Bordeaux Hop-On Hop-Off Bus 24-Hour Pass

Quinconces and the Grand Théâtre

The main stop is on Cours du 30 Juillet, between the Grand Théâtre and Place des Quinconces, one of the largest city squares in Europe. The Quinconces was laid out in the 19th century on the site of a demolished royal fortress, and its northern side is dominated by a monumental fountain with bronze horses, figures and allegories rising from a tall column.

A few steps away, the Grand Théâtre, inaugurated in 1780, is a jewel of neoclassical architecture with a portico of twelve Corinthian columns. From the upper deck of the bus you see its facade and the elegant streets of the Golden Triangle at the height of the balconies. Many travellers ask what the best way to see Bordeaux in one day is; starting here and doing a first full loop before hopping off is a good plan.

Place de la Bourse and the riverside quays

The bus follows the Garonne along the crescent-shaped waterfront that gave Bordeaux its name, the Port of the Moon. The highlight is Place de la Bourse, built between 1730 and 1775 and opened onto the river, and the Water Mirror in front of it, created in 2006, where a thin film of water reflects the square and a cool mist rises every few minutes.

Hop off here to walk on the quays, see the Stone Bridge of 1822 with its seventeen arches, and step into the old town behind the waterfront. The quays are wide and flat, with lawns and play areas, which makes this one of the most pleasant stops for families. Sunset over the square is one of the classic sights of Bordeaux, so you may want to come back in the evening.

The Chartrons quarter and the Bassins à flot

Heading north, the route reaches the Chartrons, the old merchants' quarter where trading families built tall stone houses with warehouses facing the river. Today its streets are full of antique shops, design boutiques and cafes, and a lively market takes place on the quay on Sunday mornings.

Further north, the Bassins à flot docks have been transformed with bold new architecture, restaurants and a waterfront promenade. This is the stop for the Bassins des Lumières, the immersive digital art centre inside a former submarine base, and for the sea and maritime museum. Our tip: plan a longer stop here, as the docks district is a little far from the centre on foot and the bus saves you the walk.

The old town and Bordeaux Cathedral

The loop also serves the historic heart of Bordeaux. In the old town, narrow streets lead to Porte Cailhau, a late 15th-century city gate with pointed turrets, and to the Grosse Cloche, the belfry of the old town hall. The longest pedestrian shopping street in France runs through this part of the city, ideal for a break between rides.

Near the town hall rises the great Gothic cathedral, built mainly between the 12th and 16th centuries, with its bell tower standing apart on the square; you can climb it for a view over the rooftops. With the hop-on hop-off pass you can combine all of these at your own pace, and the live-tracking app tells you when the next bus arrives at your stop.

Using the pass and the Jardin Public

The pass is valid for 24 hours from first use, so if you start at lunchtime you can continue the next morning. Buses run from about 10:15 am until around 5 pm. The commentary comes through individual earphones in several languages, and the children's version keeps younger travellers entertained between stops.

Close to the route, the Jardin Public is an 18th-century landscaped garden with a pond, lawns, old trees and the Natural History Museum, a peaceful place for a picnic after a morning on the bus, with a small play area that younger children enjoy. Halal restaurants are easy to find in central Bordeaux, and the map supplied with the pass suggests places to eat near the stops.