Seven inspiring day trips from Bordeaux

With its winemaking heritage, thriving art scene, exquisite architecture and phenomenal food, Bordeaux – the largest urban UNESCO World Heritage Site on the planet – epitomizes everything that is marvelous about France and French culture. And the good news is it gets even better when you explore the wider Gironde area. To truly experience it, travelers need to get outside of the city and visit Bordeaux’s nearby vineyards and picture-perfect towns. If you’re looking for more places to roam during your stay, here are seven of the best day trips from Bordeaux for you to get out and experience.

Biarritz

The 120-mile drive to coastal Biarritz is a road trip to savor. You’ll pass through a feast of country landscapes where you’ll find fields full of flowers, village markets and some truly breathtaking landscapes. Once you hit the coast, you’ll be in the heart of a thriving surf culture and be able to savor some of the best Basque cuisine in Europe.

Biarritz has been drawing in visitors for well over a century, and its allure continues today. On its beach-filled coastline you’ll find museums like the glass-walled Cité de l'Océan et du Surf, along with cafes, restaurants and stores. Hungry travelers should grab a spot at laid-back beach shack Casa Juan Pedro. The views here are blissful, and the seafood selections are amazing.
 

Bergerac

Around a 90-minute drive from Bordeaux, Bergerac is surrounded by rolling hills and lush vineyards. Famed for its half-timbered buildings and chateaux, it’s a place where you can enjoy old-school French serenity at its finest – mixed with intriguing museums, one-off stores and galleries. As you might expect, wine is a recurring theme. Allow plenty of time for a visit to the nearby Château de Monbazillac, just south of the town, where you can learn about its Renaissance history and proud winemaking tradition. Organize some accommodation so you can park up for the night and sample some of their nectar-like wine.

Saint-Emilion

A handsome hamlet perched on a hilltop overlooking perfectly manicured vineyards, Saint-Emilion is named after a medieval monk who fled here from Brittany and turned it into a religious center.

The village is well worth a day trip from Bordeaux and is just a 50-minute drive away. It’s a great time to be here in the evening, when you can watch the sun set over the valley making honey-hued limestone buildings glow in its fading rays. If you prefer something a little darker, venture below the village where you can take a tour of the atmospheric catacombs beneath.

Pessac

Pessac is actually part of Bordeaux’s metropolitan area so if you don’t want to venture too far from the city itself it’s well worth spending some time in this area.

It’s a magnificent place to go for a Bordeaux chateau stay and is blessed with romantic hideaways as well as one of the most revered vineyards in Bordeaux at Château Pape Clément. But that’s not all it has to offer – Pessac is a nature-lover’s paradise with a zoo and plenty of green spaces where you can cycle, hike or simply spend a few hours enjoying the beautiful sunshine.

Paris

Okay, we admit this spot isn’t really a day trip, but it’s a hugely popular route, and for good reason. The 370-mile journey to Paris takes just under six hours – and then you’re in the heart of France’s capital. Paris bewitches with romance, and you’ll be seduced by its art, architecture, poetry and cuisine.

Squeezing in a trip from Bordeaux to Paris is what French adventures are made of. Dedicate a couple of days to the city to see the Arc de Triomphe and Eiffel Tower. Once that’s done, soak up the soul of Montmartre, where the hit movie Amelie was filmed. Find out more travel tips in our guide to Paris’ top attractions.
 

Sarlat

Just like Bordeaux, the gorgeous medieval town of Sarlat has undergone extensive restoration over the years returning its idyllic streets and courtyards to their original glory.

You’ll want to take plenty of shots of the picture-perfect Maison de la Boétie, a classic Renaissance house, before enjoying a superb French culinary experience at La Couleuvrine. It’s a two-and-a-half-hour drive to get here, so set off early to make the most of the town and your day. If you’re here in January, get a flavor for the local life with the annual truffe et fois gras fair, which attracts foodies to the area in their droves.
 

Arcachon

Just 40 miles south-west from Bordeaux along the A63 and A660, Arcachon is a history-rich port that’s been charming visitors for well over a century. Its long-standing reputation for oyster-farming still holds true today. Head to La Cabane de L'Aiguillon to try the local delicacy under the dappled shade on an outside terrace, or head for Le Pitt for enormous, succulent platters of both seafood and local charcuterie.

The town’s beaches are popular for swimming, while inland you’ll find four districts each named after a season of the year and populated with elegant villas built in the local style. It’s charming, beautiful and barely more than an hour’s drive from Bordeaux.

Have you visited Bordeaux? Share your favorite day trip destinations from this popular city with us on our Facebook page.