If you are visiting Bordeaux, don’t miss the Marche des Quais, the once-a-week outdoor Sunday market on the left bank of the Garonne River.

Viking Forseti at the dock in Bordeaux
Our “Chateaux, Rivers & Wines” cruise on Viking River Cruises’ Forseti embarked from Bordeaux, France. Although the itinerary for our first two days visiting this port city was jam-packed with excursions, one of the crew urged us to wake up early on Sunday morning to visit the Marche des Quai. As market lovers, even though totally jet-lagged, we couldn’t resist.

Sunday market shoppers

Mother and daughter shopping
“Sleeping Beauty” re-awakened
As part of a broader effort to beautify a city whose porous limestone buildings had turned dingy gray from pollution, the entire waterfront area has been revamped. Indeed, the city once nicknamed “Sleeping Beauty” has re-awakened. Now recognized as a model of 18th century urban design and architecture, Bordeaux was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007. It boasts more protected buildings than any other city in France besides Paris.
Creating a welcoming and pedestrian-friendly river walk was part of this highly successful urban renewal effort. The river walk offers breathtaking views of the right bank of the Garonne.
On weekends especially, the path is filled with walkers, runners and joggers; young couples pushing strollers; adult cyclists and toddlers learning to ride a tricycle; and older couples strolling arm-in-arm, soaking in the sun and fresh air. The quay also houses a vibrant roller skate park. Semi-enclosed behind graffiti walls, children and teens on skates, skateboards and scooters leap off ramps and jumps.

Wall around the skate park

Skaters and skateboarders at play
To market we go
Like any proper market, this one is frequented predominantly by locals. Regulars come with shopping carts to select fresh vegetables, fruits, cheese, meats, fish and seafood and regional delicacies (like mushrooms and truffles) to prepare at home from some 60 different vendors. Locals and tourists alike succumb on the spot to the wafting smells of the stalls and food trucks with baked goods and cooked foods served sizzling hot.

Leeks

Artichokes

Radishes

Black radishes

Figs

White grapes
Selection of freshly baked breads

Artisinal chevre (goat) cheese

Cow cheese

Other types of goat cheese

Macaron rainbow

One of the food trucks
Falling in love with caneles
We made the mistake of arriving right after a full breakfast onboard. Yet we couldn’t resist sampling several types of freshly-baked caneles from one of the pastry stands and from a free-standing cart that exclusively sells the branded Canelés Baillardran (in red boxes with multiples of 8) that are ubiquitous throughout the city (as well as at the Bordeaux airport).

Caneles of Bordeaux
A specialty of the Bordeaux region, these small pastries have a soft inside and caramelized outside, flavored with rum or vanilla. They come in a variety of sizes, making them suitable for breakfast, a snack or dessert. Made with egg yolks, sugar, milk and flour, they are baked in fluted copper molds. Tradition says these sweets were first baked by winemakers in the monasteries who had an excess of egg yolks after using the whites to purify wine.
Other stands offered tastings of “Gruff,” new wine (Vin Nouveau – not to be confused with Beaujolais Nouveau) made of grapes that have just been harvested and allowed to ferment in the bottle.

Display of Vin Nouveau
If you have the time, be sure to order a plate of fresh oysters with a glass of white wine from the stand with tables and chairs closest to the skate park.

Fresh oysters

Oysters for breakfast?
Also nearby
- Quai des Marques is located close to Marches des Quai (note the similarity in names, perhaps designed to confuse non-French speaking tourists) At the former, abandoned warehouses have been transformed into 33 eco-friendly modern shops and 13 restaurants, many with patios offering outdoor seating. The shops also include factory outlets.

