Bordeaux, France. The capital of wine and medieval castles.
Bordeaux is in the south of France 300 miles from Paris and one hour from the Atlantic coast. This is a wonderful city in the historical region of Aquitaine. Bordeaux itself is small, only 250 thousand inhabitants. You can see it in a couple of days. If you have more time, we recommend renting a car and driving around the nearby villages. There are few of them, but you can fully experience the atmosphere of real provincial France.
This is a real center for winemaking. Bordeaux has a Mediterranean climate, which is favorable for the vineyards that grow here. The city became rich in the 18th century on trade with America. The French are passionate growers and Bordeaux immediately became a world wine superstar.
The historic center of the city is nicknamed the "Port of the Moon" because it is located on a wide bend of the river Geronne, resembling a lunar crescent.
There is history and antiquity at every turn. There is practically no asphalt in the center, paving stones and tiles are everywhere. The city carefully monitors the historical appearance, there are no plastic windows, air conditioners, and cafes and shops have wooden entrances.
Bordeaux Airport Bordeaux-Merignac Airport is small but accepts all flights and is international.
What to see in Bordeaux
Aquitania is one of the ancient regions in human history. It was here that scientists in the Cro-Magnon cave found the first biologically modern skeletons of people - Cro-Magnons.
The Museum of Aquitaine will give you a lot of inspiration: from ancient rock paintings to the transformation of the city into one of the world's greatest trading ports. At the museum's official website you can book tickets online and see the exhibits.
Exchange Square, or Place de la Burse, is the main square of the city. It is unusual in that every 15 minutes it is filled with water by 2 centimeters and turns into a mirror. It reflects everything - houses, roads, people, cars. From the center of the square, the whole city becomes visible at a glance: the spire of the cathedral, the Napoleon bridge, the panorama of the Garonne River... And after another 15 minutes, the square turns on the haze, and it is wrapped in a mysterious fog. It's a unique sight to behold.
Incredible < a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacques_Chaban-Delmas" target="_blank">Ponte Jacques Chaban Delmas leads to another architectural marvel, the Cité du Vin, "Wine City". This is not just a museum, it is a multi-sensory temple of the history, culture and science of wine. Here you can take a helicopter tour of 20 developing regions of the planet, explore the unique profiles of popular wine varieties, and enjoy a free glass on the top floor.
All museums in the city, as well as their opening hours and restrictions, can be found on the official website of the city. Before leaving, visit the Capuchin market.
City cafes have local beer, but when it comes to alcoholic drinks in Bordeaux, wine is everything.
Bordeaux has long been considered the wine capital of the world. In the shops you can get acquainted with the aromas of Bordeaux wine regions in one day, but to understand its character, you have to go to the vineyards.
Where to go near Bordeaux
It is very convenient to travel around the region by car. You can rent a car directly on the Bookingautos website and drive around all the villages.
Just 15 minutes west of the city center is Château Papa Clementine, one of the oldest vineyards in Bordeaux. Here, on gravel soils, the wine-loving Pope cultivated vines himself.
Go further into Appellation Graves, where you will find a landscape full of castles and vineyards. Sauternes will be on your way, George Washington loved his sweet wines so much, Bazas is a city that is two and a half thousand years old. It is famous for its steaks and its Gothic cathedral.
And to the east, in St. Emilion, among the ruins of a huge Dominican monastery, grow vines of a completely different variety: Merlot, Cabernet Franc. It is a hilltop town with medieval walls rising from solid rock.
France has its own association of beautiful villages, and La Roque-Gageac is recognized as the most beautiful. It contains an old manor of the 12th century, a castle of the century before last, and rock art. The province has preserved its appearance in its original form: shutters, tiles - everything is the same as 500 years ago.
Food: Best Restaurants in Bordeaux
When it's time to eat, choose a menu filled with centuries-old traditions of Aquitaine. For a taste of aristocratic fine French cuisine, visit the best restaurant at Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte (Château Smith Haut Lafitte, 33650 Martillac), where you will be served wild sea bass, orcachoma pickles, wild tulip or Aquitaine pigeon.
Goose liver foie gras, a delicacy in France, is masterfully made in the province of Bordeaux and can be tasted in less expensive restaurants, but no less fine.
The province is also famous for its delicacies - truffles - the most expensive mushrooms in the world. There are thousands of restaurants and cafes with authentic French cuisine in and around Bordeaux, and here are just a few of them. Keep in mind that some are closed on weekends.
