Quai Louis XVIII

The basics

With its pretty riverside parks and walkways affording expansive views across the Garonne, Quai Louis XVIII is usually included on walking and biking tours of Bordeaux. To see it for yourself, start at Place de la Bourse, with its monumental 18th-century buildings and striking Miroir d’Eau water feature, and then walk up to Place de Quinconces with its imposing Girondins Monument, or admire the views from the water on a sightseeing cruise.

Things to know before you go

• A walk along Quai Louis XVIII is a quintessential first-time visitor activity in Bordeaux, and there are plenty of spots to sit and take in the views or enjoy a picnic. Boats set sail along the Garonne from along the quay.

• Art lovers gravitate to the CAPC Contemporary Art Museum along Quai Louis XVIII.

• The quay links two of Bordeaux’s main squares, so you’ll find plenty of cafés, restaurants, and bars on and around the boulevard. There are public restrooms just north of Place de Quinconces.

• The wide riverfront boulevard of Quai Louis XVIII is easily accessible for strollers and wheelchairs.

How to get there

Quai Louis XVIII is located along the Garonne riverfront, between Place de la Bourse and Place des Quinconces, a short walk from Bordeaux’s historic center. Take Tram B to the stop Quinconces or CAPC Musée d’art Contemporain stop, from where you can walk, cycle, or drive along the riverfront boulevard and parks. The nearest parking lot is Allées de Chartres at Place des Quinconces.

When to get there

The Quai Louis XVIII is most enjoyable on a sunny summer’s day, but the views are impressive whenever you visit. Swing by at night to admire the city’s glittering illuminations or time your visit for seasonal events such as the gigantic Foire à la Brocante des Quinconces flea market held in spring and autumn at Place des Quinconces.

Bordeaux’s UNESCO-listed historic center

A walking tour of Bordeaux’s historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the best way to admire the city’s architectural highlights. Along with Place de la Bourse and Place des Quinconces, a walking tour will reveal the magnificent Grand Theatre on Place de la Comédie, Gothic Saint-André Cathedral, Grosse Cloche belfry, and the medieval city gate, Port Cailhau.