A guided morning walk through Bordeaux's food culture, visiting the Marché des Capucins for oysters and saucisse, then sampling Bordeaux wines at the CIVB wine bar and finishing with canelés at a historic pâtisserie.
The Bordeaux Wine and Market Walk is a three-hour guided morning tour exploring the food and wine culture of Bordeaux, the capital of Nouvelle-Aquitaine. The walk opens at the Marché des Capucins, a covered market in the Saint-Michel neighbourhood that locals call the belly of Bordeaux. Here, vendors display Arcachon oysters, Bayonne-cured sausage, seasonal vegetables, and regional cheeses. The guide walks participants through the stalls and explains the provenance of key Aquitaine ingredients, including the distinction between Gironde oysters and those from further along the Atlantic coast.
From the market, the group moves to the Chartrons district, Bordeaux's historic wine merchant quarter along the left bank of the Garonne. The area's 18th-century stone warehouses, once used to mature barrels of claret for export to Britain and the Netherlands, frame the tasting at the CIVB Maison du Vin de Bordeaux wine bar. Three wines are poured to illustrate Bordeaux's major appellation styles — a dry white, a red from the left bank, and a right-bank Merlot-dominant bottle — with the guide contextualising the differences between the limestone plateau terroir of Saint-Émilion and the gravelly soils of the Médoc.
The tour concludes at a historic pâtisserie where participants watch a demonstration of the canelé, Bordeaux's caramelised rum-and-vanilla pastry baked in copper moulds. The demonstration covers the batter preparation and the essential beeswax-lining technique that gives the pastry its lacquered crust. Each participant receives two canelés to taste.
The tour accommodates up to 12 participants and is conducted primarily in English, with French-language departures available on request. All tastings — market samples, three glasses of wine, and the canelé — are included in the €65 price. The walk covers approximately three kilometres over cobbled streets and covered market aisles. The pace is leisurely, with frequent stops at vendor stalls and tasting tables. Participants with shellfish allergies should flag this before booking as oysters feature prominently at the market stop. Dietary substitutions within the wine-tasting segment are limited but the guide can accommodate non-drinkers with juice alternatives at the CIVB stop.
What is included
- All tastings
- wine samples (3 glasses)
- market snacks
- local guide
Highlights
- Marché des Capucins
- Bordeaux wine appellations tasting
- Canelé making demo
- Chartrons wine merchant history
Tips for visiting
- Arrive with a moderate appetite; the tastings amount to a light brunch rather than a full meal.
- Wear flat, rubber-soled shoes — the Saint-Michel neighbourhood and Chartrons district both have uneven cobblestones.
- Participants with shellfish allergies should inform the guide in advance, as oysters are a featured tasting at the market stop.
- Bring a small insulated bag if planning to purchase cheeses or charcuterie from market stalls after the tour ends.
- Non-drinkers can participate fully; the guide can substitute juice or water at the CIVB wine tasting stop.
Frequently asked questions
Is the tour suitable for visitors who do not drink alcohol?
Non-drinkers can participate. The guide can substitute juice or water for the wine tastings at the CIVB stop. The market sampling and canelé demonstration segments are entirely alcohol-free.
How much walking is involved?
The tour covers approximately three kilometres over three hours at a leisurely pace. Most surfaces are flat but cobblestoned. There are no stairs or significant elevation changes.
Are the tastings substantial enough to replace lunch?
The tour is designed as a food-forward morning activity, not a full meal. Most participants find it a satisfying late breakfast or brunch but choose to eat again later in the day.
Is the Marché des Capucins open year-round?
The covered market operates Tuesday to Sunday year-round. This tour uses weekday morning slots to avoid weekend congestion while still accessing the market at its most active trading hours.