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Best Day Trips from Bordeaux, France

A scenic view of the riverside promenade in Bordeaux, featuring historic buildings and a clear blue sky.

Staying in Bordeaux? Located on the Garonne River, Bordeaux is one of the most beautiful cities in France, and one of the most popular destinations for visitors seeking a French adventure. But while you may have initially planned to solely stay in the city, the area around Bordeaux is filled with history, architecture, and stunning sights. There are a number of day trips that you can easily take while staying in Bordeaux that will make your time in France all the richer and more memorable.

Keep reading to discover some of our most highly recommended day trips to take from Bordeaux, France.

Saint-Émilion

Just an hour away from Bordeaux, a visit to the medieval village of Saint-Émilion is a must when staying in the area. Let yourself be transported back in time as you meander through winding cobblestone streets and get lost in the local beauty and history.

Things to Do in Saint-Émilion

The Monolithic Church of Saint-Emilion is one of the village’s most iconic historical landmarks. This partly subterranean building is set into the hillside, with catacombs tunneling beneath the church. Its beautiful belltower is a classic part of the cityscape that travelers come from far and wide to see for themselves.

The cityscape of the quaint village of Saint-Émilion, surrounded by greenery

Another monument to visit while in Saint-Émilion is Porte de la Cadene . These remains of the original city walls and gates are a beautiful glimpse into another time.

The Cordeliers Cloister is a historic site not to be missed on your trip to Saint-Émilion. Known as Le Cloître des Cordeliers, this beautiful site is a draw for wine-lovers everywhere. Tour the underground tunnels that run underneath the medieval Saint-Émilion citadel while learning the history of the cloister’s sparkling winemaking tradition.

Where to Eat & Drink in Saint-Émilion

There is nothing more French than wine and cheese, and Le Bis by Baud et Millet is the perfect place to experience the best of both. The waiters are happy to guide you to the perfect pairings, and the restaurant’s rib steak is unmatched.

For a delightful outdoor dining experience, enjoy a visit to La Terrasse Rouge or L’Envers du Décor . Both offer unique seating options in the beautiful Saint-Émilion sun, and you can’t go wrong with either’s choice cuisine.

And if you prefer to stick with wine, you can’t miss a trip to Château la Dominique , one of the area’s finest estate wineries. The winery’s warm, contemporary atmosphere offers an incredible tasting environment while overlooking the gorgeous vineyards.

Arcachon

For the perfect seaside escape, don’t miss your chance to visit Arcachon. This popular coastal town is beloved by all who visit it, as it’s home to some of the most beautiful spots in the south of France.

Things to Do in Arcachon

Perhaps the most beloved spot in the city, no visit to Arcachon is complete without enjoying some time at Pereire Beach . Wide and pleasant, with beautiful views of the sea, there’s no better place to spend an afternoon. It’s a wonderful place for families, couples, or even solo travelers.

An aerial view of the beautiful city of Arcachon, surrounded by bright blue ocean

Another huge draw to the Arcachon area is the Dune du Pilat , Europe’s tallest sand dune. Nestled between the forest and the sea, the dune is an enjoyable hike, with the most breathtaking view from the top.

To find special treasures to take home from your travels, visit the Marché d’Arcachon and watch the city come alive. Filled with gourmet food, bright colors, and unique items, it’s a memorable stop that will immerse you in the culture of Arcachon.

Arcachon’s beauty is about more than just the coastline, and nowhere is that more apparent than at the Parc Mauresque . This enchanting garden is nothing short of magical. Filled with rare and exotic plants, the soothing serenity of the Parc Mauresque is unmatched. And if you time it right, you’ll get to see the stunning rose garden with over 600 rose bushes in full bloom.

Finally, when visiting Arcachon, you can’t miss an opportunity to visit La Ville d’Hiver . Better known as Winter Town, La Ville d’Hiver is one of the most unique spots in Arcachon. Quaint and eccentric, the area is home to incredibly creative architecture, ranging from goth manors to Swiss chalets and beyond. It’s truly a delight to visit.

Where to Eat & Drink in Arcachon

While the area is home to a wide range of dining options, Arcachon is primarily known for one thing: oysters. One of the most prominent oyster harvesting towns in France, there’s nowhere better to enjoy quality oysters than Arcachon. We highly recommend visiting Cap Ferret for an incredible experience—you’ll get to dine in a beautiful outdoor cabana with a view of the sea. It’s also hard to pass up a trip to l’Oyster Bar , a delicious—and affordable— spot in the Market for fresh oysters.

For more seaside dining options, Club Plage Pereire and La Co(o)rniche offer incredible food with a view. After all, when in Arcachon, why stray from the ocean?

Other high-quality restaurants include Le Bouchon du Marché and Chez Pierre —both fantastic options if you’re looking for a place to sit down, relax, and enjoy the best of French cuisine.

