Visiting Bordeaux with Children
Visiting Bordeaux as a family is a piece of cake! The city is full of things to do, places to explore, parks to discover, and fun museums. Discover the best ideas for visiting Bordeaux with your children, tips to make your stay easier, and, above all, the many activities available. From the City Pass to make getting around and saving money easier, to an escape game right in the heart of Bordeaux for a fun city discovery, and of course the must-visit family spots.
Bordeaux City Pass: exploring Bordeaux easily with the family
Classified as a UNESCO World Heritage site, Bordeaux is a fascinating city to visit, both for children and adults. It’s hard to know where to start with so many sites to explore! The Bordeaux City Pass, offered by the tourist office, is the best way to plan your itinerary while saving money. This pass provides access to must-see attractions along with a transport pass. Three options are available depending on the length of your stay: 24h, 48h, or 72h. Children aged 6 to 17 also have their own “Junior” pass.
The Mini Train for a Complete Tour
It wanders through the streets of Bordeaux and catches everyone’s attention: the electric mini train! It allows you to see the city without missing its main highlights. In less than an hour, the mini train gives a fairly complete overview of Bordeaux’s treasures. You’ll travel from the Gallo-Roman era to the present day without missing iconic sites like the Palais Gallien, Place de la Bourse, or Porte Cailhau.
For children, it’s the perfect way to spare little legs while still enjoying the beauty of the city.
Get a Bird’s-Eye View with the Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour
Who doesn’t dream of seeing the city from above? To discover Bordeaux’s highlights from a different perspective, nothing beats the hop-on hop-off bus tour. Board this iconic bus and get off wherever you like: Cité du Vin, Bassins des Lumières, Place de la Bourse, or Rue Sainte-Catherine—it’s up to you. Between stops, enjoy commentary on the monuments along the way. A bonus? In addition to adult commentary, there are special explanations designed specifically for children.
An Escape Game in Bordeaux
Do you enjoy family escape games? This time, you won’t be confined to a single room—you’ll play in the city itself! Your children will love exploring Bordeaux in this fun format. Equipped with a tablet, a map of Bordeaux, and a booklet, you’ll discover the city in a playful and interactive way. The game master explains everything at the beginning of the tour. Then it’s up to you to uncover the secrets of the Gironde capital in 90 minutes! This interactive city discovery is an excellent way to engage your children in a fun and educational adventure.
Darwin: A Must-See Spot
Visiting Bordeaux with children is also a way to bring history lessons to life. The city’s architecture and history are so rich! But Bordeaux is also constantly evolving, full of new experiences. Darwin is a prime example. This alternative place where you and your children can enjoy strolling around. There’s a skate park, street art, a grocery store, and an organic brewery… Darwin is a small world in itself, where locals gather and initiate community and solidarity projects. Before becoming such a lively space, it was a disused military barracks. Its eco-renovation has made it one of the key hubs of Bordeaux’s social life.
Other Activities for Visiting Bordeaux
It’s hard to list all the activities to do in Bordeaux with children! Other noteworthy sites include the Muséum de Bordeaux. After several years of renovation, it reopened in 2019. Today, it offers visitors an enriched collection in a beautifully designed setting. More than 4,000 species are displayed in an educational path with refined décor. Children will especially love the area dedicated to baby animals. Free admission with the Bordeaux CityPass.
After visiting the museum, you can take your children for a ride on the Petit Mousse, a boat that tours the islands of the Jardin Public. Then, make a stop at the Allées de Tourny, where a carousel awaits children for a ride on charming wooden horses.
Next, head to the quays of the Garonne—no visit to Bordeaux is complete without dipping your little ones’ feet in the famous Water Mirror facing Place de la Bourse. Finally, follow the river to the end of the quays for a visit to Cap Sciences, where many interactive exhibitions await children in this temple of learning.
