You've already covered the 17 must-sees in Bordeaux and you're looking for a little originality? Look no further! From sensory activities to spooky and mysterious experiences, there are plenty of unusual activities to try out in Bordeaux. Whether you're a couple, a family or a group of friends, there's something for everyone. Follow our short guide to the best unusual activities in Bordeaux. You'll discover a city that's young, lively, fun and playful. Ready to go? Let's go!
1. Les Bassins des Lumières, the top unusual activities in Bordeaux
Bordeaux is home to one of the best unusual museums in France! We're talking about Les Bassins des Lumières, the world's largest digital art center, which transforms the Bordeaux submarine base into a monumental spectacle. Discover art in a different way, at the heart of 4 110m-long basins and 12,000m² of projections. Here, works of art unfold on surfaces 12m high and 22m wide, accompanied by exceptional sound quality. Tired of museums with paintings? Here, you can discover the works of the greatest artists in a playful way! The fusion of light, water and architecture creates a totally unreal and magical atmosphere.
Click here to book your admission to the Bassins des Lumières in Bordeaux.
2. Test virtual reality, for a whole host of unusual sensations
Get your fill of unusual activities at Vortex Expérience, Bordeaux's virtual reality expert. Five experiences are on offer:
- Contagion : plunge into the heart of a zombie epidemic in virtual reality.
- Apocalypse : immerse yourself in another world of zombies in "end of the world" mode.
- Origin : travel back in time to medieval times to fight evil.
- Extinction : the fate of the world rests in your capable hands!
- Arena : epic group battles for fun with friends.
Now you're ready to have 100% offbeat, immersive video game fun by booking right here !
3. The Musée de l'Illusion in Bordeaux, a fun place to visit with the whole family
While this type of museum is becoming increasingly widespread, the Musée de l'Illusion in Bordeaux is one of the most impressive in France. Get ready for a more unusual adventure than ever, where the eye and the brain don't really know where they stand. Through dozens of activities, you'll discover optical illusions, sensory challenges, mirror games and other trompe-l'œil. Each illusion has its own scientific explanation, and each one is explained to you. An unusual activity, ideal for children in Bordeaux!
Book my admission to the Musée de l'Illusion de Bordeaux
4. Discover the Tales & Legends of Old Bordeaux
Take the Tales & Legends of Bordeaux tour and discover the city's many surprising details. Immerse yourself in the unusual, exploring forgotten and fascinating stories. In just one hour, you'll stroll from the Grosse Cloche to Saint-André Cathedral, discovering the Basilic du puits du Mirail and the battle of the Chevalier de Lalande. Watch out, as Rue du Loup is said to be full of spells ! Episode 2 takes you from the Porte Dijeaux to Saint-Seurin, where dragons and valiant knights enliven local folklore... and your walk! Rich in tales inspired by the religious and the magical, each itinerary reconnects you with your childlike soul, while revealing the city's hidden heritage. A real favorite you can book right here.
5. Street art in the Chartrons district
As you explore the city's history, you'll come across street art in the Chartrons district. A mecca for the wine trade from the XVII to the XVIIIᵉ century, the district has managed to preserve a part of its rich past. By booking a tour of the district right here, you'll discover its history, as well as that of the artists behind the colorful works that dot one of Bordeaux's most emblematic locations.
6. Unusual activities in Bordeaux: Sensas, putting your senses to the test
While Sensas amuses a wide audience in France's biggest cities, its initial aim is to raise awareness of disability. In the dark, you explore different rooms and workshops, using senses other than sight to complete your missions. Each success earns you an amulet, and each amulet enables you to make a donation to a disability-related association. A fun and instructive adventure you can book in just a few clicks here. Top unusual activities in Bordeaux!
7. Fly an airliner in a simulator
At AviaSim, discover what it's like to fly an airliner. Thanks to a larger-than-life flight simulator, you'll discover the inside of a cockpit and take your place at the controls. Take your Airbus A320 to one of 24,000 pre-registered destinations. You're off for an unforgettable 35-minute flight, preceded by a 10-minute cockpit briefing. Where will you fly this time? Click here to book your flight experience!
8. Make your own kokedama in Bordeaux
First of all, what's a kokedama ? The word is made up of "koke" meaning foam, and "dama" meaning ball, sphere or valuable object. So you're about to make a sphere of moss, with a plant on top. This concept, straight from Japan, allows you to create highly aesthetic decorative plant elements. Let floral art take over your home, giving free rein to your artistic sense. It's also a great idea for an unusual souvenir gift to bring home for a loved one!
Book my Kokedama workshop in Bordeaux
9. Test unusual activities in Bordeaux with sensory floating
Les Bulles à Flotter, Kellua and Graviti are just some of the many sensory floatation centers in Bordeaux. Experience a sensation of lightness and weightlessness like no other. In water saltier than the Dead Sea, you cut yourself off from the world and reconnect with yourself. The body-temperature water provides an immediate sensation of well-being. Gone are the noises and parasites around you. In this moment, you're the only person who matters. A true moment of meditation and self-discovery, to be experienced at least once by booking right here !
10. The beer spa, an unusual activity to try out as a couple
One of the most popular unusual activities in Bordeaux and throughout France is the beer spa. At the Wine Beer Spa, you immerse yourself in a wine or beer spa, to enjoy the benefits of their ingredients. Between relaxation and tasting, it's a truly unusual interlude of pleasure that you can treat yourself to at our partner's rates right here.
