A Travel Price Comparison for France Chartres vs. Bordeaux for Food, Couples, Attractions, and Families

Should you visit Chartres or Bordeaux?

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

Should I visit Chartres or Bordeaux? 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.

Chartres

Chartres is a grand, spectacular, and historic town. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. And you can't forget about the food and museums.

Bordeaux

Bordeaux is a historical, elegant, and charming 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. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Chartres and Bordeaux: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Chartres or Bordeaux?

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

How is Chartres different from Bordeaux?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Chartres and Bordeaux.

Chartres offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Most visitors make the trip to see the spectacular Gothic cathedral, Cathédrale Notre-Dame. It was completed in 1220 and is famous for its beautiful stained glass windows.

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 Chartres or Bordeaux? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Bordeaux is a must-visit destination for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Chartres is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its local cuisine and restaurants.

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.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Chartres area. There are a number of restaurants around town so it's easy to grab lunch during a day trip.

Is Chartres or Bordeaux Better for Nightlife?

Bordeaux is a popular place for nightlife and partying. However, Chartres is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

If you're looking for night time activities Bordeaux has a few options to choose from. The city comes to life at night with dance clubs, wine bars, student pubs, and more.

Chartres is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Chartres or Bordeaux Better for its Old Town?

Bordeaux is a popular place for its old town. However, Chartres does not have a historic old town.

Plenty of visitors enjoy exploring the old town in Bordeaux. The old town is between Cours de l'Intendance and rue Peyronnet. The area has many distinct neighborhoods, monuments, and historical buildings.

Chartres does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Chartres or Bordeaux?

Bordeaux is great for its shopping opportunities. However, Chartres is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Bordeaux is well-known for its shopping. 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.

Chartres is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Chartres or Bordeaux Better for Families?

Bordeaux is a popular place for its kid-friendly activities. However, Chartres is not a good destination for its family-friendly activities.

Bordeaux offers lots of family activities. 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.

Chartres is not the most family-friendly destination. The main attraction in town is the cathedral, but the surrounding area is also filled with history. This may not keep your kids entertained for long, so you can also check out the Stained Glass Museum, La Tanière (a zoo), or one of the parks around town.

Is Chartres or Bordeaux Better for Couples?

Bordeaux is great for its romantic activities. Also, Chartres is not as popular, but is still a nice town for couples.

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.

Chartres is a good town for couples to visit. With its cathedral and rich history, many couples enjoy exploring the town. It is filled with history and interesting sights.

Is Chartres or Bordeaux Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Chartres and Bordeaux are notable places to visit.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Chartres. It's easy enough to visit as a day trip from Paris, so backpackers and other tourists typically allow themselves a few hours to explore.

Bordeaux is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are a handful of hostels and a diversity of activities that backpackers can enjoy.

Is Chartres or Bordeaux Better for Students?

Bordeaux is great for its student-friendly activities. However, Chartres is not popular with students.

Bordeaux is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. 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.

Chartres is not popular with students.

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

Chartres and Bordeaux both offer high quality public transit to get you around.

The public transit in Chartres can get you around easily. There are trains that leave Paris Montparnasse 1 Et 2 every half hour and travel to Chartres. The trip takes about 1 hour 15 minutes.

Bordeaux offers a very effecient public transportation network. There are buses, trams and a ferry that runs along the river.

Is Chartres or Bordeaux a more walkable city?

Chartres and Bordeaux are high quality when it comes to walkability.

Chartres is a very walkable town. It's easy to see the sights around town on foot.

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 Chartres Worth Visiting? and Is Bordeaux Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Bordeaux or Chartres?

How long in Chartres or Bordeaux?

In either Chartres or Bordeaux, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Bordeaux than Chartres because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Chartres, and 2-5 days is enough time in Bordeaux.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Bordeaux than Chartres 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 Chartres or Bordeaux?

The town of Chartres offers museums and food. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

The beautiful city of Bordeaux offers food and shopping. 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 Chartres or Bordeaux?

Chartres 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. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Chartres, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

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

Five days in Chartres or Bordeaux?

Chartres is a popular choice for travelers. 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.

Bordeaux is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. It's no surprise that food is why people visit. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Bordeaux, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Chartres or Bordeaux?

Chartres is a great place to explore. 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.

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

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in France, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in France, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in France, and The Best Luxury Tours to France.

When comparing the travel costs between Chartres and Bordeaux, we can see that Bordeaux is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Chartres or Bordeaux?

Bordeaux has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Chartres. When comparing the sizes of Chartres and Bordeaux, 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 Chartres or Bordeaux?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Chartres or Bordeaux in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Chartres as well as Bordeaux. The summer months attract visitors to Chartres because of the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Bordeaux this time of year.

Chartres is around the same temperature as Bordeaux in the summer. The daily temperature in Chartres averages around 20°C (68°F) in July, and Bordeaux fluctuates around 21°C (69°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Bordeaux. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Chartres this time of the year. In the summer, Chartres often gets less sunshine than Bordeaux. Chartres gets 239 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bordeaux receives 276 hours of full sun.

Chartres usually gets more rain in July than Bordeaux. Chartres gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Bordeaux receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Chartres or Bordeaux in the Autumn?

Both Bordeaux and Chartres are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The small town atmosphere are the main draw to Chartres this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Bordeaux for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Chartres is around the same temperature as Bordeaux. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Chartres in October average around 13°C (56°F), and Bordeaux averages at about 14°C (58°F).

Chartres usually receives less sunshine than Bordeaux during autumn. Chartres gets 126 hours of sunny skies, while Bordeaux receives 165 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Chartres usually receives less rain than Bordeaux. Chartres gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Bordeaux receives 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Chartres or Bordeaux in the Winter?

Both Bordeaux and Chartres during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Chartres for the museums and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Bordeaux in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Chartres. In January, Chartres is generally cooler than Bordeaux. Daily temperatures in Chartres average around 5°C (40°F), and Bordeaux fluctuates around 6°C (43°F).

In the winter, Chartres often gets less sunshine than Bordeaux. Chartres gets 56 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bordeaux receives 86 hours of full sun.

Bordeaux gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Chartres usually gets less rain in January than Bordeaux. Chartres gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Bordeaux receives 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Chartres or Bordeaux in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Chartres and Bordeaux. Many visitors come to Chartres in the spring for the small town charm. Furthermore, most visitors come to Bordeaux for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.

Chartres is around the same temperature as Bordeaux in the spring. The daily temperature in Chartres averages around 11°C (52°F) in April, and Bordeaux fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

Chartres usually receives less sunshine than Bordeaux during spring. Chartres gets 173 hours of sunny skies, while Bordeaux receives 190 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Chartres usually receives less rain than Bordeaux. Chartres gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Bordeaux receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Bordeaux and Chartres