Blisss is modern French cuisine. 98 avenue de Magudas, 33700, Merignac, Bordeaux +33 5 56 98 66 72, https://www.blisss.fr/
Le Pressoir d'Argent Gordon Ramsay is the famous restaurant of the culinary and traveler Gordon Ramsay. 2.5 Place De La Comedie At InterContinental Bordeaux - Le GrandHotel, 33000, + 33 5 57 30 43 04
Handy to rent a car, but be aware that the historical center of Bordeaux is pedestrian and paved with paving stones or tiles. Parking lots in the city are arranged in a checkerboard pattern, alternating either on the right or on the left. This is done on purpose so that the street is not flat and does not provoke acceleration and breaking the speed limit.
Usually, street parking is not separated by any markings, the places are marked with metal round elements built into paving stones or tiles, similar to a washer.
On-street parking is time limited. You can't leave your car for more than 2 hours. These parking lots are free at night and on Sundays. During the day, the price in the historical center is 2.20 euros, in the periphery - 1.70 euros per hour. For example, parking lots in the historic center:
Vital Carles Street
Victor Hugo and Pastor Course
You can leave your car in parking lots for a long time, prices are around 2 euros per hour, the more time, the cheaper the cost of the hour, for example,
Victor Hugo Park, DRC level, Place de la Ferme de Richemont, 33 000 Bordeaux
Parking Pey-Berland/Saint-Christoly, Place Pey Berland
Parc and Ride is the best option for tourists. The cost of parking (€4.50) is included in the price of the round-trip public transport ticket. You leave the car in the parking lot, go sightseeing and come back, very convenient. Addresses of Parc and Ride parking lots can be found on the map.
Good to know
Most Popular Agency
Sixt
Most popular car class
Mini
Average price
26 € / Day
Best price
19 € / Day
Average cost for 7 days of rent:
January
€246
February
€168
March
€162
April
€196
May
€242
June
€307
July
€320
August
€333
September
€206
October
€162
November
€139
December
€191
* The average cost of renting a car in Bordeaux for seven days. The data is calculated based on car bookings for the previous 365 days.
The best month to rent a car in Bordeaux is November. There are fewer tourists and a lot of available cars. You can book a compact class model at a price from €30. This is 31% cheaper than the average during the year.
The best time to rent a car in Bordeaux is November. This month, rental prices are minimal, below the annual average by 34%, and start from €30 for a Compact car.
Convertible cars in Bordeaux are in high demand during the summer. This is not surprising. After all, a trip on such a car gives a feeling of freedom and independence, allows you to relax and forget about the problems of the world around you. Although you should be prepared for an increase in rental prices and possible problems with the range of available cars. If we talk about the price VW Beetle Cabrio - it will be from €99 per 1 day.
Our rental office in Bordeaux can offer you a wide selection of over 40 car models. You can rent exact car model. All cars are new and technically fully functional.
When calculating the rental price for a car in Bordeaux, seasonal demand, the class of the car itself and the duration of the rental are taken into account. In winter, renting a car is the cheapest. In the summer, rent will cost more expensive. An additional discount for long-term rentals is provided by many car rental companies, which makes your trip even more profitable for the budget. For example, in the spring months, the compact Ford Focusmodel can be rented for just €30 per day. Renting the same car for a week will cost less and will be only €20. The situation is similar with other models of the budget segment. Among them are Audi A4, Opel Astra Estate, BMW X1, which can be rented for as little as €61-€66 per day. Approximately for €99in Bordeaux you can rent a convertible car. Premium segment models are more expensive, the rental will cost from €462 per day. If we talk about exclusive models, then when ordering them, you should be prepared for an amount of 450€ or more for daily use.
The demand for electric cars is growing not only in the segment of their sales. These cars are just as popular when renting, which is often accompanied by the provision of a free parking space and the possibility of free car charging around the city. To rent an electric car you should set the appropriate filter. Moreover, the rental of Mercedes EQC when ordering in Bordeaux will cost quite a modest amount.
List of required documents
Driving license
Credit card
Voucher
Passport
Attention!
A valid international driver's license is required!
10 tips for your car hire in Bordeaux
Download Google maps offline
The presence of an offline navigator allows you to save on roaming. It is enough just to download the necessary maps from Google Maps and get directions even without a network connection. To do this, enter the phrase "OK MAPS" in the application, select the desired area and download offline maps to your smartphone.
Early Booking Discount
Bordeaux is now in ever-increasing demand, which affects the high demand for car rental. By booking online, you can avoid any unpleasant surprises after you arrive at your destination. Both with the car itself and with its rent.
