Essential tips for visiting Bordeaux with children

Nicola has just completed the latest edition of Dinogo Planet's Pocket Bordeaux guidebook, set to release in May 2024. Here, she shares her insights on exploring Bordeaux as a family.

Parents, take a moment to set aside thoughts of exquisite wine (there’s always grape juice for the kids!). With its blend of lush parks, riverside activities, engaging museums, and laid-back dining, Bordeaux is the top choice for family-friendly urban adventures in France.

Many families looking to experience the joy of French life often head to the capital. The top advice? Bordeaux's compact size and friendly, provincial atmosphere make it much easier to navigate.

This city offers vast spaces for everyone—whether it's energetic toddlers or tech-savvy teens—to splash in puddles, ring bicycle bells, show off tricks in the skatepark, and have endless fun. Visit on weekends, and you'll find yourself among local families also enjoying their vibrant, playful city.

What makes Bordeaux family-friendly?

How can a city known for its sandcastle-shaped gâteau be anything but welcoming for kids? Bordeaux boasts an efficient system of trams, riverboats, and bicycles, making transportation both easy and enjoyable. Most sidewalks, except in the historic Chartrons and medieval St-Pierre and St-Paul, are wide and stroller-friendly; for older neighborhoods, a baby carrier is recommended.

Numerous restaurants provide affordable menu enfant (children's menus for under-12s), and with a variety of cafes, casual bistros, and outdoor terraces, dining out with kids is quite stress-free.

Weekend brunch is a beloved tradition among Bordeaux families. The Saturday buffet at Le Gabriel’s casual bistro Le 1544 on place de la Bourse, featuring entertainment for little ones, is a popular choice. On the right bank, Magasin Général at eco-friendly Darwin offers play areas, ping pong, and table football in the courtyard, along with a skatepark, making it a favorite weekend destination for families on any budget.

Entry to state museums is free for those under 18, and little ones under five can ride public transport at no charge. Families wanting to explore should look into a Bordeaux City Pass (24/48/72 hours adult €34/44/50, 6–17yrs €19/26/31) which covers transport, a city tour, and access to 15 major museums.

What are the top spots in Bordeaux for children?

Keeping the whole family entertained is essential for successful travel: strolling or biking along the smooth riverside quays, playing in the ‘magic mirror’ of the world’s largest reflecting pool, and exploring the interactive La Cité du Vin (with sensory activities for little ones, an engaging digital tour for ages eight to 12, and tasting sessions for adults) can achieve just that.

While Paris boasts macarons, Bordeaux delights sweet lovers with canelés (mini cakes infused with vanilla and a dash of rum to energize tired parents), dunes blanches (sugar-dusted cream-filled choux pastry balls), and charming historic chocolate shops that everyone enjoys.

Top activities in Bordeaux for families with babies and toddlers

Play a game of hide-and-seek in the Jardin Public

Head straight to the spacious areas your toddler craves—ideally away from the rushing Garonne river—within Bordeaux’s charming city park, established in 1755.

Whether it's relaxing on a bench with your baby in a stroller while observing local life, exploring the fascinating exhibits at Bordeaux’s modern natural history museum (with a special section for children under six on the ground floor), or enjoying an outdoor puppet performance during the summer months, this beautifully landscaped park has something for everyone.

A duck pond and playground add to the fun. Don’t forget to stop by the city’s covered market Marché des Capucins to grab supplies for a picnic on the lush green lawns.

Enjoy ice cream in a historic square

While navigating St-Pierre’s winding, cobblestone streets with a stroller can be tricky, the absence of motor traffic allows curious little ones to explore freely. Plus, you can treat yourself to organic ice cream at La Maison du Glacier on the charming place St-Pierre, featuring adventurous flavors like green tea, almond, absinthe, acacia, Roquefort cheese, black garlic, and beer to surprise the adults.

