Strolls through history from your hotel in old Bordeaux

A train ride through the streets of old Bordeaux

If you love historic sites then the Mercure Bordeaux Cité Mondiale Centre Ville hotel is perfect for you: it’s right at the gateway to Bordeaux’s historic centre. Here are our suggestions for exploring old Bordeaux.

Zooming in on Bordeaux’s most iconic historical sites

Whether you’re with kids or not, we recommend the train as a way of getting to sites which aren’t always the most accessible when you’re travelling independently. From your hotel in old Bordeaux it’s only a 5-minute walk to the train’s pick-up point on the Allées de Tourny. You’ll pass the Place de la Bourse and its amazing mirror pool. Street after street, you will discover the treasures of this ancient city centre. As you explore, check out the boutiques on Rue Sainte-Catherine so you can do some shopping once you’ve finished.

Cultural riches right by your hotel in old Bordeaux

The centre of Bordeaux used to be fortified, as the old town’s many gateways suggest. At the edge of the Place du Palais, the Cailhau gateway will surprise you with its Renaissance architecture, while the Grosse Cloche clock tower (nicknamed Armande-Louise) on Place Saint-James serves as a belfry to the Saint-Éloi gateway. The nearby Place Pey-Berland has three other grand buildings, the Palais Rohan, Saint-André cathedral and Pey-Berland tower.

Museums, theatre, opera… Your hotel in old Bordeaux is located right in the heart of the city’s cultural scene. For instance, it couldn’t be easier to go admire the pottery and porcelain on show at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs et du Design. You might also like to see the contemporary creations in the historic Chartrons indoor market, some circus tricks on the Place des Quinconces or a classical music concert at the Opéra National on Rue Vauban.