Most people know this city because it lends its name to one of the most famous types of wines, but Bordeaux also happens to be one of France’s most vibrant cities. It’s filled with museums, theaters, and grand churches that are a reminder that this has long been the center of great wealth.

That’s not to diminish the importance of wine to the local economy. One of your first stops before heading out to wine country is Bordeaux’s Maison du Vin, or House of Wine. You’ll learn a lot about the local cash crop and names like Margaux, Lafite, and Mouton-Rothchild.

The gay scene in Bordeaux comes alive at night, with many gay and gay-friendly bars and clubs downtown. Lesbian and Gay Pride Bordeaux takes place every June.

Getting here

Aéroport de Bordeaux-Mérignac, about 7 miles from the center of the city, has mostly domestic flights. From Terminal Hall B, at the arrivals level, the Bordeaux Airport Navette Shuttle operates a direct connection every 30 minutes (in normal traffic conditions) between Bordeaux Airport and the central Bordeaux Train Station - a trip of 30 minutes - every day, year-round, for 7.20€. For bus connections to the TBC tram network, special transport services, and taxi information, see access & transport at the airport website.

This is a major train hub, so you can catch a train to Bordeaux from almost anywhere in France. See SNCF for national and international train services.

Getting around

Bordeaux has a modern and extensive public transportation system, the TBC, with buses, trams, downtown free electric buses and a water shuttle. Regional rail service links Bordeaux with Archachon, the Medoc and other nearby areas. See  the TER-Aquitaine website for details. If you want to explore wine country, you’ll need a car.

Currency and Money

France is part of the Euro Zone, so the euro is the accepted currency. There are plenty of ATMs in the downtown area.

 

Media & Resources

Info Gay Bordeaux is an online resource for news and local listings, in French and English. Actu-Gay also has an online guide to gay Bordeaux

Têtu is the national gay magazine, packed with interesting features and profiles. It’s also one of the slickest gay magazines ever produced.

For gay and gay-friendly businesses, with map locations and web links, see our gay Bordeaux listings pages.

 

Accommodations

Acanthe Hotel (12-14, rue Saint-Remi; 33 5 5681-6658), 20 central rooms/baths, low-moderate prices, TV/WiFi, phone.

Best Western Bordeaux Bayonne Etche-Ona Hotel (4 rue Martignac; 33 5 5648-0088), 61 ensuite rooms/suites, gourmand buffet breakfast, WiFi.

Hôtel de France (7 rue Franklin; 33 5 5648-2411), bright 1-3 person rooms, panoramic views, satellite TV, WiFi, breakfast, near deluxe shops, restaurants, cinemas, theatres and museums.

Hotel de la Presse (8 rue Porte Dijeaux; 33 5 5648-5388), 27 modern, moderate-price rooms, satellite TV, WiFi, breakfast.

Hôtel de Normandie (7 cours du 30 Juillet; 33 5 5652-1680), standard and luxury ensuite rooms by place des Quinconcess, terraces, balconies, breakfast.

Hôtel de Seze (23, allées de Tourny; 33 5 5614-1616), 55 rooms/suites, restaurant, bar/lounge, spa hammam/sauna, Jacuzzi, massage, golf, buffet breakfast; Le Comptoir de Seze Restaurant dining, Sunday brunch.

Hotel La Porte Dijeaux (4 rue Bouffard; 33 5 5681-8501), 27 ensuite rooms, moderate prices, TV, WiFi, in-room breakfast, restaurant and theater reservations.

Hotel Majestic (2 rue de Condé; 33 5 5652-6044), 47 unique décor rooms near Grand Théâtre, TV, WiFi, buffet breakfast, guest laundry.

La Maison Bord'eaux (113, rue Docteur Albert Barraud; 33 5 5644-0045), central boutique hotel, 6 rooms, bath or shower, wine bar, breakfast buffet.

L'Hôtel Particulier (44 rue Vital Carles; 33 5 5788-2880), 19th-century townhouse rooms near Opera House, studio apartments, tea room, buffet breakfast.

Quality Hotel Bordeaux Centre (27, rue du Parlement Sainte Catherine; 33 5 5681-9512), 82 spacious, bright, ensuite rooms, satellite TV, WiFi.

Une Chambre en Ville (35 rue Bouffard; 33 5 5681-3453), downtown B&B rooms/suites/baths, TV, phone, internet.

La Sauvageonne B&B (2 Les Mauvillains, Saint-Palais/Gironde;33-5-5732-9215), 18th century building north of Bordeaux, 4 holiday suites, 2 self-catering cottages, and main manor on 8 acres of woodlands and vineyards of Côte de Blaye; flower gardens, large swimming pool,sauna and Jacuzzi.

