What's on in Bordeaux, France through the year

Busy — Christmas holidays in France, school holidays in 6 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in January.

Still on: Oyster season on the Bassin (1 Sep – 30 Apr (usually))

Busy — Winter (February) holidays in France, school holidays in 2 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in February.

Still on: Oyster season on the Bassin (1 Sep – 30 Apr (usually))

Busy — Winter (February) holidays in France, school holidays in 3 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in March.

Still on: Oyster season on the Bassin (1 Sep – 30 Apr (usually))

Busy — Spring holidays in France, school holidays in 5 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in April.

Still on: Oyster season on the Bassin (1 Sep – 30 Apr (usually))

Busy — Spring holidays in France, school holidays in 3 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in May.

Shoulder season — school holidays in 4 of the markets that fill it, an ordinary month

Nothing new starts in June.

Peak crowds — Bordeaux Fete le Vin, Summer holidays in France

• Festival

  Bordeaux Fete le Vin

  7–11 Jul · usuallyMajor festivalCrowdedBook early

  The quays become a four-day tasting on alternate years, next from 7 to 11 July 2027 alongside the tall ships. In the years between, the river festival takes roughly the same slot. Source ↗

Busy — Summer holidays in France, school holidays in 6 of the markets that fill it

• Closure

  The August emptying

  1–25 Aug · usually

  Bordelais leave for the Arcachon coast and the neighbourhood restaurants shut in rotation for two or three weeks, a paper note on the door. The centre keeps working; the quartiers do not. Source ↗

Busy — school holidays in 3 of the markets that fill it, one of its best months for weather

• Season

  Oyster season on the Bassin

  1 Sep – 30 Apr · usuallyForaging season

  The huts at Cap Ferret and Gujan-Mestras, an hour west, sell by the dozen with a glass of white from September through the winter. The fortnight before Christmas is when they are busiest.

• Season

  Vendanges in the vineyards

  5 Sep – 15 Oct · usuallyHarvest

  Picking runs through September and into October across the Medoc and the right bank. Chateaux that take visitors often close their doors while the crop is coming in, so book tastings before you travel.

Busy — All Saints (autumn) holidays in France, school holidays in 3 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in October.

Still on: Oyster season on the Bassin (1 Sep – 30 Apr (usually)), Vendanges in the vineyards (5 Sep – 15 Oct (usually))

Peak crowds — Christmas market, All Saints (autumn) holidays in France

• Festival

  Christmas market

  27 Nov – 27 Dec · usuallyChristmas & New YearCrowded

  The Allees de Tourny chalets line the Quinconces daily from the end of November into the days after Christmas, open into the evening. The trams get slow on the last two weekends. Source ↗

Still on: Oyster season on the Bassin (1 Sep – 30 Apr (usually))

Peak crowds — Christmas market, Christmas holidays in France

Nothing new starts in December.

Still on: Oyster season on the Bassin (1 Sep – 30 Apr (usually)), Christmas market (27 Nov – 27 Dec (usually))