It is better to book a car at least one and a half months before the trip. As the required date approaches, the number of available offers is reduced, and the cost of the remaining models increases. If plans change and the trip is postponed, then you can cancel the rental without any sanctions 2 days before it starts.
Which car to choose
Choose a car according to the purpose of your trip. You can drive around the city and its surroundings in a compact car VW Up or Ford Focus. These models are the most popular with our customers in Bordeaux.
In the mountains, more powerful transport will be required. Pay attention to the volume of the engine - it must be more than 1.6 liters. An all-wheel drive crossover would be ideal. Opel Astra Estate will cost €42 per day. By the way, before leaving, do not forget to refuel with a margin. On the rises, the fuel goes one and a half to two times more. Gas stations in mountain villages are rare.
What you need to pay attention to when receiving a car
Before picking up, you are required to carefully inspect the car and point out to the rental company manager for scratches, damage and defects, such as dirty seat upholstery. You should check the ignition and the fuel level in the tank. You need to know the conditions for returning the car - where exactly, with what amount of fuel to return the car.
The rental agreement must include a telephone number to contact the rental company. It is designed so that customers can get help in emergency situations, such as when a car breaks down or in the event of an accident. A call to the rental company should be done first, even before the arrival of the police.
Insurance recommendations
When you pick up your rental car, you need to take it seriously. This is especially true if you do not intend to purchase additional insurance. You should carefully inspect the received car and fix all scratches, dents, and other defects in the contract. It is also recommended to take a picture of the existing damage to the car, its number, write down the name of the rental company employee.
What types of insurance are available for car rental?
Third Party Liability (TPL). This is a third party liability protection. If you are the culprit of an accident, the insurance will compensate for the costs of the victims for you.
Collision Damage Waiver (CDW). This is to protect your vehicle from any damage. She works with a franchise. This is the amount that you will have to pay in case of damage in any case. The company will cover anything over the limit. The insurance does not cover theft.
Theft Waiver (T.W.). This is car theft protection. Operates with a franchise.
Personal Accident Insurance (PAI). This is medical insurance for the driver and passengers.
Fuel Policy
When renting a car, you should pay attention to the fuel policy of rental companies. Often, when renting, tourists have to pay the cost of a full tank of fuel. This option is suitable for long-term rentals and long trips. But if you're only renting Bordeaux - City Centre for a day or two, or if you're only planning short trips, such as to a small island, then you probably won't need a full tank. You can get acquainted with the fuel policy in the "Important information" section of the car you have chosen.
Unlimited mileage
Before renting a car, you should check with the rental company if there is a limit on the daily mileage for a car. Typically, tourists use a rental car to travel not only around the city, but also to travel to neighboring cities and even countries. If such a restriction exists, it is recommended to choose a rental option where there is no limit. In this case, the total cost of mileage will be lower, since you will not have to pay extra for exceeding the mileage. On our site, in the search results, check the filter "Unlimited mileage" to see the offers you need.
Compare conditions of different rental companies
When choosing a rental car in Bordeaux, you should carefully read all the terms of the rental. This is due to the fact that different companies may differ not only in rental prices, but also in conditions for limiting mileage, the cost of additional services, and the amount of the deposit. To compare rental conditions, it is convenient to use the search and booking system on our website.
Which rental company to choose
When renting a car in Bordeaux, you should carefully read all the conditions offered by the rental company. Depending on the specific company, they may differ in mileage, insurance coverage, deposit amount, accompanying services and their cost. You should choose proven and reliable companies that offer new cars and stand out due to the well-thought-out organization of work with customers. Additionally, you can study the rating of distributors, which is also available on our website.
If we talk about the best companies in Bordeaux, then it is worth highlighting sixt with a rating 9.8 and budget, the average rating of which is 9.7 points.
Getting a car at a rental office
Getting a rented car in Bordeaux is as follows: You show the manager a voucher, as well as the necessary documents - a passport and an international driver's license. The manager draws up a lease agreement, after which the agreed amount of the security deposit will be blocked on your bank card. Before receiving the car, it is necessary to inspect it, fix the existing damage and inform the manager about them.
Our main advantages
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Car rental reviews: Bordeaux - City Centre
Based on 8255 reviews
Rate 4,8/5
Based on 8255 reviews
Tony
4,8
Without a doubt, I will continue to use Bookingautos on a regular basis. Thank you very much for your assistance!
Michael
4,7
Excellent value for money. The pick-up process was a little confusing, but I would use it again!
Luna
4,5
The search was very simple to use, the price was really low, and there were no problems with the rental car company.
Jody
4,9
Everything proceeded as expected. The complete coverage compensation really worked.
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