When most people think of Bordeaux, sprawling vineyards and world-class wine come to mind, but this port city on the Garonne River is more than just a wine lover's paradise. It's also a major industrial center, home to big companies like Safran Aircraft Engines and Sanofi Aventis, as well as many top-notch academic institutions.
With its mild climate and warm summers, Bordeaux is a perfect example of the French joie de vivre, or "joy of living". If you're looking to make Bordeaux your new home, here's how to find a place to live and get settled in.
The Bordeaux rental market
Most people rent in Bordeaux. That's mainly because the city is so attractive and has a booming economy. Bordeaux is one of the most popular cities in France for renting.
As a student city, Bordeaux also has plenty of rental housing available. If you're moving to Bordeaux with a family, you can also find spacious homes near the city center.
Whether you want to buy or rent in Bordeaux, prices per square meter are lower than in Paris, but still higher than the average for France. More and more people are moving to Bordeaux these days, which is pushing property prices up.
Bordeaux neighborhoods
Bordeaux is about 49 square kilometers in size, with around 260,000 people living there – although if you count the whole metro area, it's more like 820,000 people. The city is split in two by the Garonne River, with the left bank being the more built-up side. Bordeaux has some really impressive architecture, including the largest square in Europe, Esplanade des Quinconces, and cool historic sites like the Porte Cailhau gate. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the city center boasts a particularly rich history.
The city comprises 33 districts: Bassins à Flot, Victoire-Sainte-Eulalie, Grand Parc, Sainte-Clotilde, Ornano, Ravezies, Bacalan-Bordeaux Maritime, Mériadeck, Saint-Pierre, Monrabeau, Lestonnat-Tridons, Villa Primrose, Fondaudège, Pellegrin-Chaban-Delmas, Gare Saint-Jean, Quinconces-Grands Hommes-Tourny, Parc Bordelais, Saint-Christoly, La Bastide, Monséjour-Marly, Judaïque, Saint-Genès, Chartrons-Paul Doumer, Orangers-Les Pins Francs, Croix Blanche, Saint-Seurin, Victor Hugo, Golf du Bordelais, Sainte-Croix, Nansouty, Saint-Augustin, Rivière and Capucins-Saint-Michel.
According to real estate experts, people in Bordeaux like living near the city center, such as in the Victoire neighborhood. Of course, the closer you are to downtown, the higher the rents are, but since Bordeaux is pretty compact, it's possible to live a bit further out while still being close enough to the center.
Bordeaux Maritime
Bordeaux Maritime, the city's biggest district, reflects its maritime past. The area surrounds the lake, expo center, and convention center. It's a dynamic part of town, with the tram system, recently fixed-up ponds, the Grand Stade, and Chaban Delmas stadium. The area is popular with expats because of all the companies there, so it has a lively job market with lots of opportunities.
Bordeaux Sud
Bordeaux Sud is home to an impressive historical heritage characterized by its rich architecture (old factories, warehouses, workers' housing, and abattoirs). The city is planning to build a new international business center there, along with some other development projects, as part of a big modernization plan called "Bordeaux 2030". It's one of the biggest urban redevelopment projects going on in France right now, covering over 700 hectares. The whole thing kicked off after the high-speed train line from Paris to Bordeaux was finished.
Chartrons, Grand Parc and Jardin Public
Chartrons, Grand Parc, and Jardin Public are modern and popular real estate markets. They have convenient streetcars, lots of parks and green space, good public services, and are close to the river, ideal for families. Chartrons is an upscale area with nice shops, great restaurants, and the historic Chartrons market, which is the perfect spot to get fresh organic vegetables. While you're there, be sure to check out the Bordeaux Wine Trade Museum – it's a must-see!
Other Bordeaux districts
Saint-Michel/Nansouty-Saint-Genès is a melting pot, aptly dubbed "the district that never sleeps". It's particularly suited to a younger population. For a house with a garden, garage, and plenty of space, look no further than St Augustin, Tauzin, or A. Dupeux.
La Bastide is another family-friendly neighborhood with numerous schools and leisure facilities.
Caudéran is one of Bordeaux's most densely populated districts, yet remains a very quiet residential area with over 28 hectares of green space.
Rental prices in Bordeaux
Bordeaux prices have gone up a lot in the last decade. It's pretty far from Paris but still one of the priciest places in France. If you want to buy a place there, you're looking at around 4800 euros per square meter for a flat or 5100 euros per square meter for a house.
If you're relocating alone, expect to pay an average of 600 euros per month for a 14 m² room. For more information on the market, you'll find numerous specialized websites.
Local real estate agencies are also worth checking out, especially if you want an affordable place near schools and other family-friendly spots. Paru Vendu is a popular site with a ton of listings from private owners. SeLoger is another great site to look at – it's comprehensive and easy to use.
