How to get to Bordeaux?

To get to Bordeaux at a low price, you can choose between train, bus or carpooling. Thanks to Tictactrip, easily compare and book your trips to this magnificent city in the South West of France in just a few clicks. The platform lets you compare prices, journey times and the various transport options to find the itinerary best suited to your budget. Simple, fast and economical, it's an ideal solution for reaching Bordeaux while favouring more responsible overland travel.

The history of the city of Bordeaux

Bordeaux has a particularly rich history, shaped by its strategic location on the Garonne, between the Atlantic Ocean and inland France. This position made it, very early on, a major trading crossroads and an influential city in the region's economic, political and cultural history. Even today, its heritage bears witness to more than two thousand years of history. Source

Ancient origins

The city dates back to antiquity under the name Burdigala. It was founded by the Bituriges Vivisques, a Gallic people who established an important trading port here linking the Mediterranean to the Atlantic. From this period, trade in wine and tin contributed to the city's development.

Under the Roman Empire, Burdigala became a prosperous city with an urban plan structured around a cardo and a decumanus, a grid system of streets that still influences the layout of the city centre today. The city grew thanks to its port and its strategic role in regional trade. Source

Early Middle Ages and invasions

After the fall of the Roman Empire, Bordeaux went through several periods of domination and upheaval. The city was first Christianised, then successively controlled by the Visigoths, the Franks and briefly by the Arabs in the 8th century, who plundered the city.

The Carolingians, notably Pepin the Short and then Charlemagne, then reorganised the region and made Bordeaux the capital of the Kingdom of Aquitaine. Despite this political importance, the city still suffered Viking raids in the 9th century, who regularly ransacked the port and its riches. Source

The English period and commercial rise

A major turning point came in 1154 when Eleanor of Aquitaine married Henry Plantagenet, future King of England. Bordeaux then came under English rule for nearly three centuries. This period marked a genuine economic boom for the city.

Trade in Bordeaux wine, known as claret, grew strongly with England and Northern Europe. Bordeaux then became a major trading port and a powerful economic centre, playing an important role in international trade. This English rule would also be one of the major issues of the Hundred Years' War. Source

Return to the Kingdom of France and the modern era

In 1453, the Battle of Castillon marked the end of the Hundred Years' War and the definitive return of Bordeaux under the authority of the King of France, Charles VII. The city then became a fortified royal stronghold with the construction of several military works such as Fort Louis, Fort du Hâ and the Château Trompette.

In the 16th and 17th centuries, Bordeaux experienced significant prosperity thanks to maritime trade. The city even became the leading port in France. However, it also took part in the triangular trade linking Europe, Africa and the West Indies, a dark chapter in its history linked to the slave trade. Source

Revolution, 19th and 20th centuries

During the French Revolution, Bordeaux was associated with the political movement of the Girondins. The city also experienced the violence of the Terror, during which numerous executions took place.

In the 19th century, Bordeaux was profoundly transformed by the modernisation of its infrastructure. The construction of bridges, the lateral canal to the Garonne, and the arrival of the railway boosted its economic expansion. The population almost doubled between 1841 and 1891, confirming the city's role as a major hub in south-western France. Source

Bordeaux in the contemporary era

In the 20th and 21st centuries, Bordeaux continued its transformation while retaining its wine-growing and port-city identity. Major urban projects have modernised the city: the tram network, the restoration of the quays and the enhancement of the historic centre.

In 2007, the "Port of the Moon", the historic heart of Bordeaux, was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Today, the city attracts many visitors every year, drawn by its architecture, culture, gastronomy and the international renown of its wines. Source

Between historical heritage, cultural dynamism and winemaking tradition, Bordeaux embodies a unique balance between heritage and modernity. Strolling through its streets, visiting its museums or discovering its vineyards is a way to immerse yourself in a fascinating history spanning more than two thousand years.

So, what are you waiting for? Book your trip to Bordeaux now by train, bus or carpool on Tictactrip and set off to discover a city where every street tells a story.