Bordeaux, situated in the Southwest of France, is a beautiful destination to visit all year round with each season enveloping the region in a new colour palette. There’s plenty to do here, so whether you’re visiting alone, with a partner or a group of friends, you’ll find yourself trying something new each day. 

With so much opportunity, the best time to visit Bordeaux in France really comes down to what kind of experience you’re after. Therefore, our team of wine travel specialists have broken down some of the highlights in the region for each season:

Spring

Spring is one of the best times to visit Bordeaux, if you’re hoping to experience the region’s countless beauties before the summer crowds appear. In fact, our wine travel specialists often describe it as the best time to visit, with temperatures keeping mild and comfortable throughout the season, meaning you’ll be able to wander through the towns without the worry of needing an extra layer, while still feeling fresh from the gentle breeze.

Around Bordeaux, you’ll find an array of impressive landmarks to explore, like Place de la Bourse, an intricately designed limestone palace positioned next to a reflective pool. Or, if you’re exploring Bordeaux on a chillier evening, you might enjoy visiting the Grand Théâtre de Bordeaux, home of the most renowned opera and ballet performances Europe has to offer. 

“I would highly recommend Bordeaux during spring. You often get all the benefits of the clear summer skies but the crowds haven’t gathered yet. And if the weather doesn’t hold out, the city has countless treasures to offer curious travellers. For me, the Cite du Vin is an absolute must!” – Kyra Spratley, Regional Sales Manager 

The wonders of spring transform Bordeaux into a vibrant blanket of colour with kaleidoscopic tulip fields adorning the region’s countryside. Spring is also crucial for vineyards, with the grapes beginning to flourish in the warmer sunshine. If you’re looking for a more rural wine-tasting getaway, we recommend exploring our luxury Saint-Emilion wine-tasting tours during the Spring.

Summer

During the summer, you can explore the cobbled streets and rolling hills at a leisurely pace, under the heat of the French rays. The towns and villages, like Saint-Emilion, Margaux, and Pauillac, become more populated during these months, with food markets and music concerts in full swing throughout the region making it one of our favourite places to visit during the French summer. 

Although not quite the harvesting season, the vineyards and châteaux open more frequently during the summer, offering private tours and tastings. Across our selection of bespoke Bordeaux tours, you’ll be given the chance to visit the likes of Chateau Mouton Rothschild, Château Petit Village and many other luxury châteaux that are renowned worldwide for their produce. 

You can expect to taste wines made from a variety of grapes. A few of the grapes used in these wines are Semillon, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. These wine-tasting opportunities fill up quickly during the summer. We recommend booking these summer tours with us early to avoid disappointment.

“Maddi Renwick, I want to thank you for a wonderful itinerary to Bordeaux that you developed for my wife and myself. Everything from the accommodations at the Intercontinental Hotel to the winery tours to our wonderful driver, Vincent, to the meals at La Tupina and Le Pressoir d’Argent were incredible. The sites, views and landscape of St Emilion were heavenly. Working with you and Grape Escapes was exceptional.” – George, W

Autumn

Visiting Bordeaux during harvest season is a favourite for wine lovers. This is when the vineyards are buzzing with life, as winemakers begin to prepare the grapes for crushing, fermenting and – most importantly – tasting. Because of this crucial time of the year for wine production, experiences are often tailored towards wine aficionados due to them being more educational and exciting, as visitors can witness the process for themselves. 

It’s important to note that the wine producers’ heavier workload may mean that tours are limited. You can plan ahead with our wine experts by sending us a message. 

Between tours, you can visit the local harvest markets, like the Jurade de Saint-Émilion Harvest Festival, or dine in one of the many restaurants serving traditional autumnal dishes, leaning into cultural flavours like mushroom, game and truffles. These dishes pair effortlessly with Bordeaux’s famous red wines. 

In the Autumn, the scenery transforms from luscious greens to quintessential, rich golds and reds. Farmyards and vineyards glow between the orange hues of the sun and the surrounding foliage. This is the best time to visit Bordeaux for those wanting a cooler, more picturesque hike between wine tours and other excursions.

Winter

Winter trips to Bordeaux involve wandering through the Christmas markets, lined with stalls serving regionally sourced mulled wine, delicacies and crafts. On rainier days, there are plenty of museums and art galleries waiting to be explored. Our travel experts recommend  the likes of the CAPC Contemporary Art Museum or the Musée des Beaux-Arts, with each housing pieces from some of Europe’s most notable artists. 

Naturally, the winter months are quietest, so you’ll get to embrace all of the 18th century architecture and sites without compromising the view with larger crowds. If you’re interested in trying local cuisine, we recommend heading to The Dordogne villages and the Arcachon Bay, quietest during this time of year, a coastal town made famous by its delicious oysters. 

After spending time in the cool and frosty air, there’s no better way to warm up than in the cellar of a prestigious château. It’s proven that red wine warms you due to its full bodied components and higher alcohol content. The Bordeaux region’s grape varieties, including most notably the likes of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, make for spectacular deep reds that pair perfectly with rich meat dishes – a French food and wine pairing that isn’t to be missed. 

Bordeaux châteaux tend to limit their tour availability during the winter, but our tour experts will be able to help you plan your trip carefully to avoid missing out on a private winter winery experience.

Ready to book?

Think you’re ready to explore Bordeaux? Our wine tours are available all year round. We’ve been tailoring luxury wine getaways for over 20 years, so let us know what you’re looking for and we can help create the perfect holiday for you. 

You can talk to one of our friendly experts via our online form, or chat to us over the phone on  +44 (0) 1920 56 02 76.