Yes, if your ship docks in the city. Small and mid-size ocean ships and river-cruise boats moor at the city-centre quays by Place des Quinconces and Quai des Chartrons. From there it is about 20 minutes' flat walk, or a short ride on tram B, to Bordeaux Cathedral on Place Pey-Berland, where the hunt starts. It takes about 3 hours and ends at the Grosse Cloche, back towards the river. From Le Verdon-sur-Mer it only works on a long port day.
Scavenger huntBordeaux Scavenger Hunt and Self-Guided TourRiddles at every stopAbout 3 hours · start any time
5 € - 11 €
Outdoor escape gameBordeaux Escape GameA puzzle at every stopAbout 2 hours · start any time
5 € - 11 €
Self-guided audio walking tourBordeaux Self-Guided Walking Audio TourJust listen and walkAbout 3 hours · listen as you walk
4 € - 9 €
City guidesBordeaux City Guides by World City TrailPlaces to eat, see and drink
Price range: 4.99 € through 19.99 €From the Bordeaux quays to Place Pey-Berland
- From the city-centre cruise berth or the river-cruise pontoons on Quai des Chartrons, walk to Place des Quinconces, then inland along Cours de l'Intendance or through the Rue Sainte-Catherine area to Place Pey-Berland. The streets are flat and largely pedestrianised; allow about 20 minutes.
- Or take tram line B from the Quinconces stop, on the quay side of Place des Quinconces, to the Hôtel de Ville stop on Place Pey-Berland, right beside the cathedral.
- If your ship berths at Bassens, about 10 km downstream, take a taxi or the ship's transfer into the centre, about 25-35 minutes.
- If your ship stops at Le Verdon-sur-Mer at the mouth of the Gironde, about 100 km away, the cruise-line coach takes around 1.5 to 2 hours each way, so play only on a long port day.
- At the cathedral, open the World City Trail app, enter your booking reference and start the hunt; everyone in your group can follow on their own phone.
A Bordeaux port day, hour by hour
- 0:00Off the ship at the city quays and walk inland to Place Pey-Berland.
- 0:25Start the hunt at Bordeaux Cathedral, then head to the Porte Dijeaux.
- 1:20Past the Opéra National to Place des Quinconces and the Place de la Bourse on the river.
- 2:20Through Place Camille Jullian to the Porte Cailhau and the Porte de Bourgogne.
- 3:25Finish at the Grosse Cloche and walk back to the quays.
- 4:15Back on board, at least 1 hour before all-aboard time.
Tips for Bordeaux when time is short
- Bordeaux's old centre is flat and mostly pedestrianised, so the walk from the quays is easy.
- The Garonne is tidal: gangways at the city quays can be steep at some states of the tide.
- Tram stop Quinconces (lines B, C and D) is right by the quays; Hôtel de Ville stop (lines A, B and F) is next to the cathedral where the hunt starts.
- If your ship calls at Le Verdon-sur-Mer, budget 3-4 hours of round-trip road transfer before you plan a game, and keep a bigger margin.
- Large ships pass the Pont Chaban-Delmas lift bridge to reach the centre, and only your ship can confirm the exact berth.
Why a self-guided game works on a port day
- You start when you step off the ship, not at a fixed tour time, and nobody waits for a group.
- Everyone in your party can follow on their own phone with one booking reference.
- You can stop for lunch or a swim and carry on later, and end the game whenever you need to head back.
- Google Maps guides you from stop to stop, and the game needs no entry tickets.
Bordeaux cruise stop: questions
Do cruise ships dock in the centre of Bordeaux?
Small and mid-size ships sail up the Garonne and moor at the city-centre quays near Place des Quinconces. The largest ships stop at Le Verdon-sur-Mer at the mouth of the Gironde.
How far is Le Verdon from Bordeaux?
About 100 km; the coach transfer takes roughly 1.5-2 hours each way, so a 3-hour game only fits a long port day.
Can I take the tram from the cruise quay to the cathedral?
Yes. Tram line B runs from the Quinconces stop by the quays to the Hôtel de Ville stop on Place Pey-Berland, next to the cathedral.
Where do river-cruise boats dock in Bordeaux?
At city-centre pontoons on the left bank, such as Quai des Chartrons, within walking distance of the old town and the hunt start.
Do I need to book a time slot?
No. You book online, receive your booking reference by email straight away and start whenever you are ashore. The ticket has no time limit, so it still works if your ship arrives late or your plans change.
What do we need on the day?
A charged smartphone with mobile data, the World City Trail app from the App Store or Google Play, and your booking reference. A power bank helps on a long port day.
Port and transport details checked in November 2026. Docking positions and timetables change, so always check your ship’s all-aboard time and your cruise line’s port information before you set off.