A Travel Price Comparison for France Bordeaux vs. Beaune for Food, Old Town, Couples, and Attractions

Should you visit Bordeaux or Beaune?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Bordeaux or Beaune? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Bordeaux

Bordeaux is a romantic, historical, and elegant city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Beaune

Beaune is a quaint, vineyard-filled, and cultural town. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Bordeaux and Beaune: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bordeaux or Beaune?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Bordeaux than Beaune, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Bordeaux is better known for its shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Beaune is more popular for its museums, historical sights, and small town charm. Bordeaux is more touristy than Beaune and is known for its world-renowned wine and the many nearby vineyards. Also, Bordeaux is famous for Cathédrale Saint-André. Beaune is well known for its surrounding vineyards and world-renowned wines.

How is Bordeaux different from Beaune?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Beaune and Bordeaux. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Bordeaux or Beaune?

Beaune is a great destination for its museums and landmarks. Also, Bordeaux is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

Beaune offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Top sights and museums around town include Hôtel-Dieu (a former hospital), Château de Savigny, and Château de la Rochepot.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Bordeaux. The city has many historical landmarks and museums to explore. Cathédrale Saint-André, Tour Le Grand-Théâtre, and Basilique Saint-Seurin are all notable monuments that are worth visiting.

Is the Food Better in Bordeaux or Beaune? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Foodies will find both Bordeaux and Beaune both to be amazing destinations.

For foodies, Bordeaux is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. Both food and wine are a major draw to this culinary city, which is known for its pastries and rich flavors. Popular local dishes include grilled duck, duck foie gras, and canelés.

Beaune has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. The restaurant scene is made up of small, narrow, local bistros that serve local dishes with regional ingredients. Many of the menus are focused on wine with the dishes designed specifically to compliment the wines. This is a tourist town, and you'll find many visitors come specifically to enjoy the French cuisine.

Is Bordeaux or Beaune Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Bordeaux or Beaune has a better nightlife scene.

Bordeaux has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The city comes to life at night with dance clubs, wine bars, student pubs, and more.

If you're looking for night time activities Beaune has a few options to choose from. You'll find bars and pubs as well as many places to sip French wine and enjoy the evening.

Is Bordeaux or Beaune Better for its Old Town?

Beaune is a world-class destination for its old town. Also, Bordeaux is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historic old town charm.

The historic old town of Beaune is revered around the world. The old town is walled and compact. It is centered around the medieval hospital complex and it is filled with cobblestone streets and shops.

Bordeaux has an old town worth visiting. The old town is between Cours de l'Intendance and rue Peyronnet. The area has many distinct neighborhoods, monuments, and historical buildings.

Is the Shopping Better in Bordeaux or Beaune?

Bordeaux is a great destination for its shopping opportunities. Also, Beaune is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

Bordeaux is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. The city has a mix of luxury fashion brands, jewelry shops, perfume suppliers, and leather goods. There are department stores, local boutiques, and pedestrian shopping areas that you can explore.

Beaune has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. Boutiques, wine shops, and independent vendors are fun to explore in town.

Is Bordeaux or Beaune Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Bordeaux or Beaune.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Bordeaux. The city has a number of parks and playgrounds as well as museums, including a kid's science museum. Kids also enjoy splashing around in the Miroir d’eau, which is the world's largest water mirror.

Beaune offers lots of family activities. The town has museums like Hospices de Beaune, Hotel-Dieu (a formal hospital), as well as vineyards that you can hike through. Many people enjoy taking a hot air balloon ride while they're in the region.

Is Bordeaux or Beaune Better for Couples?

Beaune is a world-class destination for its romantic activities. Also, Bordeaux is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

Beaune makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. Couples will enjoy exploring vineyards, sipping French wine, and wandering through the charming old town. There are breathtaking hot air balloon rides and wonderful French restaurants that make for a romantic trip.

Bordeaux is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. Wine lovers will enjoy an amazing weekend in this beautiful city. Some of the most romantic activities include wine walks, river cruises, and exploring scenic gardens.

Is Bordeaux or Beaune Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bordeaux is a good destination for backpackers. However, Beaune is a town with minimal options for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of backpackers visit Bordeaux. There are a handful of hostels and a diversity of activities that backpackers can enjoy.

Beaune is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's a charming town, but it's not on many backpacker's itineraries. There are also a limited number of hostels to choose from.

Is Bordeaux or Beaune Better for Students?

Bordeaux is a great destination for students. However, Beaune is not popular with students.

