Bordeaux in September: a journey of beauty and history

There is no such thing as a perfect holiday season, you just need to be in the mood for a new adventure and start planning. Although any time of the year is always going to be attractive and charming, there are also advantages to visiting Bordeaux in September.

Bordeaux is located in one of the world’s most important wine-growing areas, with production approaching 800 million bottles and thousands of hectares of vineyards. During the month of September they experience one of their most important moments, the grape harvest, so it is a wonderful opportunity to visit and get to know them,

For a better experience, you can choose to take a free tour of Bordeaux where they will explain everything related to wine and the region.

Why should you visit Bordeaux in September?

Among the many reasons we can give you to visit Bordeaux in September, here are some of the most attractive ones:

• Unbeatable climate: The weather is not yet cold but the heat is starting to drop, so September days are usually particularly cool in Bordeaux, with temperatures averaging 20°C. You will be able to enjoy both outdoor and indoor attractions without any inconvenience.
• Low tourist crowds: Although it is a city that receives visitors all year round, Bordeaux in September tends to be relatively quiet and uncrowded. Especially compared to the previous two months.
• Sales: There is a change of season and many shops take the opportunity to launch some sales and bargains. You will be able to find clothes and shoes at very good prices.
• Attractive accommodation: During this month you can also find great deals on accommodation and transport. Many hotels even design promotional packages that are more than attractive for a getaway.
• Wine, lots of wine: as we have already mentioned, some of the best wines in the world are produced in this area. Moreover, September is the time when the Cabernet Sauvignon grapes are ready to be harvested.

Many or few days, it is always convenient

Whether you are planning a long trip or a short break, this city will always surprise you with wonderful places to visit and enjoy, all full of tradition and charm. Here are some recommendations of places to see in Bordeaux in 4 days:

Getting lost in the historical case

Bordeaux is also known as Sleeping Beauty due to its neoclassical and baroque architecture dating from the 18th century. It was largely restored and revitalised during the 19th century. This means that, although it was very beautiful, it was “asleep” or in a state of lethargy before its rebirth and restoration.

The old town is the perfect starting point to enjoy Bordeaux in September. In fact, it has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Here you will be able to enjoy buildings that are hundreds of years old. For example, the Place de la Bourse, with its wonderful mirror of water; or the Cailhau Gate, whose origins date back to the 15th century, when it formed part of the old city wall.

Very close to the town hall is St. Andrew’s Cathedral, one of the most important religious monuments in Bordeaux. This church has the particularity that its bell tower, the Pey Berland Tower, is separated in a separate building.

Without a doubt, one of the best options is to explore the historic centre on foot. In addition, many of these streets are pedestrian only. However, if you prefer to come by car, knowing where to park in Bordeaux will make things much easier.

Discovering the Saint Pierre district

After crossing the Cailhau gate, you will come across the beautiful and historic Saint Pierre district, one of the most traditional in the whole city.

Here you can stroll through its picturesque old streets, such as rue Fernand Philippart, until you reach rue Parlement, where the church of St. Pierre is the main attraction. When you visit it, you can see its beautiful vaults and the wooden Pieta, which dates back to the 17th century.

This area is also famous for its wide gastronomic offer. You will find bars and restaurants of all kinds, from the most traditional cheap restaurants in Bordeaux to those with a much more avant-garde style.

Place des Quinconces

Very close to the Grand Théâtre de Bordeaux you will find the Place des Quinconces, also known as the Esplanade des Quinconces. With an area of 126,000 m2, it is one of the largest squares in Europe.

It has some of the city’s most important monuments, although it is best known for the Girondins’ monument. This is an imposing and beautiful fountain built in 1901 in memory of the inhabitants of the province of Gironde who lost their lives during the French Revolution.

Beach getaway in September

September may not be particularly well known as the best time to go to the beach. Of course, a stroll along the sand in good company is always nice, especially when the temperatures are still warm.

Although the city as such doesn’t have its own beaches, here are some recommendations for the 10 best beaches near Bordeaux:

• Lacanau-Océan beach. It is one of the most popular for locals, especially for water sports enthusiasts. In fact, it is the venue for major international competitions, including surfing. It is also the ideal place for a quiet stroll or a picnic among the dunes you will find here.
• Jetée Beach. This beach is located in the town of Andernos Les Bains, about 50 kilometres from Bordeaux. It is an ideal place to enjoy a quiet and friendly atmosphere, surrounded by some museums and places of cultural interest.

Stone Bridge

Bordeaux is a city with a large number of bridges, all with their own particular charm. The Stone Bridge, also known as Pont de Pierre, has the particularity of being the oldest in the city, as its origins date back to the beginning of the 19th century.

According to history, it was ordered to be built by Napoleon I himself. During his wartime trip to Spain, he realised that the army was significantly delayed by having to cross the River Garonne on a ferry.

He then commissioned the French architect Claude Deschamps to build it. The project was ready in 1822, although it was opened to the public a year later. In 1954 it was extended to 486 metres long. Since 2018, only pedestrians have been allowed to walk over it.

Take part in the grape harvest

Last but not least, during your stay in Bordeaux in September you can take part in the grape harvest. You will be able to take part in both grape picking and winemaking in some of the wineries, which is undoubtedly a wonderful experience.

It is important to make sure you make a reservation, as not all the wineries accept external participation in the grape harvest and the quotas are usually sold out very quickly. Also, remember that this event lasts only a few weeks.