Would you like to take advantage of the wonderful things to see and do in Bordeaux without breaking the bank or even spending any money? It’s possible! Bordeaux Secret reconciles you with your banker by offering you a top list of the best free things to do in Bordeaux for next to nothing!
1. Sunday culture
Every first Sunday of the month is a cultural rendez-vous for curious Bordeaux locals and art lovers alike! The city’s museums offer free admission (except in July and August) to both permanent and temporary exhibitions. This is the perfect opportunity to visit the CAPC, Musée d’Aquitaine, Musée des Arts Décoratifs et du Design, Musée des Beaux-Arts, Base Sous-Marine, Muséum de Bordeaux or Jardin Botanique.
2. Saddle up
With the aim of introducing Bordeaux residents to the use of bicycles, the metropolis is offering residents the chance to borrow one free of charge. The only conditions are that you must be of legal age and live in one of Bordeaux’s communes. And since to try it is to adopt it, the free loan of classic bikes is available for a period of 10 months, while electric-assist bikes and special bikes (cargo bikes, folding bikes, tricycles, tandems and push bikes) are offered for a period of 2 months. So, sporty or not?
📍Meet us at Mériadeck level 2 every third Tuesday of the month.
3. Treat yourself to a laugh
Come and have a free laugh at the Engrenage Comedy Club ! Every Tuesday and Wednesday (7pm and 9pm), discover 6 different comedians in a unique setting, for an hour of hilarious entertainment! Reservations are free, and tickets are sold by the hat to support the artists. On the menu: laughter, surprises and conviviality, just a stone’s throw from Gambetta!
📍8 rue Castelnau d’Auros, 33000 Bordeaux
4. Revise your classics
Brush up on your classics and scales! The Conservatoire de Bordeaux offers you the chance to attend a concert free of charge. Simply make a reservation and immerse yourself in the world of classical music (or not) at one of our original concerts. Chamber orchestra, piano concert, electro-acoustic, improvisation, song, dance… The choice is yours. For more information on the Conservatoire’s public stages, visit this site!
📍Conservatoire de Bordeaux – Jacques Thibaud, 22 quai Sainte-Croix – 33088 Bordeaux Cedex
5. Playing cards on the table
Is it raining? Are you in a gambling mood but can’t afford to blow it all at the casino? Don’t panic, in Bordeaux there are a number of game bars and toy libraries where you can play it safe.
6. Get some height
Climb to the very top of the Pey-Berland tower, a jewel of flamboyant Gothic architecture, and enjoy a breathtaking view of the city. Well, it is €6. Unless you’re in the under-25 club. Then it’s free!
📍Pl. Pey Berland, 33000 Bordeaux
7. Stroll through Bordeaux’s parks and gardens
There’s nothing like nature! Enjoy a stroll in the great outdoors in Bordeaux, a city that offers the ideal setting to get away from it all without leaving the city! Whether in the Parc de l’Ermitage, the Jardin Public, along the Garonne or in the Parc aux Angéliques near the quays, there are plenty of places to walk, picnic or jog, all free of charge in a natural and pleasant environment! All these beautiful places are just waiting for you!
8. Discover Bordeaux street art
In Bordeaux, there’s one exhibition that’s unique and accessible to all: street art! As you stroll between the city’s magnificent monuments, keep your eyes peeled for works of art scattered everywhere! Hangar Darwin is a real treasure trove for urban art enthusiasts! Guided tours are offered to help you better understand the works and the artists’ intentions, but you can also admire them for free as you stroll through the neighborhoods.
9. Stroll through the Darwin eco-neighborhood
On the right bank of the river is the unmissable Darwin eco-district, a unique place with a friendly, relaxed atmosphere! It’s the ideal place for Bordeaux residents in search of an escape, with an eco-citizen center featuring an exhibition gallery, a skateboard school, stores selling organic and local produce, and year-round entertainment. Sometimes there are even concerts! Visits are free, but if you want to attend a particular event, you’ll need to buy a ticket!
📍 87 Quai des Queyries, 33100 Bordeaux