Best Things to Do in Bordeaux, France With Kids

Making Memories: Bordeaux with Your Little Sailors

We’ve sailed the world’s oceans, navigated countless cruise ports, and penned our fair share of travel tales. But there’s a special kind of magic that unfolds when a cruise ship docks in a city like Bordeaux, especially when you have little adventurers in tow. Forget the notion that this elegant French city is just for wine connoisseurs. We’re here to tell you that Bordeaux, with its rich history, stunning architecture, and vibrant atmosphere, is a treasure trove of family-friendly experiences. Whether this is your first cruise vacation or you’re a seasoned sailor, we’ve gathered our top tips and must-do activities to ensure your day in Bordeaux with the kids is as smooth as a fine Médoc and as sparkling as a glass of Champagne. Get ready to create some unforgettable family memories!

If you’re planning a family trip to Bordeaux, France, and looking for engaging activities to enjoy with your kids, you might find it helpful to explore related travel tips. For instance, you can read about essential advice for cruising with children in this informative article on cruising from Bangkok, Thailand. It offers valuable insights that can enhance your travel experience, ensuring that your family adventures are both enjoyable and stress-free. Check it out here: 10 Helpful Tips When Cruising from Bangkok, Thailand.

Essential Planning for Your Family’s Bordeaux Adventure

Before we dive into the exciting activities, let’s talk logistics. A successful shore excursion, especially with children, hinges on a bit of pre-planning. We’ve learned this the hard way on more than one occasion, so trust us on this! Knowing the ins and outs of your cruise booking and understanding the options available from your cruise ship can save you a lot of hassle and maximize your precious time ashore.

Understanding Your Cruise Ship’s Offerings

First things first: check your cruise line’s offerings. Most cruise lines will provide a variety of shore excursion options for Bordeaux. These can range from bus tours that highlight the city’s main attractions to more specialized experiences. While some families prefer the convenience and structure of a ship-organized tour, we often find that a bit of independent exploration allows for more flexibility, especially with children who might have shorter attention spans or specific interests. If you do opt for a ship-organized tour, ensure it explicitly states it’s family-friendly and consider the pace. Is there enough time for bathroom breaks, snacks, and perhaps a quick run-around? Don’t be afraid to ask these questions before you commit to a cruise booking.

Independent Exploration: Our Preferred Approach

For us, the real joy of a cruise vacation lies in the freedom to discover. When planning an independent shore excursion in Bordeaux, our top advice is to prioritize. You likely won’t be able to do everything, and trying to cram too much in will only lead to tired, grumpy kids (and parents!). Think about your children’s ages and interests. Are they into history, animals, or perhaps hands-on activities? Bordeaux offers a wonderful mix of all these. We always recommend downloading an offline map of Bordeaux to your phone. Reliable Wi-Fi can be hit or miss, and navigating unfamiliar streets with a dead phone is no fun. Also, consider transportation. The cruise port in Bordeaux is quite accessible, and the city center is walkable, but trams are an excellent, affordable, and fun way to get around with little legs.

Packing Smart for a Day Ashore

A well-packed day bag is crucial for any family adventure. Beyond the usual essentials like sunscreen, hats, and water bottles, here are a few Bordeaux-specific items we always bring:

Comfortable Walking Shoes: This is non-negotiable for everyone, especially the kids. Bordeaux’s cobblestone streets are charming but can be tough on feet.
Snacks: Even if you plan on enjoying French pastries, hunger can strike at inconvenient times. Pack some familiar, portable snacks to stave off meltdowns.
Small Entertainment: A compact toy, a coloring book, or a tablet with pre-downloaded shows can be a lifesaver during waits or on public transport.
Layered Clothing: French weather can be unpredictable, even in summer. Layers allow you to adapt to changing temperatures throughout the day.
First Aid Kit: A few plasters, antiseptic wipes, and pain relief for minor bumps and scrapes are always wise.

Unforgettable Activities for Little Explorers

Now for the fun part! Bordeaux boasts a fantastic array of attractions that are perfect for families. We’ve curated a list that balances historical charm with engaging experiences to keep everyone entertained. Remember, the goal is to make memories, not to check off every single item on a list.

Splashing Fun at the Miroir d’eau

This is hands down one of Bordeaux’s most iconic and kid-friendly attractions. The Miroir d’eau, or Water Mirror, is the largest reflecting pool in the world, located opposite the beautiful Place de la Bourse. Every few minutes, it cycles through a mirror-like reflection, then a misty fog, and finally a shallow layer of water that’s perfect for splashing. We’ve seen countless children (and adults!) giggling and running through the mist. It’s a fantastic spot to cool off on a warm day and offers incredible photo opportunities. Be prepared for your kids to get wet, so consider bringing a change of clothes or having quick-drying attire. It’s completely free and provides hours of simple, unadulterated fun right in the heart of the city, easily accessible from the cruise port.

A Journey Through Wine and Senses at La Cité du Vin

While Bordeaux is famous for its wine, La Cité du Vin offers an experience that transcends the usual vineyard tour and can be surprisingly engaging for families. This stunning, futuristic building is a true architectural marvel. We know what you’re thinking – a wine museum with kids? But hear us out! It’s less about tasting (though adults can certainly indulge!) and more about an immersive, multi-sensory journey through the history and culture of wine worldwide.

Interactive Exhibits: Many exhibits are highly interactive, with touch screens, smell stations (where kids can try to identify different aromas like chocolate or fruit), and visual displays that will capture their attention.
Virtual Reality: There are engaging virtual reality experiences that transport you to vineyards around the globe.
Panoramic Views: The Belvedere, located on the top floor, offers breathtaking 360-degree views of Bordeaux. It’s a wonderful spot to point out landmarks and get a sense of the city’s layout.

We recommend purchasing tickets online in advance to save time, especially during peak cruise season. While it might seem a bit pricier than some other attractions, the unique experience and educational value make it a worthwhile splurge for your cruise vacation.

Stepping Back in Time at Bordeaux’s Historic Center

Bordeaux’s historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is a joy to explore on foot. We love simply wandering the charming streets, soaking in the atmosphere, and discovering hidden gems.

St. André Cathedral (Cathédrale Saint-André): This magnificent Gothic cathedral is impressive from the outside, and its sheer scale can awe even younger children. If time permits, stepping inside to marvel at the stained glass windows and intricate architecture is a rewarding experience.
Porte Cailhau: This fairy-tale-like gate, once part of the city walls, looks like something out of a storybook. Kids will enjoy imagining knights and princesses passing through its archways. It’s a great spot for a photo op!
Place de la Bourse: As mentioned with the Miroir d’eau, this grand square is a highlight. Its stunning 18th-century architecture is truly impressive.

We find that creating a scavenger hunt for children within the historic center can make walking more engaging. Give them a list of things to spot – a specific statue, a unique door, a certain type of window – and watch their excitement grow!

Unleashing Energy: Parks and Play

Sometimes, kids just need to be kids – to run, climb, and expend some energy. Bordeaux offers several fantastic green spaces where they can do just that, providing a welcome break from sightseeing and a chance for parents to relax for a moment.

Jardin Public: An Urban Oasis

The Jardin Public (Public Garden) is Bordeaux’s most beloved park, and it’s easy to see why. This expansive 18th-century garden is beautifully maintained and offers a wealth of activities for families.

Playgrounds: There are several excellent playgrounds with swings, slides, and climbing structures suitable for various ages.
Puppet Theatre (Guignol Guérin): During warmer months, you might catch a traditional French puppet show – a delightful and quintessential French experience that transcends language barriers.
Boating on the Pond: Renting a small rowboat on the picturesque pond is a charming way to spend some time and offers a different perspective of the park.
Natural History Museum: Located within the park, the Muséum de Bordeaux – sciences et nature, while not solely for children, has engaging natural history exhibits that can spark curiosity.

We often pack a picnic to enjoy in the Jardin Public, grabbing some fresh baguette, cheese, and pastries from a local boulangerie. It’s a quintessential French experience and a cost-effective way to enjoy lunch during your shore excursion.

Parc Bordelais: A Larger Escape

If you have more time or are looking for an even larger space to roam, Parc Bordelais is an excellent option. While a bit further from the immediate cruise port area, it’s easily reachable by tram. This massive park is home to a small farm with animals, a miniature train, and vast open spaces for running around. It’s a great choice if your children love animals or simply need a wide-open area to burn off steam before heading back to the cruise ship.

If you’re planning a family trip to Bordeaux, France, you’ll find plenty of engaging activities for kids that make the city a delightful destination. From exploring the interactive exhibits at the Cité du Vin to enjoying a leisurely stroll along the Garonne River, there are numerous ways to keep the little ones entertained. For more travel inspiration, you might want to check out this article on the best ways to get to Laem Chabang, Thailand, which offers insights into family-friendly adventures around the globe.

Culinary Delights: Eating with Kids in Bordeaux

French food can sometimes intimidate parents traveling with children, but Bordeaux offers plenty of delicious and approachable options. We believe that trying local cuisine is an integral part of any cruise vacation experience, and Bordeaux is no exception!

Sweet Treats and Boulangeries

No visit to Bordeaux with kids is complete without indulging in some French pastries. Boulangeries (bakeries) are everywhere, offering a delightful array of treats.

Canelés: Bordeaux’s signature pastry, these small, fluted cakes have a caramelized crust and a soft, custardy interior. They are absolutely delicious and a must-try for everyone.
Croissants and Pain au Chocolat: These classics are always a hit and perfect for a quick breakfast or snack.
Macarons: Colorful and sweet, macarons are a delightful treat that kids often adore.

Stopping at a boulangerie is a fun, inexpensive way to refuel and experience a bit of French culture. We find that the novelty of choosing their own pastry often makes kids more adventurous.

Family-Friendly Lunch Spots

For lunch, we usually look for casual bistros or brasseries that offer a “formule” (set menu) that often includes simpler, kid-friendly options.

Crêpes: A universally loved dish, crêpes can be sweet (with Nutella, sugar, or fruit) or savory (with ham and cheese). Many crêperies offer a casual and relaxed atmosphere.
Pizza: While not traditionally French, pizza is a reliable crowd-pleaser and many pizzerias in Bordeaux are excellent.
Market Food: If your cruise ship visits on a market day, exploring a local market (like Marché des Capucins) can be a fantastic sensory experience. You can pick up fresh bread, cheese, fruit, and prepared foods for an impromptu picnic.

Remember that lunch in France is typically a more leisurely affair than in some other countries, but most establishments are welcoming to families. Don’t be afraid to ask for a “menu enfant” (children’s menu) or for simpler dishes.

Hydration and Refreshments

Staying hydrated is key, especially during a busy shore excursion. Bottled water is readily available, but many cafés also offer fresh fruit juices and sparkling water. We often seek out a small cafe for a “chocolat chaud” (hot chocolate) if the weather is cool, or an “un sirop” (a flavored syrup, often fruit-based, mixed with water) for the kids – a refreshing and authentically French drink.

Wrapping Up Your Bordeaux Experience

As our time in Bordeaux comes to a close and we make our way back to the cruise ship, we always reflect on the day’s adventures. Bordeaux truly is a gem for families, offering a blend of history, culture, and pure fun. From splashing in the Miroir d’eau to savoring a canelé, these are the moments that make a cruise vacation so special.

We hope our insights and tips inspire you to embrace Bordeaux with your little ones. Remember, the best shore excursion is one that caters to your family’s unique rhythm and interests. Don’t be afraid to deviate from the plan, follow your kids’ lead for a bit, and most importantly, enjoy the incredible experience of discovering this beautiful city together. Bon voyage, and happy travels from all of us!