Exploring Bordeaux with a Disability
Whether it’s transportation, lodging, dining, sightseeing, or recreational activities, for people with disabilities, a trip can quickly turn into an obstacle course. No matter what disability you have, we’re committed to making your stay as easy as possible and providing you with all the information and resources you need for a stress-free trip, free of barriers and obstacles.
A Welcoming Environment at the Bordeaux Tourist Office
Certified under the “Tourisme et Handicap” program for all four types of disabilities (hearing, intellectual, mobility, and visual), the Bordeaux Tourist Office is committed to providing a welcoming experience and information to all visitors.
Our travel advisors and tour guides are trained to assist people with disabilities and can direct you to tours, activities, and services tailored to your needs.
The national “Tourisme et Handicap” certification identifies tourist establishments that meet criteria for accessibility and quality of service.
Discover Bordeaux through accessible itineraries
Want to stroll along the quays, explore the historic center, or take a walk in nature? Four “Tourisme et Handicap”- certified itineraries let you explore Bordeaux and its metropolitan area independently.
An 8-km walk along the Garonne River, between the two banks and the major landmarks lining the river.
A 3.6-km loop through the heart of historic Bordeaux, showcasing its UNESCO-listed heritage.
A trail through a vast natural area, featuring forest, biodiversity, and environmental exploration.
A walk through a wooded area, offering a nature retreat just outside Bordeaux.
Both Bordeaux trails are certified accessible for people with hearing, intellectual, and mobility impairments. Please review the detailed characteristics of each route before your visit.
Tour resources to enhance your experience
To make Bordeaux’s heritage accessible to as many people as possible, the Tourist Office also offers several adapted resources.
A tactile booklet, available at the Tourist Office reception desk, allows visitors to experience the city’s heritage through touch.
For organized groups, adapted guided tours can be arranged upon request, tailored to the specific needs of participants, by contacting [email protected] or [email protected].
Getting Around and Parking in Bordeaux
Public Transportation
The TBM network (trams, buses, and river shuttles) is equipped to facilitate travel for people with limited mobility.
Trams offer level access from the platforms, and buses have spaces reserved for wheelchairs and access ramps at accessible stops. Special equipment also makes it easier for people with visual impairments to get around.
Accessible Parking
In Bordeaux, on-street parking is free for holders of the Mobility Inclusion Card with the “Parking” designation (CMI-S) or the European Parking Card (CES), including in non-reserved spaces.
To take advantage of this free parking and avoid a ticket from the automated enforcement system, you must validate your parking according to the procedures established by the City of Bordeaux: vehicle registration, parking meter, or the Flowbird app.
Apps to Make Your Stay Easier
Find an accessible location, plan a route, locate a parking spot, or get assistance : Wheelmap, Streetco, Be My Eyes and Handicap.fr are each offering features tailored to different needs.
Four bronze relief maps of the historic districts
Bordeaux-based sculptor François Didier created these four three-dimensional relief maps of the city. Each represents an iconic tourist area: the area around City Hall, the Place de la Comédie neighborhood, the Saint-Pierre neighborhood, and the area around the Cité du Vin.
Designed in close collaboration with the GIPHP (Group for the Integration of People with Physical Disabilities) and UNADEV (National Union of the Blind and Visually Impaired), these maps help visitors find their way more easily and discover the architecture of the main monuments through a combination of visual and tactile elements. Sighted people can view them, while those who are visually impaired or blind can explore them with their fingertips.
They are located at Place Jean-Moulin, Place du Palais, Place de la Comédie (across from 2 Allées de Tourny), and in front of the Cité du Vin.
