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Complete Bordeaux: free self-guided audio tour of Bordeaux
Complete Bordeaux is a free self-guided audio walking tour of Bordeaux, France: 7 stops in about 2 h 20. The Itinerarly app walks you from one stop to the next and plays a short narrated story when you arrive, in English, French, Spanish, Italian and Chinese.
| Stops | 7 |
|---|---|
| Duration | about 2 h 20, including time at each stop |
| Difficulty | Challenging |
| Distance | about 9.6 km in straight lines between the stops (a little more on foot) |
| Start | Place de la Bourse |
| Finish | Chartrons Quarter |
| Price | Free (some sights charge their own entry ticket) |
| Languages | English, French, Spanish, Italian and Chinese |
River, Wine & Historic Center
The stops, in order
- Place de la BourseWelcome to Place de la Bourse, current jewel of 18th-century Bordeaux classical architecture. Designed by King's architect Ange-Jacques Gabriel, this royal square symbolizes Bordeaux opening up to the river and the world. Opposite lies the Water Mirror, a spectacular 3,450 square meter installation that is the world's largest reflecting pool.
- La Cité du VinLa Cité du Vin has become Bordeaux's modern architectural emblem, a true futuristic cathedral dedicated to universal wine culture. Its bold design, all curves and golden reflections, evokes the movement of wine swirling in a glass or the swirls of the Garonne flowing at its feet. Inside, the immersive and multi-sensory tour is a technological feat that takes you on a journey through eras and continents.
- Pont de PierreThe Pont de Pierre is the first bridge ever built to connect the two banks of the Garonne in Bordeaux. Commissioned by Napoleon I in 1810, it was completed in 1822 after titanic works made difficult by the river's strong currents. Admire its 17 brick and stone arches, a number that exactly matches the letters in the name Napoleon Bonaparte.
- Grosse ClocheThe Grosse Cloche is one of the few remains of Bordeaux's medieval ramparts and one of its most beloved symbols. This 15th-century city gate once served as the belfry for the former town hall. Its monumental bell, weighing nearly eight tons and cast in 1775, now rings only for major national occasions or to announce the grape harvest.
- Saint-Michel BasilicaThe Saint-Michel Basilica is the beating heart of Bordeaux's most multicultural and lively neighborhood. This 14th-century Flamboyant Gothic building impresses with its isolated 114-meter spire, the tallest in southern France. The district vibrates every Sunday to the rhythm of the flea market and the colorful stalls set up on its square.
- Jardin PublicThe Jardin Public has been a true haven of peace and Bordeaux's green lung since its creation in 1746. This 11-hectare English-style garden, designed by architect Ange-Jacques Gabriel, is classified as a 'Remarkable Garden'. Strolling along its winding pond, you will discover century-old trees, a world-renowned botanical garden, and the Natural History Museum nestled in the former Academy building.
- Chartrons QuarterThe Chartrons district is the former historical stronghold of Bordeaux wine merchants, where barrels were once stored before being shipped down the river. Today, this neighborhood has retained a chic, bohemian village atmosphere, particularly along Rue Notre-Dame. It is a haven for antique dealers, art galleries, and interior design boutiques.
How to take this tour
- Install the free Itinerarly app on iPhone or Android and create a free account.
- Open Guided tours, choose Bordeaux, then Complete Bordeaux.
- Start whenever you like: the app guides you to Place de la Bourse and the story plays when you arrive at each stop.
Other audio tours of Bordeaux
Frequently asked questions
- Is the Complete Bordeaux tour in Bordeaux free?
- Yes. It is one of 3 free self-guided audio tours of Bordeaux in the Itinerarly app. Some sights charge their own entry ticket.
- How long does the Complete Bordeaux tour take?
- About 2 h 20 for 7 stops, including time at each stop.
- Where does the Complete Bordeaux tour start and finish?
- It starts at Place de la Bourse and finishes at Chartrons Quarter.
- Which languages is the narration in?
- English, French, Spanish, Italian and Chinese, with natural-sounding synthetic voices.