Things to Do in Bordeaux in August
August weather, activities, events & insider tips
Shoulder Season · Good Value
August Weather in Bordeaux
Temperature, rainfall and humidity at a glance
81°F (27°C)
High Temp
61°F (16°C)
Low Temp
2.2 inches (56 mm)
Rainfall
70%
Humidity
Is August Right for You?
Weigh the advantages and considerations before booking
Advantages
- + River-cooled mornings at 16-19°C (61-66°F) make 9 AM wine tastings along the Left Bank pleasant, unlike July's sticky start
- + Harvest crews start trimming leaves in August, you'll see vineyard prep work happening, something tourists miss in September harvest chaos
- + Restaurant terraces stay open later because sunset pushes to 8:45 PM, buying you an extra hour of rosé time along the Garonne
- + Hotel rates drop 25-30% from peak July pricing while weather stays nearly identical, you're essentially getting July weather for shoulder-season prices
Considerations
- − Afternoon heat hits 28°C (82°F) with 70% humidity, the kind that turns city walking into a sweat-fest between 2-5 PM
- − Half the winemakers close their cellars for vacation from August 10-25, so some of the smaller châteaux you wanted to visit won't answer their phones
- − Beach day-trippers from Paris clog the trains to Arcachon on weekends, turning a 55-minute journey into a standing-room-only ordeal
Best Activities in August
Top things to do during your visit
Bordeaux in August is not empty. It is alive. The city's honey-colored limestone buildings hold the day's warmth long into the evening. Air carries the scent of sun-baked stone and the distant, briny promise of the Atlantic. Many Bordelais may have retreated to the coast. The city itself is far from dormant. Instead, the quays of the Garonne River become a stage for summer. Temporary wine bars from the late June festival stay open through mid-August. This creates a relaxed opportunity. You can taste dozens of local wines by the glass along the water. Do it without the festival's peak crowds. Lights from the pavilions reflect on the river's dark surface until late. Meanwhile, the formal Allées de Tourny transforms for Les Epicuriales. Its gravel paths are lined with pop-up terraces from celebrated kitchens. Here, under strands of soft bulbs, you can secure a lunch reservation. These restaurants are normally booked months in advance. Taste precise, ambitious dishes in the open air. The sound of clinking cutlery and low conversation fills the plane-tree-lined square.
Traditional Gourmet Food & Wine Tour in Bordeaux
foodA guided walk through the historic Chartrons district examines the artisans who define Bordeaux beyond its vineyards. You will step into a century-old bakery. Smell the crust of freshly baked canelés. Their centers are soft and vanilla-infused. Enter a traditional cheese affineur's cellar. Feel the cool, damp air and taste aged Pyrenees brebis. The tour ends with a seated tasting in a wine merchant's shop. You will hear the pop of a cork from a carefully selected local bottle.
This tour connects the well-known wines of Bordeaux to the culinary traditions they accompany. It reveals the city's food soul through its most dedicated shopkeepers.
Insider tip: The final tasting includes several wines. Pace yourself with the provided bread and charcuterie to fully appreciate the later pours.
Wine Masterclass & Cheese Tasting Workshop in Bordeaux
otherHeld in an elegant tasting room near the Grand Théâtre, this workshop is a focused sensory exercise. You will learn to identify the aromas of blackcurrant, cedar, and tobacco in a flight of wines. Then feel the contrasting textures of a creamy goat cheese and a crystalline, salty Roquefort. Discover how each pairing changes the taste on your tongue.
It explains the language of wine tasting and cheese pairing in one concise session. You will gain confidence for the rest of your trip.
Insider tip: Take notes on the provided sheet. The specific aroma references are useful for later wine purchases.
Half-day private tour in Saint-Emilion in a sidecar
private_tourThis tour exchanges a car window for the open air. You don a helmet and feel the wind rush past from a sidecar. You will rumble along country lanes past endless rows of vines. See the monolithic church of Saint-Emilion appear over a hill. Hear the driver's commentary clearly through connected headsets. You park to explore the cloistered streets of the medieval village.
The novelty and freedom of the sidecar makes the journey to a famous wine region an adventure.
Insider tip: Wear sunglasses. Secure any loose scarves or hats, as the ride is breezy.
Saint-Émilion & Pomerol Wine Tour: Tastings, Lunch & WSET Guide
foodThis full-day excursion to the right bank focuses on the merlot-driven wines of Saint-Émilion and Pomerol. A WSET expert guides you. You will walk through ancient limestone quarries turned cellars. Feel the profound silence and coolness within. Sit down to a lunch at a vineyard estate. Local cuisine is paired easily with their strong, plush wines.
The expert guidance turns tasting notes into a real education. The included lunch at a château provides a taste of the vitner's lifestyle.
Insider tip: Pay close attention to the guide's explanation of the Pomerol appellation. Its lack of official classification makes producer reputation key.
2 in 1 - Visit of Bordeaux and excursion in a vineyard
day_tripThis combined tour first introduces you to Bordeaux's urban elegance. You will see the play of light on the Water Mirror and hear the history of the Place de la Bourse. Then, you escape the city. Walk through a sunny vineyard. Touch the grapes on the vine. Taste the resulting wine in a rustic chai. It contrasts the city's grandeur with the countryside's quiet work.
It captures the two essential faces of the Bordeaux region. You see the majestic 18th-century city and the bucolic vineyard landscape that fuels its economy.
Insider tip: Wear comfortable shoes. They must be suitable for both cobblestone streets and uneven vineyard paths.
Where to Stay in Bordeaux in August
Hand-picked hotels across price tiers for August travellers.
★★★★★
Luxury
InterContinental Hotels BORDEAUX - LE GRAND HOTEL by IHG
From $315 / night
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August Events & Festivals
What's happening during your visit
Early August
Bordeaux Wine Festival
Happens late June, not August. But the temporary wine bars along the quay stay up through mid-August, giving you the festival atmosphere without the crowds. Four waterfront pavilions serve 50+ wines by the glass until 11 PM nightly.
Throughout August
Les Epicuriales
Month-long food festival takes over Allées de Tourny with pop-up restaurant terraces from Bordeaux's top chefs. Tables under string lights serve 3-course lunch menus for slightly less than normal dinner pricing, the only time you'll eat at these restaurants without booking months ahead.
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View Bordeaux Packing List →Essential Tips
Insider knowledge and common pitfalls to avoid
Insider Knowledge
Book wine tastings for 10 AM or 4 PM, the 2 PM slot feels like drinking in a sauna
Most boulangeriers close for vacation August 15-31, so grab breakfast pastries before 9 AM or you'll eat supermarket bread
The tram system runs air-conditioned cars every 4 minutes, use it between 1-4 PM when walking feels impossible
Swimming in the Garonne is technically illegal but locals jump off Quai des Marques at sunset, you'll see the spot by the towels on the railings
Avoid These Mistakes
Trying to visit 3 châteaux in one day, August heat means you're done after two tastings max
Booking restaurants at 8 PM, locals eat at 7:30 PM and many kitchens close early in August
Wearing dark colors, navy and black absorb heat; you'll spot locals in white and light gray exclusively
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