New in Bordeaux: your first month

Your first month, step by step

1. Week 1

   Settling in: no town-hall registration, but two useful steps

   The city's newcomer guide (« S'installer à Bordeaux ») lists housing, transport, schools, waste and leisure, but no compulsory registration at the town hall. Two civic steps are worth doing: sign up for the newcomers' reception, held twice a year in the Hôtel de Ville to meet city services, elected officials and other new Bordelais; and, if you are French or an EU citizen, register on the electoral roll: registration is compulsory to vote and is done in your new commune.

   Ville de Bordeaux, S'installer à Bordeaux (newcomers' reception) · Ville de Bordeaux, main procedures (electoral roll)

2. Week 1

   TBM: one ticket for tram, bus and river shuttle

   A TBM single ticket costs €1.90 and gives unlimited rides for one hour after the first validation (€2.10 if bought on board a bus); validate every time you board, even when changing. If you are 28–59, Le Pass costs €55 a month (1st to 31st), or €45.80 a month on the annual plan; 11–27s pay €35.10 a month for the Pass Jeune (fares as of October 2026). The TBM card is free and personal. Buy in the TBM app, at machines at every tram station (24/7, card or cash), or at a Boutique TBM: Quinconces (Pavillon des Quinconces, cours du 30 Juillet) or Gare Saint-Jean (Parvis Sud entrance). Le Vélo, the bike share, has 215+ stations.

   TBM, fare guide (PDF) · TBM, where to buy · TBM shops · TBM app tickets · Le Vélo by TBM

3. Week 1

   Phone: SIM or eSIM

   If you keep a phone plan from another EU country, roaming surcharges are abolished across the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway (and, since 1 January 2026, Ukraine and Moldova). When you take a French plan you can keep your existing French number: you only deal with the new operator, which also cancels the old contract; get your RIO code by calling 3179 from your mobile. Porting takes at least 3 working days. Contracts signed online or by phone can be cancelled within 14 days. Problems with an operator can be reported to the regulator, Arcep.

   Arcep, keeping your number · Arcep, roaming in Europe · Arcep, before signing a contract

4. Week 1

   Safety basics

   Save 112 (European emergency number), 15 for SAMU medical emergencies, 17 for the police, 18 for the fire brigade, and 114 by text if you cannot speak or hear. To report a theft or file a complaint, go to the police nationale: the Hôtel de Police at 23 rue François de Sourdis is open 24/7. The city's police municipale answers on 05 56 10 20 99. Lost something in the street? Declare it online; the lost property office is at 6 place Rohan, Monday–Friday 9:00–17:00. Items lost on trams or buses go through TBM's own platform.

   Ville de Bordeaux, emergency numbers · Police: who to contact · Lost property (Ville de Bordeaux) · TBM lost items

5. Weeks 1–2

   Residence permit: the official online portal

   If you are not an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen, residence-permit procedures go through ANEF, the Interior Ministry's digital administration for foreigners in France: log in there and check which procedure matches your visa or permit. For asylum seekers, the city's « Asile et accueil » page explains the first steps in Bordeaux and lists support organisations. This page does not give legal advice: always follow the official instructions for your own situation.

   ANEF (Ministry of the Interior) · Ville de Bordeaux, asylum and support

6. Weeks 1–2

   Health insurance (PUMa)

   Anyone working in France is covered for healthcare under the universal health protection (PUMa), with no waiting period. EU citizens who are not working and not covered by their home country have their case examined individually by the local health insurance fund. To register with French social security you will need a birth certificate showing your parents' names (acte de naissance avec filiation) and a passport or national ID card. Cleiss, the public body for international social security, explains each situation.

   Cleiss, coming to work in France · Cleiss, coming to live in France · Cleiss, non-working EU citizens

7. Weeks 1–2

   Your first weekend: free things

   Bordeaux's municipal museums (Musée d'Aquitaine, Musée des Beaux-Arts, CAPC, MADD, Muséum and the Jardin botanique greenhouses) are free on the first Sunday of the month, 11:00–18:00, except in July and August: next dates 1 November and 6 December 2026. The Jardin public is open daily (7:00–19:00 in October, 7:00–18:00 from November), and the outdoor gardens of the Jardin botanique on the right bank are free for everyone. The city agenda lists what's on.

   Free first Sundays (Ville de Bordeaux) · Jardin public · Jardin botanique · City agenda

8. Weeks 3–4

   Your first plan to meet people

   Get the free library card: it is free for everyone, whatever your situation or where you live; bring an ID. Then try a French as a foreign language (FLE) workshop at the Capucins / Saint-Michel library, look at one of the 11 centres d'animation (social and cultural centres on both banks), and sign up for the next newcomers' reception at the Hôtel de Ville. Or go to one of the events below: they are picked because it is easy to go alone and talk to people.

