These are very thorough walking directions – you shouldn’t be getting lost in Bordeaux when following this guide.

However, I definitely recommend that you follow the Google Streetview route of the entire Bordeaux Riverside DIY Walking Tour first, from the comfort of your own home before you head to Bordeaux, as this will allow you to better visualise the entire route before you arrive.

START: Quinconces Jean-Jaurès Public Ferry Stop [MAP]:

Board the Bordeaux public ferry at the “Quinconces Jean-Jaurès” Public Ferry Stop (located opposite “La Place de la Bourse” in Bordeaux city centre, first ensuring that the boat is headed for the Cité Du Vin.

The public ferries in central Bordeaux are wheelchair accessible too.

Les Hangars (Médoc) Public Ferry Stop [MAP]:

The Bordeaux public ferry first calls at Les Hangars (Médoc) Ferry Stop. Remain on the boat here (it’s the following Cité Du Vin Ferry Stop that you want).

Pont Jacques Chaban Delmas [MAP]:

Between the Les Hangars (Médoc) and the Cité Du Vin ferry stops, the ferry passes below the very modern “Pont Jacques Chaban Delmas” bridge.

If you’re very lucky, the bridge will be raised as you pass under it (the central part of the bridge rises horizontally, on four vertical pillars, to allow larger cruise ships to continue along the Garonne to central Bordeaux).

Fortunately, the times when the bridge will be raised can be found HERE (and translated HERE), so you don’t need to just “trust to luck” that the bridge will be raised when you visit.

Cité Du Vin Ferry Stop [MAP]:

Just after passing below the “Pont Jacques Chaban Delmas” bridge, you will arrive at the “Cité Du Vin” Ferry Stop.

Alight here, and walk up to the Cité Du Vin (the main entrance faces the street – on the far side as you approach from the river).

After visiting the Cité Du Vin, walk towards the road, and turn LEFT, and cross the Pont Tournant des Ecluses bridge (using this nearside pavement).

At the end of the bridge, IGNORE the pathway that leads off towards the river on your left, but continue STRAIGHT AHEAD along the same nearside pavement instead, until you see traffic lights (and the road leading across the “Pont Jacques Chaban Delmas” bridge on your left).

Before you reach the traffic lights/road, turn LEFT, and head down towards the riverside walkway. When you reach the walkway, turn RIGHT, and walk BELOW the “Pont Jacques Chaban Delmas” bridge.

You are now on the riverside walkway leading back to the centre of Bordeaux, and as long as you keep the river on your left, it is virtually impossible to get lost. You just keep walking.

Along the way, and in order, you will see the Cap Sciences Science Museum, numerous eating/drinking places in the Bord’eau Village outlet centre (there are steps leading up to these places, but a step-free ramp can be found at various points – ex.  HERE and HERE) and Les Hangars (Médoc) Public Ferry Stop again (on your left). Finally reaching the Miroir d’Eau, and Bordeaux city centre – where this DIY Walking Tour Of Riverside Bordeaux now ends.