Rue Sainte Catherine, between a stroll and a shopping session

The origin of its name comes from the Sainte Catherine chapel, which was demolished in 1835 to build the Bordeaux bazaar, the building of which is now occupied by Fnac. Before 1984, access to the street was restricted to cars, which led to traffic jams. Because of traffic problems, the shopping avenue became pedestrian-only. Named Promenade Sainte Catherine, it was inaugurated in 2015.

Divided into two parts, rue Sainte Catherine is more popular with students on the south side and the big national chains are to be found to the north. It is still a very busy street, however, so it is best to stroll along it in the morning and avoid off-peak hours. It's even busier during the braderie, which takes place twice a year. Shops, cafés and restaurants line the entire street, waiting to welcome you. The Promenade Sainte Catherine isn't just for one type of person, there's something for everyone: men's and women's clothes, shoes, sportswear, make-up, decorative items and objects, glasses, cafés, snack bars, supermarkets, hairdressers... and major chains such as Galeries Lafayette, Go Sport and Fnac.

There's something to suit all tastes and prices. It's a place where locals and tourists alike love to have a good time and stroll the streets. There's something for everyone. Whether you're with friends or family, rue Sainte Catherine is a place where you can share and meet. It is lined with classical and neoclassical buildings. The decor makes for a warm and inviting stroll.

You can take tramway line A, which takes you directly to the "Sainte Catherine" stop. Line B takes you to the Grand Théâtre, Hôtel de Ville and Gambetta stops, and you only have to walk a few metres to get to your destination. There are 3 entrances to the promenade, from the Galeries Lafayettes via rue de la Porte-Dijeaux, opposite the Fnac you'll find another entrance via rue Sainte Catherine, or via rue Guiraude opposite Place Jacques Lemoine. Depending on the hotel you stay in, you can reach the street on foot or by bike. You can easily hire a bike from the Pierre qui roule shop in the town centre, which offers a range of bicycles, electric bikes and mountain bikes. You can hire for half a day, a whole day or even a week.

To hire bikes, click here.

When it comes to gastronomy, there is a wide choice of restaurants. If you're feeling peckish, why not stop off at La Toque Cuivrée for a bite to eat? If you prefer fast food, McDonald's, Burger King and KFC are also to be found on this street. On the more exotic side, Asian restaurants such as Matsuri (Japanese specialities), Monzù (Italian specialities), Big Fernand (French-style burgers) and Taj Mahal (Indian and Pakistani cuisine), have taken up residence on the Promenade Sainte Catherine.

The Best Western Grand Hôtel is located 700 metres from Rue Sainte Catherine. It is one of the closest hotels to the promenade, and boasts an excellent geographical location in addition to its exceptional setting.