Notre Dame Church Tours and Activities

Notre Dame Church which includes a church or cathedral and heritage architecture
Notre Dame Church
Notre Dame Church showing a church or cathedral, interior views and art
Notre Dame Church which includes a church or cathedral and heritage architecture
Notre Dame Church featuring heritage elements and a church or cathedral


Note how the interior contrasts with the intricate, delicate carvings that cover the façade of this religious Baroque-style landmark.

Bordeaux’s Notre Dame Church is covered from top to bottom with immaculately detailed reliefs. The eye-catching religious imagery and historic setting make the church a popular event venue as well as a religious destination. Inspect the artful masonry of the exterior and the paintings and sculptures housed within the church.

The building was designed by architect Pierre Michel Duplessy, who took inspiration from the Church of the Gesù in Rome. The church was built on the site of a medieval Dominican monastery, which was destroyed in the late 17th century. It hasn't always been a church, however. This site has also been the location of revolutionary clubs, a military warehouse and a library.

Examine the incredible detail of the church's impressive façade and take photos of the bas-reliefs that cover the exterior. Look for sculptures of saints standing on plinths around the main entrance and beneath them, a relief of the Virgin Mary and an arched stained-glass window. Decorative Corinthian columns stand on either side of the main door.

Enter the church building and take a moment to reflect. Notice how the clean lines of the nave contrast with the patterns of the exterior. The altar, surrounded by a marble lining and three paintings depicting the crucifixion, sits in front of an altarpiece alongside impressive sculptures of angels and cherubim. Find paintings by religious artist Brother André along the walls of the church.

Walk beneath the cloisters of Cour Mably, the stone courtyard behind the church. The space is often used for open-air films and concerts. During temporary exhibitions, the courtyard is often used to display sculptures and paintings.

Join local worshippers at the church to observe Mass. The cathedral hosts the services daily and also holds activities for children.

To get to Notre Dame Church, ride the tram to the Grand Théâtre stop. The church is just a 2-minute walk away. Consider visiting some of the other noteworthy attractions nearby while you’re here, among them the Girondins monument and the Palais de la Bourse.

Popular places to visit


Top Notre Dame Church Hotel & Accommodation Deals

Quality Hotel Bordeaux Centre
Quality Hotel Bordeaux Centre
3 out of 5
27 rue du Parlement Sainte Catherine, Bordeaux, Gironde
Quality Hotel Bordeaux Centre
La Tour Intendance
La Tour Intendance
3 out of 5
14-16 Rue De La Vieille Tour, Bordeaux, Gironde
La Tour Intendance
Best Western Premier Hotel Bayonne Etche Ona - Bordeaux
Best Western Premier Hotel Bayonne Etche Ona - Bordeaux
4 out of 5
4 Rue Martignac, 11 rue Mautrec, Bordeaux, Gironde
Best Western Premier Hotel Bayonne Etche Ona - Bordeaux
Intercontinental Bordeaux Le Grand Hotel, an IHG Hotel
Intercontinental Bordeaux Le Grand Hotel, an IHG Hotel
5 out of 5
2-5 Place De La Comédie, Bordeaux, Gironde
Intercontinental Bordeaux Le Grand Hotel, an IHG Hotel
Mama Shelter Bordeaux
Mama Shelter Bordeaux
3 out of 5
19 Rue Poquelin Molière, Bordeaux
Mama Shelter Bordeaux
Best Western Grand Hotel Francais
Best Western Grand Hotel Francais
3 out of 5
12 Rue Du Temple, Bordeaux, Gironde
Best Western Grand Hotel Francais
Hotel Bordeaux Clemenceau by HappyCulture
Hotel Bordeaux Clemenceau by HappyCulture
3 out of 5
4 Cours Georges Clemenceau, Bordeaux, Gironde
Hotel Bordeaux Clemenceau by HappyCulture
ibis Bordeaux Centre Meriadeck
ibis Bordeaux Centre Meriadeck
3 out of 5
35, Cours du Marechal Juin, Bordeaux, Gironde
ibis Bordeaux Centre Meriadeck
Hôtel de Sèze
Hôtel de Sèze
4 out of 5
23 Allées de Tourny, Bordeaux, Gironde
Hôtel de Sèze
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Beautiful view of the beach with palm trees

Black Friday: Members save 30%+

Members save 30%+ on selected hotels until 4 Dec (property time) with our Black Friday deals. Stay by 15 Dec 2025.