Moving to Bordeaux: Costs Process & Districts
From Berlin to Bordeaux
Moving to Bordeaux: Port of the Moon, the Garonne and Chartrons
Guide
Bordeaux lies in south-west France on the Garonne, about 45 km from the Atlantic; the river curves through the city in an arc, hence its nickname "Port of the Moon". The city has around 274,000 residents and the immediate metropolitan area about 774,000. The historic centre has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2007, and the city is also known for Bordeaux wine and the wine merchants' quarter of Chartrons. If you are planning a move to Bordeaux, you need a parking application with the city for the lorry and should know the Crit'Air rules.
We are based in Berlin (Stromstraße 21) and drive around 1,635 km by lorry through Belgium, around Paris and via the A10 to Bordeaux. That is about 25 hours of pure driving and break time; with the required rest periods the journey takes two to three days, and correspondingly less with two drivers. Because Germany and France are both in the EU, there are no customs formalities for your household goods. We quote the fixed price after a survey, including for the journey from Bordeaux back to Berlin. Read more about the paperwork in the guide Moving to France.
Fixed price for your move to Bordeaux – request a survey
Survey, fixed price, fixed date
Call us on 01625978461 and arrange a survey for your move to Bordeaux. We take into account the size of the flat, floor, access, the route of around 1,635 km and any shared load requests, and then quote you a fixed price. Places with their own pages can be found under Locations.
Quotes available individually based on workload, scheduling and the desired scope of services.
What we take care of when you move to Bordeaux
Planned from Berlin, arriving in south-west France
We do not have a branch in Bordeaux; we come by lorry from Berlin-Moabit. That is why we check access, floor and stairwell in advance – whether it is a stone house in Saint-Pierre, a flat in Chartrons or a house in Caudéran. We apply for permission to stop outside your new address in good time according to the City of Bordeaux's rules. We quote the fixed price after the survey; for your belongings we are liable under § 451e HGB at €620 per cubic metre. For your private move we coordinate the date with the flat handover.
Packing Service
Office Move
Senior Move
Furniture Transport
Well planned to Bordeaux
We quote the fixed price for your move to Bordeaux after the survey – with packing, transport over around 1,635 km, the parking permit and assembly as separate items. That way you can see beforehand what you are paying for.
Fixed arrival time
Access sorted
Parking outside the door
Planned backwards
Storage if there is a gap
Ready to move in
Little to move? Part load!
For smaller volumes or single items, a shared load to Bordeaux can be cheaper: your belongings share the load space with other consignments on the same route. In return you need some flexibility on the delivery day; we will tell you after your enquiry whether a run towards Bordeaux fits.
From
planning to assembly
A move to Bordeaux raises many questions: which neighbourhood suits you, how does the lorry get into the old town, when does the parking application have to be submitted to the city and what applies to the Crit'Air sticker? This guide introduces neighbourhoods from Saint-Pierre via Chartrons and Bastide to Caudéran, explains the parking application, customs and paperwork, and describes the journey of around 1,635 km from Berlin through Belgium and around Paris. Costs, shared loads and studying are covered too. That way you are prepared before the first box is packed.
Planning safe and relaxed
Furniture, boxes, transport routes
Costs, timing and special cases
Frequently asked questions about moving to Bordeaux
The best neighbourhoods in Bordeaux for your move
If you are moving to Bordeaux, you can choose between very different neighbourhoods. Historic Saint-Pierre has cafés and stone façades near the Garonne, narrow lanes and little parking. Chartrons in the north, home to many wine merchants, is now in demand. Lively Saint-Michel has a multicultural character. On the right bank of the Garonne lies La Bastide, connected to the old town by the Pont de pierre.
Caudéran in the west, once a separate commune, is quieter and greener, and Saint-Augustin is close to the university hospital. In the north, the former port area of Bacalan has been transformed, with the Cité du Vin. We do not give specific rents. Which neighbourhood suits you depends on budget, commute and type of housing; for the move, access, floor and stairwell matter.
