Things to Do in Bordeaux in April

Spring is in full bloom and Bordeaux weather in April is mild making it a wonderful time to visit this city.  and enjoy other activities and event such as wine tours, museum visits, local events such as the spring festival, The weather is mild, with spring in full bloom, making it an ideal time to explore the city. Here are some activities you can enjoy in Bordeaux during this month:

Bordeaux Sightseeing in April

Explore the Historic City Center

Take a stroll through Bordeaux's UNESCO-listed historic center. You can visit iconic landmarks such as:

• Place de la Bourse and Le Miroir d'eau (Water Mirror), which offers beautiful reflections of the architecture.
• Bordeaux's Grand Théâtre, an 18th-century opera house.
• The Garonne River for scenic walks along the quays.
• Saint-André Cathedral, a Gothic masterpiece.

Many of these landmarks are also covered in our detailed comparison guide Paris vs Bordeaux if you are deciding how to structure a multi-city trip in France.

Visit the Cité du Vin

The Cité du Vin is dedicated to the history and culture of wine and explores Bordeaux’s rich wine heritage. It offers interactive exhibitions that are fun for both adults and children as well as a chance to sample the local wines and learn more about Bordeaux's wine heritage. 

April is also one of the best months to combine a visit here with a guided Bordeaux wine experience in the surrounding vineyards while temperatures remain comfortable.

Spent A Day Exploring Bordeaux’s Markets

• Marché des Capucins: One of the oldest markets in Bordeaux, it is a great spot to sample local produce, cheeses, meats, and wines.
• Marché des Quais: Located along the river, it is a fantastic place to enjoy fresh seafood and local specialties.

If gastronomy is high on your priority list, you may also want to explore our complete Bordeaux food guide before planning your market visits.

Bordeaux’s Museums

If you enjoy visiting museums there are over fifteen different museums spread around the city.    The themes range from classical art, wine, and maritime themes. The city of Bordeaux has been working to blend culture and heritage together and there have been several renovations that have been completed or ongoing.  Be sure to check if your museum (s) of choice are open when planning your visit to avoid disappointment.

For art lovers visiting in spring, our guide to Bordeaux art museums provides a deeper look into the city's cultural spaces.

Bordeaux Events April 2025

Bordeaux Spring Festivals and Other Local Events

If your visit coincides with the annual spring festival, you can immerse yourself into the excitement and experience the vibrant atmosphere that features concerts, theatre, dance, and street performances throughout the city.

Depending on the dates of your visit you may also be able to watch the Bordeaux Marathon.

Bordeaux’s Chocolate Festival

April might host special events like the Salon du Chocolat (Chocolate Festival), where you can indulge in delicious chocolate treats and learn about chocolate-making techniques.  This is the perfect opportunity for children and adults to indulge their sweet tooth and taste sweets from some of the finest chocolatiers. If you want to immerse yourself into this activity check online before you travel to find out what the salon dates will be.

Chocolate lovers should also explore the artisan chocolatiers mentioned in our Bordeaux culinary guide for year-round indulgences.

A Day Trip to Saint-Emilion for Bordeaux Wine Tours April

A short drive from Bordeaux, the picturesque village of Saint-Emilion is perfect for a day trip. It is renowned for its medieval charm and exceptional wines. The village is surrounded by vineyards.  There is nothing more beautiful than cycling vineyards Bordeaux with a leading provider of cycling and wine tours with Bordeaux Wine Pilgrim.  Cycle around on energy efficient e-bikes with a local wine expert who is a native English speaker.  You taste some of the finest wines produced in the area and have a gastronomic lunch the charming village of Saint-Émilion.  Every detail of your day out will be carefully designed so that all you need to do is enjoy the beautiful surroundings and gastronomic delights and two thousand years of winemaking history.

If you prefer to stay within the city, guided Bordeaux walking tours are an excellent way to understand how wine shaped the city's architecture and prosperity.

Gastronomy Experiences

Bordeaux offers a fantastic culinary scene. Enjoy regional specialties such as canelés (a local pastry), entrecôte à la bordelaise (steak with a wine sauce), and seafood. You can also book a food tour to taste your way through Bordeaux’s markets and restaurants.

Bordeaux Family Activities April

Bordeaux is the perfect place to bring the family in April during the half term holidays.  There are many activities that youngsters will enjoy such as a day out playing games and enjoying a picnic in one of Bordeaux’s beautifully designed and maintained spring gardens and parks.

Bordeaux’s Public Garden (Jardin Public): A beautiful park with ponds, flower beds, and pathways.

Parc Bordelais: Another lovely green space with a lake, ideal for a relaxing stroll or a picnic.

Parc Floral de la Bastide: A floral park on the right bank of the Garonne River.

Take a Boat Cruise

You can explore Bordeaux from the water by taking a boat tour along the Garonne River. It is a relaxing way to see the city from a unique perspective and take in the historic architecture and scenic views. Some of the cruises even offer onboard dining and a glass of local wine.

Cycling along the Garonne River or surrounding areas

Bordeaux has an excellent cycling network which means that it is easy to safely cycle around the city or along the picturesque Garonne River with the breeze in your hair.  There are several online bike hire companies where many types of bikes that can even be reserved before you arrive.  Many of them will even deliver the equipment to your hotel or accommodation free of charge and pick it up when you are finished using them.  If you want to venture further afield the surrounding countryside is a wonderful way to spend a day out and French drivers are very cycle user conscious so you can be assured of a safe and fun ride wherever you choose to go.

Take A Free Walking Tour Around Bordeaux with A Local Guide

Exploring Bordeaux can be fun on your own.  However if you want to delve deeper into the more than two thousand years of history of the city, you should spend a morning or afternoon with a local English speaking guide from  Bordeaux Free Walking Tours. You will visit the famous Place de la Bourse and other landmarks and buildings that you might miss on your own.  The walks are family oriented so the children can join in the fun.  Your guide will answer and questions that you may have as well as entertaining you with stories of residents and cultural events of the past, present, and future.

It is Easy to Travel to Bordeaux

April is a wonderful time to experience Bordeaux and it simple to get there by flying to Bordeaux airport, public and private transport, or even your own car if you so choose.  There are many dining and accommodation options, and the most difficult decision will be what to choose from such a wide array of wonderful places to eat and stay.

Buy a Bordeaux CityPass that can be purchased for a duration between 24 and 72 hours.  It is reasonably priced - between 35 and 52 euros and offers free transport on local transport including the river shuttle and access to all fifteen of the museums in Bordeaux as well as other monuments.  This means that you can explore Bordeaux without stretching your wallet.

There are many different activities in Bordeaux in April and the local websites are very good at posting what is going on in the area.  When planning your travel, check ahead of time to see what is on for a perfect experience when you visit Bordeaux and create memories that will last for a lifetime.