A city celebrating its culture, Bordeaux created Arc en rêve, an architectural exhibition and research center in 1981, the first of its kind in France. The city is also home to a large number of cinemas, theaters, and festivals, as well as the Opéra national de Bordeaux, and many music venues of various capacities.
In 2017, Bordeaux topped the Lonely Planet list of the top ten cities to visit. Selected for its variety of activities, tourism initiatives and cadre encore préservé, or “still preserved setting” (way of life), Bordeaux is known for its ideal combination of bustling city life mixed with history, along with classic architecture.
4473 acres (1810 hectares) of Bordeaux are listed a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a testament to the culture of Bordeaux. Since 2007, UNESCO dubbed the historical part of the city “an outstanding urban classical and neoclassical architectural ensemble of the 18th century.”
Among Bordeaux’s most remarkable attractions is Place de la Bourse, a magnificent achievement of the Enlightenment Era. The Stock Exchange Square is the symbol of the opening of the city to the Garonne River and the rest of the world. Today, it's a splendid backdrop for the vast Miroir d’Eau (Water Mirror), a focal point on the banks of the Garonne.
Equally notable are the Quays of the "Port of the Moon" which is a nod to Bordeaux’s history as one of the major European ports in the 18th century. The Bordelais and visitors alike love strolling, jogging and cycling along the riverside.
Also not to be missed are some of Bordeaux’s exceptional historical and architectural gems, such as the Grand Theatre, one of the most beautiful 18th century opera houses in the world, the Bordeaux Cathedral, and the Public Garden, which enjoys a “remarkable garden” certification and features 18th century buildings and a small river that winds its way past century-old trees.
With so many options for exploration, a Bordeaux guided tour is the best way to see all that the city has to offer. Bordeaux multilingual tours are available to ensure that all visitors have a proper Bordeaux experience. Bordeaux tours will allow all visitors to be captivated by the city’s beauty and culture.