Bordeaux is a lively city with many restaurants, stores and interesting places to visit. So, if you want to take full advantage of all the city has to offer, choosing the right location for your hotel or apartment is crucial. Bordeaux's liveliest and most central district is Saint-Pierre, and if you don't have a tight budget or other constraints (children, noise, proximity to the train station, etc.), it's an excellent place to stay. But you don't have to limit yourself to Saint-Pierre, there are plenty of other good neighborhoods in Bordeaux. In this guide, I'll help you discover the best areas to stay in Bordeaux: lively neighborhoods, trendy districts and the best places for families visiting the city.
Saint-Pierre et Saint-Paul - Bordeaux's historic center
The Saint-Pierre and Saint-Paul districts represent the historic heart of the city. These are Bordeaux's most dynamic and lively neighborhoods, where you can stroll through cobblestone streets, charming squares and several famous monuments (the Miroir d'Eau, Place de la Bourse, among others). It's also the heart of Bordeaux's gastronomic scene, with many incredible restaurants, cocktail bars and trendy cafés. Many are concentrated around Place Fernand Lafargue, notably on Rue Saint James. In Saint-Pierre, almost every street has a good restaurant, but the best bars are to be found on rue Parlement Saint-Pierre and rue Parlement Sainte-Catherine.
Bordeaux's trendy neighborhoods
The neighborhoods are bounded by the Bordeaux Opera House to the north and Rue Victor Hugo to the south. Heading east, you can enjoy a pleasant stroll along the magnificent quays of the Garonne. The western boundary of the historic center is marked by rue Sainte-Catherine, Europe's longest pedestrian shopping street, home to all the big names as well as many small boutiques.
You'll find plenty of Airbnb apartments in this area, but they'll generally be more expensive. Also be aware that some streets can be a little noisy at night.
There are lots of small hotels in this touristy area. If you're looking for something simple but good value, I'd recommend the Hotel Acanthe. Another good option is the Quality Hotel, a very pleasant 3-star hotel.
Pey Berland and Mériadeck - Bordeaux's administrative district
On the edge of the historic center, the Pey Berland district is home to Bordeaux's main cathedral, Saint-André, and the town hall. It's one of Bordeaux's central districts, within walking distance of all the major monuments. Pey Berland is also known as the museum district, with several interesting museums to visit: the Musée des Beaux-Arts, the Musée des Arts décoratifs et du Design and the Musée d'Aquitaine (regional history museum).
This neighborhood is also a hub for the new wave of quality cafés emerging around Bordeaux, such as SIP, The Blacklist, l'Alchimiste and Gusco. If Rue Sainte-Catherine got you in the mood for more shopping, this neighborhood won't disappoint. Between Hôtel de Ville, Place Gambetta and Cours de l'Indépendance, you'll find a host of clothing boutiques and art galleries. On rainy days, you can also visit Mériadeck, the only shopping mall in central Bordeaux. If you're looking for accommodation in this area but still want to feel the historic ambience of Bordeaux, try choosing a property east of the Cours d'Albret.
In this neighborhood, you'll find the city's coolest hotel - the Mama Shelter. Stylish rooms, a good restaurant and a chic rooftop bar with the best view of Bordeaux. What more could you ask for? If you're traveling with children, the Novotel might be a good option. It's just a 10-minute walk from the center and offers large, family-friendly rooms.
Bordeaux Opera
To the north of the historic center lies the Triangle d'Or district, where architecture dates mainly from the 18th century. You'll immediately notice the contrast as you move from the cobbled streets of old Bordeaux to the wide boulevards and elegant facades of the Golden Triangle. This is the chic part of Bordeaux, rich in luxury boutiques and some of the city's finest chocolatiers.
The neighborhood also borders the Jardin Public, the center's largest park, making it a very child-friendly area. The Golden Triangle is also home to the Bordeaux Opera and the Esplanade des Quinconces, one of France's largest squares. Several times a year, various fairs take place here: the Christmas market, the Bordeaux flea market, the amusement park, etc.
This district is home to the most prestigious hotels. The Hôtel de Sèze is a magnificent 4-star hotel with spa. Another option is the very popular Le Boutique Hôtel, which offers some very chic rooms and a great bar with wine tastings.
Bordeaux's Chartrons district
The Chartrons district, next to the Esplanade des Quinconces, starts the northern part of Bordeaux. It's a large district, but the most interesting part is found along the quays and around the long Rue Notre-Dame, one of Bordeaux's most chic streets. This central street and its surroundings are packed with excellent restaurants, trendy boutiques and antique stores.