   Library card · Capucins / Saint-Michel library · Centres d'animation (Saint-Pierre) · Newcomers' reception

Rules change: always confirm on the official page before you go.

Free public places to start

Public libraries, parks, a botanical garden, a city museum and a neighbourhood centre in Bordeaux, each with its official page. Hours change: check the page before you go.

• Bibliothèque Mériadeck

  Bordeaux's main library, 85 cours du Maréchal Juin, one of the largest public libraries in France. Outside school holidays it opens Monday and Thursday 13:00–19:00, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 10:00–19:00, Saturday 10:00–18:00, plus some Sundays (8, 15, 22 and 29 November 2026). Wi-Fi, a games area and plenty of space to sit and work.

• Bibliothèque Capucins / Saint-Michel

  A neighbourhood library opposite the Capucins market (10–12 place des Capucins). It runs language workshops including French as a foreign language (FLE), help with paperwork and events with local artists. Open Tuesday 10:00–12:00 and 14:00–18:00, Wednesday and Saturday 10:00–18:00, Thursday and Friday 14:00–18:00.

• Jardin public

  A 10.8-hectare park in the city centre (main entrance cours de Verdun), created in 1746, with a botanical garden, the Muséum and a library inside. Open every day: 7:00–19:00 in October, 7:00–18:00 from 1 November to 14 February. An easy place for a first walk or to read on a bench.

• Jardin botanique de la Bastide

  The right-bank botanical garden (Esplanade Linné, entrances also on quai des Queyries). Access to the outdoor gardens is free for everyone, daily 8:00–19:00 in October and 8:00–18:00 from November; the greenhouses and exhibition rooms (Tuesday–Sunday 11:00–18:00) are free on the first Sunday of the month.

• Musée d'Aquitaine

  The city's history museum, 20 cours Pasteur, open Tuesday–Sunday 11:00–18:00. Inside, the Bordeaux World Heritage interpretation centre (CIAP) is free and open to all, and the whole museum is free on the first Sunday of the month (except July and August). It also runs talks, workshops and concerts.

• Centre d'animation Saint-Pierre

  One of the 11 Centres d'animation de Bordeaux, social and cultural centres spread across both banks; this one is at 4 rue du Mulet in the old town and runs a wide range of activities, with a focus on writing and reading. Ask there about activities you can join to meet people in your neighbourhood.

This week: events to go to alone

Mon16Nov

SocialBordeaux

19:00–21:00

Yin Yoga session Yin et gratitude, AGJA, Bordeaux Caudéran

Maison de quartier AGJA

On Monday 16 November 2026 at 19:00 the AGJA neighbourhood centre at 8 rue Gambetta in Bordeaux hosts a one-off Yin Yoga session titled Yin et gratitude. The listing describes a gentle and deep practice meant to slow down, refocus and regain a sense of inner stability. Yin Yoga uses postures held mostly on the floor for several minutes, allowing a gradual release and attentive listening to the body. The practice respects each person's abilities and does not aim at performance. The session costs 20 euros, with registration through the club's online booking page, and it runs from 19:00 to 21:00. It is described as an invitation to slow down, settle and find one's anchor. A quiet class like this is easy to attend alone, since everyone works on their own mat at their own pace. «La pratique se fait dans le respect des possibilités de chacun·e, sans recherche de performance.» Starts 19:00, ends about 21:00. Source: OpenAgenda — AGJA Bordeaux Caudéran (open data). The listing gives the price as 20 euros per session and says registration is through the club's online booking.

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Mon16Nov

MusicPessac

21:00–22:30

Archibald Ligonnière jazz quintet at Sortie 13, Pessac

Sortie 13 - salle de concert

On Monday 16 November 2026 at 21:00 the concert hall Sortie 13 in Pessac hosts the jazz drummer and composer Archibald Ligonnière. The listing says his first album as a leader, A New Home, reveals a modern, lyrical and accessible jazz. He is joined by a quintet of Stéphane Guillaume, Tom Ibarra, Jean-Yves Jung and Gildas Boclé. The music is described as rich in harmonies and emotion, both intimate and luminous, and as a search for balance between virtuosity and simplicity, collective energy and personal sensitivity. The listing gives 15 euros in advance, 12 euros for subscribers and 18 euros on the door, and says a youth card gives a second place free. The evening is listed as running from 21:00 to 22:30. A jazz concert in a dedicated hall is easy to enjoy alone, because the room is there for the music and a stool at the edge is enough. «Avec A New Home, son premier album en tant que leader, le batteur et compositeur Archibald Ligonnière dévoile un jazz moderne, lyrique et accessible.» Starts 21:00, ends about 22:30. Source: OpenAgenda — Sortie 13 - Salle de concert (open data). The listing gives 15 euros in advance, 12 euros for subscribers and 18 euros on the door.

