2h Walking tour of the 'Ugly' Bordeaux

Outdoor activities Deals & Discounts Culture & history Neighborhood tours Landmarks & monuments Tours Art Guided tours Private tours Educational activities Architecture Hidden gems Sightseeing

Discover Bordeaux’s ugly ducklings: concrete monsters, bizarre landmarks, and controversial architecture—served with history, humor, and a touch of local sarcasm.

Highlights

Marvel at Mériadeck, Bordeaux’s “Soviet UFO” district
See the bunker-like Administrative City fortress
Visit Utopia, a Gothic church turned indie cinema
See the Nazi Submarine Base turned art space
Judge the Cité du Vin: masterpiece or golden pickle?

Description

Bordeaux is world-famous for its elegant 18th-century façades and UNESCO-listed beauty—but what about the other side of the city? On this 2-hour “Ugly & Controversial Bordeaux” tour, you’ll explore the places locals love to hate. From the brutalist blocks of Mériadeck, once imagined as a “Manhattan in Bordeaux” and now nicknamed a giant parking lot, to the Administrative Fortress, where finding your way feels like a Kafka novel, prepare for a crash course in concrete. Step into Utopia, a former church turned arthouse cinema, or the sinister WWII Submarine Base, too solid to destroy and now home to electro concerts and art shows. At the futuristic Cité du Vin, you’ll decide if it’s a masterpiece or a giant golden pickle. Cross the noisy Aquitaine Bridge, admire the “Frankenstein” architecture of Saint-Jean Station, and finish at the lively yet chaotic Capucins Market, known as “Capu-moche.” Half history, half stand-up comedy, this tour blends cultural insight with self-deprecating humor—because Bordeaux isn’t just about picture-perfect postcards!