Bordeaux is best known for wine, but the city also makes plenty of things you can actually bring home. Shops, markets, and museum stores sell edible goods, small crafts, and designed objects that reflect the region.

This guide covers items you can find around the city, not a single street or store. It focuses on local products, how to check quality, and ways to pack them for travel.

1. Bottled Bordeaux wine

• Why it’s worth buying: Wine carries the region’s flavor and can age nicely at home. Bottles show local grape styles and vineyard names.
• Where to look: independent shops.
• Price range: $8–$120
• How to spot a good one: Read labels for appellation and vintage details, and ask for bottles suited to travel.
• Easy-to-pack tip: Use padded bottle sleeves or an inflatable wine protector, and put bottles in the center of your suitcase.

2. Boxed canelés

• Why it’s worth buying: These caramelized pastries are a regional specialty with a crisp exterior and soft center. They travel better when sold in sealed boxes.
• Where to look: food halls.
• Price range: $6–$20
• How to spot a good one: Look for a recent bake date and sturdy packaging that lists ingredients.
• Easy-to-pack tip: Carry them in your hand luggage if possible, or pack them flat between clothes.

3. Fleur de sel (sea salt)

• Why it’s worth buying: Sea salt from the nearby coast adds distinct mineral notes to cooking. It’s small, useful, and long-lasting.
• Where to look: markets.
• Price range: $4–$15
• How to spot a good one: Check for coarse crystals and a stated harvest location on the label.
• Easy-to-pack tip: Choose a screw-top jar or sealed bag to avoid spills in luggage.

4. Canned or jarred foie gras

• Why it’s worth buying: Jars and tins are classic regional products that keep well and travel easily. They make a practical taste of local cuisine.
• Where to look: food halls.
• Price range: $10–$50
• How to spot a good one: Prefer jars with clear ingredient lists and a stated origin.
• Easy-to-pack tip: Tins stack neatly and fit into padded sections of checked baggage.

5. Handmade chocolates

• Why it’s worth buying: Local chocolatiers often use regional flavors and better cocoa, for a more thoughtful edible gift. They come in small, gift-ready boxes.
• Where to look: independent shops.
• Price range: $8–$40
• How to spot a good one: Look for ingredient percentages and minimal, clear labeling.
• Easy-to-pack tip: Keep chocolates cool and avoid checked baggage on hot days.

6. Small hand-thrown ceramics

• Why it’s worth buying: Local potters make functional pieces that show regional glazes and forms. Small bowls or cups are both useful and decorative.
• Where to look: galleries.
• Price range: $20–$80
• How to spot a good one: Check the base for a maker’s mark and feel for even weight and glaze finish.
• Easy-to-pack tip: Wrap each piece in clothing and place them in carry-on if fragile.

7. Linen tea towels with regional prints

• Why it’s worth buying: Natural-fiber towels are lightweight, practical, and show local motifs without being bulky. They also make simple gifts.
• Where to look: markets.
• Price range: $8–$30
• How to spot a good one: Check the fabric label for 100% linen or cotton and a tight weave.
• Easy-to-pack tip: Fold or roll towels to take up minimal space in a suitcase.

8. Handprinted city posters and prints

• Why it’s worth buying: Prints capture local scenes or maps without taking much room. They make personal, inexpensive souvenirs.
• Where to look: galleries.
• Price range: $12–$50
• How to spot a good one: Look for quality paper, a printer’s or artist’s signature, and even ink coverage.
• Easy-to-pack tip: Roll prints in a mailing tube or lay flat between two boards in your luggage.

9. Artisan corkscrew or wine opener

• Why it’s worth buying: A well-made opener is useful and ties directly to the wine culture here. It lasts longer than cheap souvenir tools.
• Where to look: co-ops.
• Price range: $10–$60
• How to spot a good one: Test the hinge and spiral for smooth action; prefer metal over flimsy plastic.
• Easy-to-pack tip: Wrap it in a cloth and place it inside shoes or soft items to protect other contents.

10. Woven straw market bag

• Why it’s worth buying: These lightweight bags are traditional and handy for groceries or beach days. Natural materials breathe and fold.
• Where to look: co-ops.
• Price range: $15–$60
• How to spot a good one: Inspect the weave for tightness and check for secure handles.
• Easy-to-pack tip: Collapse the bag flat and tuck it into a suitcase corner.

