What to do in Bordeaux and Gironde in winter?

There are plenty of things to do in Gironde in winter. From the most original to the most obvious, the Bordeaux Gironde Guide has organized a program of cool activities for you to make your winter stay in Bordeaux and throughout the department unforgettable. We're going to spice up your winter vacation… Take a deep breath of invigorating fresh air, stimulate your brain and wake up your taste buds. We are going to discover this beautiful region in a different light!

Opening : © Image'in / Adobe Stock

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Take a walk in the parks and gardens of Bordeaux

Bordeaux is a “ green ” city. Green spaces, with bodies of water, have been developed to preserve biodiversity, but also for the enjoyment of users. Many pedestrian areas allow you to visit it on foot. Access to the city is easy, thanks to its TBM “ Transport Bordeaux Métropole ” network. To get some fresh air without leaving the city, we took a great tour of the parks and gardens of Bordeaux for you, and here is our Top 3 of these urban nature spots :

• A garden in the historic center : The Botanical Garden is a great discovery of agricultural environments, community and landscaped gardens, with an educational vocation that makes it fun, informative and pleasant for the whole family.
• A park on the banks of the Garonne : The Parc de l'Ermitage is a large ecological reserve, with a forest, a lake, a green amphitheater and the rock of Palmer. You will see beautiful views, especially on the Port de la Lune and the Pont d'Aquitaine.
• A park in the “ Bordeaux countryside ” : Just on the outskirts of the city, the Parc Bordelais is classified as a “ remarkable garden ”, in particular thanks to its hundred-year-old oak trees. It is a family green space, with a lake, an educational farm, a small train...

The Bordeaux public garden, to discover all year round!

Rent a Vcub and discover Bordeaux by bike

Bordeaux has everything for cyclists : many cycle paths and self-service bicycles, the " V3 ". Moreover, the closure to traffic of its city center every first Sunday of the month is an original initiative that allows residents and visitors to Bordeaux to reclaim the historic city and to rediscover it from another point of view. You can also go to Bordeaux-Lac and take a nature bike ride north of Bordeaux. In winter, it is a calm and relaxing place!

Take a tour of the bridges of Bordeaux, an essential walk.

The Vcub is very practical for exploring the city during a holiday stay in Bordeaux

Hiking in the Gironde

In winter, to get fresh air and recharge your batteries, there is nothing better than practicing an outdoor sport. Especially since the climate of the Gironde is mild and you can enjoy beautiful days, even in winter. Hiking adapts to all levels, whatever your age or your physical abilities. In Gironde, there are many hiking and cycling routes available to you. We take you on the most beautiful hikes in Gironde. If you have to make a choice, these are our favorites :  

• La Boucle de la Ville d'Hiver, to learn more about the seaside resort of Arcachon and see the basin from a different perspective.
• The Boucle des Coteaux for a beautiful foray into Entre-deux-Mers.
• The Boucle des Moulins, in the heart of Libournais.

You prefer a walk to a hike, we make you discover the unmissable sites and the most beautiful corners of the Gironde (fr).

If you are more of a cyclist than a hiker, take your bike and go on the greenways and the Gironde routes (fr).  

On the way to Soulac-sur-Mer! The seafront is beautiful with the colors of the end of the day

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Explore the beautiful villages of the Gironde

The Gironde estuary is a specific environment, with exceptional biodiversity, which has always attracted men and which has been inhabited since prehistoric times. Between the cliffs of the coast and its salt marshes, it is a postcard setting for the villages that have settled there. The regular spectacle of these fresh and marine waters that confront and mingle brings a special charm to the visit of the villages and their surroundings. We guide you in the Gironde estuary to visit its most beautiful villages.

To better understand the estuary, don't miss :  

• Bourg-sur-Gironde and its breathtaking view of the Bec d'Ambès.
• Macau, on the occasion of the Tidal Bore.
• Le Verdon-sur-Mer, at the tip of Grave, for its point of view on the other side of the estuary and the Cordouan lighthouse.

At the end of the estuary, Entre-deux-Mers is both a renowned wine-growing region and a generous agricultural region. This area being very coveted, many medieval towns were fortified, especially during the Hundred Years War, and have preserved a very interesting architectural heritage. We have selected for you the unmissable villages of Entre-deux-Mers.

Take a look at the weekly Cadillac market, it's a treat!

Visit the museums of Gironde

Visiting museums allows you to discover a region in all its facets : historical, artistic, cultural... Sometimes integrated into historical monuments, you can admire old stones while cultivating yourself. On the other hand, they are in modern buildings and introduce you to innovative architecture. In any case, they tell you about the past of a territory, through its traditions, customs and land, but also seen by inspired artists.

To choose the museum that suits your tastes and your current desire, we have listed all the museums in Bordeaux and the Gironde for you. Here is a small extract by category :  

• History : The Gallo-Roman Villa of Plassac.
• Around the sea : Arcachon Aquarium Museum.
• On the vineyard : La Cité du Vin de Bordeaux.
• Arts : Underwater base and Basin of Lights.
• Sciences : Cap Science in Bordeaux.

La Cité du Vin in Bordeaux, a museographic reference on the subject

Discover local products and taste Gironde gastronomy

All these walks, it digs... It's time to taste local products from the Gironde. Between land and sea, the region is full of delicacies: Gironde caviar, estuary lamprey, Bazas beef, Bordeaux cannelé… There is something for all tastes and palates, sweet or savory! To find out more, see our article on Bordeaux and Gironde specialties.

To find them, the easiest way is to take a tour of the markets of Bordeaux or the Gironde. You will surely make great encounters with artisans and producers. You can also go to one of the good restaurants in the area. And if you want to make your taste buds travel to the ends of the world while staying in Bordeaux, we have selected 6 “world cuisine” addresses in Bordeaux (fr).

Taste the cannelés, the famous sweet delicacies of Bordeaux, which are cooked in a copper mold to enhance the caramelized and crunchy side on the outside.  

Wine tourism

Bordeaux is a wine-growing region renowned the world over. Indulging yourself with a small glass of wine in this region is obvious. So to go further than the simple tasting, we invite you to have a real experience of wine tourism. Among all the wineries, we have prepared a Top 10 wine tours for you in the Bordeaux region.

Discover the wines of Gironde! There is something to take care of all winter (in moderation!)

Make a cure of oysters and seafood

Strolling by the sea is also a good opportunity to taste oysters, in its authentic oyster huts. They line the coast and all along the Arcachon basin. The town of Gujan-Mestras includes 7 oyster ports over 7 km! A coastal path allows you to go from one to the other and choose the view that will please you the most while feasting on a seafood platter, with a small glass of Bordeaux white wine or 'Entre-deux-Mers of course! If you are curious and want to prepare your gourmet getaway, we explain everything in our article on oysters from the Arcachon basin, Cap Ferret and Médoc. 

Consider taking a walk to admire the squares along the coast or on the mouth of the Gironde.

We hope that these few ideas have inspired you for your next winter holidays in Gironde and will allow you to see the region differently.

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Are you making a short stay in the Gironde region? We have organized a visit to the Gironde in two days or a romantic weekend in Bordeaux.

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