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Wine tasting can be an expensive habit, no less a luxurious affair; however, seeing that wine is one of the three main symbols of la table française, wine tasting in France is very accessible — and thus can be very affordable.
You’ll notice very quickly once you arrive how the French café culture and wine culture go hand in hand. It’s true: the French love drinking wine! So even if your budget is small and limited, there are plenty of ways you can revel in the French capital of wine, Bordeaux, without entirely breaking your wallet.
While we wouldn’t necessarily don it a “super cheap” destination, you’ll soon find out there are many thrifty ways to experience the historical glamour and revolutionized gastronomy Bordeaux and its surrounding regions have to offer.
More advice for visiting France
• 5 Fun activities in Bordeaux beyond wine
• How to find cheap hotels in France
• 50 Ways to save on your trip to France
How to visit Bordeaux on a budget
While you may know Bordeaux solely for its venerated wine culture, we have good news for you: wine is only the first of many reasons why people are coming to explore this southwestern region.
Believe it or not, Bordeaux wasn’t always the cosmopolitan hotspot it is nowadays. In fact, it wasn’t until 2007, when the city of Bordeaux became classified as the world’s largest urban UNESCO World Heritage site. While parts of the city still embody antediluvian grime, the urban transformation that took place ten years ago has embraced the city’s true grit and mélange of ancient architecture, which stems all the way back from the age of Enlightenment.
According to UNESCO, Bordeaux, also known as Port of the Moon for its crescent-shaped contour, “represents the success of philosophers who wanted to make towns into melting pots of humanism, universality, and culture.” Oui, c’est vrai (Yes, it’s true); Bordeaux is all of that and more, and you can enjoy it even if your budget is limited!
A glass of wine perhaps? The answer is always “oui” in Bordeaux. Photo: Chris.
When to go to Bordeaux
Two words for Cheapos: Off season! If you like to maximize your wallet, then you probably already know the benefits of off-season travel. On the plus side, the off-season usually means fewer crowds and fewer lines. The off-season in Bordeaux takes place during the spring or early autumn; however, if you’re planning your trip in the winter, December can be a very jolly time of year to visit the Port of the Moon… just be prepared for many of the vineyards to be closed.
Traveling to Bordeaux on the cheap
If you plan on directly traveling to Bordeaux from overseas, I highly recommend flying into one Paris’s two main airports, Charles de Gaulle (CDG) or Orly (ORY). Thanks to a new high-speed train service, the LGV Sud Europe Atlantique, traveling to this wine paradise has never been faster! In just two hours, you can hop aboard a train at Paris’s Gare Montparnasse and arrive in Bordeaux for a full day of Dionysian delights.
If you book your ticket even just a week in advance during the off-season, you can get to Bordeaux via train for prices as low as €16 during the week and €19 during the weekend. That’s a bargain.
Meandering Bordeaux’s historic city center
France is one of those special countries where no matter how large or small the city, exploring by foot is always a pleasurable option. When it comes to Bordeaux, this rule of thumb speaks volumes! As aforementioned, Bordeaux boasts a broad and impressive range of architectural styles, and after Paris has more protected buildings than any other city in France. At times you’ll feel like you’re in a small village, other times in a regal urban sprawl saturated with Parisian joie de vivre.
If you like having a handheld map like me, head to the Office of Tourism where you’ll find a plethora of resourceful brochures and handouts.
Bordeaux CityPass
If you want the biggest bang for your buck, you may consider buying a Bordeaux CityPass, which starts at €29 for a 24-hour pass. This includes a walking tour, bus tour, admission to the Pey-Berland Tower, access to the majority of museums, including La Cité du Vin (if you go before noon), free access to all of Bordeaux’s public transport network, and many other discounts, the list goes on! If you were to pay for all of these separately, it would add up to €56, so even if you only end up at a few of these attractions, the CityPass could help you save a few euros.
Place de la Bourse. Photo: Miguel.
Must-see Bordeaux activities
Place de la Bourse and the Water Mirror
Located along the banks of the Garonne River, this elegant square, emblematic landmark and optical illusion is a must-see for every visitor.
Pont de Pierre
The first bridge built over the Garonne River in Bordeaux, it was planned and designed under the orders of Napoléon Bonaparte I. Until 1965, this bridge was the only one connecting the left and right…
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