Wade barefoot in the Miroir d’Eau

What’s not to adore about dancing and running barefoot in the world's largest reflecting pool, just across the tram tracks from the 18th-century place de la Bourse? It provides a refreshing escape for little ones on hot summer days and offers a unique view of the square’s stunning architecture.

Try to visit in the evening when the gentle setting sun bathes everything in golden light, and enjoy stylish drinks and snacks at the chic bar on the lovely terrace of gourmet Le Gabriel.

Top activities in Bordeaux for young children

Take a leisurely cruise along the Garonne River

Combine a delightful boat ride on the river with a trip to the Musée Mer Marine in Bassins à Flot. Young pirates and ocean enthusiasts will be amazed by the 7m-tall (23ft) shark suspended at the entrance. Inside, contemporary exhibits explore marine life, naval history, navigation, and oceanography.

Explore, discover, and enjoy in the city’s museums

Bordeaux offers a wealth of museums to explore. The vibrant Musée d’Aquitaine stands out as one of the most engaging history museums in France; focus on a couple of key sections to prevent overwhelming yourself (the exhibits on maritime exploration and 19th-century slave trade, complete with model ships, are especially noteworthy).

Additional museum highlights include an interactive workshop at the science museum CAP Sciences and exploring eerie artifacts in the ancient necropolis at the Site Archéologique de St-Seurin.

Climb towers for breathtaking views of the skyline

Kids can count the steps and play “I Spy” at the top, while les parents enjoy stunning vistas of the city. Climbing the 233 steps of the cathedral’s freestanding bell tower is free for those under 18. Porte Cailhau provides a more accessible option for little ones and parents with babies in carriers.

Top activities in Bordeaux for tweens and teens

Discover digital art and creations by street artists

The historic Chartrons wine district is alive with vibrant street art—hidden in alleyways, adorning building facades, and nestled in secret courtyards. Other excellent spots for finding stencil art, graffiti, and murals by both French and international artists include Darwin in La Bastide and around Les Vivres d’Art and Le Garage Moderne in Bacalan.

In the up-and-coming Euratlantique district behind Gare St-Jean, explore quai de la Paludate to find the signature half-human, half-animal creations of Bordeaux’s renowned street artist David Selor. Prepare to be amazed by immersive digital art displays projected onto the raw concrete of the WWII submarine base transformed into the art venue Les Bassins de Lumières.

Challenge your taste buds with bold new flavors

Bordeaux offers unforgettable culinary experiences that will excite and occasionally surprise. Skip the standard kids’ menu (typically for those under 12) and try fresh Atlantic oysters for breakfast at Marché des Capucins; enjoy sanguette (a pig-blood pancake with duck neck in a garlic and parsley sauce) for lunch at La Tupina; and savor lamproie à la Bordelaise (a red-wine stew with local lamprey fish) for dinner in a charming bistro in St-Pierre. While these dishes might be a stretch for little ones, consider trying at least one of them.

Join local enthusiasts on ramps and artificial waves

Teenagers with rollerblades, skateboards, and BMX bikes gather at the riverside Skate Parc des Chartrons and within an upcycled industrial space at Darwin across the river. Alternatively, keep older teens engaged with urban surfing in the artificial wave pool at Wave Surf Café.

Tips for Planning Your Visit

• Plan your trip for the first Sunday of the month when entry to many state museums and landmarks, like Tour Pey Berland and Musée d’Aquitaine, is complimentary.

• In the heart of St-Pierre, you can find baby changing facilities within the Galeries Lafayette department store located on the main shopping street, rue Ste-Catherine.

• Enjoy safe cycling along the Garonne’s left bank, which features wide lanes stretching 4.5km (2.8 miles). Children’s bikes and inline skates are available for rent at Pierre qui Roule; be sure to reserve online.

• The Bordeaux tourist office offers a variety of family-friendly walking and cycling tours focused on themes like street art, Roman history, fairy tales, gastronomy, and wine. Consider river cruises and fishing trips as well. It's advisable to book in advance.