A Weekend in Bordeaux: How Can You Tailor Your Trip to Suit Your Preferences?

A weekend in Bordeaux can take many different forms.

Two people might arrive on the same Friday evening and leave on Sunday with two completely different memories. One will have spent their time in galleries and shops, while the other will have spent theirs in vineyards and restaurants. Some will want to go running, while others will think of nothing but eating. And that’s just fine.

Instead of looking for the perfect itinerary, why not plan your trip around what you truly love?

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1. Start by choosing your own pace

Before you even choose your activities, you need to decide on the pace of your weekend. Do you want to see a lot? Opt for one main activity per half-day. Are you coming mainly to relax? Make sure to leave some time free. Are you already familiar with Bordeaux? Take the opportunity to go beyond the must-see attractions and choose a more tailored experience.

This first step may seem obvious, but it prevents two days of rest from turning into an orienteering race.

The advantage of a well-located hotel is precisely that you can tailor your plans throughout the weekend. The Marty is located in Mériadeck, in the center of Bordeaux, and is about ten minutes from the city center.  

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2. For art lovers: Plan a trip centered on creativity

Bordeaux has such a rich arts scene that it can keep you busy for an entire weekend.

Le Marty also offers a more immersive experience with its Street Art Tour, organized in collaboration with Pierre Lecaroz. This approximately three-hour tour combines urban art, architecture, and the discovery of lesser-known spots.  

And the connection to the hotel is quite natural: the Marty itself hosts artworks and artistic events, particularly in collaboration with the MAGNETIC gallery.  

Here, the hotel almost becomes another stop on the cultural tour.

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3. For food lovers: make more room at the table

If your idea of a weekend is mainly about good food and drink, there's no need to fill your schedule with sightseeing.

Instead, you can plan your trip around a few select spots: lunch, a coffee break, a place for dinner, and perhaps a wine-tasting experience.

For those interested in exploring further, the Marty also offers Wine Tours in partnership with Ophorus. These half-day or full-day excursions allow you to visit vineyards, explore châteaux, and taste Bordeaux wines. Prices start at €85 for a half-day tour.

It’s another way to plan your trip: instead of trying to see everything in Bordeaux, you choose a theme and build your weekend around it.

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4. For shopping enthusiasts: Ask someone who knows the city

Shopping can also become an experience in its own right.

Rather than wandering from store to store at random, personalized guidance allows you to better target the designers and shops that match your tastes.

To that end, Le Marty offers a personal shopper service with Alicia Keane. Two options are available: the Collective Shopping Tour for two to five people and the VIP Shopping Tour, designed for a more exclusive experience.  

In particular, the service highlights local designers and unique spots in Bordeaux.

This is a great option for a weekend with friends or a getaway for two, when you want to bring back something other than a souvenir bought at the first shop you come across.

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5. For athletes: Incorporate physical activity without organizing a training camp

A different kind of trip, a different itinerary. If you like to stay active on the weekends, you can explore Bordeaux by incorporating a sporting activity into your trip.

Marty works with Ultimate Physical, located about 50 meters from the hotel. They offer individual and group sessions, limited to five people.  

Our partner studio, Sculpt, also offers Pilates Reformer classes.  

The main idea is to be able to keep doing an activity you enjoy without having to plan your entire vacation around it.

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6. For the curious: leave room for the unexpected

Customizing a trip doesn't necessarily mean planning everything in advance. On the contrary.

Many places stay open throughout the weekend. It’s often during these times that you discover an unexpected spot, an exhibition you hadn’t heard of, or a neighborhood you hadn’t planned to visit.

The hotel can then serve as a local hub.

At Le Marty, the front desk can advise guests on activities to enjoy and arrange certain services before arrival or during their stay, subject to availability.  

This allows you to make advance reservations for what needs to be booked while retaining some flexibility for the rest.

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7. What if the living room were designed around a single desire?

That’s actually the simplest question to ask. Why are you coming to Bordeaux this time? To eat? To explore the wine scene? To see exhibitions? To go shopping? To get some fresh air and go for a walk? To spend time together?

Once you have that answer, it becomes much easier to plan the trip.

A weekend in Bordeaux doesn't have to be a nonstop series of activities. Just a few well-chosen experiences can be enough to give your trip a real sense of character.

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A 4-star hotel in Bordeaux that adapts to your stay

This logic also explains the role a hotel can play in the experience.

The Marty is a 4-star hotel in Bordeaux located in the heart of Mériadeck. With its 61 rooms, common areas, and range of services, the hotel serves as a central hub for your stay.  

The bar and dining area also make it possible to stay on site for part of the day or evening. Breakfast is served from 7:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., and there is a coffee shop and a bar.

The concept is simple: you choose how you want to experience Bordeaux, and the hotel will accommodate your plans as much as possible.

Do you already have plans for your weekend in Bordeaux? Let the team at Marty know before you arrive—they’ll be happy to recommend experiences and services tailored to your interests.