What is there to do in Bordeaux during the Easter holidays?
31 March 2026
The city’s must-see attractions… and a unique experience at the Cité du Vin
With the arrival of spring, Bordeaux comes alive! The atmosphere is warming up and the city is waking up, just like the vineyards at this time of year: the terraces are bustling, the quays are bathed in sunshine, and there’s a wealth of cultural activities on offer.
From outdoor walks to immersive experiences, here are our ideas for making the most of Bordeaux during the Easter holidays… (PS: we’ve included our suggested day in Bordeaux at the end of the article, so you don’t miss any of the must-see sights!) 👇
Bordeaux during the Easter holidays: an ideal destination combining culture, nature and fine dining
If you haven’t visited the city yet, rest assured you won’t be bored!
In spring, Bordeaux offers the perfect balance of cultural discoveries, moments of relaxation and culinary delights. The mild weather means you can enjoy the outdoors, with the city’s many parks, as well as its iconic museums and cultural venues (which are accessible even in changeable weather, should it rain).
It’s also an ideal time to discover the city in a different way, with experiences suitable for all ages, whether you’re visiting with family, as a couple or with friends.
The best things to do in Bordeaux during the holidays
Strolling along the quays of Bordeaux and enjoying the water feature
For us, spring is the best time to explore Bordeaux! Whether you’re on foot or by bike, there are plenty of routes to choose from. Along the quays of Bordeaux, of course, or via the cycle paths that take you from one bank to the other. For the more adventurous, a boat trip on the Garonne is also an option.
During your stroll, you’ll discover the Miroir d’Eau opposite the Place de la Bourse, in the heart of the city. This ‘mirror’ effect creates an intriguing and magical spectacle, particularly loved by children who adore running through the mist on sunny days.
Explore the historic centre and its monuments
The heart of Bordeaux, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is brimming with architectural treasures! Stroll through the narrow streets and discover the city’s rich historical heritage; you’ll be amazed by the diversity of sites and monuments on offer, including:
- The Pey Berland Tower and Saint-André Cathedral
- The Grand Théâtre
- The Cailhau Gate
- The Big Bell
- Place des Quinconces...
Take a break in nature at Bordeaux’s parks
For a quieter moment, head to the Jardin Public in Bordeaux. With its lawns, playground and shaded areas, it’s the perfect place to relax or let the children run around. And for more walks, the Parc Bordelais, the Botanical Gardens and the Parc aux Angéliques also offer lovely spaces.
👉 But for a truly unique experience in Bordeaux during the Easter holidays…
For a unique (and unmissable) experience during your visit to Bordeaux: head to the Cité du Vin
This is Bordeaux’s iconic cultural venue. A one-of-a-kind museum offering an immersive experience into the world of wine and vineyards, suitable for everyone – young and old, wine enthusiasts or simply the curious.
🍇 Why you’ll love it during your holiday:
It’s an indoor activity, so it’s perfect whatever the weather! (Plus, if the weather’s fine, you’ll have plenty of opportunity to stroll or have a picnic in the gardens)
La Cité du Vin offers fun and interactive experiences: you won’t get bored. We can already hear you saying, “I don’t like museums”, but we assure you that’s no good reason.
It’s suitable for adults as well as families with children or teenagers!
Are you looking for a wine tasting workshop to make the most of your visit to Bordeaux? At La Cité du Vin, you’ll have a choice of several types of tasting that are a bit different from the usual workshop... (we’ll tell you more about them below).
And finally, we simply have to remind you: you’ll enjoy a unique 360° view of the whole of Bordeaux!
A journey through wine with the Permanent Exhibition
At the heart of the Cité du Vin, the permanent exhibition invites you on an immersive journey through the cultures and civilisations of wine! You’ll discover how wine has shaped civilisations, regions, trade and ways of life throughout history and across the world’s cultures.
Spanning over 3,000 m², you’ll follow a route featuring various interactive displays. Here’s a taste of what you can do:
- fly over vineyards around the world,
- virtually tread grapes,
- interact with screens and animated maps about grape varieties, the world’s wine-growing regions and climates,
- understand the impacts of climate change on vines and discover the methods used to adapt to them,
- explore your senses through the ‘Buffet of the 5 Senses’,
- watch 360° films on the life cycle of the vine,
- or even board a ‘sensory boat’ to follow wine through the centuries and across the oceans.
