It has towered over the Saint-Michel district since 1492, standing 114 metres tall as France’s fourth-highest bell tower. Climbing the 230 steps of the Flèche Saint-Michel earns you what many consider the finest view in Bordeaux.
At a glance
At the top of the climb, 47 metres up, a panoramic terrace offers 360° views over the ochre rooftops of the historic centre, the meandering Garonne, the Pont de Pierre, the quays, the Miroir d’Eau, and the hills of the right bank. This unique panorama is exactly what gives the spire its reputation as Bordeaux’s finest view.
Construction of the Saint-Michel basilica ran from the 14th to the 17th century, driven by the parish’s ambition to build the kingdom’s tallest tower. The spire was completed in 1492 by the Lebas architects. Damaged over the centuries by an earthquake, lightning, and a hurricane, it underwent major restoration in the 19th century under architect Paul Abadie, who described it as “a beacon that announces the city from afar.” A new restoration project, launched in 2022 and involving up to 700 tonnes of scaffolding, has since preserved this landmark monument. The tower today houses a 19th-century carillon of 22 bells, which rings every hour and plays melodies at 12:30pm and 6:45pm.
Allow around 30 minutes for the climb and to take in the view. The 230 steps are climbed without a lift, through a sometimes narrow space, and access is limited to 19 people per group depending on availability: good physical condition and comfortable shoes are recommended.
No, booking is not required: tickets are sold on-site or online. A combined ticket with the Porte Cailhau allows you to visit both monuments for €11, compared to €14 separately. Admission is also included with the Bordeaux CityPass.
💡 Bordeaux City Tours’ tip
Once back down, extend your visit through the Saint-Michel district surrounding the basilica: lively streets, a food market from Monday to Saturday, a flea market held several times a week, and a cosmopolitan atmosphere make it one of Bordeaux’s liveliest neighbourhoods, well worth exploring at a leisurely pace after the climb.
The Basilique Saint-Michel is about a 9-minute walk from the Sainte Catherine stop of our Bordeaux Visiotour Hop-on Hop-off bus, a pleasant walk through the Saint-Pierre district, passing the Musée d’Aquitaine and the Grosse Cloche along the way.
Allow around 30 minutes for the climb, the panoramic view, and the descent.
€7 full price, €5 reduced, free for under-13s and CityPass holders. Booking is not required.
The spire is open from April to October, daily 10am-1pm and 2pm-6pm (last entry 30 minutes before closing).
Access is difficult due to the number of steps (230), with no lift or special assistance available.
Admission is free for under-13s, though the narrow staircase calls for extra care with younger children.
Bordeaux is rich in history and heritage with its 350 UNESCO listed buildings. Each one more unusual than the next, don’t miss out on discovering them.
We have put together a list of the most important places in the Port de la Lune to visit…
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