The tallest landmark in Bordeaux is not the cathedral’s tower but the Flèche Saint-Michel, a slender Gothic spire that rises 114 metres above the lively Saint-Michel quarter and ranks as the fourth-tallest bell tower in France. Like the cathedral of Saint-André, the basilica has a bell tower that stands separately from the church, a Bordeaux habit that makes the spire visible across the city. The tower was completed in 1492 and has had a rough history: an earthquake in 1759, lightning and a hurricane in 1768 damaged it, and the hurricane cut off its top. In the 19th century it served as a relay station for the Chappe telegraph, and between 1860 and 1869 the architect Paul Abadie restored it and rebuilt the upper section in a neo-Gothic style. The basilica itself is Flamboyant Gothic and has been part of a UNESCO World Heritage inscription since 1998, together with Saint-Seurin and Saint-André. Below the tower, an old charnier, or ossuary, once displayed around seventy mummies exhumed from a nearby cemetery, which attracted writers such as Victor Hugo and Gustave Flaubert; that display ended in 1990 and an audiovisual presentation now tells the story. The tower reopened in June 2026 after about five years of restoration.
How to visit
The tower is at Place Canteloup, in the Saint-Michel quarter, close to the river and a short walk from the Saint-Jean station area. The tourist office page gives April to October opening, with hours from 10:00 to 13:00 and from 14:00 to 18:00, which means the climb is closed from November to March, so in winter you can admire the spire from the outside but not climb it.
The entry price is given as 7 euros full rate and 5 euros reduced, free for children under thirteen and for City Pass holders, with card payment only and no booking needed outside special free days. A combined ticket with Porte Cailhau is offered at 11 euros full rate and 8 euros reduced.
What to expect
A climb of 230 steps up a narrow spiral, rewarded by a panoramic view over the historic city, the Garonne and the bridges. It is a physical visit, so it suits people comfortable with stairs and not claustrophobic. At the base, the story of the ossuary and the mummies is told through an audiovisual presentation. Children can take part in a bell-ringer activity, which requires an appointment, according to the tourist office.
Making the most of it
Choose a clear day, since the view is the point, and go in the morning or late afternoon to avoid the midday haze. If you are visiting in the closed season, walk around the square, which is lively with market stalls and cafés, and admire the basilica’s Flamboyant Gothic exterior. Pair the climb with the Porte Cailhau using the combined ticket, or with a visit to the Marché des Capucins, which is a short walk away.
The tower and the cathedral’s Pey-Berland tower give two different views of the same city, so if you have time for only one, choose by where you would like to see the river from.
Some perspective on the choice of towers: the Pey-Berland tower beside the cathedral and the Flèche Saint-Michel offer different compositions, since the first looks over the old centre and the second across the Saint-Michel quarter towards the river and the south. If you are stretching your budget, the combined ticket with Porte Cailhau gives a second historic interior at a discount, and the neighbouring square is worth a coffee afterwards to watch the quarter go about its day.
What to expect
The experience
A climb of 230 steps up a Gothic bell tower for a panorama of the city and the Garonne, plus the audiovisual story of the ossuary below.
Best time
A clear morning or late afternoon between April and October.
How long
About an hour including the climb and the view.
Tips
The tower is open April to October only. Card payment only, and no booking is needed outside special free days.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Visitors who like climbing towers and want the tallest viewpoint in the city.
- Families
- Children under thirteen go free, but 230 steps on a narrow stair is not for small legs or prams.
- Couples
- A fine view of the city and the river at a quieter hour.
- Pair with
- Porte Cailhau, using the combined ticket, or the Marché des Capucins.
- Time needed
- An hour, plus time in the square.
Good questions
How tall is the Flèche Saint-Michel?+
It is 114 metres tall, ranked as the fourth-tallest bell tower in France, and visitors climb 230 steps to the top.
When can I climb it?+
From April to October, 10:00 to 13:00 and 14:00 to 18:00. It is closed for climbing in the other months.
How much does it cost?+
The tourist office gives 7 euros full price and 5 euros reduced, free for children under thirteen and City Pass holders. A combined ticket with Porte Cailhau is 11 euros or 8 euros reduced.
Do I need to book?+
Not normally. The tourist office says card payment only and no booking, except on special free days when a reservation is required.
Why is the tower separate from the church?+
Like the cathedral of Saint-André, the basilica has a bell tower that stands apart from the main building, a feature of Bordeaux’s Gothic churches.
