Travel tips · Bordeaux · France
Bordeaux travel tips: what to know before you go
The etiquette, money and practical details that make the first day easier.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Mariette, Public domain
Quick answer
Bordeaux is an old merchant city with a reserved, polished manner and a deep attachment to wine, rugby and the south-west's food traditions. Daily life follows French rhythms: long lunches, most shops shut on Sundays outside the centre and markets as social events. Locals are proud of the regeneration that cleaned the stone façades and brought trams to the quays.
Key facts
- Language
- French
- Currency
- EUR
- Plugs
- Type C and E sockets, 230 V, 50 Hz
- Tap water
- Tap water is safe to drink, and restaurants serve a free carafe on request.
- Emergency
- 112 (European emergency number)
Things to know
- Say 'Bonjour' when entering a shop or café and 'Merci, au revoir' when leaving.
- At château tastings, it is normal to spit; avoid strong perfume, which interferes with tasting.
- Book château visits in advance; turning up unannounced is rarely possible at well-known estates.
- Ask for the bill ('l'addition, s'il vous plaît'); waiters will not bring it until you do.
- On trams, validate your ticket every time you board, including on transfers.
- Book La Cité du Vin ahead: Timed tickets can sell out on summer weekends and holidays; buy online a few days ahead.
- Book Bassins des Lumières ahead: Buy timed tickets online for weekends and school holidays.
- Eat your main meal at lunchtime, when the formule menu costs far less than dinner.
Tipping
Service is included in restaurant prices by law. Rounding up or leaving a euro or two for good service is common, and up to about 5–10% in finer restaurants is generous but optional.
Language
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Bonjour | Hello / good day |
| Une chocolatine, s'il vous plaît | A chocolate pastry, please (south-west name) |
| Un verre de rouge | A glass of red wine |
| Une douzaine d'huîtres | A dozen oysters |
| L'addition, s'il vous plaît | The bill, please |
What to wear
Smart-casual is the norm in restaurants and wine bars; bring comfortable shoes for limestone paving and a layer for cool evenings by the river.
Practical details
- Plugs and voltage
- Type C and E sockets, 230 V, 50 Hz
- Drinking water
- Tap water is safe to drink, and restaurants serve a free carafe on request.
- Emergency number
- 112 (European emergency number)
- Phone and internet
- 4G and 5G coverage is good across the city; EU roaming applies to European SIMs, and eSIMs work well for other visitors.
- Time zone
- Europe/Paris
Bordeaux is generally calm for visitors. Pickpockets work on crowded trams, on Rue Sainte-Catherine and around Gare Saint-Jean, and the streets around the station can feel rough late at night. In summer heatwaves, plan outdoor sightseeing for the morning and evening.
Entry requirements
Visa and passport rules depend on your nationality and change often. Check France's official government guidance and your own government's travel advice before booking.
Plan the trip
Questions travellers ask
+Do you tip in Bordeaux?
Service is included in restaurant prices by law. Rounding up or leaving a euro or two for good service is common, and up to about 5–10% in finer restaurants is generous but optional.
+Can you drink the tap water in Bordeaux?
Tap water is safe to drink, and restaurants serve a free carafe on request.
+What plugs are used in Bordeaux?
Type C and E sockets, 230 V, 50 Hz
+What language is spoken in Bordeaux?
French.