AI estimate Updated Mar 22, 2026 About guide entries
Essentials
- City
- Bordeaux, Gironde, France
- Population
- 980,000 (Metropolitan Area)
- Internet Speed
- Average 120-400 Mbps (Fiber widely available)
- Currency & Banking
- Euro (EUR); 1 EUR ≈ 1.09 USD
- Tap Water
- Safe to drink, high mineral content
- Power
- 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/E sockets
- SIM Card
- Orange, Free Mobile (Best value: €19.99 for 250GB), SFR, Bouygues
- Banking for Expats
- Revolut, Lydia, BNP Paribas, Société Générale
- Accommodation
- Le Coliving (700€+), Airbnb, SeLoger, MorningCroissant
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes, contactless (Sans Contact) is the norm for over €1
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb, Blueground, Nomadico Bordeaux
- Budget Accommodation
- Central Hostel (Dorms from €35), Jo&Joe Bordeaux (from €30)
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Saint-Pierre, Pey Berland, Chartrons
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Chartrons (Trendy), Saint-Michel (Bohemian), Bassins à Flot (Modern)
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Darwin Ecosystem (€25/day), Now Coworking (€30/day, Quai de Bacalan)
- Best Cafe for Work
- Anticafé (Pay-per-hour), Books & Coffee (Rue Saint-James)
- Networking Events
- French Tech Bordeaux, Digital Nomads Bordeaux Meetup
- Social Events for Expats
- Bordeaux Expats FB Group, InterNations Bordeaux monthly drinks
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Uber, Bolt, Heetch
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- V3 (Vee-cub) City Bikes (€1.70/24h), Pony, Tier
- Best Beach Nearby
- Arcachon & Dune du Pilat (50 mins by TER train, €15)
- Top Regional Airline
- Air France (HOP!), Volotea
- Top International Airline
- EasyJet, Ryanair, Air France
- Highway Access
- A10 (Paris), A63 (Spain), A62 (Toulouse)
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Gare de Bordeaux-Saint-Jean (TGV to Paris in 2h4min)
- Public Transport Passes
- TBM Network; Monthly pass €52.20, 10-trip card €15
- Regional Travel
- TER Nouvelle-Aquitaine, FlixBus, BlaBlaCar
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- CHU de Bordeaux - Hôpital Pellegrin (Rue de la Pelouse de Douet)
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Yoga Pop (Passage de la Ferme), Yoga Room (Quai des Marques)
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Basic-Fit (various locations, €24.99/mo), Fitness Park
- Laundry Services
- La Base (Laundromat & Café), Laverie Speed Queen
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- UberEats, Deliveroo
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Entrecôte à la Bordelaise, Canelé (€2 at Baillardran)
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Monkey Mood (Place Saint-Michel), Wild-Note Vegan Burger
- Best Dessert Spots
- La Tuile à Loup, Dune Blanche at Chez Pascal
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Marché des Capucins (Fresh produce), Auchan Mériadeck
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Amazon.fr, Cdiscount (HQ in Bordeaux), Veepee
- Grocery Delivery
- Monoprix Plus, Carrefour Livré chez vous
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- La Victoire (Student), Quai de Paludate (Clubs)
- Local Brewery
- Brasserie Azimut, Frog & Rosbif
- Wine Bars
- Le Bar à Vin (CIVB), Aux Quatre Coins du Vin
- Street Food Stalls
- Les Halles de Bacalan (Upscale food court)
- Popular International Cuisine
- FuFu Ramen (Japanese), Osteria Pizzeria Da Bartolo
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Place de la Bourse & Miroir d'eau, Cité du Vin
- Museums & Art Venues
- CAPC Musée d'art contemporain, Bassins des Lumières
- Historical Sites
- Porte Cailhau, Grosse Cloche
- Religious Sites
- Cathédrale Saint-André, Basilique Saint-Michel
- Annual Events
- Bordeaux Fête le Vin (June), Festival International des Arts de Bordeaux
- Cultural Districts
- Saint-Michel (Antiques), Chartrons (Wine History)
- Theater Venues
- Grand Théâtre de Bordeaux (Opera), TNBA
- Local Markets
- Marché Royal (Saturdays at Saint-Michel)
- Music Scene
- Le Rocher de Palmer (Cenon), I.Boat (Club/Venue)
- Street Art
- Darwin Ecosystem (Graffiti walls), M.U.R de Bordeaux
- Cooking Classes
- L'atelier des Chefs Bordeaux (Rue de Grassi)
- Art Galleries
- Galerie DX, Les Glacières de la Banlieue
- Historic Buildings
- Palais Rohan (City Hall), Palais Gallien (Roman Ruins)
- Local Heritage
- UNESCO World Heritage 'Port of the Moon' status
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Jardin Public, Parc Bordelais
- National Parks Nearby
- Parc Naturel Régional des Landes de Gascogne
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Roger Lapébie bike path (Bordeaux to Sauveterre)
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Top of Pey Berland Tower, Pont de Pierre at sunset
- Birdwatching Locations
- Réserve Ornithologique du Teich (90 mins away)
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Strictly regulated; only in designated beach areas of Lacanau with permits
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- La Poste, Relais Colis (in local shops)
- Tech Repair Services
- Save (Mériadeck), Apple Store (Sainte-Catherine)
- Table Tennis Spots
- Parc aux Angéliques (Outdoor tables)
- Language Classes
- Alliance Française Bordeaux, Newdeal Institut
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Bibliothèque Mériadeck (One of France’s largest)
- Community Centers
- Centre d'animation Saint-Michel
- Gaming Lounges
- Checkpoint Bar (Esports/Gaming bar)
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Casino Barrière Bordeaux (Lac district)
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €5,200 per m² (e.g., 25 m² = €130,000)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €3,800 per m² (e.g., 25 m² = €95,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €4,900 per m² (e.g., 45 m² = €220,500)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €3,500 per m² (e.g., 45 m² = €157,500)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €4,700 per m² (e.g., 70 m² = €329,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €3,200 per m² (e.g., 70 m² = €224,000)
- Corporate Tax
- 25% (Standard rate)
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 30% (Flat Tax/PFU)
- Tax System
- Worldwide income for residents
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 45% (plus exceptional 3-4% surcharge for high earners)
- VAT
- 20% (Standard), 10%/5.5% (Reduced for food/services)
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, applicable to 50%+ ownership in tax havens
- Property Tax
- Taxe Foncière (Varies by district, approx. €800-€1500/year)
- Property Transaction Tax
- Approx. 7-8% (Notaire fees/taxes for older properties)
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- No 0% tax; 'Auto-Entrepreneur' scheme offers simplified 22% social tax for services
About these guide entries
- Method
- AI estimate
- Last updated
- Mar 22, 2026
- Generated by
- Model not recorded
- Last changed
- None yet
Generated by an AI model without cited sources and not yet checked by research. A research pass replaces these values with sourced ones, compared with similar cities.