Cost of living in Bordeaux
As Bordeaux has become more popular, the cost of living has risen. Typically, expenses like gas, electricity, and water are not included in the rent, though some landlords may cover utilities — this will be specified. For an 85-square-meter apartment, anticipate spending around 130 euros per month on energy and water. Internet costs approximately 30 euros per month, varying depending on the provider and whether you opt for ADSL or fiber optic.
If you need to take out a public transport season ticket in Bordeaux, Transports Bordeaux Métropole (TBM) offers age-appropriate fares. It's a great value for money for families with children. Here's an example of monthly pricing according to age category:
- Pass Pitchoun (5–10 years): 17.50 euros;
- Pass Jeune (11–27 years): 34.40 euros;
- Pass (28–59 years): 51.80 euros;
- Pass Senior (aged 60 and over): 39.30 euros.
Depending on your situation, you may be eligible for solidarity pricing.
When it comes to food shopping, you'll find something to suit all budgets and tastes, from discount supermarkets and organic stores to weekly markets and traditional supermarkets.
Finding accommodation in Bordeaux
If you're new to Bordeaux or planning to move there, a good first step is to contact a real estate agency. Bordeaux is a fast-growing city, so if you're moving with family, it's important to get all the info you need. The agents can help you find a property that fits your needs – number of rooms, type of housing, location, and budget. We suggest contacting them directly in addition to searching their websites. You'll find many agencies across the city and online. Here are just a few:
When searching for a place to stay in Bordeaux, take a look at websites like Le Bon Coin, Se Loger, and Paru Vendu. You'll find houses and apartments in all different sizes, prices, and locations across the city. A lot of the rentals on these sites are posted directly by owners rather than agencies, so you can often avoid paying those hefty agency fees.
If you've already moved to Bordeaux and are staying somewhere temporarily but are interested in buying or renting a house or apartment, definitely check out the neighborhoods you like. Keep an eye out for "for sale" or "for rent" signs posted around – they're super common in France and a great way to find your dream place!
Finding student accommodation in Bordeaux
Bordeaux is France's sixteenth-largest student city (ranking 2023–2024) and has remained very attractive over the past decade. That's why there's no shortage of student accommodation on offer. Indeed, if you're a student planning to study in Bordeaux, you'll find a wide choice of accommodation throughout the city, including rooms, studios, apartments, and student residences. Lots of students go for the residence halls since they're cheaper, close to campus, and let you live with a bunch of other French and international students, which is a great way to meet people.
These residences are subsidized by the Centre Régional des Oeuvres Universitaires et Scolaires (CROUS), a public organization that provides financial aid to students, including housing. International students can also get this type of housing, but demand goes up every year, so we recommend applying on the Mon Logement Crous website as soon as possible. The site will also let you check the status of your current applications.
Rents for student residences average between 200 and 330 euros, depending on the type of aid you are receiving, the size of your accommodation, and whether you are sharing an apartment with another student or living in a single apartment.
If you don't want to go through a hall of residence, you can find shared apartments and rooms, or rooms in private homes, at affordable rates suited to students. You'll find some excellent offers on Le Bon Coin, as well as on La Carte des Colocs, Immojeunes, Whoomies, Appartager, and Studapart.
Short-stay accommodation in Bordeaux
If you're coming to Bordeaux for a short stay or want to do some sightseeing before moving here, you'll find lots of options for tourists to stay all over the city. Bordeaux is a popular tourist destination, with over 150,000 visitors in just the second quarter of 2023 (statistics for Bordeaux Métropole in Q2 2023). The city is well organized and has a wide range of accommodations to choose from – everything from family-run hotels to luxury five-star resorts, vacation rentals, boat hotels on the river, B&Bs, and even youth hostels if you're feeling adventurous.
The two most popular sites to rent accommodations that match your criteria in France and Europe are Booking.com and Airbnb, as well as Hotel.com and Gîtes de France. If you're looking for a youth hostel, check out Hostel World or Couchsurfing if you're on a tight budget.
Of course, prices for short-term accommodation in Bordeaux depend not only on the type of accommodation but also on the number of people, the district chosen, and the dates and times of year.
Buying a house or apartment in Bordeaux
If you're planning to move to Bordeaux and buy property, the good news is that foreigners can make the purchase as long as they have the right residence permits. If you're from an EU or EEA country, you can even buy without being a permanent resident of France, although the process will be stricter and require more paperwork. The bank you deal with for the loan will ask you to provide translated supporting documents (where applicable), and a special department that is different from that for French residents will handle your case. Non-EU/EEA citizens face the same rules but also need a long-stay visa and resident's card.
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