Many students visit Bordeaux. The city has a great student atmosphere and a unique culture with a diversity of activities. It's grown in popularity with students, and the prices have climbed a bit over the past few years.

Beaune is not popular with students.

Is Bordeaux or Beaune Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Bordeaux is a great destination for its public transit. Also, Beaune is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

The public transit in Bordeaux can get you around easily. There are buses, trams and a ferry that runs along the river.

While Beaune offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. While you can walk around the historic center, it's possible to take a bus if you're traveling further.

Is Bordeaux or Beaune a more walkable city?

Beaune is a world-class destination for its high level of walkability. Also, Bordeaux is still popular, but not quite as popular for its ease of walking around.

Getting around Beaune on foot is easy. It's a walkable town that's perfect for taking a stroll.

Bordeaux is a very walkable destination. The city has many pedestrian areas and large squares to explore.

For even more information, also check out Is Bordeaux Worth Visiting? and Is Beaune Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Beaune or Bordeaux?

How long in Bordeaux or Beaune?

It's fun to spend time in either Bordeaux or Beaune. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Bordeaux due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Bordeaux, and 2-4 days is enough time in Beaune.

Families should spend more time in Beaune than Bordeaux. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Beaune, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Beaune than Bordeaux. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Beaune that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Bordeaux than Beaune if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Bordeaux.

One day in Bordeaux or Beaune?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Bordeaux. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

The town of Beaune offers food and shopping. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Bordeaux or Beaune?

Bordeaux is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the food, as that's what most people do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Beaune is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this town makes for a great vacation. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Beaune, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Bordeaux or Beaune?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bordeaux. Don't miss the food, as that's what most people do. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Beaune is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that food is why people visit. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Bordeaux or Beaune?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the historical destination of Bordeaux. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Beaune is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that food is why people visit. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This town offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris, The Best 2-Week Tours from Paris, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to France, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in France.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bordeaux and Beaune, we can see that Beaune is more expensive. And not only is Bordeaux much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Bordeaux would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Bordeaux and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Beaune would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Beaune than you might in Bordeaux.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Bordeaux Expensive? and Is Beaune Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Bordeaux or Beaune?

Bordeaux has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Beaune. When comparing the sizes of Bordeaux and Beaune, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Bordeaux or Beaune?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Bordeaux or Beaune in the Summer?

Both Beaune and Bordeaux are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Bordeaux for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Beaune because of the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

Bordeaux is around the same temperature as Beaune in the summer. The daily temperature in Bordeaux averages around 21°C (69°F) in July, and Beaune fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

It's quite sunny in Beaune. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Bordeaux. Bordeaux usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Beaune during summer. Bordeaux gets 276 hours of sunny skies, while Beaune receives 266 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Bordeaux usually receives less rain than Beaune. Bordeaux gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Beaune receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Bordeaux or Beaune in the Autumn?

Both Beaune and Bordeaux during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Bordeaux because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere are the main draw to Beaune this time of year.

In the autumn, Bordeaux is a little warmer than Beaune. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Bordeaux in October average around 14°C (58°F), and Beaune averages at about 13°C (55°F).

In the autumn, Bordeaux often gets more sunshine than Beaune. Bordeaux gets 165 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Beaune receives 121 hours of full sun.

Bordeaux usually gets more rain in October than Beaune. Bordeaux gets 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Beaune receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bordeaux or Beaune in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Bordeaux and Beaune. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Bordeaux this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Beaune for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Beaune. In January, Bordeaux is generally much warmer than Beaune. Daily temperatures in Bordeaux average around 6°C (43°F), and Beaune fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

Bordeaux usually receives more sunshine than Beaune during winter. Bordeaux gets 86 hours of sunny skies, while Beaune receives 53 hours of full sun in the winter.

Bordeaux gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Bordeaux usually receives more rain than Beaune. Bordeaux gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Beaune receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Bordeaux or Beaune in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Bordeaux as well as Beaune. Many travelers come to Bordeaux for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Beaune in the spring for the small town charm.

Bordeaux is around the same temperature as Beaune in the spring. The daily temperature in Bordeaux averages around 12°C (53°F) in April, and Beaune fluctuates around 11°C (53°F).

In the spring, Bordeaux often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Beaune. Bordeaux gets 190 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Beaune receives 178 hours of full sun.

Bordeaux usually gets more rain in April than Beaune. Bordeaux gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Beaune receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Beaune and Bordeaux