{"id":694,"date":"2023-04-04T09:11:56","date_gmt":"2023-04-04T07:11:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bordeaux-citytours.com\/?page_id=694"},"modified":"2026-10-12T23:22:09","modified_gmt":"2026-10-12T21:22:09","slug":"visit-bordeaux-with-children","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bordeaux-citytours.com\/en\/visit-bordeaux\/visit-bordeaux-with-children\/","title":{"rendered":"Visit Bordeaux with Children"},"content":{"rendered":"

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.<\/p>\n

Travelling with a baby or teenagers? Find all our advice by age in our guide to visiting Bordeaux with your family<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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At a glance<\/p>\n

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Who it’s for<\/strong>Children aged 4 to 12 and their parents<\/span><\/div>\n
Recommended time<\/strong>One day with a proper break, or two half-days<\/span><\/div>\n
Audio guide<\/strong>8 languages, children’s commentary in French<\/span><\/div>\n
Free for every child<\/strong>The magic bus card and earphones<\/span><\/div>\n
Child fare<\/strong>\u20ac8 from 4 to 12, free up to age 3<\/span><\/div>\n
Tickets<\/strong>Online, at the Tourist Office or on board (bank card only)<\/span><\/div>\n
Starting point<\/strong>Stop no. 1 Quinconces, 10 cours du 30 Juillet<\/span><\/div>\n
The little extra<\/strong>A free Baillardran canel\u00e9 with every pass<\/span><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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What can you do in Bordeaux with children?<\/h2>\n
\n The short answer:<\/strong> splash in the Miroir d’eau, tour the city from the top deck of an open-top bus, let off steam in the Jardin Public, look at the skeletons in the Mus\u00e9um, experiment at Cap Sciences and climb the 230 steps of the Saint-Michel spire. Most of these places are free or very affordable for children, and all of them can be reached from a Visiotour bus stop.\n<\/div>\n

The 10 favourite activities of 4 to 12-year-olds in Bordeaux<\/h3>\n

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  1. Run through the Miroir d’eau<\/a><\/strong>: 2 centimetres of water over 3,450 m\u00b2, and a mist that rises from the ground roughly every fifteen minutes. Free, stop no. 2.<\/li>\n
  2. Tour the city from the top deck<\/strong> of the Visiotour bus, with the audio guide in 8 languages.<\/li>\n
  3. Let off steam in the Jardin Public<\/a><\/strong>: playgrounds, ducks and, on show days, the Guignol Gu\u00e9rin puppets. Free, stop no. 6.<\/li>\n
  4. See the animals of the Mus\u00e9um de Bordeaux<\/strong>, 5 place Bardineau: free for under-6s, \u20ac3.50 for 6 to 18-year-olds, closed on Mondays.<\/li>\n
  5. Experiment at Cap Sciences<\/a><\/strong>, the science centre on the quai de Bacalan, near stop no. 9.<\/li>\n
  6. Dream of great voyages at the Mus\u00e9e Mer Marine<\/a><\/strong>, facing the sailing boats of the Bassins \u00e0 flot, stop no. 10.<\/li>\n
  7. Step inside a work of art at the Bassins des Lumi\u00e8res<\/a><\/strong>, where giant images are reflected in the water of the former submarine base.<\/li>\n
  8. Climb the 230 steps of the Saint-Michel spire<\/a><\/strong>, free for under-13s, from April to October. Best from the age of 7 or 8.<\/li>\n
  9. Travel back in time at the Mus\u00e9e d’Aquitaine<\/a><\/strong>, 20 cours Pasteur, from prehistory to the present day. Free for under-18s, closed on Mondays.<\/li>\n
  10. Snack like a local<\/strong>: the canel\u00e9 included with every pass, an ice cream at La Maison du Glacier<\/a> or a cookie at P\u00e9pite Cookie<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

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    An audio guide in 8 languages, and Manon and Arthur for French-speaking children<\/h2>\n

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    \n \"Manon<\/a><\/p>\n
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    \n The short answer:<\/strong> the Visiotour audio guide is available in 8 languages: French, English, Spanish, German, Portuguese, Dutch, Italian and Chinese. French-speaking children aged 4 to 12 also have their own commentary on channel 9, in French only, told by two characters, Manon and Arthur.\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

    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 Vercing\u00e9torianne. Each monument becomes the setting of a story, with dialogues, questions and riddles. This special children’s commentary<\/a> was written by a specialist in childhood and heritage, then recorded by professional actors.<\/p>\n

    The magic bus card, to keep the game going after the tour<\/h3>\n

    Every child receives a magic bus card, an activity sheet featuring the two characters. It is a fun way to keep exploring on a caf\u00e9 terrace or back at the hotel in the evening. Earphones are free, and you are welcome to use your own.<\/p>\n

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    Which activity suits your child’s age?<\/h2>\n
    \n The short answer:<\/strong> under 7, focus on outdoor play and short visits. From 7 to 9, science museums and the bus tour take over. Between 10 and 12, children love challenges, such as climbing the Saint-Michel spire, and big visual experiences.\n<\/div>\n

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    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
    Age<\/th>\nWhat they love<\/th>\nRecommended pace<\/th>\nOur top pick<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
    4 to 6<\/td>\nWater, animals, puppets<\/td>\nOne activity in the morning, one in the afternoon, a nap or a park in between<\/td>\nMiroir d’eau and Jardin Public<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    7 to 9<\/td>\nStories, experiments, boats<\/td>\nA full day with a snack break<\/td>\nThe top deck of the bus, Cap Sciences<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    10 to 12<\/td>\nChallenges, viewpoints, spectacular images<\/td>\nA busy day, or two with the 48-hour pass<\/td>\nSaint-Michel spire and Bassins des Lumi\u00e8res<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