11. Local metal or silver jewelry

• Why it’s worth buying: Small pieces from local metalsmiths show handwork and make lasting gifts. They often reflect regional styles.
• Where to look: markets and independent shops.
• Price range: $25–$150
• How to spot a good one: Look for solid joins, stamped maker marks, and neat finishes rather than visible glue.
• Easy-to-pack tip: Keep jewelry in a small box or pouch inside your carry-on.

12. Regional cookbook or wine guide

• Why it’s worth buying: A book explains recipes, wine pairings, and regional food context you can recreate at home. It’s an informative keepsake.
• Where to look: independent shops and galleries.
• Price range: $10–$40
• How to spot a good one: Check the publication date, clear recipes, and author credentials or local contributors.
• Easy-to-pack tip: Place books flat at the bottom of a suitcase or carry them in your bag.

Quick buying tips for Bordeaux

• Carry some cash for small stalls; cards accepted at most shops and markets.
• Avoid haggling in boutique stores; only try at flea markets or brocantes.
• Wrap fragile ceramics in clothing, and label them clearly in your suitcase.
• Many shops can ship purchases home; ask at checkout about costs.
• Look for “made locally” tags, maker signatures, or transparent ingredient lists.
• Liquids and jars must meet airline rules; pack oils and wine accordingly.

Where to shop in Bordeaux

Shopping stretches across several parts of the city, with food products concentrated at markets and specialty foods. Antiques and crafts cluster near older districts, while museum shops and galleries offer design-forward souvenirs.

• Marché des Capucins (central market) for fresh foods, packaged specialties, and regional preserves.
• Rue Sainte-Catherine pedestrian street for bookstores, linens, and everyday shopping options.
• Chartrons antiques district for secondhand furniture, antique finds, and vintage accessories.
• Quays and riverfront for wine bars, specialty food stalls, and seasonal outdoor stands.
• Museum shops at the Cité du Vin and Musée d’Aquitaine for books and curated design objects.
• Seasonal markets and holiday fairs on public squares for local crafts and edible gifts.
• Old Town (Vieux Bordeaux) streets for small ateliers, galleries, and local artisan stalls.

What to skip (common tourist traps)

• Plastic trinkets labelled “Bordeaux” that are mass-produced and lack local makers.
• Unmarked jewelry and accessories that show poor soldering or glued settings.
• Cheaply packaged foods without ingredient lists or clear production dates.
• Imitation wine labeled vaguely without producer or appellation details.
• Fragile ceramics sold without maker marks or obvious quality checks.
• Counterfeit designer goods, which may be illegal and often lower quality.

If you only buy three things

Bottled Bordeaux wine — It represents the region and can be shared back home.
Fleur de sel — Small, light, and distinctly local for cooking.
A small hand-thrown ceramic bowl — Useful daily and clearly handmade.

FAQ

1. What is Bordeaux known for making?
   Bordeaux is best known for wine and wine-related products. The city also offers regional foods, pastries, and a range of crafts from ceramics to printed goods.

2. What are the best edible souvenirs from Bordeaux?
   Packaged canelés, tins of foie gras, salted sea salt, artisanal chocolates, and bottled wine are good choices. Look for sealed packaging and clear ingredient lists for travel safety.

3. Are souvenirs expensive in Bordeaux?
   Prices range widely: market finds can be inexpensive while gallery pieces and specialty wine can cost more. You can buy thoughtful, affordable items or invest in pricier artisan goods depending on your budget.

4. What is the easiest souvenir to pack from Bordeaux?
   Textiles like tea towels, cookbooks, salts, and small packaged foods pack easily and take little space. Flat prints or rolled posters also travel without trouble when protected.

5. How do I know if something is truly local?
   Ask for the maker’s name or provenance, check labels for origin, and look for signatures or stamps. Vendors at markets and co-ops can usually point to the producer or production method.

Tip: Save your receipts, and keep fragile items in your carry-on.

About the Author 

Colin is the founder of SouvenirsIdeas.com and a passionate traveller with a soft spot for ceramics, markets, and food tours. He writes practical, first-hand guides to help you bring home souvenirs that actually mean something — not just more clutter!

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