Where to go out in Bordeaux? The best festive, cultural and tourist ideas

Studying at INSEEC Bordeaux means benefiting from an exceptional living environment, combining student dynamism, cultural richness and a festive atmosphere. Ranked the 3rd best student city in France (source: L’Étudiant), Bordeaux combines heritage, innovation and a lively nightlife.

Here is our selection of the best ideas for going out in Bordeaux: bars, clubs, shows, museums, festivals and unmissable walks… with a special focus on Chartrons, the district where the INSEEC campus is located.

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Nightlife

Nightlife in Bordeaux: the best bars and clubs near the INSEEC campus

The Chartrons district, popular with students, is packed with good places to go out in style. Here are the best places to enjoy Bordeaux life after classes.

Must-visit bars in Bordeaux for INSEEC students

L’Anamour: subdued atmosphere and homemade cocktails, very popular with young Bordeaux locals and just a minute’s walk from 136 Quai des Chartrons.
Le Re: Just below Hangar 18, this bar/brasserie offers the best view of the Garonne and the Chaban-Delmas bridge.
La Boca Foodcourt: a friendly foodcourt with a central bar and themed evenings just a stone’s throw from the Campus.
The Wall Street Bar: an original concept with drink prices that vary according to supply and demand.
Delirium Café: a wide selection of beers in an international atmosphere.
The Fire Walk With Me: a relaxed rock/alternative bar that often has a lively atmosphere.
Le Mada: lounge atmosphere and refined cocktails.
Levrette Café: relaxed atmosphere, table football, craft beer and views over the quays.
Le vintage café : atmospheric bar in the centre of Bordeaux with retro music from the 70s/80s
L’Empire: atmospheric bar and restaurant in an exceptional location in the heart of the Saint Pierre district
Le Grizzli Pub: a not-to-be-missed bar on Place de la Victoire offering themed evenings every night (really cheap).
L’Engrenage: Crazy atmosphere and decor, right in the heart of Bordeaux, the perfect equation for a successful evening out
Milo’s Bar: Right next to Parliament Square, it’s like being in a Bayonne street!
Les Halles de Bacalan: Quite simply the best terrace in Bordeaux! Between rugby match broadcasts and sunsets, it’s the ideal place to enjoy a vast choice of food and drink stalls from the 4 corners of the globe.
Le Gargalou: A guinguette atmosphere at the foot of the Chaban Delmas Bridge and the INSEEC campus
Les Chantiers de la Garonne: Feet in the sand, overlooking the Garonne and Bordeaux’s beautiful Left Bank
La Guinguette de Chez Alriq: A large picnic area overlooking the Garonne River

The best rooftops in Bordeaux

There’s nothing like a drink as the sun sets….

Mama Shelter: panoramic views, cocktails and a trendy atmosphere.
InterContinental – Rooftop Night Beach: top-of-the-range terrace overlooking the Opera.
Tchanqué: in a guest house atmosphere by the sea, overlooking the quays and the historic Chartrons district, its perched terrace offers a unique view of the city.
Le Shasha sur le Toit: panoramic view of Bordeaux and the Chaban Delmas Bridge
The Gina at the Renaissance Bordeaux Hotel above the Bassin à Flots, perfect for observing the INSEEC campus

The nightclubs most frequented by our students

L’Iboat: the emblematic barge-club with rooftop and electro programme.
Le One Percent: The ideal bar for discovering the promising local electronic scene, 100% Bordeaux.
Le Base: a trendy new club with an urban and festive atmosphere.
La Dame: situated on the Garonne, between club and lounge bar with a unique view.
Le Monseigneur: speakeasy-style club, vintage music.
Le Cercle: a select, intimate club known for its electro programming.
L’Harche Club: a small venue with a lively atmosphere and local DJs.
Darwin Écosystème: an alternative venue hosting electro nights, afterworks and festivals.
Boom Boom: electro music in Bordeaux’s hypercentre

72% of young people choose their city of study on the basis of the quality of its social and festive life. Bordeaux ticks all the boxes.

