A Bordeaux Day to Remember: Private Walking Tour & St Emilion Wine Tour

Pick up at your Hotel or Accommodation

Today, we will come and pick you up directly at your Hotel or accommodation in Bordeaux. Meet your certified tour guide who will go over the itinerary and program of this city tour with you. Ideally located in the center of Bordeaux, Bordeaux Tourism office is the perfect departure point for an introduction to the history and culture of Bordeaux for those of you staying in the outskirts of town or in a local B&B.

Begin your tour in Quinconces Square

Your first stop, located just a few minutes away, will certainly be the Place des Quinconces, the most emblematic square of the town and one of the largest squares in Europe. Formerly the location of Château Trompette, built next to the Garonne River, this fortress was part of a larger military architectural ensemble that was built when France finally recovered Bordeaux from the English. The square also features the Monument to the Girondins as well as huge statues of Montesquieu and Montaigne.

Discover the Golden Triangle of Bordeaux 

Your walking tour of Bordeaux will then move on to the heart of the City nicknamed the ‘Golden Triangle’. Defined by three Boulevards, including high-end Cours de l’Intendance, the heart of Bordeaux is without a doubt Place de la Comédie. This large square that features the Grand Hotel de Bordeaux to one side and the Grand Théâtre on the other. This masterpiece of 18th-century architecture was designed by Victor Louis who also designed the Comédie Française in Paris.

Bordeaux River Front & famous Landmarks

Other highlights of this private tour include the Place de la Bourse (Stock Exchange) located next to the River where the now famous water mirror lies. More Big-ticket attractions and sights include the Cathedral of St Andrew, Pey Berland square and tower as well as the bustling Rue Sainte Catherine, one of the longest shopping streets of Europe.

After your guided walking tour of Bordeaux, enjoy some free time for personal discovery and lunch (at your own expense). Don't hesitate to ask your guide for recommendations or if you wish to include a local restaurant, you can specify this at the time of booking and our team of travel advisors will be happy to pre-book a restaurant for you and your party.

Afternoon Wine Tour

In the afternoon, after lunch, meet your guide and begin to make your way to the Saint Emilion wine region. 

Saint Emilion & Pomerol

Saint Emilion centers on the commune of the same name. There are several villages around the region that share the Saint-Émilion name, such as Montagne-Saint-Émilion and St-Georges-Saint-Émilion, and are permitted to label their wines under the same name. Merlot is the dominant grape in this area, followed by Cabernet Franc. The climate and damper, cool soils of the area make it difficult for Cabernet Sauvignon grapes to fully ripen and as such is less often used. The wines take a little longer to mature than the ones in Pomerol but are still able to be drunk relatively young for a Bordeaux (4–8 years). In favorable vintages the wines have a good aging potential.

Pomerol was first cultivated by the Romans during their occupation of the area. Up until the early 20th century the area was known mostly for its white wine production. This area within Libournais doesn’t have a distinct city center with several villages spread across an area about the same size as St.-Julien. The area overall has gravel-based soil that is typical of Bordeaux, with western and southern sections having more sandy soil while the northern and eastern sections toward St.-Emilion has more clay composition. 

The wines of Pomerol have a high composition of Merlot in their blends and are considered the gentlest and least tannic and acidic of Bordeaux wines. Cabernet Franc, known in this area as Bouchet is the second leading grape and helps to contribute to the dark, deep coloring that is typical of Pomerol wines. Due to the reduced tannins found in these wines, they can typically be drunk much younger than other red Bordeaux. The chateaus in the area are not classified, with the winemakers seemingly disinclined to devise one, although Pétrus is often unofficially grouped with the First Growths of Bordeaux.

This private tour ensures you enjoy full attention from your driver/guide and benefit from his knowledge on all things Bordeaux.