Dating in Bordeaux: Best Free Sites & Apps for English Speakers

Bordeaux at a glance for singles

Bordeaux has changed a great deal over the past two decades. The restored stone quays along the Garonne, the trams and the high-speed train to Paris have turned it into one of the most sought-after cities in France, attracting young professionals, families and remote workers. The wine trade gives it an international outlook, with buyers, students of oenology and hospitality workers coming from all over the world, and there is a historic British connection too.

For an English speaker, that means a reasonable number of people who are happy to chat in English, particularly in the wine, tourism and tech sectors and among students. The city still feels French in its rhythm and habits, though, and social life tends to revolve around long apéritifs, food markets and weekends on the Atlantic coast.

Our recommended sites and apps in Bordeaux

If you are looking for a serious relationship, start with our France ranking. Meetic, rated highest, is aimed at singles aged 25 to 49 who want something real. The free version lets you create a profile, browse and send likes; reading and sending messages requires a subscription at €24.99/month. The interface is in French.

eDarling is the choice for a long-term relationship after 40. After a free personality test, you receive compatible match suggestions and can send smiles; photos and messaging need the €14.90/month membership, and the site is in French. DisonsDemain is for singles over 50, with a French interface and paid messaging (€16/month). For English speakers over 40, DateMyAge has an English interface; you can register and browse free and pay with credits (€11.99) for messages and video chat.

Under 35? The free apps are where most of the action is. Tinder, Bumble and Hinge all work in English and include free chat with matches, though Hinge limits your daily likes. happn, which shows people you have crossed paths with, is well suited to the compact centre and the tram lines.

Social life: where Bordeaux meets

The Saint-Pierre quarter, in the heart of the old town, is full of bars and restaurants on narrow streets and small squares. The Chartrons district, the old wine merchants’ quarter north of the centre, is known for its antique shops, Sunday market on the quays and relaxed wine bars. Place de la Victoire and the streets around it are the student hub, lively and inexpensive, while Saint-Michel, with its big Sunday flea market, is more multicultural and bohemian. Across the river, the right bank around La Bastide has grown into a popular area for open spaces and newer venues.

The University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux Montaigne University and KEDGE Business School all have international students and active associations. Wine tastings and courses are an obvious and popular way to meet people, and Meetup lists language exchanges, running groups and day trips to the vineyards or the coast. InterNations is also present. Surfing at the Atlantic beaches, about an hour away, is a weekend passion for many locals and an easy shared hobby to bond over.

First dates, Bordeaux style

• A glass of wine in a small wine bar is the natural first date here, and it is fine to admit you are not an expert.
• Strolling along the quays to the Miroir d’eau opposite the Place de la Bourse, especially at dusk, is a classic.
• For a daytime date, a Sunday market on the quays or a coffee in the Jardin Public works well.
• Drink responsibly if a tasting is involved, and arrange your own transport home.
• Meet in public, keep conversations on the platform until you feel confident, and never send money to an online match.

Which site fits you in Bordeaux?

Bordeaux is a wine city that has become popular with newcomers from France and abroad. The French sites in our ranking are mostly in French, so pick according to your goal and language.

New in town, 25-49, open to something serious

Meetic is our best-rated site in France for serious relationships, in French. Free tip: profile, browsing and likes are free; messaging starts at €24.99/month.

Expat who doesn’t speak French yet

Bumble works in English, with free matching and chat. Free tip: if you are over 40, DateMyAge also runs in English and lets you register and browse for free.

Over 50 and starting again

DisonsDemain is dedicated to over-50s, in French. Free tip: browse and send likes for free to see who lives around Bordeaux.

Something casual, discreetly

Coup d’un soir (18+) lets you create an anonymous profile and browse for free, in French. Free tip: messaging uses credits (from €9), so you only pay when you write.

Dating in Bordeaux: FAQ

Is it easy to date in Bordeaux as an English speaker?

Fairly easy, especially with students and people in the wine and tech sectors. English-language apps like Tinder, Bumble and Hinge work well, and DateMyAge is in English for the over-40s.

Which dating site is free in Bordeaux?

Meetic, eDarling and DisonsDemain are free to join, but messaging is paid. Tinder, Bumble, Hinge and happn let you chat with matches without paying.

Where do singles go out in Bordeaux?

Saint-Pierre, the Chartrons, Place de la Victoire and Saint-Michel are the main areas for bars, and the quays along the Garonne are popular on warm evenings.