I vintage shopped ’til I dropped in this underrated French city — where flights are just £50

Move over Paris, there’s another French gem that’s a secret Alladin’s cave for vintage-lovers like me.

I love nothing more than exploring a flea market or digging through a second hand shop to see what I can find and here, in Bordeaux, there’s second-hand bargains galore.

The biggest flea market in town is the famous Les Puces de St Michel, which sits along the river by Quai des Salinières.

It’s here that I find my best buy of 2024 so far – a black vintage men’s jacket, which costs me just £2.50.

I feel distinctly cool and French as I try it on. The market is packed with antiques, furniture, art and nick-nacks and any interiors buff who is doing up a home will be lost for hours.

The further down you go through the stalls, the more you’ll notice tourist tat and cheap fashion from high street brands.

Visit with an open mind and bring cash. Sunday is the best day (I went on a Friday) as vendors come out in full force in a different location called Place Canteloup.

Afterwards, grab an espresso in the sun by the Basilique Saint Michel before swinging by the local book market in Place Jean Moulin, in front of the impressive Cathedral Saint-André.

Don’t expect too much; most of the books are in French so this is more for browsing than shopping, unless you speak the language.

But there are lots of good independent shops – especially for cheap jewellery – nearby. 

You can’t find bargains on an empty stomach. I highly recommend the quiche and cakes at Møna, a spot that appears to be well-loved by locals. 

The most important thing to remember about vintage shopping in Bordeaux – or anywhere, for that matter – is that each store usually has its own style, so you need to explore to find the ones you like.

Most of the second-hand shops are conveniently located in the same area, on either side of d’Alsace-et-Lorraine.

We start off at the newly-opened Kilo Shop on Rue Saint-James, which has so much stock it’s almost overwhelming.

Thankfully, everything is neatly organised and we picked up a gorgeous beige trench coat for around £45.

At Tilt Vintage – which is slightly smaller but still has everything a hipster could want, including cheap hats and sunnies – shop worker Marina shares her shopping secrets with me.

Aside from the store where she works, Marina recommends Docks Caviar, the biggest second hand shop in the city, which has been running for 27 years.

Spread across two floors, it’s impressive but mostly focused on US workwear brands, like vintage jeans, overalls, shirts and T-shirts from brands like Levi’s and Carhartt. The owner’s friend supplies most of the items from south Texas.

Another good spot is Blue Madone, which has second-hand pieces but also new fashion created on-site by the three designers who run the shop.

This includes Emilie Fourquet, who specialises in using paints on silk fabric, a special skill handed to her down from her mum and grandmother.

Also try Freep’Show on Rue du Loup or Platine on Rue Bouquière. Both Freep and Platine are second hand shops, and both are on the smaller side. Freep has more standard items like t-shirts, colourful shirts and jeans (ideal for someone looking for basic goods to start out their vintage wardrobe). Platine is a bit more unique in its selection with statement pieces, such as a glossy brown leather coat that I tried on and loved.

The best of the rest: What else to do in Bordeaux

For sightseeing, swing by the ‘water mirror’ (the famous reflective pool in front of Place de la Bourse), go for a stroll in the public park (The Jardin Public) or jump on the public transport boat down the river.

On the right bank, you’ll also find the Darwin ‘ecosystem’ – which is essentially a miniature hipster village housed in former military barracks. 

The huge buildings offer everything from street art, a skatepark, a BMX hanger, a bistro and dining hall, several bars, a bakery and chocolatier, co-working spaces and more, plus regular events.

If you’re bringing the kids along, visit the fun fair with over 200 rides in the middle of the city which runs every March and October.

Bordeaux Wine Trails offer tasting workshops in the city, as well as a new electric e-bike tour through St Emilion’s many vineyards.

Raise a glass to your fashion finds

Shopping is thirsty work, and Bordeaux is home to around 7,000-8,000 wine-makers who produce millions of bottles every year.

There’s even a museum dedicated to the drink, aptly named la Cité du Vin (translated as the City of Wine), with the building shaped like the ‘swirl’ the liquid makes as you swish it around in your glass.

I’ll be honest, while I enjoy drinking wine, I am by no means a wine connoisseur, so I did worry that spending a few hours in a museum dedicated to its history would be a bit… well, dull.

That’s why I was pleasantly surprised by just how fun the museum is. My boyfriend – who doesn’t drink alcohol – agreed.

We received a headset and receiver upon arrival that you can ‘tap’ against various sections in the interactive space, which means everyone can explore in their own way. 

At The Buffet of Five Senses, you can sniff items like honey, chocolate, leather gloves and old books in glass containers.

Or watch films, jump up and down to crush imaginary grapes, sit in a dark dining room with strangers and enjoy a light show and explore a gallery that explains wine cultures across the globe.

Our favourite part was by far the wine bar, which offers glasses from different countries every day that you can sip on the 360-degree outdoor walkway.
If you want to see Bordeaux from above, this is how to do it.

How to get there and where to stay

You can get a one-way flight to Bordeaux for under £50 with Ryanair. The flight time is around 1h 40min. 

The train into town, which is part of the public transport system (TBM), runs just outside the airport and costs just a few quid. 

We stayed at the charming Marty Hotel Bordeaux, which is part of Hilton’s Tapestry Collection, a 20-minute stroll from the centre of town. Prices start from 196€ per night.

The rooms are small but cute. And if you like the art you see around the venue, check in with the staff – some of it is for sale.

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