Bordeaux is one of the most popular cities in the southwest of France. Its proximity to the Spanish border, the international fame it has achieved thanks to its wines and its imposing monuments lead thousands of tourists to decide to visit the city every year. In fact, it is popularly known as "the pearl of Aquitaine", since it is the biggest city in one of the most beautiful regions of France. In this article, we will show you the best road trips near Bordeaux.
The best road trips near Bordeaux
Here are three road trips near Bordeaux that you can take if you plan to spend a few days in the Aquitaine region. In fact, our recommendation is to rent a car in Bordeaux and use this as your starting point, as we are going to explain.
Wine route
This route can actually extend as far as you like. Bordeaux has 60 appellations of origin and more than 7,000 active winegrowers. We propose a route as follows:
- Spend a day visiting Bordeaux and visit the Place de la Bourse, the most iconic square of the city, the Bordeaux Cathedral and the Porte de Cailhau. Then you can have lunch in the Saint Pierre district, one of the city’s most picturesque. When you have finished your meal, spend the afternoon at the Place des Quinconces, one of the largest squares in Europe.
- Saint-Emilion is the next stop, and its wine-growing landscape is considered a world heritage territory. This medieval city offers some of the best red wines in the country, and stunning monuments such as the monolithic church stand out.
- Castillon-La Bataille. Continuing your journey through the department of Gironde, you reach this region which owes its name to the battle that ended the Hundred Years' War. As a result, this is a place where, in addition to tasting some great wines, you can soak up an important part of the history of France.
- Sauternes. Fifty kilometers south of the previous stop is Sauternes, a region where a very characteristic white wine is produced: the grapes are affected by Botrytis cinerea, a fungus that results in wines with more sugar and a very distinctive aroma.
Coastal route
The next route on our list of suggestions runs along the Atlantic coast of the Bordeaux region:
- Arcachon. From Bordeaux, head about 65 kilometers southwest and you will reach Arcachon, where you can visit the Dune of Pilat. It is the largest moving dune in Europe, with a height of up to 115 meters at certain times of the year.
- Médoc Regional Natural Park. This regional natural park is another of the most interesting attractions near Bordeaux for nature lovers. It is full of vineyards, estuaries, forests and wild beaches.
- Royan. Moving up the coast you will reach Royan, known for being a popular coastal city among some of the most iconic characters in French culture, as it is where Coco Chanel and Picasso used to spend their summers. It is also a superb spot for some good oysters.
Road trip from Bordeaux to the Périgord
Our final proposal for a road trip near Bordeaux is a journey of about 135 kilometers between Bordeaux and the Périgord, the name by which the French call the capital of the Dordogne. This area is highly protected by UNESCO, due to the high value of its vineyards, caves and traditional villages.
- You can stop in Libourne, a city closely linked to the trade of wool, wine, salt and wood and which has a very interesting architectural heritage.
- Saint-Léon-sur-l'Isle is another of the charming villages you will find on this route. Here you can stop for lunch and see the bridge famous for its four arches that connects the historic center with the newer area.
- The route ends in Périgueux, the heart of the Périgord region. This city, whose origins date back more than 2000 years, is filled with buildings with a marked historical character that transports you back to medieval times. If you do visit this city, you cannot miss the Église Saint-Etienne de la Cité, the first cathedral in the city.
Whichever route you choose to take around Bordeaux, OK Mobility will help you choose the car that best suits your needs. Call us, tell us what your plan is and we will give you personalized advice so that you don't miss a single detail of this delightful French region.
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