Circular loop of Bordeaux city centre on the south side via green spaces

Start on the left side of Saint-Michel Basilica. Tram and parking nearby.

(S/E) With your back to the basilica, turn left and follow Rue des Allamandiers for about 20 metres before turning left down Rue Camille Sauvageau to the pretty Sainte-Croix abbey church. Walk along the TNBA (Théâtre National Bordeaux-Aquitaine) then turn left onto Rue Jacques d'Welles and cross to the right, if accessible, into the pleasant Dom Bedos square. Exit to the south of the church by following the tree-lined Rue Jacques Ellul, then take the path on the left and enter Parc André Meunier.

(1) Cross the park, then Cours de la Marne and take Allée de l'École Santé Navale (car-free) to the tree-lined Place Pierre Jacques Dormoy. Turn left onto Rue Vilaris, then take^{the first} right onto Rue Monfaucon. At the end of the street, turn left onto Rue Billaudel. After 150 metres, you will see Bordeaux's^first microforest on your right. Turn right onto Rue Pelleport and cross Place Cardinal Donnet, which runs alongside the pretty Sacré-Coeur church.

(2) Opposite the main entrance to the church, follow Rue Buchou, then continue straight on Rue Roger Mirassou until you reach Rue de Langon. Turn left onto Rue Pelleport and then right. On the left is Square Paul Autin (open mainly at weekends). Continue to the pretty Place Nansouty, which has recently been refurbished. Turn left onto the noisy Cours de la Somme for a few metres before turning right into Impasse Elvina Sivan and following the path that runs alongside Sainte-Geneviève Church until you reach Rue Bertrand de Goth. Turn right onto Rue Bertrand Goth and continue for 70 metres until you reach the charming little Bertrand de Goth park.

(3) Continue along Rue Bertrand de Goth for about 500 metres, cross Cours de l'Argonne and continue straight on to Rue Duluc. Turn right onto Rue Saint-Genès (very posh) and walk 50 metres before entering the Jardin des Dames de la Foi (popular). Nearby is the Maison Saint-Louis Beaulieu.

(4) Continue along Rue Saint-Genès and turn right at the first street, Rue Adrien Baysselance. Cross Cours de l'Argonne (a pretty tree-lined square belonging to the Pouyanne brothers) and continue straight ahead onto Rue Colette. After 50 metres, on the right, you will find the magnificent Square du Professeur Lasserre, which beautifully combines green space and architecture. Return to Rue Colette, then continue straight on Rue Georges Rioux and continue on Rue Jules Delpit. Cross Cours de la Somme and continue on Rue Lajarte before turning left onto Rue Kleber.

(5) Follow this incredible tree-lined street through a working-class neighbourhood to the end, then continue for 50 metres along Rue Leyteire after crossing Cours de la Marne. Take the^second right, the narrow Rue Contrescarpe, to Place des Capucins. Turn left onto Rue Clare towards the Basilica of Saint-Michel (S/E), the end of the circular.

(S) Rue des Allamandiers - WC - water point. Square Dom Bedos: very irregular opening hours.

(1) Parc André Meunier - 2 hectares - toilets - water point - accessible 24 hours a day. Micro-forest on Rue Billaudel - accessible 24 hours a day

(2) Place du Cardinal Donnet - WC - water point. Square Paul Antin - water point - open at weekends and during holidays from 8 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. or later depending on the season

(3) Jardin Bertrand de Goth - water point - open from 8 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. or later depending on the season.

(4) Jardin des Dames de la Foi - water point - open from 8 a.m. to 6.30 p.m. or later depending on the season. Square du Professeur Lasserre open from 8 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. or later depending on the season - WC