Bordeaux · see the sights

The sights

Allow about 3 h 50: 1 h 10 of riding at an easy 12 km/h, and 20 min at each of the 8 sights.

1. km 0.0

   Place de la Bourse and the Miroir d'eau

   The king's architects built this square in the 1700s. It opened the old walled town to the river.

   The Miroir d'eau in front is one of the largest reflecting pools in the world. The water is only 2 cm deep, so you can walk in it. From spring to autumn, it makes a cool mist every 20 minutes or so.

   Checked against Lonely Planet: Miroir d'eau; OpenStreetMap.

2. km 0.7

   Grand Théâtre

   Victor Louis designed this theatre. It opened in 1780.

   Count the 12 columns. On top stand 12 statues: nine Muses and three goddesses.

   Place de la Comédie is busy with people and trams. It is easier to walk your bike across it.

   Bike parking about 40 m away (24 places).

   Checked against Opéra National de Bordeaux; OpenStreetMap.

3. km 1.4

   Cathédrale Saint-André and the Tour Pey-Berland

   Eleanor of Aquitaine married the future king Louis VII in this cathedral in 1137.

   The bell tower stands apart from the church. This kept the bells from shaking the walls. You can climb it for a wide view over the roofs.

   Ride slowly here. People on foot and trams share the square.

   Bike parking about 80 m away (52 places).

   Checked against Centre des monuments nationaux: Tour Pey-Berland; OpenStreetMap.

4. km 2.3

   La Grosse Cloche

   This is one of the last gates of the medieval town wall.

   The big bell rang to start the wine harvest. Today it rings at noon on the first Sunday of each month, and on a few holidays.

   Rue Saint-James is a street for people on foot. Walk your bike under the gate.

   Bike parking about 40 m away (2 places).

   Checked against France 3 Nouvelle-Aquitaine (2016): la Grosse Cloche; OpenStreetMap.

5. km 3.2

   Pont de pierre

   This was the first bridge across the Garonne in Bordeaux. Napoleon ordered it, and it opened in 1822.

   It has 17 arches. People say this is for the 17 letters in "Napoléon Bonaparte".

   Since 2017, cars cannot cross. Repairs continue until about 2029, so the way across can be narrow.

   Bike parking about 60 m away (24 places).

   Checked against France 3 Nouvelle-Aquitaine (2017): pont de pierre fermé aux voitures; L'Essentiel Bordeaux (2026): travaux; OpenStreetMap.

6. km 5.7

   Quai des Chartrons

   For centuries, wine merchants lived and worked along this quay. Ships took their wine from here to England and the north of Europe.

   Today the quay has cafés, and antique shops are one street back. On Sunday morning, a market fills the quay.

   Bike parking about 50 m away (32 places).

   Checked against Bordeaux Tourisme: les Chartrons; OpenStreetMap.

7. km 7.6

   Pont Chaban-Delmas

   This bridge opened in 2013. Its centre part lifts up between the four towers to let tall ships through.

   At night, the towers light up blue at high tide and green at low tide.

   Bike parking about 130 m away (9 places).

   Checked against Bordeaux Tourisme: pont Jacques Chaban-Delmas; OpenStreetMap.

8. km 8.2

   La Cité du Vin

   This museum of wine opened in 2016.

   Its round, golden shape is like wine that turns in a glass. The ticket includes a glass of wine, or juice, at the top, with a view of the river.

   Bike parking about 60 m away.

   Checked against La Cité du Vin; OpenStreetMap.

The words at each stop were written for this ride and checked against the sources named. Bike parking is from OpenStreetMap; it is not checked on the ground. Museums and churches have their own opening hours.