Libourne & Pomerol

If you want to escape the tourist hustle and bustle, Libourne & Pomerol are an excellent choice. While it may be a lesser-known area of France, it’s filled with its own unique charm, and is certainly worth taking the time to explore.

Things to Do in Libourne & Pomerol

The heart of the city, you can’t go to Libourne without visiting Place Abel Surchamp , the city’s square. If you’re lucky, your visit will coincide with Market Day, and you’ll get to experience a whole host of local vendors.

For those wishing to take in some culture, you’ll have to visit the Musée des Beaux-Arts . See art dating back as far as the 14th century in this incredible museum, established in 1818. The museum is small, so you won’t have to account for it taking up a large part of your day (perfect for a day trip where you want to see it all!), but its collection of art is one you simply must see.

A tall stone tower on a city street in Libourne

Finally, no trip to the area is complete without seeing Château de Vayres . This medieval castle is located on the banks of the Dordogne River. Sign up for a guided tour to see the castle’s tapestry collection and period furniture, then wander the the grounds and gardens.

Where to Eat & Drink in Libourne & Pomerol

For delicious traditional French cuisine, be sure to eat at Chez Rémi and Restaurant de la Tour . Both restaurants offer amazing local food with vegetarian options, so no matter your food preferences, you’re certain to find something you love on the menu.

And if you want some fantastic wine while you’re in the area, don’t miss your chance to visit Château de la Dauphine . Fit for royalty, the wines of Château de la Dauphine have been served at the Palace of Versailles, and no trip to Libourne is complete without experiencing their incredible wines for yourself.

Sauternes

Known for its sweet white dessert wine by the same name, Sauternes is a beautiful day trip that can easily be taken from Bordeaux. You won’t want to miss the chance to explore this historic area.

Vibrant green vineyards overlook the city of Sauternes

Things to Do in Sauternes

There’s nothing like French wine, and at the Maison du Sauternes , you’ll be able to taste the area’s finest offerings. These deliciously rich and sweet wines carry notes of fresh fruit, and you’ll love experiencing the best that Sauternes has to offer.

Speaking of wine, Chateau D’Yquem is another must-visit destination for your time in Sauternes. This breathtaking 400-year-old estate will sweep you off your feet with its beauty and history. The Chateau’s wines are top-of-the-line, premium selections—just make sure that you make a reservation before you visit Sauternes so you can be sure your spot at the Chateau is secure.

Where to Eat & Drink in Sauternes

If you’re looking for incredible French cuisine during your time in Sauternes, you can’t go wrong with a meal at Auberge les Vignes . Charming and inviting, you’ll love the comfortable atmosphere and delicious food of this family-run establishment.

A known wine region, there are so many wineries and vineyards to visit in Sauternes, it will make your head spin. Château Filhot and Château Clos Haut-Peyraguey are two of our favorites—beautiful estates with stunning grounds, open vineyards, and remarkable wine tastings.

Two more amazing historic wineries include Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey and Château Guiraud . Tour the beautiful estates and grounds, and experience the sweet wines for which Sauternes is so well-known.

The Best Day Trips from Bordeaux – FAQs

Still trying to plan the perfect day trip from Bordeaux? Here are a few of the most common questions we receive.

A sunlit street corner in Bordeaux, France

Where are the best places to go for a day trip from Bordeaux?

We recommend visiting Saint-Émilion, Arcachon, Libourne, and Sauternes. Each area is so unique in its own beautiful way, so if you aren’t able to visit all four, you can’t go wrong with any combination of locations.

What options are there for transportation from Bordeaux?

The easiest way to get in and out of Bordeaux is to take a train. Day trips can be taken by train or rental car, depending on the destination. When spending a day within the city of Bordeaux, the modern tramway is a great option to explore the city limits.

What is there to do on a day trip from Bordeaux?

There are so many things to do on a day trip from Bordeaux. Wander beautiful cities, visit historical landmarks, and experience culture, art, and food unlike anywhere else in the world.

Villa Pereire & Travel

A bottle of Villa Pereire Bordeaux sits atop a blue table

Villa Pereire is intimately connected to Bordeaux, but especially the area’s coasts. A visit to Arcachon is a true glimpse into the heartbeat behind Villa Pereire. We believe there’s no more perfect day than a walk on Periere Beach and time enjoying wine and oysters with loved ones. A life of coastal leisure is the life for us, and a visit to Arcachon is the perfect way to experience that for yourself.

Urban Bordeaux, with its rich history and incredible food, also holds a key to the magic behind Villa Pereire. Our wines are crafted with the care and tradition of our French roots while employing modernization and new techniques to take our craftsmanship to the next level.

To visit Bordeaux is to experience a spirit of brilliance—it encapsulates the region, and it encapsulates Villa Pereire.