12 Excellent Day Trips from Bordeaux, France You Don’t Want to Miss

Disclaimer: This article may contain affiliate links, which means that we might receive a small commission at no cost to you if you book through on of our links. For full information, please see our disclaimer.

Looking for a day trip from Bordeaux? You’re in luck—the area enveloping the city is quite impressive and offers a plethora of fantastic options for day trips.

The world-renowned French city of Bordeaux is surrounded by some of the best day trips in France—top-notch wineries, captivating villages, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and other natural astonishments are just waiting for you to explore them!

Whether you are looking for a full hands-on wine experience in the highly-rated Saint-Émilion, a taste of a wide variety of French cuisine, or a quiet day meandering around a small town, you’ll quickly see there’s a day trip for any taste!

In this article, we’ll review the best options for day trips from Bordeaux, France.

12 Best Day Trips from Bordeaux, France

Check out 12 of the best day trips around Bordeaux to help plan your trip!

1. Become a wine connoisseur in Saint-Émilion

In our opinion, a trip to France is never complete without a taste of the wide variety of fine French wines.

Fortunately, the city and surrounding region of Bordeaux is famous for its Grand Cru. While you’re there, your first stop should be a visit to Saint-Émilion.

This prestigious wine village on the banks of the Dordogne River produces some of the finest wine you’ll ever taste. Take a day trip to Saint-Émilion, and explore the cute little village.

In the afternoon winery tour with tasting, you’ll learn all about the history and production of the wine.

Even better, you’ll get to see some of the most beautiful natural sights in France while checking “become a wine connoisseur in France” off your bucket list!

2. Visit Arcachon Bay and climb the Dune of Pilat

The nearby Arcachon Bay, known for its mild climate and stunning natural beauty, is an ideal destination for a day trip near Bordeaux. While you’re there, climb the Dune of Pilat (Grande Dune du Pilat). The highest sand dune in Europe, it’s situated between a pine forest on one side and the peninsula and sand bank on the other. 

Located in La Teste-de-Buch in the Arcachon Bay area, climbing the Dune of Pilat takes anywhere from 20-35 minutes depending on how in shape you are. It involves a ton of stairs to reach the top, but the views are hands-down worth the effort to get there.

The Dune ridge itself is about 1.6 mi (2.5 km) long, so there’s plenty of time and space to explore, take photos, and awe in amazement.

Tour both the Arcachon Bay and Climb Dune of Pilat on this morning tour from Bordeaux (oysters and white wine included). 

3. Savor wine at Chateau Margaux

As mentioned before, a trip to France is never complete without sampling some wine.

Another place to visit near Bordeaux if you love wine is the Chateau Margaux. Dating back to the 16th century, Chateau Margaux has been classified as a top-tier wine since 1855. 

Chateau Margaux wine produces some of the best wine in all of France and is certainly a top Bordeaux wine. Some bottles cost nearly $700, if that says anything about its quality. The estate itself has a long history, so there is an educational opportunity as well with a lot to learn.

Tour the Chateau Margaux, and taste some of the best wine flavors your lips will ever meet.

4. Eat fresh oysters in Gujan-Mestras

Just 40 minutes southwest of Bordeaux (by car or train) you’ll find the commune of Gujan-Mestras. This traditional oyster village houses more than seven oyster ports, each with its own ambiance. 

On your visit to this quaint seaside village, stop to taste oysters as you stroll through colorful cabins along each port. Don’t forget to stop at the Maison de l’Huitre Museum and learn all about the history of the villages and their oysters, too. 

Other things to do during your day trip to Gujan-Mestras include walking or biking the 4.3 mi (7 km) coastal path or splashing around at the Bay of Leisure waterpark.

5. Step into medieval times in Sarlat-La-Canéda

Another excellent place to visit near Bordeaux is the village of Sarlat-La-Canéda. Home to one of the highest densities of historical monuments in France, Sarlat-La-Canéda is well on its way to becoming a UNESCO World Heritage designation.

Yes, this astonishing representation of medieval times in France in the 14th century is the perfect place to spend a day exploring.

This bustling market city was abandoned for nearly 150 years but is now protected by the Malraux Act, which seeks to preserve historic French cities.

After arriving by train (2 hrs, 20 min) or car (2 hrs, 15 minutes), take advantage by wandering around medieval cobblestoned streets, stopping in St. Mary’s church, and snapping photos of the marvelous mansions scattered around the village.

A trip to Sarlat-La-Canéda isn’t complete without exploring the covered market, reminiscent of the days of old. Since the city is known for gastronomy, it’s easy to find a wide variety of delicious treats at the weekly Sarlat Market (Wednesday and Saturday).

To dive even deeper into Sarlat-La-Canéda’s gastronomy, we recommend taking a guided tour. This gourmet food tour and market visit is the perfect way to get to know the tastes of Sarlat!

6. Chomp on veggies in Marmande

Located less than an hour outside of Bordeaux, you can easily explore the small town of Marmande on foot. Truly, this is a perfect destination for a day trip from Bordeaux by train for tomato lovers—and veggie-lovers of all kinds!

Why veggie-lovers, you ask? Well, the town of Marmande shares its name with a juicy and meaty tomato! Dating back to the 19th century, these medium-sized tomatoes with wrinkly skin get their name from their destination of origin: Marmande, France.

