Bordeaux, France: Plus Saint-Émilion, Arcachon, and Bordeaux Wines

Updated April 2025
The very word "Bordeaux" exudes elegance and leads you to think of fine wine. This mid-size city is much more than just wine and vineyards. Situated near the southwest coast of France, there is a relaxed nature in this historical city. Visit here to slow down, take in the culture, enjoy the great climate and, obtain a breadth of memorable experiences.

This Starting-Point Guide covers Bordeaux and several nearby towns, villages, and attractions around the Gironde area. A guide for travelers who wish to use one city such as Bordeaux as their base camp to travel the area and not move from town to town as they travel through Europe.

You will find numerous graphs, maps, and photographs to help orient you to this historic area. Guidance on how to get around town and an orientation to the most popular sites is included.

This guide focuses on the city and surrounds of Bordeaux but also covers notable sites including Saint-Émilion, Arcachon on the coast, Médoc and several other towns and villages.

This is not a complete guide to the Gironde and Dordogne regions. Such a guide would go beyond the suggested scope of staying in one town and having enjoyable day trips from there.