Bordeaux Family Getaway

at a glance

Discovering your playground

Morning
Arrive in Bordeaux and settle into your accommodation. To ease into the trip, head straight to the banks of the Garonne. The space is wide, airy and full of life. Children run, parents breathe. In front of Place de la Bourse, the water mirror quickly becomes the highlight of the day: laughter, splashing, reflections dancing across the facades. The city puts its best face forward.

Afternoon & Evening
A gentle stroll through the historic centre: lanes of the Saint-Pierre district, shaded squares, 18th-century facades that tell the story of the city without needing a guide. Stop whenever you like, for an ice cream, a snack, or simply to watch the city go by.
In the evening, a relaxed family dinner in the city centre, the perfect setting for a first night together.

at a glance

wonder for the whole family

Morning
Head to the Bassins des Lumières, the immersive art experience installed in the striking volumes of a former submarine base. From the moment you step inside, the silence catches you off guard. Then the artworks erupt. Monumental, enveloping, reflected in the dark water below. Children stop in their tracks, parents rediscover art in a completely different way. An experience that leaves a lasting impression, whatever your age.

Alternative: the Cité du Vin, with its interactive and sensory trail, particularly popular with teenagers and curious families.

Afternoon & Evening
Back to the riverbanks to continue the day in the open air. A walk, a pause in a park, or simply a quiet moment by the river. In the late afternoon, the option to board a river cruise on the Garonne. Bordeaux seen from the water, in the golden light of the late afternoon. A relaxed family evening to follow.

at a glance

nature at its most spectacular

Morning
Train from Bordeaux-Saint-Jean station, destination Arcachon. The landscape shifts completely: pine forest, Atlantic light, the mingled scent of resin and salt air. The Dune du Pilat rises before you, vast and imposing. The climb becomes a joyful challenge for the children. And at the top, the view takes your breath away: ocean on one side, the Banc d’Arguin and its birds on the other, forest stretching as far as the eye can see.

Afternoon & Evening
Back down to the Bassin for a quieter moment: beach, a stroll along the seafront, or a stop at an oyster shack to taste the local Bassin d’Arcachon oysters while the children watch the boats and seagulls. Return to Bordeaux at the end of the day, legs pleasantly tired and heads full of fresh air.

Alternative: the Teich Bird Reserve, perfect for a nature discovery outing with an educational angle, right on the edge of the Bassin.

at a glance

Learning Adventures

Morning
Visit the Muséum de Bordeaux – sciences et nature. Here, you touch, observe and understand. Children explore biodiversity and environmental questions in a playful, well-designed setting. Teenagers find plenty to engage with too. A museum that brings generations together around the same sense of wonder.

Alternative: the CAPC – Museum of Contemporary Art, for families with curious and creative teenagers, housed in a striking historic building.

Afternoon & Evening
The Muséum is located within the Jardin Public: greenery, a playground, a snack in the shade of tall trees… the whole family appreciates this moment of calm. Later in the afternoon, a tram ride, a wander through a new neighbourhood, or a first round of souvenir shopping. The last family dinner is the perfect opportunity to revisit the best moments of the trip and debate the highlights with everyone.

at a glance

Saint-Michel neighbourhood

Morning
To close this trip in style, one last unexpected stop: the Basilique Saint-Michel and its freestanding tower, one of the tallest in the South-West of France, rising above the lively, working-class neighbourhood of the same name. Wander through the surrounding streets, breathe in the smell of warm bread and spices from the local market — a vibrant atmosphere, far from the tourist trail.
On the Way to the Station
A few addresses to leave with a little piece of Bordeaux in your luggage:

• Artisan chocolatiers and pastry shops for canelés, marshmallows and local specialities — a must for the children
• Fine food shops and independent wine cellars for a carefully chosen bottle to take home
• Designer boutiques along the pedestrian streets for an original souvenir — ceramics, jewellery, illustrated books

Afternoon
Departure from Bordeaux-Saint-Jean, a short tram or bus ride from the city centre. The airport is easily reached by shuttle in around twenty minutes. You leave with pleasantly tired legs, heads full of images, and that warm feeling of having truly been together.