Take a seat at any one of the many French cafes and restaurants to sample a dish with these famous tomatoes.

But, tomatoes aren’t the only thing Marmande has to offer: adventure through the small winding streets, shop at local boutiques, relax in the park, and check out various historical monuments.

✔ Book your train tickets to Marmande here.

7. Admire street art in Angoulême

Venturing to the city of Angoulême for a unique day trip from Bordeaux. The city is wonderful for a day of wandering and admiring its interesting mix of architecture, literature, and street art.

Situated along the Charente river, it’s actually the international comic strip capital. (Who knew?!) Although comics are traditionally thought of as “kid stuff,” they are an accepted and respected form of art in France. In fact, the city draws in over 200,000 visitors a year for its annual international comics festival (January).

Further, Angoulême is considered the street art capital of France. Follow the designated trail to see murals, graffiti, and other forms of spectacular street art covering the walls of the city. Don’t forget your camera!

8. Stroll the quays of Libourne

Spend a day where life is good and streets are narrow in Libourne, France. An old 13th-century bastide (a fortified medieval town), Libourne is a port city on the banks of the Isle and the Dordogne rivers. Head there by car (30 min) or train (22-33 min) to enjoy the scenery before your fairytale stroll along the quays.

Filled with blond stone streets and buildings, we think you’ll fall in love this charming town.

But don’t just stay at waters’ edge: stop at the centuries-old market square in the city center. Surrounded by amazing historical sites such as the Town Hall and the Museum of Fine Arts, the market square is famous for trading, buying, and selling. Try to go there on a Tuesday or Thursday, when the square is filled with local vendors and sellers.

Search for the top day tours from Bordeaux:

9. See the best of Basque in Biarritz

Certainly Biarritz is one of the best coastal towns in France! Reached by train or car from Bordeaux, the French Basque Country’s legendary beaches draw in hundreds of surfers and beach goers every year. Biarritz is the best day trip from Bordeaux to the west coast of France, hands-down.

Surrounded by picturesque mountains, there is hardly a better place to relax and immerse yourself in the seaside culture of France. While in Biarritz, hitting the beaches is the top priority, but there are a handful of other colorful attractions to traverse.

For instance, take the cog train up the Rhune, venture into the Iraty Forest, or watch a game of Basque pelota (traditional hand ball).

Plus, you can always wander through the city streets and admire the scenery or join a guided walking tour of the city in order to make the most of your time.

10. Hike at the Médoc Natural Regional Park

If you are a nature lover, you will love this Bordeaux day trip: hiking at Médoc Natural Regional Park.

Located between the city of Bordeaux and the western coast of France, the park boasts some of the most gorgeous coastal hikes in the country. Plus, its diverse landscape contains something for everyone: beaches, forests, vineyards, and agricultural areas. 

Discover the park on foot by choosing one of the dozens of different hiking paths. Fortunately, there is a path for everyone no matter how fit you are and or the level of difficulty you desire. Additionally, keep an eye out for the seven lighthouses located throughout the park, most famously the lighthouse of Cordaun.

Other sites to scout are the Contaut Lagoon, Etang de Cousseau Nature Reserve, and the Gironde Estuary.

11. Visit artisan distilleries in Cognac

A pleasant way to spend an afternoon on a day trip from Bordeaux by car (1 hr, 24 min) is a a visit to Cognac. It’s in this city in Charente where the legendary brandy of the same name is produced.

Visiting an artisan distillery is the best way to learn all about the culture and history of the delightful French liquor.

Exploring this region of France, which is loaded with distilleries, will give you insight into a brandy that is as rich in history as it is in flavor. It is one of the country’s most iconic products, and can only be produced in this region to be considered a true cognac.

Vineyards, distilleries, and maisons de negoces (licensed merchants) all offer tours and tasting for educational purposes. For fun, book a masterclass to learn (and taste!) all about the distinctive flavors, characteristics, vintages, and blends of great cognacs.

Keep in mind, if you visit from November-March, it is possible to see the distilleries in action during the season while on tour.

12. Rejuvenate in Dax

After completing all of these day tours from Bordeaux, a day of rejuvenation and relaxation is surely what you will need.

The curious town of Dax (accessed by train, bus, or car) is widely known for its substantial amounts of thermal spas and health rejuvenating centers. Not only does Dax have many spas, but there are also various historical sights to take in while you’re there.

To expand, Dax is a stunning mix of architecture, cathedrals, and Roman ruins. Lucky for us, thermal spas were very traditional in Roman times and have lingered on to this day.

Firstly, inhale calming steam at Fontaine Chaude, where the waters are a constant 147 F (64 C). Next, bounce around to any of Dax’s numerous spas for your preferred treatments.

Without a doubt, Dax is the perfect location to end a trip to the region of Bordeaux.

Last Words on Day Trips in Bordeaux

Not only is Bordeaux a fabulous city itself, but the surrounding region is also just as amazing. There are countless options for day trips from the Bordeaux from a full day of exploring to an afternoon of relaxation.

It’s not hard to see why so many tourists are skipping the city of love, and opting for the city of art and culture: Bordeaux.

Not ready to book? Bookmark this page to refer to later!

Heading to France? You may also like…

Check out some of our top articles:

• Essential Guide to France
• Top 12 Things to Do in Aix-en-Provence, France
• Best Day Trips from Strasbourg for Slow Travelers

Pin it!