The short answer is “no” if you stay in the city of Bordeaux.
If you are staying outside of Bordeaux, in a beautiful French village or at a château near Saint-Émilion, in the Médoc, Entre-Deux-Mers, or another region, it may be a good idea, as regional transportation is scarce and not easy to figure out.
There are pros and cons of renting a car in Bordeaux.
If you stay outside of the city
If you stay in Saint-Émilion, the Médoc, or anywhere around the town, it may be convenient to rent a car. This way you can easily reach your destination from the airport and move around, visit wineries, etc. I have listed the best Bordeaux vineyards stays here.
Also, you can use the TransGironde public buses and SNCF short-haul regional trains to move around.
If you want to drive to the city Bordeaux, be aware that it is quite busy in the city center. Some streets in historic center are pedestrian or reserved for local traffic and taxis only.
Parking can be a challenge on workdays. I find underground parking garages to be the easiest option in the city center. Pay at the machine before returning to your car.
If you plan to rent a car, you can arrange a pick up at Bordeaux Merignac airport as well as at Hall 3 of Gare Saint-Jean, the train station.
Speed limits in France
Speed limits in France are displayed in kilometers.
In the cities, speed limits are 50 km/h (31 mph). Regional roads speed limits are 80 or 90 km/h (49 to 60 mph) depending on whether the road is divided and the number of lanes.
Highways can be 110 km/h (68 mph) or 130 km/h (80 mph). The highway and road speed limits are 10 km/h lower when it is raining.
Be ready for multiple speed bumps and roundabouts on the way.
At unmarked intersections, you need to yield to a car on your right. This rule confuses many foreigners. Make sure you understand the peculiarities of intersection crossing when driving in France.
Check out official rules here and drive safely.
Alcohol limits in France
France has strict rules on drinking and driving.
As of 26 of December 2019, the maximum alcohol level is 0.5 grams per litre of blood. The official information can be found here.
How to go on a Bordeaux wine tour
You can do wine tastings in Bordeaux on a self-driven tour. I suggest to pick one of the wine regions for a day – Médoc, Saint-Émilion, Pessac-Leognan or Sauternes. Although it is possible to cover two different regions, the distances between them are quite long.
To help plan your Médoc wine tour, I have created an informational booklet for Self-guided wine tours.
Perhaps, my article on 10 Best Wineries to Visit in Bordeaux can be helpful in planning your tour.
Also, see the catalogue of Bordeaux wineries.
Pros and cons of driving for wine tastings in Bordeaux:
- Flexibility
- Need a designated driver
- Need planning
Wine tastings can be done on an organized tour. There is a number of private and group tours from Bordeaux, where you will follow an itinerary made by your local tour guide knowledgeable about wine.
- No need to drive
- No need to worry about winery appointments and planning
- Can taste and drink wonderful Bordeaux wines
- Higher cost
Whatever mode of transportation you choose, enjoy Bordeaux and its wines! It is a great destination for wine lovers.
Join our Bordeaux wine tours and find other things to do in Bordeaux.
