There is no shortage of days out around Bordeaux: the highest dune in Europe, ocean beaches stretching as far as you can see, water parks for the whole family, the prehistoric caves of the Perigord, or a day in the Basque Country. What they have in common? Every one of them is better when you are not driving and not looking for a parking space. Here are our day trip ideas from Bordeaux, and how we take you there door to door.
Why take a day trip with a chauffeur
A good day out can quickly turn into a logistics chore: a tiring drive, a full car park on arrival, a baking hot car on the way back, and a driver who never really gets to enjoy it. Handing the road over to a private chauffeur changes all of that:
- No driving: you take in the scenery both ways, without the fatigue.
- No parking: we drop you as close to the site as we can and come back for you at the agreed time.
- No time pressure: stay as long as you like, including over a long lunch at Cap Ferret when getting back behind the wheel is the last thing you want.
- With family or in a group: SUV, or a van or seven-seater on request, so everyone travels together with the luggage.
Arcachon Bay and the Dune du Pilat
About an hour from Bordeaux, the bay is the day trip everyone comes for: the Dune du Pilat (the highest in Europe at 104 m), the Ville d’Hiver in Arcachon, the oyster villages and the lighthouse at Cap Ferret, or the Teich bird reserve for nature lovers. It works equally well as a half day or a full day.
We cover it in detail on our page about the Bordeaux to Arcachon Bay transfer, and Cap Ferret has a page of its own.
The ocean beaches
After fine sand and Atlantic waves? The ocean beaches, Lacanau, Le Porge, Carcans-Hourtin and Soulac, are superb but poorly served by train or bus, and their car parks fill up in summer. That is exactly where a private chauffeur earns his keep, surfboard or parasol included.
See our page on the beach chauffeur service from Bordeaux to the ocean for the full list of destinations.
Water parks for the family
For a day of slides and laughter, the region is well supplied: Aqualand at Gujan-Mestras (the largest on the Atlantic coast), La Calinesie at Libourne, the inflatable Splash Parks at Lacanau and Hourtin, or the water park and treetop course at Bazas. Enough to keep children and adults busy for a whole day, and to get you home relaxed while the children doze in the back.
The prehistoric caves of the Perigord
Roughly two hours east, the Perigord holds some of the finest decorated caves in the world: Lascaux IV (a replica of the UNESCO-listed cave paintings), the Rouffignac cave with its little electric train, the original friezes at Font-de-Gaume, and the Gouffre de Proumeyssac with its crystal cathedral. Closer to home, in the Gironde, the Pair-non-Pair cave at Prignac-et-Marcamps already gives a fine taste of prehistoric art. A cultural day trip, and a cool one, which is welcome when it is hot outside.
The other face of the Perigord is Sarlat and the villages of the Dordogne valley, which we cover on our Bordeaux to Sarlat and the Perigord Noir page.
The Basque Country in a day
Allow around two hours to reach the Basque coast, but the trip is worth it: the Rocher de la Vierge and the Grande Plage at Biarritz, the harbour and bay at Saint-Jean-de-Luz, the red and white facades of Espelette, or the old town of Bayonne. A full day where the chauffeur makes all the difference: you lose no time driving and you enjoy every stop. See our complete guide to the Basque Country day trip from Bordeaux for distances, a suggested programme and practical advice.
Heritage and nature in the Gironde
You do not have to go far for a rewarding day closer to Bordeaux:
- Blaye Citadel, the UNESCO-listed Vauban fortifications on the bank of the Gironde estuary.
- Central Bordeaux, with the Miroir d’eau, the Place de la Bourse, the quays and the Grosse Cloche for a heritage walk.
- The Teich bird reserve, a quiet stretch of nature at the edge of the bay.
Distances at a glance
| Destination | Approx. distance from Bordeaux | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Arcachon Bay / Dune du Pilat | ≈ 60 km | Half day or full day |
| Ocean beaches (Lacanau, Le Porge and others) | ≈ 60–95 km | A day at the beach |
| Water parks (Gujan, Libourne, Lacanau) | ≈ 35–80 km | Family day |
| Caves of the Perigord (Lascaux and others) | ≈ 190 km | Culture day |
| Basque Country (Biarritz, Bayonne) | ≈ 200 km | Full day |
| Blaye Citadel | ≈ 50 km | Half day, heritage |
Distances are indicative and depend on your exact pick-up point. For a quote based on your route, your time on site and the number of passengers, see our rates or ask us for a tailored quote.
Fancy a day out without driving or parking?
Tell us your destination and your date, and we will take care of the rest.
Frequently asked questions
Can we book a chauffeur for a whole day trip?
Yes. We offer half-day and full-day hire, with the chauffeur waiting on site. It is the ideal arrangement for Arcachon, the Basque Country or the caves of the Perigord. Contact us for a quote.
How many people can you carry?
An SUV for a family or a small group, and on request a van or seven-seater so everyone travels together with luggage, beach bags or pushchairs.
Does the chauffeur wait on site during the visit?
It depends on the arrangement: either we stay at your disposal throughout your outing, or we come back for you at the agreed time. We fit that around your programme.
How far can you take us?
We operate from Bordeaux, the metropolitan area and the whole of the Gironde, and we run day trips across Nouvelle-Aquitaine, including the Perigord, the Basque Country and the Landes. Tell us your destination for a tailored quote.
To arrange your day out, book online or get in touch with Bordeaux Privilège. Bookings seven days a week in Bordeaux, across the metropolitan area and throughout the Gironde.