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Tue17Nov

Free

LearningBordeaux

15:00–16:30

Saint Augustin, penseur du temps, talk at Magendie, Bordeaux

Résidence Autonomie Magendie

On Tuesday 17 November 2026 at 15:00 the Résidence Autonomie Magendie in Bordeaux hosts a talk titled Saint Augustin, penseur du temps, penseur du présent. It is proposed by Philosphères in partnership with the CCAS de Bordeaux, as part of the Quinzaine de l'Egalité 2026 in Bordeaux. Marie-Paule Fargier and Bernard Levasseur de Charmoy will present the life and work of the philosopher Saint Augustin, and the listing describes the session as an occasion to think together about time, memory and eternity. Entry is free, and the listing adds that interpretation in French sign language is available on registration up to one week before the event. The session runs from 15:00 to 16:30 at 45 rue Magendie. A philosophy talk is easy to attend alone, since the audience comes for the same ideas and the shared questions make conversation simple afterwards. «Marie-Paule Fargier et Bernard Levasseur de Charmoy vous présenteront la vie et l’oeuvre du philosophe Saint Augustin» Starts 15:00, ends about 16:30. Source: OpenAgenda — Quinzaine de l'Egalité 2026 Bordeaux (open data). The listing gives the entry as free, with sign-language interpretation on registration.

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Tue17Nov

Free

LearningBordeaux

16:00–17:30

Enquête autour de la Flèche, talk, Musée d'Aquitaine, Bordeaux

Musée d'Aquitaine

On Tuesday 17 November 2026 at 16:00 the Musée d'Aquitaine at 20 cours Pasteur in Bordeaux hosts a round table titled Enquête autour de la Flèche, about the restoration works on the Saint-Michel tower, in the series Bordeaux en chantiers. The listing recalls that the Flèche, the isolated bell tower of the basilica, reopened in spring after four years of works aimed mostly at its upper part, weakened by large cracks. A scientific investigation, inspired by research recently carried out around Notre-Dame de Paris, was needed to understand the causes of the damage. The speakers are Stéphane Morel, Paul Taforel, Olivier Vigoureux, Virginie Zudas and Andrea Santangelo, who represent the university, engineering, architecture and the city's building services. The talk is free. A talk like this is easy to attend alone, since the audience is there to listen and ask questions about the same subject. «Les personnes à la conduite du chantier et les scientifiques qui ont mené ces recherches vous racontent cette investigation passionnante.» Starts 16:00, ends about 17:30. Source: OpenAgenda — Musée d'Aquitaine (open data). The listing gives no end time, so the end shown is estimated. The listing gives the price as free and names the speakers of the round table.

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Tue17Nov

Free

LearningBordeaux

16:00–17:30

Enquête autour de la Flèche, talk at Musée d'Aquitaine, Bordeaux

Musée d'Aquitaine

On Tuesday 17 November 2026 at 16:00 the Musée d'Aquitaine at 20 cours Pasteur in Bordeaux hosts a lecture titled Enquête autour de la Flèche, about the restoration of the Flèche Saint-Michel. The listing explains that this isolated bell tower of the basilica reopened after four years of work on its upper part, which had been weakened by large cracks. The speakers are Stéphane Morel of the University of Bordeaux and CNRS, Paul Taforel of MiMeTICS engineering, Olivier Vigoureux of Agence Goutal, and Virginie Zudas and Andrea Santangelo of Bordeaux Métropole. They describe a scientific investigation inspired by recent research around Notre-Dame de Paris, used to test the restoration hypotheses chosen by the architect. Entry is free, with no booking, within the limit of available seats, and the talk ends at 17:30. A lecture like this is easy to attend alone, since everyone is there to listen and learn about the same project. «Les personnes à la conduite du chantier et les scientifiques qui ont mené ces recherches vous racontent ces investigations passionnantes.» Starts 16:00, ends about 17:30. Source: OpenAgenda — Musée d'Aquitaine (open data). The listing says entry is free, with no booking, subject to available seats.