The Chartrons quays were once warehouses used by foreign merchants to store and age wine. This gives the area a different atmosphere from the rest of the city. Every Sunday, a large market is held on the Quai des Chartrons, attracting tourists and locals alike. Even if you're not staying here, don't miss this charming district.
In this district, you can stay at Casa Blanca, a very cosy and elegant B&B with a delicious breakfast. It's just a few minutes' walk from the main square and very close to the Jardin Public, Bordeaux's main park.
Saint-Michel in Bordeaux
If you're looking to cut back on your budget or get a change of scenery, the city's southern neighborhoods are a good option. Saint-Michel, Saint-Croix and Victoire are cosmopolitan neighborhoods. A very mixed population lives here: international students, artists, immigrant business families. The culinary scene is lively, from the large Bordeaux market to charming little bars and restaurants.
Although only a few minutes' walk from the center, apartments here are considerably less expensive than in neighboring Saint-Paul.
The best-known hotel in this area is the Maison Fredon, a small boutique hotel housed in a beautifully renovated 18th-century house. It has just five rooms, all uniquely decorated, blending modern décor with classic Bordeaux bourgeois style.
Jardin Public and Saint-Seurin - Bordeaux's quiet, green district
Jardin Public and Saint-Seurin are two residential neighborhoods fairly close to the center. If you're traveling with children, these neighborhoods are perfect because they're quiet and close to the large Jardin Public park. They're within walking distance of the Opera and some of the best restaurants, so you won't feel isolated.
If you're staying here, Villa Victor Louis is the place to be. A charming boutique hotel with beautiful decor and a small garden perfect for enjoying summer days.
Districts further from Bordeaux
Bordeaux is not a big city, and you can easily reach the center from several more distant neighborhoods. If the center is out of your budget, consider these neighborhoods. Tip: choose accommodation close to a streetcar line, as they are very regular, unlike buses.
Bordeaux's trendy district
While most of the historic monuments are on the left bank, the right bank also has its charm. Crossing the central bridge (Pont Pierre), you arrive in the Bastide district. Until recently, this was a quiet residential area, but it has been transformed into a trendy zone where many people like to spend their weekends.
This district is particularly charming from May to October, with its green spaces and summer bars and restaurants on the quays open for the season. Bastide is much less expensive than the center and a good option if you're on a budget. To stay close to the center, choose accommodation near streetcar line A, which connects Bastide to the center in just a few minutes.
A new trendy, eco-responsible hotel, Eklo, is located near Darwin. I especially recommend it to young travelers or families looking for eco-friendly accommodation.
Bordeaux's grunge district
To the north of Chartrons, the Bacalan district is about a 30-minute walk from the center. Very different from the classic center, Bacalan is organized around the harbor and has a rougher appearance. In recent years, Bordeaux has transformed this district into one of the city's most interesting. In addition to the magnificent Cité du Vin, it's also home to several concert halls and a vibrant street art scene. If you're staying here, opt for the southern part, close to Chartrons, and close to streetcar line B, which takes you quickly to the center.
Gare Saint-Jean - next to the train station
Saint-Jean isn't one of the best neighborhoods to stay in, and can sometimes be a bit dodgy. But if you need to catch an early train, it's convenient. It's also much cheaper than the center, which is accessible by streetcar C. Some good hotels are located between the station and the quays. The Quai des Paludate area is also home to nightclubs and the new Boca market. The city is investing heavily to make this area more attractive.
The Mercure Hotel is a good option close to the station, simple but clean and comfortable. For a more upscale option, the Hilton Garden Inn is also close, but a little further from the center.
Saint Augustin
One of the most family-friendly neighborhoods is Saint Augustin. Quiet and small, it's about 20 minutes by streetcar from the center and close to two beautiful parks: Parc Bourran and Parc Bordelais. The neighborhood has a small center with a few restaurants and a weekly market.
Saint Genes et Nansouty
These two quiet neighborhoods border the Place de la Victoire to the south. There's not much to do here, but it's about a 15-minute walk from the center and ideally placed on streetcar line B, which takes you to all the main places in Bordeaux.
Bordeaux Lac
The Bordeaux Lac district is located to the north, quite a distance from the center of Bordeaux. Apart from cheaper rates, its main advantage is that it's close to the Parc des Expositions, where many of Bordeaux's trade fairs are held. So if you're coming to Bordeaux for a conference, this will be a good option for you. Also, if shopping in the city center wasn't enough, Bordeaux Lac has one of the largest shopping malls in the region.
As its name suggests, the district has a large lake with a popular beach open to the public in summer. The exhibition center, shopping mall and beach can all be reached from downtown Bordeaux on line C.
