Bordeaux is an exquisite metropolis in Southwestern France. Situated on the River Garonne, Bordeaux is a vibrant port metropolis with an illustrious historical past and unbelievable meals and wine. Town boasts Neoclassical structure dotted by Gothic church buildings and medieval-old gates. With outdated, slender, charming streets and wonderful squares full of bars and eating places, you’ll expertise in Bordeaux the solemnity of the previous with a zing of modernity.
Whereas we advocate visiting Bordeaux in two or extra days, a day journey to Bordeaux from Paris remains to be possible, particularly because of the high-speed prepare connections (TGV trains).
Beneath we’ll clarify find out how to plan your day journey from Paris to Bordeaux by prepare and find out how to get probably the most out of your 1 day in Bordeaux.
Bordeaux is without doubt one of the hottest day journeys from Paris. Click on right here for the checklist of finest day journeys from Paris
Tips on how to Get from Paris to Bordeaux by Prepare
If you wish to journey from Paris to Bordeaux by prepare for the day, take into account leaving Paris with one of many first trains and catching one of many final ones for the journey again. The primary Paris to Bordeaux TGV departs from Paris at 5:50 am, and the final leaves Bordeaux at 8:50 pm. Be conscious that the prepare tickets from Paris to Bordeaux promote out very quick, so reserving your prepare tickets to Bordeaux on-line properly upfront is essential.
TIP: If that is your first time touring in France by prepare, try this fast information to coach journey in France.
To get from Paris to Bordeaux by prepare, you may go for the InOui prepare or the Ouigo prepare, each high-speed trains (TGV). The primary distinction between the 2 SNCF companies is the value, as Ouigo is a low-cost model.
The continuous common TGV Paris to Bordeaux prepare (InOui TGV trains) departs from Paris Montparnasse prepare station (stage 2) and arrive at Bordeaux – Saint-Jean prepare station. This Paris to Bordeaux prepare affords 22 day by day routes, and the common journey length is 2 hours and quarter-hour.
The TGV prepare Paris to Bordeaux with Ouigo trains departs from 4 totally different stations throughout Paris: Marne La Vallée prepare station, Paris Roissy CDG Airport station, Massy TGV station, and Paris Montparnasse station. The arrival prepare station is Bordeaux – Saint-Jean. The Ouigo trains function solely 5 rides per day and take between two and 4 hours to reach in Bordeaux, relying on the departure station and doable intermediate stops. The ticket value features a small suitcase or backpack, and anything (extra baggage, web, and generally a easy plug on your units) must be paid along with the ticket value – Click on right here to purchase your TGV Paris to Bordeaux
Issues to Do in Bordeaux in One Day
So that you arrived at Bordeaux, now what? Listed below are some cool issues which you could see or do in Bordeaux in sooner or later:
1. Marché des Capucins (if early arrival)
In the event you arrive at Bordeaux on one of many first trains, getting a second espresso and consuming one thing can be a lot wanted. The most effective spot to do it’s the Marché des Capucins (Place des Capucins, Monday closed), a incredible market close to the prepare station. Enterprise inside to find a little bit of southwest France’s wealthy gastronomic tradition.
This market can be nice for getting a glimpse of native life as you’ll discover many locals doing their day by day searching for fruits and veggies right here.
2. Take a Guided Tour (Strolling Tour or Bike Tour)
A incredible technique to get to know Bordeaux in sooner or later is by taking a guided tour. This 2-hour strolling tour will lead you round Bordeaux to find its UNESCO heritage-listed monuments and beautiful structure and study concerning the metropolis’s historical past and nice Enlightenment philosophers.
The tour begins at 10.30 am in entrance of Tourism Workplace 12 Cours Juillet 30, so it’s an ideal alternative for a day journey Paris to Bordeaux.
A guided bike tour is an efficient various, because it lets you see extra of Bordeaux in sooner or later. Exploring Bordeaux by bike is tremendous straightforward, as the town is completely flat and there are a lot of bike lanes. This guided bike tour of Bordeaux takes 2.5 hours and begins at 9.45 am, leaving you the remainder of the day in Bordeaux to discover different components of the town by yourself.
3. OR Get misplaced within the Previous City
In the event you don’t fancy a guided tour, you may simply stroll across the metropolis’s charming streets. Bordeaux’s Previous City is filled with wonders, and there are some sights that you simply actually shouldn’t miss.
Should-sees are Place des Quinconces and Place de la Comédie. The primary is France’s largest sq., whereas Place de la Comédie hosts two beautiful neoclassical buildings, the Grand Théâtre de Bordeaux and the Grand Resort de Bordeaux.
Additionally, don’t skip Porte Cailhau, one among Bordeaux’s rarest medieval monuments.
4. Go to Cathedral Saint-André (and admire the Bell Tower)
Bordeaux’s Gothic Cathedral, the Cathedral Saint-André, is gorgeous and traditionally essential. This church is the place younger Eleanor of Aquitaine married the longer term King of France, Louis VII, in 1137. Your entire constructing is listed as a French nationwide monument and is free to enter.
The Cathedral Saint-André is fantastic inside, because of its wealthy decor. It additionally incorporates a separate Bell Tower (Tour Pey Berland) in a Gothic flamboyant type. From the highest of the Tower, you may admire breathtaking metropolis views.
5. Have Lunch in One of many Energetic Squares of Bordeaux
Bordeaux has loads of full of life squares with eating places for uniquely French lunch. Selecting a sq. on your lunch break is dependent upon the place you’re within the metropolis, however we advocate three squares.
Place de Saint-Pierre, neglected by St. Pierre Church, options stunning outdated structure housing native eating places.
Place Camille Jullian may be very standard amongst locals and vacationers and boasts elegant eating places with massive terraces for an ideal sunny-day lunch.
Place du Palais is hidden within the shadow of the Porte Cailhau. Small however with a definite allure, this sq. affords a few eateries the place you may savor French delicacies.
6. Take a Stroll alongside the Garonne River Financial institution
An unmissable exercise of your sooner or later in Bordeaux is strolling alongside the Garonne River financial institution. Whether or not on foot or by bike, nothing is extra enjoyable than exploring the town’s riverside.
Whereas alongside the river again, be sure to cease by the extraordinarily scenic Place de la Bourse, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage for its unbelievable structure and historical past. Proper throughout the sq. is the peculiar Miroir d’Eau, an enormous pool that creates a spectacular mirror impact, and that’s the most-photographed website in Bordeaux.
7. Aperitif in one among Bordeaux Wine Bars
The apéro (French aperitif) is a French custom you may’t miss! It’s the second proper earlier than dinner when associates collect and have drinks whereas consuming appetizers.
There isn’t a higher place to do an aperitif than in a wine bar in Bordeaux. Town is thought worldwide for its wine manufacturing, so be sure to cease by one of many metropolis’s wine bars (or one of many squares talked about above) to sip on glasses of Bordeaux wine whereas attempting plates of regional cheese and charcuterie (named “planches”).
Or why not a Lillet? One of the well-known French drinks, Lillet was born in Bordeaux, and you’ll discover it all over the place within the metropolis.
What a incredible technique to finish your day journey to Bordeaux from Paris!