Culture

Cultural activities in Bordeaux not to be missed

A city of history and creativity, Bordeaux offers a wide range of cultural activities that are accessible to all student budgets.

Museums and exhibition venues

Cité du Vin: 10 minutes from the INSEEC campus, a must for wine lovers.
CAPC – Museum of Contemporary Art: unique architecture and innovative exhibitions.
Musée des Beaux-Arts de Bordeaux: classical and modern masterpieces.
The Musée Mer Marine is a space for exhibitions, discoveries, events and meetings entirely dedicated to the cultural and natural heritage of the sea.
Museum of Illusion

Theatre, opera and concerts

Grand Théâtre de Bordeaux: an 18th-century architectural masterpiece. Stages operas, ballets and great classical works.
ONBA – Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine: one of the best orchestras in France, with a rich and accessible programme.
TnBA: modern theatre with contemporary creations and young talent.
La Comédie Gallien: a small, intimate theatre, ideal for stand-up and comedy shows.

Events

Festivals and major events in and around Bordeaux

Throughout the year, Bordeaux plays host to a number of major festivals that set the pace for student life.

Bordeaux Open Air: free outdoor electro festivals all summer long.
Bordeaux Fête le Vin: tastings, entertainment and concerts on the quayside.
Climax Festival: electro music, ecology and conferences.
FAB – Festival International des Arts de Bordeaux: theatre, installations, live performances.
Relâche Festival: free concerts throughout the city from June to September.
Les Plages Électroniques (Arcachon ): beach party just an hour from Bordeaux.
Heures Heureuses Darwin: Every Wednesday from 6pm to midnight between March and October, you’ll be treated to some crazy befores!
Madame Loyal: The whole techno scene comes together for two days of madness at the Parc des Expositions twice a year.
Initial Festival: THE festival that has closed every summer for the last 4 years.
Brunch electronik Bordeaux Festival: A world-famous festival, especially when it comes to Barcelona and Paris.
Hypnose Festival: The festival that welcomes the biggest names in French rap to the Place des Quinconces.
Connect Festival : Connect is the first international festival dedicated to skate culture and its relationship with urban planning, highlighting its cultural and artistic aspects. Exhibitions, conferences, previews, skateable sculptures and city practices will all be on show at the Connect Festival.
FIFIB: Bordeaux International Film Festival

Don’t miss: cod festival, potato festival, etc.

Getaways

Sightseeing and outings around Bordeaux

Things to do in Bordeaux

Place de la Bourse and the water mirror: a must-see photo spot, ideal in summer for cooling off.
Jardin Public: perfect for relaxing between classes.
Stroll along the quays: on foot, by bike or on a scooter.
Watch an arthouse film at the UTOPIA cinema (a magnificent venue housed in a former church) and sip lemonade on the terrace.
Eating canelés…
Take a stroll through MOLLAT, France’s largest independent bookshop (2,700 m2 with almost 300,000 books).

Less than 1 hour from Bordeaux

Dune du Pilat: the highest dune in Europe, for a spectacular panorama.
Bassin d’Arcachon and Cap Ferret: beaches, oysters, chill.
Saint-Émilion: UNESCO-listed vineyards and medieval heritage.
Vignobles du Médoc: tasting tours and discovering the terroir of the Gironde.

Student city

Bordeaux, a choice student city

+ More than 100,000 students, including 10,000 international students (source: Bordeaux Métropole).
3rd largest student city in France (source: L’Étudiant 2024).
Cost of living 20% to 25% lower than Paris (source: INSEE).
A temperate climate with 2,300 hours of sunshine a year and a sun-kissed complexion from May onwards.
Efficient transport: 4 tram lines, self-service bicycle hire, TER links to the whole region.

Join INSEEC Bordeaux, and make the most of your student life in a city where learning, culture and conviviality go hand in hand every day. From the BTS to the MSc, via the BBA, Bachelor and Grande Ecole programmes, our professionally-oriented courses connect you to a dynamic ecosystem.