Where is Bordeaux?

Bordeaux is a port city located on the Garonne river in Southwest France and is the hub of the world famous wine region. Bordeaux is located approximately 350 miles south-west of Paris.

Is Bordeaux a city or region?

It is both. The municipality of Bordeaux has a population of around 250,000 inhabitants. Together with its suburbs and satellite towns, the total population is close to 1 million people, making it the sixth-largest metropolitan area in France, after Paris, Marseille, Lyon, Toulouse, and Lille. Bordeaux is also a world renowned wine producing region with over 250,000 acres of vineyards, thousands of wine-producing estates (châteaux) and dozens of appellations, with an annual production of approximately 900 million bottles.

Do I need to book winery tours and tastings in advance?

It is very important to book all of your wine tours and tastings before you arrive to avoid disappointment. The Bordeaux châteaux which accept visitors, do so by appointment only. Appointments for visits and tastings should ideally be booked 3-9 months ahead of time. All Bordeaux châteaux worth visiting get fully booked from May to October.

How do I book winery tours and tastings?

Planning a trip to a wine region such as Bordeaux can be complicated and very time consuming if you do not have a good understanding of the geography of the region and the right contacts at the wineries. We highly recommend working with experts such as The Bordeaux Concierge to plan a seamless and memorable itinerary.

How much do tours and tastings cost at Bordeaux châteaux?

Tours and tastings in Bordeaux can range from a few Euros to several thousand Euros at the top estates. The pricing generally depends on the prestige of the winery and the price of the wines.

Is it possible to visit the First Growths?

Yes, it is possible to visit some of Bordeaux’s First Growths including Château Margaux, Château Lafite Rothschild and Château Mouton Rothschild. It is also possible to visit Château d’Yquem in Sauternes. To visit the First Growths, it is necessary to book as far in advance as possible as these estates get booked up 6-9 months ahead of time.

Estates such as Château Latour, Petrus and Le Pin are generally not open to the public. Château Cheval Blanc accepts visit requests primarily from the wine trade only.

Please note that Château Haut Brion and Château Angélus are currently undergoing extensive renovations so it is not possible to tour these estates. Château La Mission Haut Brion is open to visitors.

How long should I plan to stay in Bordeaux?

You should allow a minimum of 5 days to experience the region of Bordeaux. On average, our clients stay in Bordeaux for 6-7 days.

At the very least you should give yourself one day to explore the city, three days visiting the vineyards of the right bank and left bank and at least another day to explore the beautiful Atlantic coast. This will provide you with a good introduction to the region and will undoubtedly leave you yearning for more and planning a return visit.

A 7 day itinerary will allow you to really get to know the region and also provide you with sufficient time for rest and relaxation.

A 10 day itinerary would allow you to visit Bordeaux plus another region such as Champagne, Burgundy or even San Sebastian and Rioja.

When is the best time to visit Bordeaux?

While there is a year-round schedule of events and things to do, the region is most vibrant between March and November. Peak season runs from May to October and it is especially important to make reservations well in advance for accommodations, tours and tastings and dining during this time. Bordeaux enjoys a temperate climate with mild winters and hot summers. The best weather is anytime between May and September with the highest temperatures typically in July and August.

We recommend not visiting Bordeaux in August as many restaurants are closed for the summer holidays and some private chefs also take some time off during August. We also recommend avoiding the En Primeur period in late April when many of the Bordeaux châteaux only welcome wine trade professionals.

How far In advance should I plan my trip to Bordeaux?

Bordeaux is a very popular destination so it is prudent to book everything well in advance to avoid disappointment. A minimum three month lead time is advised, with 6-9 months being ideal. The best hotels, restaurants and chateaux get fully booked during high season.

Do I need a driver to get around Bordeaux?

We highly recommend having a driver for all touring days, especially those involving wine. The Bordeaux Concierge has a team of professional English-speaking drivers with brand new, top of the range Mercedes vehicles which can be provided for all touring days and transfers. For larger groups, a Mercedes Sprinter or coach can be organized.

What is the best way to get to Bordeaux?

Bordeaux-Mérignac airport (BOD) welcomes visitors from 100 destinations from around the world. The airport is serviced by over 30 airlines including international carriers such as British Airways and Air France as well as a number of low-cost airlines such as EasyJet and Ryanair. The airport also welcomes visitors arriving via private jet and helicopter.

Bordeaux is also very accessible by train. Thanks to a new high speed non-stop service, you can travel from Paris to Bordeaux in just over 2 hours.

Is there more to Bordeaux than the wine?

Absolutely. As well as being known as the world capital of wine, Bordeaux has a long and vibrant history spanning 2,000 years. The city of Bordeaux was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007 and is largest urban UNESCO site anywhere in the world. In France, Bordeaux is only second to Paris in terms of the number of listed and protected historical buildings. The region also has a vibrant food scene and a proud culinary culture featuring exceptional oysters, caviar, black truffles, cheeses and many other fine products. The stunning Atlantic coast with its unspoiled beaches and quaint fishing villages is a short drive from Bordeaux. The famous town of Cognac is also a quick drive from Bordeaux with dozens of wonderful Cognac houses to visit and enjoy.

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