If you have only one day to explore the vineyards of Bordeaux we advise you to pick a tour of Saint-Emilion. Apart from being an amazing World Heritage medieval town, Saint-Emilion also counts close to 750 wineries (often small, authentic and family-owned), produces amazing wines, is Pomerol’s neighbor and offers the most amazing views and landscapes.
The second region we would advise is Médoc, followed with the Graves, Cognac, Arcachon in the summer and Dordogne in the winter if you are a truffle fan! And of course, keep at least half a day to explore the wonderful city of Bordeaux!
Bordeaux’s climate is best described as moderate, with long warm summers and mild winters.
Its weather is influenced by its close proximity to the Atlantic Ocean and the warming effects of the Gulf Stream.
From March to May, the weather is generally pleasantly mild, although rain showers are not uncommon.
The summer climate in Bordeaux tends to be warm. Summer temperatures during the day average 17°C / 63°F, regularly rising to around 26°C / 79°F. Nights are cooler. Summers usually tend to be dry.
Although autumn can bring wetter weather than other times of the year, September to November is also seen to be a very pleasant time to visit Bordeaux.
Winters in Bordeaux are relatively short and mild, with an average temperature of 7°C / 45°F and lows of around 2°C / 36°F, making it an attractive proposition for a winter break.
Here are some tips to help you pack for your Bordeaux trip:
We are always on the field meeting the winemakers, the guides, the owners of each estates… we know Bordeaux’ wineries like the back of our hand and we decide on where to go depending on your level of interest, the numbers of day tours you’ll select, how much knowledge you have when it comes to Bordeaux wines or wine in general…
We also make sure we select different styles of wineries (small family-owned to larger operation) so that you can have the best introduction to the Bordeaux wines world in the time given.
Do not hesitate to give us a list of your favorites!
Please note that some wineries are open only to wine professionals.
Of course!
As we have a very good relationship with many hotels in Bordeaux and Saint-Emilion we’ll be happy to help you get the best hotel(s) for your stay in Bordeaux! You can also check out our blog post about some of our hotel recommendations here – see if any interests you!
Also, do not hesitate to ask us for recommendation for your dinners! You’ll need reservations for most restaurants in the city so better to plan a little in advance.
For lunch during your tour(s), do not hesitate to give us your preference! From picnic chic with the winemaker to a gastronomic lunch, we have the best addresses!
Bordeaux being a large city (5th largest in France) you might have to use local transportation during your stay.
Here are a few important facts:
Bordeaux with Elodie uses clean, comfortable and spacious cars (VW transporter, Ford Galaxy, Mercedes Vito…).
We’ll provide water bottles. We can also have a wifi access upon request.
If you are staying in Paris, coming to Bordeaux is very easy: train is a great option (fast, affordable and comfortable); flying is another fast and simple way to travel from Paris to Bordeaux.
The TGV high-speed trains will get you from Paris to Bordeaux in roughly 2 hours!
If you are staying in the town of Saint-Emilion you can travel by train to Libourne (10 minutes away from Saint-Emilion).
French people are not very used to tipping… However, they know that in some other countries people are used to tipping!
So, feel free to leave a little something at the restaurants, bars, hotel staff, guides, etc when you are happy with the service (it is welcomed, not expected). If you are not satisfied, don’t feel bad, no tips deserved! 😉
Of course you can! For transportation we can provide with all types of kids car seats (new born to older kids). Please note the following points:
Now most wineries and restaurants accept CC. However, very rare are those who accept American Express!
Please note that if you want to withdraw cash you’ll need to use a distributor at a bank (we don’t have ATMs on every corner).
If you have any other questions, please do not hesitate to send us an email: info@bordeauxwithelodie.com