Saint-Michel is the neighbourhood immediately south of the old town, built around the Gothic basilica of the same name. It has historically been the working-class and immigrant quarter of Bordeaux, and it retains that character — North African and West African shops, halal butchers, discount stores, and the polyglot atmosphere of a genuinely mixed community.
The Sunday flea market around the basilica is one of the best in the region — a genuine brocante with antiques, junk, and the occasional remarkable find among the stalls. The neighbourhood can feel rough around the edges compared to the polished tourist centre, which is precisely what makes it interesting. The basilica itself is one of the finest Gothic churches in Bordeaux.