Travel is often about contrasts — the elegance of sipping a Grand Cru in a château, the rustic charm of walking through medieval alleys, the salty wind on your face as waves crash nearby. Bordeaux is already a jewel of France, but what makes it even more irresistible is how easily you can escape the city for a day and find yourself in completely different worlds.
I’ve taken countless excursions from Bordeaux, and each time, I’ve discovered something new about the region and, honestly, about myself.
I’ll walk you through three unforgettable day trips I’ve personally taken, and then recommend four more that deserve a spot on your itinerary. I’ll include details like train stations, bus lines, ticket platforms, pros and cons, personal anecdotes, and some practical travel hacks I’ve learned along the way.
My Three Favorite Day Trips From Bordeaux
- Médoc Vineyards: A Pilgrimage to Wine Heaven
If you say “Bordeaux” anywhere in the world, people think of wine. And if you say “wine” to me, I think of Médoc. This stretch of vineyard country north of Bordeaux is the heartland of some of the most celebrated appellations in the world: Margaux, Pauillac, Saint-Julien, and Saint-Estèphe.
How I Got There
I boarded a TER train from Bordeaux Saint-Jean to Pauillac (ticket: €11.40, one way; booked via SNCF Connect). The journey took about an hour and a half. From the Pauillac station, I rented a bike for €18 at the local shop “Cycles Pop.” Cycling through the vineyards was one of the best decisions of my life — rows upon rows of vines stretching to the horizon, each estate marked with wrought-iron gates and elegant stone buildings.
My Experience at the Châteaux
• Château Margaux (€60 for a guided tour + tasting, must pre-book on their website). Walking into this estate felt like entering a temple. The neoclassical façade gleamed in the sun, and the cellars smelled of oak and history. The tasting included a sip of their 2015 Grand Vin, and honestly, I had to pause after the first sip. It was layered, elegant, and powerful — like drinking poetry.
• Château Pichon Baron in Pauillac (€45, guided tour + 2 tastings). I loved the fairy-tale look of this estate, with turrets reflecting in the pond out front. The staff was warm and surprisingly down-to-earth. They explained terroir in a way that made me feel like I was discovering wine for the first time again.
• Château Lynch-Bages (€25 for a “Village Tour” that includes the reconstructed 19th-century village). This was less about luxury and more about community. I enjoyed strolling through their artisan bakery and butcher shop alongside the wine experience.
Pros and Cons
• Pros: Easy train access, world-class wines, stunning architecture, cycling-friendly.
• Cons: Tours book out weeks in advance, prices are high, and in peak harvest season (September), it gets crowded.
Travel Tip
Book through Rue des Vignerons — a great platform that lists available tours, prices, and slots. You can compare estates side by side and find hidden gems that aren’t world-famous but equally delightful.
- Saint-Émilion: Medieval Alleys and Merlot Magic
Saint-Émilion is only 40 minutes from Bordeaux, but it feels like a time capsule. The medieval village is perched on a limestone hill, surrounded by vineyards, and crowned with a monolithic church carved directly into the rock.
Getting There
I hopped on a TER train from Bordeaux Saint-Jean to Libourne (€8.90 one way, 30 minutes). From there, I took a shuttle bus (€3, payable to the driver) to Saint-Émilion village.
My Favorite Experiences
• The Monolithic Church Tour (€10 ticket, guided, must book through the Saint-Émilion Tourist Office). Descending underground into vast limestone chambers where monks prayed centuries ago gave me goosebumps. It’s damp, quiet, and filled with an atmosphere of timeless devotion.
• Wine Tasting at Château La Dominique (€20, tasting of 3 wines). The modern glass building by architect Jean Nouvel contrasted beautifully with the surrounding ancient vines. Their Merlot-heavy blend was lush and velvety, perfect for sipping slowly.
• Climbing the King’s Keep (Tour du Roy) (€2.50). From the top, I had panoramic views of the tiled roofs and vineyards stretching into the horizon. The sunset here is breathtaking.
Food Stop
Lunch at L’Envers du Décor (Menu of the day €29). I ordered duck confit with pommes sarladaises. The duck was crispy, the potatoes buttery, and the house Saint-Émilion wine (€8 per glass) paired beautifully.
Pros and Cons
• Pros: Compact village, easy to explore on foot, deep history, world-class Merlot.