 

Going Out

Azuli Bar (55 cours d'Alsace-Lorraine), 9pm-2am electro-music bar, nightly DJs.

Bateau Ivre (1, rue Fénelon), neighborhood gay bar, open 2pm-2am, except Monday from 7pm.

Buster (34, rue de Cursol), nightly men's leather/fetish bar, code, jock/naked/fist events, Mr Leather Aquitaine contest, DJs. Former Code Bar.

La Comtesse (25 rue du Parlement Saint-Pierre), wine and cocktails bar, Mohito speciality, terrace.

La Dame de Shanghai (1 quai Armand Lalande), dockside weekday lunch bistro, Tuesday-Saturday dinning, Thursday-Saturday disco from midnight.

L'Autre Petit Bois (12 place du Parlement), wine bar, teahouse, cafe/bar; special events.

Le LS Café (297, boulevard Albert 1er, Bègles), Wednesday-Saturday cozy women's bar, karaoke, Latin nights, tapas, terrace.

L'O7 Café (7, rue du Parlement Saint-Pierre), cocktail bar, cafe, and terrace; fingerfood, burgers, steak, fajitas, salads, deserts, ice cream.

L'Ours Marin (2, rue des Boucheries), gay/lesbian/straight bar-for-all, pate and oysters, music and shows, jam sessions, Girlzzz Nights.

Marikita Bar (14 quai Richelieu), exotic, futuristic sounds and lights music bar, electro-house, tapas, cocktails, covered terrace.

Stéréo Klub (14, rue du Commerce), gay/ lesbian and friends dance club, three floors/ three sounds; Mr Stereo contest, international DJs, chill-out room.

 

Saunas & Sex Clubs

Le Container (69, cours le Rouzic), gay/bi libertine playspace, Jacuzzi, porn videos, private cabins; Blackout and Chocolate parties.

Sauna Clubix (3 rue Poyenne), mixed gay/bi/straight sauna/hammam, pool, Jacuzzi, bar; naked and SM events.

Sauna Hugo (9 rue de l'Observance), gay men's sauna, hammam, sex club, massages, porn videos, bar, smoking room; Total Blackout parties.

Sauna St Jean (7 Rue de Tauzia), men's sauna/steam, private cabins; blackout, underwear, naked, foam and bears events.

Sauna Thiers (329 avenue Thiers), men's saunas, Jacuzzi, pool, cabins, maze, dark room, g-holes, massages, bar; youths-for-free and naked nights.

Traxx (38 bis Rue Arnaud Miqueu), men's sex club, cabins, rooms, sling, prison, dark room, cruise maze, glory holes, porn videos, sex shop, internet access.

 

Restaurants

Beija Flor (13 rue Villedieu), food, rythmes and ambiance of Brazil, dinner show dancers.

Crêperie les Charettes (17 rue Elle Gintrac), savory "sarrasin" black-flour cheese, meat and vegetable gallettes, hot and cold salads; wines/ciders.

I.Boat (quai Armand Lallande, Wet Dock 1), dockside boat Tuesday-Saturday lunch and dinner, tapas; live music concerts, nightclub.

La Cigale (42 rue de Marechal Joffre), gay-friendly restaurant, lunch/dinner, seasonal menu, daily specials.

Le Chien de Pavlov (45-47 rue de la Devise), rustic stonework, oak tables, bistro bugers to full meal entreées/ plats; wines, brunch.

Le Gabriel (10 place de la Bourse), Michelin star gourmet restaurant, bistro bar.

Le Karma (43 rue du Pas-Saint-Georges), casual, gourmet Mediterranean cuisine, reasonable prices.

Le Mushroom Café (5 rue George Bonnac), gay-friendly mixed bar/cafe, good and inexpensive beers on tap.

Le Parlement des Graves (9, rue du Parlement Sainte-Catherine, Saint-Pierre), fine quality regional French cuisine, elegant décor.

Le Plana Café (22 place de la Victoire), grande terrasse traditional brasserie, 8am-2am daily, 12€ lunchtime plat du jour.

Le Café De La Poste (5 place St Projet), bar/brasserie, restaurant pizza, pâtes, salads, sandwiches.

L'Oiseau Cabosse (30 rue Sainte-Colombe), cozy cafe/pizzeria, soups, coffee/tea/chocolate, deserts.

Makila Kafé (hangar, 17 quai de Bacalan), riverside cafe/bar, open daily, meats/fish, omelets, salads, deserts.

Restaurant du Loup (66 rue du Loup), classic foie gras specialties, prix fixe lunch/dinner menus.