Bordeaux

Bordeaux is a city and port in southwestern France, serving as the capital of the Gironde department and the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region.

Bordeaux is a city and port in southwestern France, serving as the capital of the Gironde department and the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region. It is located on the Garonne River and is internationally known for its wine industry, historic architecture, and UNESCO-listed heritage. The city proper had 267,991 residents in 2023, while the metropolitan area had 1,376,375 in 2020.

Geography

Bordeaux is situated in southwestern France on the Garonne River, inland from the Atlantic coast. It lies in a plain east of the Médoc wine-growing area. Its position gives it access to river and sea trade routes and has shaped its development as a port city.

History and heritage

Bordeaux has a long urban history and is known for its preserved architecture, including an extensive historic centre recognised by UNESCO. The city has one of the largest concentrations of protected monuments in France, with more than 350 historic monuments and is second in France after Paris for listed or registered monuments.

Wine industry

Bordeaux is one of the world’s best-known wine regions and the city is closely tied to wine commerce, fairs, and tourism. The broader Bordeaux area includes many châteaux and vineyards. Bordeaux is widely associated with wine production and wine trade.

Population and metropolitan area

Bordeaux proper is smaller than its wider urban area, with the metropolitan region containing far more residents than the city itself. The city proper had 267,991 residents in 2023, while the metropolitan area had 1,376,375 in 2020. This reflects the city’s role as the core of a larger economic and commuter region.