• Cons: Uneven cobblestone streets (wear proper shoes), packed with tourists in summer, limited parking if you drive.
Booking Tip
The Saint-Émilion Tourist Office website is a goldmine. You can book everything from tours to tastings to guided walks there.
- Arcachon and the Dune du Pilat: Ocean Views Like Nowhere Else
When I need a break from vineyards, I head west. Arcachon Bay is famous for oysters and Europe’s tallest sand dune: the Dune du Pilat.
Getting There
I took a TER train from Bordeaux Saint-Jean to Arcachon (€9.90, 50 minutes). From Arcachon station, bus line 1 (€1.20 ticket, 20 minutes) took me straight to the Dune.
The Dune Experience
Climbing the Dune du Pilat (free entrance) is like walking on another planet. The sand shifts underfoot, the Atlantic crashes on one side, and a pine forest stretches on the other. I timed my visit for sunset, and I’ll never forget the golden glow over the water while paragliders soared above.
Oysters in Arcachon
After the dune, I strolled to the Port de Larros in Gujan-Mestras (10 minutes by taxi from Arcachon station, €15 fare). Here, small oyster huts line the water. At “Chez Boulan,” I had a dozen oysters (€15) with a glass of white wine (€5). Fresh, briny, and life-affirming.
Pros and Cons
• Pros: Unique natural wonder, affordable, oysters everywhere.
• Cons: The dune climb is physically demanding, and buses can be infrequent in the evening.
Tip
Bring a bottle of chilled Bordeaux white (Graves or Entre-Deux-Mers) with you — sipping it while watching the sun set from the dune is pure magic.
Four More Day Trips I Recommend
- Blaye Citadel and Côtes de Blaye Wines
• Getting there: Take a bus from Bordeaux Quinconces to Blaye (1h15, €7).
• Highlights: The massive 17th-century citadel designed by Vauban (free entry), quiet riverside charm, lesser-known but affordable wines (€10–15 a bottle).
• My Take: Less crowded than Médoc, with more of a hidden-gem vibe. - Cognac: The Spirit Beyond Wine
• Getting there: Train to Cognac via Angoulême (2h15, €22).
• What I Loved: Visiting Hennessy (€20, guided tour + tasting) and Martell House (€25). Watching the distillation process was mesmerizing.
• Tip: Cognac tastings are stronger than wine — pace yourself! - Cap Ferret: Laid-Back Peninsula Life
• Getting there: Bus from Arcachon to Cap Ferret (1h20, €6).
• Why Go: Wide Atlantic beaches, chic seaside restaurants, oyster farms.
• Favorite Spot: Dinner at “Chez Hortense” — their mussels (€20) were legendary. - Bergerac and Dordogne Charm
• Getting there: Train Bordeaux → Bergerac (1h40, €13.50).
• Highlights: Fairytale streets, Dordogne river cruises, and foie gras tastings.
• Personal Note: Quieter than Saint-Émilion but equally photogenic.
Booking Platforms I Used
• SNCF Connect (trains and buses, reliable and with e-tickets).
• GetYourGuide (organized vineyard tours and day trips).
• Rue des Vignerons (wine estate bookings).
• Local Tourist Office websites (best for up-to-date guided tours and special passes).
Bordeaux’s magic doesn’t stop at its city limits. Whether I was sipping Grand Cru in Médoc, tracing medieval steps in Saint-Émilion, or gasping at the sunset over the Dune du Pilat, I felt constantly amazed by how much variety was packed within just an hour or two from the city.
Each day trip had its quirks: Médoc’s grandeur came with high prices, Saint-Émilion’s charm came with tourist crowds, and Arcachon’s beauty demanded sandy shoes. But together, they painted a fuller picture of Bordeaux — one of balance between sophistication and raw nature, between luxury and simplicity.
If you plan your own trip, I recommend mixing vineyard visits with at least one ocean escape. And above all, book ahead. The best châteaux, the most convenient trains, even the oyster huts — they all fill up quickly. But the effort pays off, because nothing compares to standing at the top of a golden dune with a glass of Bordeaux in your hand, the Atlantic crashing below, and knowing you’ve found something unforgettable.
Travel isn’t only about what you see — it’s about how it makes you feel. And Bordeaux’s day trips left me feeling enriched, humbled, and deeply alive.