Things to do in Portets

Place de la Bourse is an elegant city square, bordered by grand, palatial buildings and facing the Garonne River. Marvel at the perfect symmetry of the square and surrounding buildings, designed to reflect the king's power and bring Bordeaux into modernity.

The vast Place des Quinconces stretches for about 30 acres (120,000 square meters) across the center of Bordeaux, making it an ideal venue for concerts and festivals. Explore the tree-lined square and admire its ensemble of monuments, which are dotted around the edges of the plaza. Take in views of the adjacent Garonne River.

Bordeaux’s Rue Sainte-Catherine (Saint Catherine Street) stretches as far as you can see from one end to the other. It is one of Europe’s longest commercial pedestrian streets, measuring 0.8 miles (1.2 kilometers) long. Walk freely along this street filled with people. It is closed to vehicles, apart from an occasional delivery van. Be sure to explore the many side streets that offer unique and interesting stores and places to eat.

Explore centuries of wine heritage and viticulture via cutting-edge exhibits when you visit Cité du Vin. Housed in an iconic, contemporary building notable for its bold curves, Cité du Vin is a museum, events venue and culinary space. Spend a day learning and tasting your way around the world of wine.

Admire the exquisite French building, the Grand Theater of Bordeaux, home of the Bordeaux National Opera. This 18th-century architectural masterpiece fits well in a city of historic stone buildings and greets visitors with its row of statues of mythological figures sitting atop a row of Corinthian stone pillars. It is also the venue for many other acclaimed performances throughout the year.

The spectacular Cathédrale St. André dominates the skyline of Bordeaux and is one of the region's most important religious landmarks. The vast interior and freestanding bell tower add to its grandeur. Visit to appreciate the architecture or join the city's Catholic community at Mass.