Housing market, work and quality of life in Bordeaux
The housing market in Bordeaux is considered in demand, especially since the fast TGV connection to Paris. We do not give specific rents – they depend heavily on the neighbourhood, size and condition. Bordeaux is the economic and scientific centre of south-west France; besides industry and services, the wine trade around the region provides many jobs.
For students, the Université de Bordeaux, Kedge Business School and Sciences Po Bordeaux are well-known names. Quality of life is considered high: a mild climate, a tram network, short distances to the Atlantic coast at Arcachon and the wine culture make Bordeaux attractive to families, young professionals and retirees. France has no general registration requirement as Germany does; what matters is the tenancy agreement, electricity, insurance and a bank account.
For moving day itself, the city says it requires a parking application for each address, online and at least eleven days in advance; if the address is in the pedestrian zone, this must be stated in the application. Also check whether your car needs a Crit'Air sticker. We plan both with you during the survey.
Costs for your move: compactly explained
Whether a small 1-room flat or a large 4-room flat – we have fair prices for every need. Prices start at €349 for a one-room flat, €599 for two rooms, €915 for three rooms and €1,344 for four rooms. If you live in a house or villa, you receive an individual quote. For longer distances, long-distance moves are priced from €4.15/km. Arrange a free survey now.
What you should know about moving costs
The key factors are the volume of your household, the distance (from €4.15/km) and the floor, with or without a lift. A parking restriction zone may also be needed. For further services, see furniture assembly and shared load.
Our service offer
We offer you tailor-made solutions for every type of move.
- Home move: Individual service for your change of flat. home move
- Part load: A cost-effective transport solution. part load
- Clearance: Fast and clean clearing. clearance
- Company move: Professionally planned office moves. company move
- Furniture transport: Safe transport of your pieces of furniture. furniture transport
- Move with assembly: Everything from a single source including set-up. move with assembly
More routes from Berlin
We plan moves from Berlin (Stromstraße 21) for private and business customers. In the locations overview you will find places with their own pages, and details on longer routes under long-distance moves.
Parking for your move in Bordeaux: applying to the city 11 days in advance
If you need a removal van outside your front door in Bordeaux, you submit an application to the city for special use of public space. According to the Ville de Bordeaux, this can only be done via the online form and must be submitted at least 11 days before moving out or moving in. The application is free of charge. If the address is on a pay-and-display street, you pay for parking for the duration of the move via the EasyPark app or at the parking meter.
If you are moving within Bordeaux, you need two applications: one for the old flat and one for the new one. The no-parking signs are put up before moving day. If the move is in the pedestrian zone, this must be stated in the application; once approved, you collect an access card from the Cité municipale. If the date changes and the decision has not yet arrived, write to [email protected]; if it has already been issued, the first request must be cancelled and a new one submitted. For queries, the city names the Service Occupation du domaine public (05 56 10 25 51).
- Apply online at least 11 days in advance
- One application per address
- Report pedestrian zone access and date changes early
Read more about the route in Long-distance move to France and under Parking restriction zone.
Bordeaux: ZFE low-emission zone, customs and paperwork for your move
Bordeaux Métropole has introduced a low-emission zone (Zone à faibles émissions, ZFE). According to Bordeaux Métropole, it applies inside the Rocade ring road, while the Rocade itself remains open to all; according to the page, the zone has been in place since 1 January 2025. Vehicles are rated according to Crit'Air classes, and there is a ZFE pass for unclassified vehicles. We check which rules currently apply to lorries and vans before your date, because requirements can change. So plan your date in such a way that the vehicle's classification is clarified weeks before the journey.
On customs: no customs duties are levied at the internal borders between EU countries such as Germany and France, as the Federal Ministry of Finance explains with regard to the customs union. German customs describes the procedure with form 0350 for moves from non-EU countries. Excise duty rules apply to alcohol and tobacco.
For the move we recommend this order:
- Submit the city's parking application online in good time
- Check the vehicle and its Crit'Air classification before the journey
- Survey covering floor, lift and stairwell for your fixed price
Background on paperwork and costs can be found in our guides Moving to France: customs, formalities and process and Moving to France: costs and planning. Our service can be found under International move.
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