Visit Bordeaux with Children
Between the ages of 4 and 12, children do not visit a city: they live it. They want to run through the Miroir d’eau, count the boats on the Garonne, climb to the top of a bell tower and hear stories of knights. The good news is that Bordeaux does all of that. Here are the activities that really work with 4 to 12-year-olds, how to plan the day according to their age, and our tips so that parents enjoy it too.
Travelling with a baby or teenagers? Find all our advice by age in our guide to visiting Bordeaux with your family.
At a glance
What can you do in Bordeaux with children?
The 10 favourite activities of 4 to 12-year-olds in Bordeaux
- Run through the Miroir d’eau: 2 centimetres of water over 3,450 m², and a mist that rises from the ground roughly every fifteen minutes. Free, stop no. 2.
- Tour the city from the top deck of the Visiotour bus, with the audio guide in 8 languages.
- Let off steam in the Jardin Public: playgrounds, ducks and, on show days, the Guignol Guérin puppets. Free, stop no. 6.
- See the animals of the Muséum de Bordeaux, 5 place Bardineau: free for under-6s, €3.50 for 6 to 18-year-olds, closed on Mondays.
- Experiment at Cap Sciences, the science centre on the quai de Bacalan, near stop no. 9.
- Dream of great voyages at the Musée Mer Marine, facing the sailing boats of the Bassins à flot, stop no. 10.
- Step inside a work of art at the Bassins des Lumières, where giant images are reflected in the water of the former submarine base.
- Climb the 230 steps of the Saint-Michel spire, free for under-13s, from April to October. Best from the age of 7 or 8.
- Travel back in time at the Musée d’Aquitaine, 20 cours Pasteur, from prehistory to the present day. Free for under-18s, closed on Mondays.
- Snack like a local: the canelé included with every pass, an ice cream at La Maison du Glacier or a cookie at Pépite Cookie.
An audio guide in 8 languages, and Manon and Arthur for French-speaking children
Older children can easily follow the commentary in your language alongside you, with individual earphones provided free of charge. If your children understand French, channel 9 takes them on an adventure with Manon and Arthur, joined by Ribouldingue and Vercingétorianne. Each monument becomes the setting of a story, with dialogues, questions and riddles. This special children’s commentary was written by a specialist in childhood and heritage, then recorded by professional actors.
The magic bus card, to keep the game going after the tour
Every child receives a magic bus card, an activity sheet featuring the two characters. It is a fun way to keep exploring on a café terrace or back at the hotel in the evening. Earphones are free, and you are welcome to use your own.
Which activity suits your child’s age?
| Age | What they love | Recommended pace | Our top pick |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 to 6 | Water, animals, puppets | One activity in the morning, one in the afternoon, a nap or a park in between | Miroir d’eau and Jardin Public |
| 7 to 9 | Stories, experiments, boats | A full day with a snack break | The top deck of the bus, Cap Sciences |
| 10 to 12 | Challenges, viewpoints, spectacular images | A busy day, or two with the 48-hour pass | Saint-Michel spire and Bassins des Lumières |
A morning in Bordeaux with children, ideal for the youngest
10am: a full loop on the top deck
Stop no. 1
Board at stop no. 1 Quinconces and stay on for a full 1 hour 20 minute loop. The children discover the city seated on the top deck, with the audio guide in your language.
11.30am: cooling off in the Miroir d’eau
Stop no. 2
Hop off at the place de la Bourse and let them run around in the Miroir d’eau. Bring a towel: the mist always catches them in the end.
12.30pm: lunch in Saint-Pierre
On foot
A short walk away, the terraces of the car-free place du Parlement welcome families. The afternoon stays free for a nap or the park.
A full day with children aged 7 to 12
This programme uses the 24-hour Hop-on Hop-off pass, which runs from 1 April to 31 October, and focuses on the north of the city, its boats and its places of discovery.
9.30am: setting off from the Quinconces
Stop no. 1
Climb aboard and follow the route as far as the quai de Bacalan.
10.30am: experiments at Cap Sciences
Stop no. 9
Hop off at the Cité du Vin stop and head to Cap Sciences, where exhibitions are made to be touched and tested.
Everyone picks their own stall, which saves a lot of negotiating at the table.
2pm: Musée Mer Marine or Bassins des Lumières
Stop no. 10
At the Bassins à flot, choose according to their mood: the ships and great explorations of the Musée Mer Marine, or the giant images of the Bassins des Lumières.
4.30pm: snack and play in the Jardin Public
Stop no. 6
Take the bus back through the centre to the Jardin Public stop. Canelés out of the bag, playgrounds and ducks: the perfect end to the day.
💡 Bordeaux City Tours tip
Turn every ride into an observation game. From the top deck, ask the children to count the mascarons, the carved faces above the windows, to spot the bridges crossing the Garonne or to find the biggest boat moored at the Bassins à flot. Whoever finds it first chooses the next stop: it works every time, and you will discover Bordeaux through their eyes.
What can you do in Bordeaux with children when it rains?
For a rainy day on a budget, combine the Musée d’Aquitaine, free for under-18s, and the Muséum, free for under-6s and for everyone on the first Sunday of the month, except in July and August.
Planning a longer stay? Our itineraries for one day, two days or three days adapt easily to children’s pace, and the 48-hour pass lets you split each day in two.
Your questions about visiting Bordeaux with children
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Q.What can you do in Bordeaux with children when it rains?
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