitan area. Located on Rue Charles Domercq, it has a rating of 3.7/5 from over 2,000 reviews. If you need to change modes of transport or if you arrive by long-distance train, this is your entry point. The station has many services connected via its SNCF site. For our "local seaside" itinerary, we will favor the tram, but knowing where this railway hub is located is essential for navigating the metropolis.
Plage du Lac
Plage du Lac Address: Bd Jacques Chaban-Delmas, 33520 Bruges Google Rating: 4/5 (3,526 reviews) View on Maps Website: http://www.bordeaux.fr/o5189/plage-du-lac Hours: Monday: 12:00 PM – 7:00 PM · Tuesday: 12:00 PM – 7:00 PM · Wednesday: 12:00 PM – 7:00 PM…
Here’s the highlight of the weekend: the Plage du Lac in Bruges. Easily accessible, this urban beach located on Boulevard Jacques Chaban-Delmas offers a relaxed atmosphere with a solid rating of 4/5 based on over 3,500 reviews. It’s the perfect spot to take a dip or sunbathe without leaving the Bordeaux metropolitan area. Be mindful of the hours: access is generally from 12:00 PM to 7:00 PM. You can get there by taking tram line B towards "Mérignac Centre" and getting off at the appropriate stop, then walking a few minutes to the lake's banks.
In Practice
To make this weekend happen, start early in the morning at Saint-André Cathedral (open from 10 AM on Tuesday) or enjoy the little tourist train in the afternoon. From the center, take tram line B heading west. The Plage du Lac is the natural culmination of this day. Be sure to check the exact hours of the beach (12 PM - 7 PM) to plan your lunch. The Tourist Office at 12 Cr du 30 Juillet is open from 9 AM to 6 PM for any last-minute information. No need for a car: tram and walking are more than enough to enjoy these places.