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Tue17Nov

Free

MusicBordeaux

20:00–22:00

Moonlight Sessions: free student jazz at Le Pas de Lune, Bordeaux

Le Pas de Lune

On Tuesday 17 November 2026 the jazz and contemporary music department of the Bordeaux conservatoire returns to the stage of Le Pas de Lune, a neighbourhood venue in the Sainte-Croix quarter that has built a loyal audience since opening in September 2025. This first date of the Moonlight Sessions starts a second season of five concerts planned for 2026-2027 in partnership with the venue. The conservatoire's jazz workshops focus on creation and composition by students, alongside the study of the great classics, and four groups are programmed to explore jazz and current music. Entry is free according to the listing, and the page is in French. The concert starts at 20:00 and the end time is estimated. A small local venue with student musicians is a warm, low-pressure setting for an evening alone, and you can sit near the stage and enjoy the music. «Moonlight Sessions #1» Starts 20:00, ends about 22:00. Source: OpenAgenda — Conservatoire de Bordeaux - Jacques Thibaud (open data).

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Tue17Nov

MusicBordeaux

20:00–21:50

Elisabeth Leonskaja, piano recital, Auditorium de Bordeaux

Auditorium de Bordeaux

On Tuesday 17 November 2026 at 20:00 the Auditorium de Bordeaux welcomes the pianist Elisabeth Leonskaja for a recital in the festival L'esprit du piano. The listing calls her the last great lady of the Soviet school and says she won several first prizes in international competitions while still a student at the Moscow Conservatoire, and later worked closely with Sviatoslav Richter. Since settling in Austria in 1978 she has played with leading orchestras and chamber musicians. The programme is Beethoven's Fantaisie in G minor, Shostakovich's Piano Sonata no. 2 and Schubert's Piano Sonata no. 20 in A major, D. 959. The recital runs from 20:00 to 21:50, and tickets are sold through the Opéra National de Bordeaux box office. The listing does not give a price. A solo piano recital is easy to enjoy alone, since the whole room listens in the same silence. «J’ai compris à cette époque que c’est du silence que naît la musique» Starts 20:00, ends about 21:50. Source: OpenAgenda — Opéra National de Bordeaux (open data). The listing gives the recital as 20:00 to 21:50 with ticketing through the Opéra National de Bordeaux and no price figure.

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Wed18Nov

LearningBordeaux

14:30–16:30

Winter planting garden workshop at La ManuCo, Bordeaux

La ManuCo

On Wednesday 18 November 2026 at 14:30 La ManuCo at 15 rue Causserouge in Bordeaux holds a gardening workshop led by Dominique, titled winter planting. The listing says the programme covers planting garlic shoots in the ground, taking cuttings of Cuban mint and sowing pink radishes. Participants learn the right seasonal gestures and share a friendly moment together. The workshop is open to everyone and beginners are explicitly welcome, so no earlier experience is needed. The price is 5 euros, and the registration link in the listing goes through the HelloAsso page of the association. The session runs from 14:30 to 16:30, on a weekday afternoon. A hands-on workshop like this is easy to join alone, since everyone is learning the same simple tasks side by side and chatting comes naturally while working. «Ouvert à tou·tes, débutant·es bienvenu·es !» Starts 14:30, ends about 16:30. Source: OpenAgenda — La Manuco - Bordeaux (open data). The listing gives the price as 5 euros and the hours as 14:30 to 16:30.

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Wed18Nov

Free

CultureBordeaux

18:00–20:00

Lettres du Monde: Juan Gabriel Vásquez at Librairie Mollat, Bordeaux

Librairie Mollat

On Wednesday 18 November 2026 at 18:00 the Librairie Mollat in Bordeaux hosts a meeting with the writer Juan Gabriel Vásquez, led by the bookseller Pierre Coutelle, as part of the Lettres du Monde festival, whose Bordeaux programme is called Vacarme(s). The listing describes Lettres du Monde as a travelling literary festival that makes literature a space of meeting, openness and dialogue, where authors from around the world share their stories, experiences and views of the world. It says literature helps us understand others, listen to what separates us and recognise what brings us together. The meeting is listed at the Station Ausone of the bookshop and is part of the Quinzaine de l'Egalité 2026 in Bordeaux. Entry is free at every meeting of the festival, and this one is listed to run until 20:00. A book talk like this is easy to attend alone, since the audience is there for the same author. «Lettres du monde est un festival littéraire itinérant qui fait de la littérature un espace de rencontre, d’ouverture et de dialogue.» Starts 18:00, ends about 20:00. Source: OpenAgenda — Quinzaine de l'Egalité 2026 Bordeaux (open data). The listing says all meetings of the festival are free and open.

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