1. Place de la Bourse & Miroir d’Eau

The iconic square and its reflecting pool create the city’s most photographed view.
Insider Tip: Visit at dusk when the lights come on and the mirror effect is most magical—then walk across to the right bank for the perfect panoramic view of both attractions together.

2. La Cité du Vin

This contemporary wine museum celebrates global wine culture with interactive exhibits.
Insider Tip: Schedule your visit for the morning when crowds are thinner, and save your complimentary wine tasting (included with entry) for the panoramic rooftop bar at the end.

3. Cathédrale Saint-André

This Gothic masterpiece features the separated Pey-Berland bell tower with city views.
Insider Tip: Enter during organ practice sessions (typically Tuesday afternoons) to experience the cathedral’s acoustics without the tourist crowds.

4. Rue Sainte-Catherine

Europe’s longest pedestrian shopping street runs through the heart of historic Bordeaux.
Insider Tip: Duck into the Galerie Bordelaise, a hidden 19th-century covered arcade halfway down the street with beautiful architecture and boutique shops.

5. Grand Théâtre

This neoclassical masterpiece houses the national opera and remains an architectural jewel.
Insider Tip: The guided backstage tours (available most Wednesday mornings) take you through areas normally closed to the public, including the mechanical stage systems.

6. Quartier Saint-Pierre

The medieval heart of Bordeaux with narrow streets, vibrant squares, and restaurants.
Insider Tip: Visit Place du Parlement after 10pm when locals gather at La Comtesse for wine under the stars—the square’s lighting makes it more beautiful at night than during day.

7. Darwin Ecosystem

A converted military barracks now hosting urban gardens, street art, and eco-businesses.
Insider Tip: The Sunday organic market attracts locals with farm-fresh produce, but the warehouse restaurant’s “planches” (sharing boards) are the true hidden gem.

8. Pont de Pierre

Napoleon’s first bridge across the Garonne with 17 arches (one for each letter in his name).
Insider Tip: Cross at sunset, then descend the stairs on the right bank to find fishermen’s docks where locals gather for impromptu evening picnics with river views.

9. Jardin Public

The elegant central park with botanical gardens, walking paths, and 18th-century design.
Insider Tip: The northwest corner houses a small natural history museum with a charming old-world collection and a quiet reading room most tourists never discover.

10. Bassin à Flot & Submarine Base

The transformed docklands featuring a massive WWII bunker now home to digital art exhibits.
Insider Tip: After visiting Les Bassins de Lumières, walk ten minutes north to Café Maritime where dock workers and sailors have traditional seafood lunch—tell them you’re interested in local fishing stories for extra hospitality.