The parks and gardens of Bordeaux, nature in the city!

Bordeaux is very active in terms of ecology, energy saving and sustainable development. Its Darwin eco-district , its solar power plant at the Parc des Expositions , but also original initiatives, such as the closure to traffic of its city center every first Sunday of the month, make it a very innovative and dynamic city, looking to the future. Its " Green Plan " has also enabled the development of green spaces and water bodies to preserve biodiversity. It is a “ green ” city , very pleasant on foot, but which is also easily traveled by bicycle thanks to its many cycle paths , its TBM “ Transport Bordeaux Métropole ” network and its self-service bicycles, the “ V3 ”. Whether you are looking for a family activity, a place of sport, or a moment of relaxation, the many parks and gardens welcome you all over the city.

The gardens of the historic center of Bordeaux

We start our discovery journey, starting from the heart of Bordeaux. Historically, city dwellers have felt the need to recharge their batteries and rediscover this contact with nature. In the historic center , we find the oldest parks . Some have retained their charm of yesteryear or have been renewed to be fashionable. It is always a stroll in the history of the city.

• Right in the city center, the Jardin Public is aptly named because its opening to the public was the very object of its creation in 1746. This was a rare case at that time, but it was therefore designed and fitted out for the sole purpose. pleasure of the people of Bordeaux. Initially, it was a “ French-style ” garden, following the concepts of Le Nôtre , the great gardener of Louis XIV. Then he followed the fashions and was turned into a garden "English" in the ^19th century. Today, it is classified " Remarkable Garden of France ". Inside, you can enjoy the library , the Museum of Natural History , notable heritage features , in particular its wrought iron gate and its large basin, and its arboretum , with exceptional tree species. For the younger ones there is a playground, a puppet theater and a carousel .
  
  
• We pass on the right bank, crossing the Pont de Pierre , to reach the Botanical Garden . Created in 1629, it is the old Jardin des Plantes which has moved many times before taking its final place in 2001. It has always had an educational and educational vocation. It introduces you to different agricultural environments: fields of crops from around the world, so-called “ soil- less” agriculture and community gardens. Its proximity to the river also allows it to reconstruct landscapes of the Aquitaine basin : cliff, meadow, moor, etc. It has an astonishing path of climbing plants, a trail of " pioneer " species and a garden aquatic on its body of water .
  
  

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Parks along the Garonne

The Garonne offers a bucolic setting for the three parks that border it. We start our walk by the water on the right bank of the river, with the large Hermitage Natural Park , followed by Palmer Park . Then we enter the heart of the city, in the Parc aux Angéliques , with its shaded alleys that lead directly to the quays. Finally, we cross the Garonne to go to the left bank, to the Parc des Sports .

• In Lormont, the Parc de l'Ermitage is a large ecological reserve , traversed by trails that join Cenon and Parc Palmer. On the banks of the Garonne, between its forest and its lake, the setting is exotic. The view from the cliff over Bordeaux, the Port de la Lune and the Pont d'Aquitaine is worth the detour! In the continuation, you only have to cross the avenue Carnot, to reach the Palmer Park . Its main assets are its green amphitheater and the Palmer rock which offers a beautiful panorama. It is also well equipped at the sporting level: athletics track, tennis courts, rugby, and hiking circuits ...

• Between the Garonne and the Darwin eco-district , you will find the Parc aux Angéliques . Its name refers to Angelica, a rare plant endemic to French estuaries . There you will find many explanatory panels on the local flora and fauna. Its large alleys along the quays are well suited to jogging and the views over Bordeaux deserve to linger.

• We pass on the other side, towards the Parc des Sports Saint-Michel , between the Pont de Pierre and the Pont Saint-Jean . In a very pleasant setting, you have access to all kinds of sports equipment: basketball court, football, beach volleyball, Basque pelota ...
  
  

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Gardens on the outskirts of town

Along the large boulevards that encircle the city center, you will find three green spaces. They offer restful and refreshing stops, breaking away from the surrounding traffic.

• In the district of Grand Park, River Park is typical of areas of the ^19th century. Between the ruins of an old castle , you walk through an undergrowth made up of hundred-year-old trees . Its beehives give it an educational interest. Many animations allow to understand these insects essential to the environment and our agriculture.

• Located on the other side of the boulevard Pierre ^1er, the Bordelais Park is labeled "remarkable Garden of France", including its forest of oaks, some of which are centuries old. Since its creation in the late ^19th century, it was designed to bring the country out of reach of Bordeaux and offer fun activities and friendly. It is above all a family park very popular with children . There is really something to please them: a body of water with ducks and swans, an educational farm , a little train , a puppet theater , rides, electric cars, play areas ...

• In the city center, at Boulevard George V, is the Jardin des Dames de la Foi . It is a small " English garden ". Its chess table, ping-pong table and table football make it a very " cozy " place, where it is pleasant to come and play with friends or family, while the children enjoy the large playground.
  
  

Out of town ...

Around the city, you will also find something to satisfy your desires of nature.

• What we call the “ Parc des Berges ” is in fact a walk along the banks of the Garonne to the Pont d'Aquitaine. The flora and fauna are typical of the banks of the estuary , with alders, willows and the famous “ Angelica of the estuaries ”.

• The Barails Ecological Reserve presents an exceptional collection of plant species , divided into different areas: a rose garden, a peony grove, vines and wild orchids, magnolias, a reconstruction of the vegetation of the Pyrenees, etc. It therefore hosts events and exhibitions. You will also find the Bois de Bordeaux there . It is also a refuge space for many animals and birds, with meadows, wetlands and ecological corridors.

• In Mérignac, Parc Bourran is a pleasure garden with a large body of water and islets, accessible by small bridges, an artificial waterfall and a rock cave , lawns and flower beds. Its large alleys, punctuated with playgrounds, picnics and benches, make the walk very pleasant and suitable for families.

• The Métropole de Bordeaux manages two Natura 2000 sites: Les Marais du Bec d'Ambès and Parc des Jalles, which brings together around thirty tributaries of the Garonne. There are many walks to do to discover these natural spaces. You can travel through the Gironde estuary , take the greenway from Bordeaux to Lacanau-Océan or the Garonne canal from Bordeaux to Toulouse . We have concocted a selection for you and we take you on the most beautiful hikes in Gironde, around Bordeaux .
  
  
  
  The Parc de Bourran, ideal for a relaxing afternoon.

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Here is our large loop of Bordeaux green spaces which ends in this way. You just have to choose where to play sports, which park to go through to enhance your trips to the heart of the city or simply to walk and admire the beauties of nature. We hope to have inspired you with a relaxing break during your stay in the dynamic and bustling city of Bordeaux.

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Article written by Stéphanie Tempier for the Bordeaux Gironde Guide.

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