Did you know? Beer baths are nothing new: they already existed 2,000 years BC. And 3,000 BC, the benefits of wine baths were already being acclaimed by the Greeks and Egyptians.
11. La Dame Blanche, the horror escape game
Dive into the spooky world of La Dame Blanche, an unusual escape game in Bordeaux by How Many Doors. You'll evolve in an ultra-realistic haunted house covering over 70m², but beware: chills guaranteed! Investigate the death of a family in this house, now haunted by the Lady in White. You have to scare off the evil entity so that the deceased can find rest. With a little logic, a bit of team spirit and a lot of courage, you'll solve this mystery. Not even afraid...?
12. Visit Bordeaux in a 2CV, for unusual nostalgic activities
Thanks to 4 Roues sous 1 parapluie, discover the eternal Bordeaux aboard a "deudeuche". From guided vineyard tours to gourmet tastings, not forgetting anecdotes about the city, your driver, dressed in traditional clothing, offers you an unusual tour of Bordeaux. The retro charm of the past blends with modern discoveries, for one of the most unusual experiences of your trip.
Book my private tour in a Citroën 2CV
13. Take part in a perfume creation workshop
At Insantanez and Empreinte Ethérée, discover an unusual activity: creating your own perfume. From the craft to the secrets of the perfumer, discover a little-known yet fascinating world. The different olfactory families are explained to you, so that you can make the best choices when composing your perfume. Of course, at the end of the activity, you'll leave with your very own 100% personal bottle. Tempted? Click here to book your perfume creation workshop in Bordeaux.
Want to discover more about fragrances? Head for La Boutique Olfactive, which not only immerses you in a sensory universe, but also offers the famous kokedama workshops.
14. Challenge the waves indoors at Wave Surf Café
Indoor surfing in the heart of the city - it's possible! At the Wave Surf Café, beginners and advanced surfers alike can ride a large artificial wave for 35 to 50 minutes of pure pleasure. In the warmth of 25° water, you don't have to brave the cold ocean or the hordes of tourists and surfers on the Atlantic coast. After a good glide, you settle down for a drink in the bar-restaurant, watching the other participants.
15. Unusual activities in Bordeaux: have fun in a quiz room
Immerse yourself in a world of fun at the Quiz Room in Bordeaux, a "Who Wants to be a Millionaire? Whether you're a family, a couple or a group of friends, you're in for a treat! Equipped with a desk and a buzzer, you'll have to quickly answer questions that are often improbable and totally offbeat. To help you, you have access to jokers to climb the podium or throw your opponents off balance right up to the last question. Expect more than an hour of laughter and fun, while enriching your knowledge on surprising subjects by booking right here!
What unusual activities can you do in Bordeaux as a couple?
Visiting Bordeaux for a 2-day weekend as a couple? You won't be bored! In addition to the classic sightseeing, there are plenty of unusual things to do in Bordeaux.
The best unusual experiences for couples
Sensory floating is one of the best activities to try out as a couple. While this unusual activity is often enjoyed solo, it is also possible to book sessions as a couple. As well as reconnecting with your inner self, you'll experience total osmosis with your partner. A magical experience!
A little less magical, but equally focused on relaxation, you can treat yourself to a beer or wine spa in Bordeaux. It's a fun way to think about your well-being in a surprising setting!
In a more creative vein, why not create your own perfume as a couple, or an object made of jesmonite? This original material, composed of gypsum and acrylic, can be used to create beautiful decorative objects.
Meanwhile, the city reveals itself to you through a variety of unusual activities. From a 2CV tour to street art and the Tales and Legends trail, you'll visit Bordeaux in an unconventional and exciting way.
Want more? We can organize a murder party or a forest survival course. Other unusual activities around Bordeaux include the "Wine in Black" in Saint-Emilion. Here, you can discover wine... blindfolded, for a unique sensory experience.
An unusual hotel and restaurant in Bordeaux
Visiting and having fun are all very well. But don't forget to treat yourself in an unusual place! Several unusual restaurants await you in Bordeaux, including two not to be missed:
- La Grande Poste la Grande Poste: set in the former post office and telecommunications center, this restaurant plunges you into an unlikely setting, surrounded by ephemeral exhibitions, boutiques and shows.
- Chez les Ploucs: in an authentic setting, you can choose tasty dishes from a schoolboy's notebook.
Of course, if you're looking for an unusual stay in Bordeaux, you'll want to take it all the way by choosing an offbeat hotel. Located in the heart of Bordeaux, Omira is one of France's top 20 unusual accommodations, ideal for couples. Blending the modern with the authentic, this establishment plunges you into a cocoon of serenity like no other. Will you be seduced?
We invite you to round off your unusual experiences with a drink on one of Bordeaux's best rooftops- you won't regret it!
So much for our top 15 unusual things to do in Bordeaux. Do you know of any others? One thing's for sure, don't hesitate to get out and about in the city, as there are plenty of other unusual experiences waiting for you around Bordeaux, like trying out quidditch, the famous sport inspired by the Harry Potter saga. To continue in the sporting spirit, you can also play bubble soccer or try your hand at archery tag. If you're a fan of unusual trips, you'll love our top 15 unusual places to discover in France!
Discover the most popular things to do in Bordeaux:
