Bordeaux with the family
Car-free quays for cycling, a giant water mirror where children run barefoot, hands-on museums: Bordeaux is a big city on a family scale. Our tips, from our house in the centre.
What to do in Bordeaux with children?
- The Water Mirror, Place de la Bourse: opposite the most photographed façade in Bordeaux, a huge slab covered with a few centimetres of water, with refreshing mists. In fine weather, children love playing there.
- The Garonne quays: several kilometres of car-free promenade, perfect for bikes, scooters or roller skates, with playgrounds along the way.
- Cap Sciences, on the quays: a science centre with interactive, hands-on exhibitions.
- The Muséum de Bordeaux – sciences et nature, on the edge of the Jardin Public: stuffed animals, spectacular collections and an area for the youngest visitors.
- The Jardin Public: a large park in the heart of the city, with lawns, ducks and playgrounds.
- The Bassins des Lumières: immersive digital art exhibitions, projected in the former submarine base.
- La Cité du Vin, more for the parents, with a belvedere offering a lovely view over the Garonne.
From the house, the city centre (Rue Sainte-Catherine, Place de la Comédie, the Saint-Pierre district) is a 10-minute walk, and the tram and bus are 4 minutes away to reach the quays, the Chartrons or Saint-Jean station.
Day trips
- Arcachon and the Dune du Pilat, about an hour away: the highest sand dune in Europe, and the Arcachon basin with its calm beaches, ideal with children.
- Saint-Émilion, about 45 minutes away: a UNESCO-listed medieval village among the vineyards, reachable by car or by train from Saint-Jean station.
- Lacanau, about an hour away: the lake for little ones, the ocean for older kids. And our Maison du Lac to extend your stay (see our guide to Lacanau with the family and our itinerary a week in the Gironde with the family).
When to visit Bordeaux with the family?
Averages recorded between 2015 and 2024 (source: Open-Meteo):
| Month | Afternoon temperature | Morning temperature | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| April | 18 °C | 8 °C | 11 |
| May | 21 °C | 12 °C | 12 |
| June | 25 °C | 15 °C | 12 |
| July | 27 °C | 17 °C | 7 |
| August | 28 °C | 17 °C | 8 |
| September | 25 °C | 15 °C | 10 |
| October | 20 °C | 12 °C | 11 |
Spring and September are ideal for walking and sightseeing. In July and August it's hot: make the most of the mornings for sightseeing, the Water Mirror in the afternoon, and plan a day at the ocean.
Where to stay in Bordeaux with the family?
For eight people, a hotel room per family soon gets expensive and splits everyone up. La Maison de Pierre, our recently renovated stone townhouse, was designed for living together:
- Up to 8 people in 5 bedrooms with double beds, 1 bathroom and 1 shower room.
- A large living area under a glass roof and a terrace upstairs, a patio and a garden.
- Books and toys for children aged 5 to 10, board games, 83-inch TV with Netflix.
- Equipped kitchen, washing machine and tumble dryer, Wi-Fi, self check-in at whatever time suits you.
- Rated 4.88 out of 5 from 41 reviews.
Good to know: the house is not suitable for babies under 2 (it has stairs). No parking on site: paid street parking and paid car parks nearby, but the tram means you can do without a car. No air conditioning.
See La Maison de Pierre's availability10% off your whole stay when you book directly on this site.
Frequently asked questions
What to do in Bordeaux with children?
Play in the Water Mirror opposite Place de la Bourse in fine weather, cycle or scoot along the quays, discover the interactive exhibitions at Cap Sciences, the Muséum de Bordeaux – sciences et nature, the Bassins des Lumières, and enjoy the lawns and playgrounds of the Jardin Public.
When to visit Bordeaux with the family?
Spring (April to June) and September bring pleasant days, between 18 and 25 °C in the afternoon. July and August are the hottest months, around 27 to 28 °C.
Where to stay in Bordeaux with a large family?
La Maison de Pierre sleeps up to 8 in 5 bedrooms, with a large living area under a glass roof and a terrace, a 10-minute walk from the city centre and 4 minutes from the tram.
Is La Maison de Pierre suitable for babies?
No, it is not suitable for babies under 2 (the house has stairs). It does, however, have books and toys for children aged 5 to 10.
Do you need a car to visit Bordeaux?
No: the centre is easy to explore on foot and by tram. La Maison de Pierre has no parking on site (paid street parking and paid car parks nearby).