La Flèche Saint-Michel, Bordeaux’s iconic bell tower, is reopening after five years of renovation.
Immerse yourself in its eventful history, from the Middle Ages to the present day, and climb the 230 steps of this unmissable monument that reaches for the sky. Your reward will be the most beautiful view of Bordeaux!
April to October
Open daily
From 10am to 1pm and 2pm to 6pm
Adult price: €7 / Concession price: €5
Free for under-13s and City Pass holders
No booking required – Tickets available on site or online.
Saint Michel's spire + Cailhau gate [combined ticket]
Climb the 230 steps of the Flèche Saint-Michel for a breathtaking view from 47 metres up, then step back in time at the Porte Cailhau, the only medieval civil monument open to visitors in Bordeaux.
Two climbs, two atmospheres, a single ticket at a special rate.
€11 instead of €14 (price of two separate tickets)
Did you know?
See more, spend less!
Entry to the Flèche Saint-Michel is included in the Bordeaux CityPass.
Available as a 24-, 48-, 72- or 96-hour pass (consecutive days), this is the essential pass for exploring Bordeaux! Included: La Cité du Vin, Les Bassins de Lumières, unlimited transport (tram, bus, river shuttle), 15 museums and monuments…
A sneak peek at what you’ll find there!
© Cyril Cosson – Droniryc
“AS A MONUMENT, IT IS THE LIGHTHOUSE THAT, FROM THE FARTHEST DISTANCE, SIGNALS THE CITY (…) THE TRAVELLER WOULD NO LONGER RECOGNISE BORDEAUX IF THE TOWER OF SAINT-MICHEL WERE TO BE REMOVED”
Paul Abadie, architect, Report on the restoration of the isolated Tower of Saint-Michel, November 1857
© F. Deval / Ville de Bordeaux
The spire construction site
a challenge throughout
the centuries
It was therefore at the end of the 15th century that the Lebas architects took on this monumental challenge, which was completed in 1492. In the 19th century, Paul Abadie saved the Flèche from the elements by reinforcing its structure and by rebuilding its summit.
A bold restoration project, which began in 2022, is now nearing completion, aimed at repairing the cracks and preserving this masterpiece. For this innovative project, a 700-tonne scaffolding structure was erected to dizzying heights to breathe new life into the spire. A new phase of works is planned for the coming years to renovate the base.
Saint-Michel
Around the spire
St Michael’s Basilica
St Michael’s Basilica
© HyperlapsePro
Markets and flea markets
Markets and flea markets
The Saint-Michel district
The Saint-Michel district
Discover Bordeaux
Address
- 16 place Meynard
- 33000 Bordeaux
Visible from afar, the spire has shaped the skyline of Bordeaux since the Middle Ages. A symbol of the ambition of the parish of Saint-Michel, it towers over the flamboyant Gothic basilica, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the Routes of Santiago de Compostela.
Beyond its religious role, it embodies the heritage and identity of Bordeaux
