By Cécile — July 2026 — 5 min read
Bordeaux is often the main destination — and rightly so. But the city also happens to be a remarkable base for exploring the Gironde. Within an hour from our studios: a medieval village listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the tallest sand dune in Europe, a Romanesque abbey reachable by bike along a disused railway line, and one of the world's most renowned wine regions. Here are four full-day trips, out and back from Bordeaux, for those who want to venture beyond the city for a day.
Saint-Émilion, the Medieval Village
This is probably the trip our guests recommend most — and it's easy to see why. Saint-Émilion is one of those destinations that justifies a stay in the region on its own.
The village sits on a rocky promontory surrounded by vineyards as far as the eye can see. Once you're in the cobbled lanes, it becomes immediately clear why this site is UNESCO-listed: the medieval architecture, the vineyards, and the underground world form a remarkably coherent whole. You move naturally from the Cloître des Cordeliers to the monolithic church, carved into the rock itself, whose 68-metre bell tower offers a sweeping view over the vines and rooftops. Below the village, two hundred kilometres of underground passages bear witness to centuries of winemaking — some sections are accessible on guided tours. And before heading back, it's hard to resist the almond paste macarons, a local speciality whose recipe has remained a family secret.
How to get there: by car from Bordeaux, allow around 45 minutes. By regional train from Gare Saint-Jean, the journey takes about 35 minutes — Saint-Émilion station is then a 20-minute walk from the village, through the vineyards. A lovely way to arrive. Our favourite spots on the ground (restaurants, wine cellars) are on our Around Bordeaux page; for a full day guide, read our dedicated article on Saint-Émilion.
The Arcachon Basin and the Dune du Pilat
For a day by the ocean, the Arcachon Basin is the obvious choice. Around an hour's drive from Bordeaux, this large sheltered body of water offers a landscape very different from the open Atlantic coast: oyster ports, houses on stilts, peaceful walks on sheltered beaches. The oysters from the Basin are eaten straight from the producers — it's a local tradition you get into quickly.
Not to miss during the day: the Dune du Pilat, south of Arcachon. It's the tallest sand dune in Europe. From the top, the view takes in the Landes forest stretching to the horizon on one side, and the sea and the mouth of the Basin on the other. The climb from the base takes some effort, but the panorama from the top is well worth it. Bring sturdy closed-toe shoes: the fine sand gets everywhere.
A little further south, Lac de Sanguinet, on the edge of the Landes, offers a quieter and more nature-focused way to end the day — a walk by the water, surrounded by pine forest.
The Roger Lapébie Greenway — the Entre-Deux-Mers by Bike
Less well-known than the first two, this excursion is nonetheless one of our favourites for a day with a different feel. The Roger Lapébie greenway is a disused railway line converted into a cycling path: 28 kilometres laid out through the landscapes of the Entre-Deux-Mers — vineyards, meadows, villages in golden stone — all the way to the Abbaye de la Sauve-Majeure.
The abbey is one of the most important medieval Benedictine foundations in the South-West of France, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the pilgrimage routes to Santiago de Compostela. Arriving there by bike, along a path that has followed the vines for kilometres, gives it a particular resonance — the feeling of having truly journeyed to the site.
The route is accessible to all levels: sealed surface, no road crossings. It makes for a relaxed day's cycling, ideal for families or those who aren't seasoned cyclists. The path is manageable from end to end without excessive effort.
The Roger Lapébie greenway, a 47-km former railway line, winds through the Entre-Deux-Mers — perfect by bike. Bike hire is available in the village of Saint-Émilion, from Véloce or Lovelec 33.
The Médoc and the Route des Châteaux
North of Bordeaux, on the left bank of the Gironde, lies the Médoc — a wine peninsula whose names resonate around the world. The Route des Châteaux (the D2) follows the river and passes through the great appellations one after another: Margaux, Saint-Julien, Pauillac, Saint-Estèphe. The landscape is one of near-continuous vineyard, punctuated by estate façades and the ornate gates of grand properties.
Pauillac alone is home to three of the five first growths in the 1855 Bordeaux classification. Many châteaux offer cellar tours and tastings, generally by prior appointment, year-round. For those not looking to taste, a drive along the D2 is enough to absorb the atmosphere: the Gironde estuary in the background, vineyards stretching to the horizon, and an architecture of estates that blends Bordelais chartreuses with 19th-century neoclassical manor houses.
It's a particularly beautiful trip in the shoulder seasons: in spring when the buds break, or in autumn when the vines turn red at harvest time.
Whichever excursion you choose, our studios in the Saint-Michel neighbourhood make a practical starting point: Gare Saint-Jean is just a few minutes on foot or by tram, and motorway access is close for trips by car. Book your studio directly →