There are a number of ways to do a ‘sightseeing’ tour of central Bordeaux. This one captures many of the highlights, in a relatively straightforward 6k loop. The run starts at large Place de la Comédie, a large square where the Bordeaux National Opera and tourist office are located. The first 1.4 km is south along Rue Sainte-Catherine — the longest pedestrian street in Europe (best to go early…it gets crowded). At the end of Sainte-Catherine at Place de la Victoire, loop back north along Cours Pasteur, and passing by the Bordeaux Synagogue, the Musée d’Aquitaine (history museum), to the large square hosting City Hall, the grand Cathédrale Saint-André de Bordeaux, and the Museum of Fine Arts. Turn RIGHT on Cours d’Albret, and then bear right on Nancel Penard, to Place Gambetta, a nice park/square. Turn RIGHT on Cours de l’Intendance, another pedestrian mall, and then LEFT on R. Montesquieu, to the Place des Grands Hommes shopping center. Turn LEFT on Allées de Tourny, then RIGHT on Cours Verdun, making your way over to the Jardin Publique, a pleasant garden/park with ~ 1 km of paths. Exit the east end of park for the final part of the run — a loop around the Girondins Monument, with a fountain & towering column erected to honor Girondin revolutionaries. Use either the paths in the park or the side allées.
Longer Run/Add-Ons. Lots of opportunities to add on river paths, or for more history & scenery, explore some of the streets east of Place de la Victoire.
Monument au Girdondins. Mark Miller
There are a number of ways to do a ‘sightseeing’ tour of central Bordeaux. This one captures many of the highlights, in a relatively straightforward 6k loop. The run starts at large Place de la Comédie, a large square where the Bordeaux National Opera and tourist office are located. The first 1.4 km is south along Rue Sainte-Catherine — the longest pedestrian street in Europe (best to go early…it gets crowded). At the end of Sainte-Catherine at Place de la Victoire, loop back north along Cours Pasteur, and passing by the Bordeaux Synagogue, the Musée d’Aquitaine (history museum), to the large square hosting City Hall, the grand Cathédrale Saint-André de Bordeaux, and the Museum of Fine Arts. Turn RIGHT on Cours d’Albret, and then bear right on Nancel Penard, to Place Gambetta, a nice park/square. Turn RIGHT on Cours de l’Intendance, another pedestrian mall, and then LEFT on R. Montesquieu, to the Place des Grands Hommes shopping center. Turn LEFT on Allées de Tourny, then RIGHT on Cours Verdun, making your way over to the Jardin Publique, a pleasant garden/park with ~ 1 km of paths. Exit the east end of park for the final part of the run — a loop around the Girondins Monument, with a fountain & towering column erected to honor Girondin revolutionaries. Use either the paths in the park or the side allées.
Longer Run/Add-Ons. Lots of opportunities to add on river paths, or for more history & scenery, explore some of the streets east of Place de la Victoire.
A classic European river run. Lovely promenade path for 4 km, between Pont Saint-Jean and Pont Jacques Chaban Delmas. Nice water views, and side jaunts to historic sections of Bordeaux. Can also run on east side for ~1.5 km
Pleasant run on the eastern side of the Garonne, on the Quai des Queyries to Parc aux Angéliques. Nice waterside and park running. Fun to incorporate the Botanical Gardens. Can also add the western side of the river, using Pont de Pierre.
Two good alternative 'runseeing' tours, put together by the Bordeaux office of Tourism. A staightforward Old Bordeaux tour, and a UNESCO Heritage Tour past some 16 key sites.
Our recommendations for some good areas and streets for running in central Bordeaux, mainly on the Left Bank. Wide, historic boulevards and fun neighborhoods to create your own run, or as good add-ons to our other Bordeaux routes.
This 7 km run explores three lovely parks centrally located on the left bank of the Garonne River in central Bordeaux: Jardin Public, Parc Bordelais, and the smaller Parc Rivière.
A nice exploration of the 'Right Bank' area of Bordeaux, the highlight being the paths of Cypressat Park and Palmer Park. Some hills, paths, stairs, and a nice section along the Garonne River as well.
A pleasant pastoral run in the Floriac area. Domaine de La Burthe Park has paths through woods and past playing fields, then use a pedestrian overpass to cross the N230 into Les Ormes and enjoy quiet roads past farms.
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