Quai des Marques
- We were fortunate to visit Bordeaux during the fourth weekend of October, when dealers set up stands only blocks away in the same Chartrons neighborhood to host a new wine festival and flea market (Fete du Vin Nouveau & De La Brocante).
- For runners, the city has marked a 4.3-mile course around both banks of the river and past two bridges (Le Pont Chaban Deimas and Le Pont de Pierre (the highest lift bridge in Europe).
IF YOU GO
- Quai des Chartrons, 33000 Bordeaux
- Sundays from 7AM to 1PM
- If you arrive in Bordeaux on a riverboat, the Marche des Quai is located adjacent to the skate park, only a short walk from your vessel. If you are staying in the city, it is easily accessible (just across the street) from the Chartrons stop on the B tram.
Viking River Cruises: Chateaux, Rivers & Wine
Tips
- Go early in the morning to avoid crowds and to get a seat at the oyster cafe.
- Do not eat before you go. Repeat: Do not eat before you go.
- Bring small change/local currency.
- As in most crowded places, watch your pockets.
- On the river walk, pay attention to the bike lane that seems to have the right-of-way over pedestrians.
Disclosure: Although our Viking River Cruise was sponsored, this was an independent shore excursion. Any opinions expressed in this post are our own.
Previously on MoreTimeToTravel.com
- Public markets offer a taste of a city and its culture
- Tips for visiting public markets
- Great markets travel bloggers love to visit
- Market visit – Coquimbo Fish Market in Chile
- Market visit – Mercado 23 in Cancun, Mexico
- Market visit – Carnot Market in Lyon, France
- Market visit – President Wilson Market in Paris
- Market visit – Saint Antoine Market in Lyon, France
- Local markets make for perfect Saturday morning getaways
On Google Maps (the market is to the left of the Skate Park shown on the map)
27 Comments
Sheryl
November 6, 2015 at 8:29 amI absolutely love visiting local markets when I travel. Not only is it a feast for the eyes (and palate!), it gives me a look into what really goes in “real life.” This market looks and sounds fabulous.
Irene S. Levine
November 6, 2015 at 8:49 amFrench markets, like this one, are especially wonderful!
Laura
November 6, 2015 at 11:19 amThe pictures are exactly how I visualized these local markets when I read “French Kids Eat Everything!” I like oysters but couldn’t stomach them for breakfast, but bring on the fresh croissants!
Irene S. Levine
November 6, 2015 at 11:23 amI usually preferred my oysters fried but when they are extremely fresh, they are delicious doused with lemon!
www.discovervin.com.au
November 7, 2015 at 8:09 pmIts Sunday morning as I read this. Wish I was there. This is our favorite place to go on Sundays in Bordeaux. A plate of freshly shucked oysters is obligatory!
Irene S. Levine
November 9, 2015 at 8:18 pmI can’t blame you for making this a favorite! Wish I could return next Sunday:-)
Patti
November 9, 2015 at 8:08 amWhat is it about French markets that are so intoxicating? We haven’t been to Bordeaux, but we’d love to. We spent 10 days in Aix en Provence in late May of this year and the markets were to die for. We probably went to the market at least 8 of our 10 days and the other 2 were only because we were off exploring. French markets are such a part of daily life, it’s a wonderful way to shop/eat.
Irene S. Levine
November 9, 2015 at 8:19 pmIt’s so nice to be able to purchase food direct from the farmers/producers!
Donna Janke
November 9, 2015 at 9:01 amI love markets like this. It looks as if Marche des Quais has a lot to offer. The cheeses and oysters would certainly attract me. I’ve never had caneles, but they sound delicious.
Irene S. Levine
November 9, 2015 at 8:19 pmCaneles are quite popular so you might be able to try them in a French bakery locally! I hope I find them closer to home:-)
Michele Peterson
November 9, 2015 at 9:11 amYou’ve got to love a market where there’s a fresh oyster bar with white wine! The marche des quai sounds like a must-visit when in Bordeaux. Those Caneles of Bordeaux sound incredible too – vanilla or rum – two of my fave flavours. It would be tough to choose.
Irene S. Levine
November 9, 2015 at 8:20 pmThe caneles are usually sold in boxes of 8 and you don’t have to choose! You can purchase an assortment~
alison abbott
November 9, 2015 at 9:45 amIf anything could revive me from jet lag it would be a local market and this one is filled with so many goodies. Just imagine the time it took the cheese maker to cover the rinds with ash ? and a lovely leaf design. So much care, you can tell from your eyes it’s going to be tasty! I haven’t been to Bordeaux yet, but when I get there, i’ll make sure it’s on market day.
Irene S. Levine
November 9, 2015 at 8:21 pmAll the products seem to have been grown or prepared with lots of love!
noel
November 9, 2015 at 11:38 amI love visiting local markets like this, they are so colorful and fun to shop for something unique while savoring some great food.
Irene S. Levine
November 9, 2015 at 8:22 pmThey are especially appealing to photographers, too:-)
Billie Frank
November 9, 2015 at 1:08 pmMarche des Quai looks wonderful- all that great produce- and oh the baked goods. I’m a big fan of both macaroon and canales. Made my mouth water!
Irene S. Levine
November 9, 2015 at 8:22 pmIf you like macarons and caneles, you must visit Bordeaux—home of both confections!
Suzanne Stavert
November 9, 2015 at 5:15 pmI love local markets and when in France I am especially happy. Repeat: Do not eat ahead of time! The colors are so vibrant and the organic produce is lovingly stacked in an art form. Loved the photos. Have not been to Bordeaux yet, but maybe one day.
Irene S. Levine
November 9, 2015 at 8:23 pmI hope you get there and that I get to return! 🙂
Anita
November 10, 2015 at 1:32 pmBordeaux has been on my must-visit list for some time, and learning a little about the Marche des Quai makes me want to make that trek sooner rather than later…The prospect of oysters, caneles and those gorgeous cheeses is truly mouthwatering!
Irene S. Levine
November 10, 2015 at 1:34 pmIt’s a great with wonderful architecture as well.
In addition, the surrounding wine country is well worth a visit~
Nancie
November 10, 2015 at 5:07 pmI never pass up on a chance to visit a market. Your food photos scream FRESH! I’d love to try those caneles. Just the photo makes me drool.
Irene S. Levine
November 10, 2015 at 5:13 pmI’m on a local search for Caneles right now!
Patti Morrow
November 12, 2015 at 6:37 pmI love outdoor markets. As for those pastries in Bordeaux’s Marche des Quai… I’ll take one of each, please!
Irene S. Levine
November 12, 2015 at 7:40 pmBet you can’t eat just one! 🙂
budget jan
November 19, 2015 at 6:28 amThe name Caneles is familiar but I don’t think I’ve eaten them. Maybe I’ve seen them on a food/travel show. They do look delicious! I’ve not heard of this new wine – looks good. Love the look of Viking Forseti. 🙂