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    \n Half-day<\/span><\/p>\n

    A morning in Bordeaux with children, ideal for the youngest<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n

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    10am: a full loop on the top deck<\/h3>\n

    Stop no. 1<\/span>\n <\/div>\n

    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.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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    11.30am: cooling off in the Miroir d’eau<\/h3>\n

    Stop no. 2<\/span>\n <\/div>\n

    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.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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    12.30pm: lunch in Saint-Pierre<\/h3>\n

    On foot<\/span>\n <\/div>\n

    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.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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    \n Full day<\/span><\/p>\n

    A full day with children aged 7 to 12<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n

    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.<\/p>\n

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    9.30am: setting off from the Quinconces<\/h3>\n

    Stop no. 1<\/span>\n <\/div>\n

    Climb aboard and follow the route as far as the quai de Bacalan.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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    10.30am: experiments at Cap Sciences<\/a><\/h3>\n

    Stop no. 9<\/span>\n <\/div>\n

    Hop off at the Cit\u00e9 du Vin stop and head to Cap Sciences, where exhibitions are made to be touched and tested.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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    12.30pm: lunch at Les Halles de Bacalan<\/a><\/h3>\n

    On foot<\/span>\n <\/div>\n

    Everyone picks their own stall, which saves a lot of negotiating at the table.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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    2pm: Mus\u00e9e Mer Marine or Bassins des Lumi\u00e8res<\/a><\/h3>\n

    Stop no. 10<\/span>\n <\/div>\n

    At the Bassins \u00e0 flot, choose according to their mood: the ships and great explorations of the Mus\u00e9e Mer Marine, or the giant images of the Bassins des Lumi\u00e8res.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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    4.30pm: snack and play in the Jardin Public<\/a><\/h3>\n

    Stop no. 6<\/span>\n <\/div>\n

    Take the bus back through the centre to the Jardin Public stop. Canel\u00e9s out of the bag, playgrounds and ducks: the perfect end to the day.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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    \ud83d\udca1 Bordeaux City Tours tip<\/p>\n

    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 \u00e0 flot. Whoever finds it first chooses the next stop: it works every time, and you will discover Bordeaux through their eyes.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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    What can you do in Bordeaux with children when it rains?<\/h2>\n
    \n The short answer:<\/strong> five indoor places will save a rainy day: the Mus\u00e9um de Bordeaux, the Mus\u00e9e d’Aquitaine, Cap Sciences, the Mus\u00e9e Mer Marine and the Bassins des Lumi\u00e8res. In between, the bus remains a good option: the lower deck is air-conditioned and an electric cover protects the top deck.\n<\/div>\n

    For a rainy day on a budget, combine the Mus\u00e9e d’Aquitaine, free for under-18s, and the Mus\u00e9um, free for under-6s and for everyone on the first Sunday of the month, except in July and August.<\/p>\n

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    \n Good to know:<\/strong> from 1 November to 31 March, the bus only runs the non-stop tour<\/a>, a 1 hour 20 minute guided loop from stop no. 1 Quinconces, from \u20ac14. There is no service in January, and the Hop-on Hop-off returns on 1 April.\n<\/div>\n

    Planning a longer stay? Our itineraries for one day<\/a>, two days<\/a> or three days<\/a> adapt easily to children’s pace, and the 48-hour pass<\/a> lets you split each day in two.<\/p>\n

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    The Bordeaux City Tours 2026 magazine<\/div>\n
    Show it to your children before your visit: the must-sees, how the Hop-on Hop-off works, the 10 stops, on-board services and a whole page dedicated to young travellers.<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

    Browse the magazine (PDF)<\/a>\n<\/div>\n

    Your questions about visiting Bordeaux with children<\/h2>\n

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    Q.<\/strong>Is there a children’s commentary in English on the Bordeaux bus?<\/h3>\n
    \n The Visiotour audio guide is available in 8 languages, including English, and children can follow it with their parents. The dedicated children’s commentary for ages 4 to 12, on channel 9, is available in French only.<\/span>\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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    Q.<\/strong>How much does the Bordeaux sightseeing bus cost for a child?<\/h3>\n
    \n The pass costs \u20ac8 for children aged 4 to 12 and is free up to age 3. 13 to 18-year-olds get the reduced fare, \u20ac22 for the 24-hour pass. Every child receives the magic bus card and earphones.<\/span>\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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    Q.<\/strong>What can you do for free in Bordeaux with children?<\/h3>\n
    \n The Miroir d’eau, the Jardin Public and its playgrounds, and the Garonne quays are all free. The Mus\u00e9e d’Aquitaine is free for under-18s, and the Mus\u00e9um de Bordeaux for under-6s, as well as for everyone on the first Sunday of the month, except in July and August.<\/span>\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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    Q.<\/strong>What can you do in Bordeaux with children when it rains?<\/h3>\n
    \n The Mus\u00e9um de Bordeaux, the Mus\u00e9e d’Aquitaine, Cap Sciences, the Mus\u00e9e Mer Marine and the Bassins des Lumi\u00e8res are all indoors. The Visiotour bus is also an option: the lower deck is air-conditioned and an electric cover protects the top deck.<\/span>\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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    Q.<\/strong>How much time should you plan for Bordeaux with children?<\/h3>\n
    \n A morning is enough for a bus tour and the Miroir d’eau with young children. Allow a full day to add a museum and the Jardin Public, and two days to enjoy the city without rushing.<\/span>\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n


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