Banks: 10:00 to 17:00, Tuesday to Saturday
Post Offices: 08:00 to 16:00, Tuesday to Saturday
Government Offices: 09:00 to 12:00 and 14:00 to 18:00, Monday to Friday
Business Centres: 09:00 to 12:00 and 14:00 to 18:00, Monday to Friday
Shops: 09:00 to 20:00, Monday to Friday

Bordeaux is not known as a dangerous or high risk destination, and few visitors to the city experience anything untoward during their holiday. The streets are generally safe to frequent during either day or night; however, female visitors are advised to avoid travelling alone late at night and to steer clear of secluded areas of the city.

Petty criminals maintain a presence in the city, so visitors are advised to stay alert at all times, especially when in busy or popular tourist areas. Be sure to secure your cash and valuable items in places that are hard to reach, and pay attention to bags, as snatching is not unknown.

220V, 50HZ; plugs have two round pins.

The city’s hospitals offer a high standard of health care for anyone necessitating it and EU visitors carrying European Health Insurance Cards will receive free emergency treatment. The city present few obvious health risks, however, with high standards of hygiene in public eateries and strict safety regulations controlling public services. Tap water is safe to drink but visitors may prefer the taste of bottled water.

Emergency services: 15
Anti Poison Centre: +33 5 56 96 40 80

French is spoken in Bordeaux, and for the majority of residents no significant dialect is detectable. English is spoken by staff in hotels and popular tourist locations.

France uses the euro (EUR) as its official currency. A €1.00 unit is comprised of 100 euro cents.

For EU nationals there are no restrictions on the import or export of alcohol, tobacco or other goods between France and other EU countries, although goods must be for personal use only and visitors with excessive volumes may be asked to prove that this is the case.

For non-EU visitors (aged 17 or over) the following allowances are given: 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 100 cigarillos or 250 grams of loose tobacco; 1 litre of spirits or 2 litres of wine or other alcoholic beverages (not exceeding 22 per cent proof); 250ml of eau de toilette or 50 grams of perfume; and other goods not exceeding the value of €200.

The French are fairly conservative, and formality is considered important in many social arenas, especially in business and dining. Residents of Bordeaux typically don smart or smart casual attire when eating out and attempt to maintain tidy appearances at all other times. Swimwear is reserved for the beach and poolside, while shorts are okay for a sightseeing trip, but not for restaurants. Wine is popular in Bordeaux, but the locals rarely drink in excess and behave inappropriately under the influence, so visitors are advised to follow suit.

Nationals of EU countries are not required to have a visa to enter France. Visitors from elsewhere may require a tourist visa, although citizens of certain countries outside of the EU may enter on a passport only. Visas can be obtained from French embassies in major cities across the globe.

The Bordeaux Tourist office is situated at 12 Cours du XXX Juillet, 33080 Bordeaux Cedex. Phone: +33 5 56 00 66 00.