➡️ It’s the perfect activity for learning whilst having fun, to enjoy during the Easter holidays.
A family-friendly activity
Contrary to popular belief, the tour is perfectly suitable for children!
Many areas of the Permanent Exhibition are child-friendly and will entertain the whole family. The “tour guide”, the tool provided for the tour, features a “junior tour” mode, allowing children to see straight away which areas are best suited to them.
And what’s sure to delight them? The Belvédère, located on the 8th floor with a panoramic view of Bordeaux! It’s always a memorable moment for children, whilst they can enjoy a glass of grape juice.
➡️ Don’t hesitate: the Cité du Vin is an excellent idea for a family outing during the Easter holidays.
Via Sensoria: a unique sensory experience
A major new feature this spring, Via Sensoria returns from 1 April.
This sensory tasting trail invites you to enjoy a unique experience:
- with visual and auditory atmospheres, in a poetic setting, following the rhythm of the four seasons
- through sensory games based on the four basic tastes, exploring tasting in a fun way.
- and by sampling four Bordeaux wines or four original non-alcoholic drinks!
Original, intimate and relaxing, this is a short experience (1 hour), ideal to fit into your day out in Bordeaux.
➡️ An original activity accessible to all, to enjoy with the family (with children aged 6 and over) or with friends, even if you don’t drink alcohol!
Tasting workshops offering a different way to discover wine
If you’re visiting Bordeaux and you enjoy wine (or even if you don’t), a tasting session is a must. Every day during the spring half-term holidays, the Cité du Vin is offering tasting workshops to help you discover wine in a whole new way!
On the programme:
- An immersive approach to discovering Bordeaux wines through images of the vineyards, with the Bordeaux 360° workshop
- Or a more educational approach to get started and learn the basics of wine tasting, with the Introduction to Wine Tasting workshop
👉 Why choose the Cité du Vin’s wine tasting workshops?
- They are short sessions (one-hour workshops)
- The various workshops are accessible to everyone: no prior knowledge is needed, just a sense of curiosity!
- Sommelier guides are on hand to guide you and answer your questions
- And you can combine them with the Permanent Exhibition for a comprehensive wine-themed visit.
A free photography exhibition taking you on a journey through the world’s vineyards
To complement your visit, enjoy a free photography exhibition featuring beautiful photos of vineyards from around the world.
👉 Dedicated to the Cité du Vin’s wine partners, this exhibition is a wonderful opportunity to:
- discover landscapes from all over the world, without leaving Bordeaux
- enrich your visit with stories from over 50 wine-growing regions across the globe
- enjoy a free cultural activity
➡️ Ideal for rounding off your experience at your own pace.
Why is the Cité du Vin the perfect place to visit during the Easter holidays?
La Cité du Vin ticks all the boxes for a great day out:
✔️ Indoor activity (perfect in changeable weather)
✔️ Suitable for families and children
✔️ A variety of experiences in one place: interactive exhibition, tasting workshops, sensory tasting trail or photo exhibition
✔️ A day you can tailor to your own preferences, with flexible timing
👉 It’s one of the must-do activities in Bordeaux this spring!
Suggested itinerary for a perfect day in Bordeaux during your holiday!
Morning:
- Explore Bordeaux’s historic centre and all its monuments
- Set off on a stroll along the quayside by the Garonne, starting from the Miroir d’Eau and heading towards the Cité du Vin!
Lunch break:
- Stop for a gourmet break at the Latitude20 brasserie or snack bar and enjoy the terrace, overlooking the gardens of the Cité du Vin and the banks of the Garonne, for a peaceful lunch.
- Or, if you’d like to have lunch with a view of Bordeaux, head to the panoramic restaurant Le 7!
Afternoon:
- Unwind on the Via Sensoria sensory tasting trail to clear your head after lunch, through a dreamlike journey in a relaxed and intimate atmosphere.
- Then it’s finally time to explore the Permanent Exhibition and learn all about wine!
End of the day:
To round off the day in style, head to the Belvédère on the 8th floor to enjoy a glass (or two) of wine from a selection of wine regions around the world, with a 360° view of Bordeaux...
➡️ A full day of discovery, relaxation and sensory experiences!
Cover photo: Michael Portillo Photography