Bordeaux Old Town Food & Wine Tour with Local Tastings

Summary

Food, wine, laughter and stories in Bordeaux’s cobbled heart

You’ll wander through Bordeaux’s old town with a local food expert, tasting fresh pastries, charcuterie, and seasonal cheeses from beloved shops before sitting down for a generous wine pairing in a cozy cellar. Expect laughter, surprising facts about bread and cheese, and moments that stick with you long after you leave those cobblestones behind.

What’s the experience like?

Someone handed me a tiny canelé—still warm, caramelized on the outside—and I swear the smell of vanilla and burnt sugar just hung in the air for a second. Our guide, Camille (she used to be a chef, apparently), was already pointing out a bakery window where baguettes weren’t even the star. She said there’s better bread here—pain de campagne or something else rustic I can’t pronounce. Li laughed when I tried to say it in French. I probably butchered it.

We wandered through Old Town Bordeaux, past these stone facades that look like they’ve seen centuries of stories. There was this moment near the Grosse Cloche where Camille stopped us—not to talk history but to point out an old butcher shop she loves. The butcher waved at her like they were old friends. We sampled slices of saucisson so peppery it tingled my tongue. Someone in our group asked about cheese seasons (that’s a thing?), and suddenly we were learning why some cheeses taste grassy in spring. Never thought about that before.

The main event was this long wooden table inside a wine shop cellar—cool and echoey, with bottles lining every wall. Glasses clinked as Camille poured reds from Saint-Émilion and explained why Bordeaux blends are what they are (I still don’t really get tannins, but the cheese made everything softer somehow). There was plenty to eat—no tiny portions here—and honestly by the end I felt like I’d been let into someone’s secret club for an afternoon. Still think about that last bite of cheese with fig jam.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Bordeaux Old Town food and wine tour

• Start at Cinema Utopia
• Walk 1 km through Old Bordeaux
• Visit artisanal bakery, fromagerie, butcher
• Stop at cannele pastry shop
• Optional gluten-free bakery stop
• See historical landmarks like Grosse Cloche
• Enjoy seated wine, cheese, charcuterie pairing

Top questions

How long does the Bordeaux Old Town Food & Wine Tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 3 hours.

Is the tour suitable for people with limited mobility?

Yes, routes can be adjusted and there are places to sit; wheelchair accessible.

Are gluten-free options available on this food tour?

Yes, gluten-free clients get a special stop at a gluten-free bakery if requested in advance.

What foods are included on the tour?

You’ll taste artisanal bread, cheese, charcuterie, pastries (like canelé), and enjoy a wine pairing.

Where does the Bordeaux food tour start?

The standard meeting point is Cinema Utopia in Old Town Bordeaux.

Is wine included during the tour?

Yes, generous wine tastings are included during the seated pairing at a wine cellar/shop.

How far do you walk during the tour?

The route covers about 1 km at an easy pace with stops along the way.

Will we visit famous landmarks like Grosse Cloche?

Yes, you’ll pass by historical sites such as Grosse Cloche during your walk.

What’s included

Your afternoon includes all tasting samples—artisan breads from local bakeries, seasonal cheeses from top fromageries, charcuterie from trusted butchers, sweet canelés fresh from the oven—and finishes with a generous seated wine pairing at a welcoming cellar or shop. The experience is led by an expert guide who adapts each tour to your group’s curiosity and needs.