Bordeaux is a beautiful city in France that is known for its delicious wine, stunning architecture, and rich history. It is also a great place to visit with kids, with many family-friendly attractions and activities to enjoy.
Bordeaux intereststing facts
Here are 100 interesting facts about Bordeaux for kids:
Geography and Landmarks
1.Bordeaux is a port city in the southwest of France along the Garonne River.
2.It is the capital of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region and the Gironde department.
3.Bordeaux has over 250,000 residents, making it one of the largest cities in France.
4.The city has a crescent shape that follows along the curve of the Garonne River.
5.The river is connected to the Atlantic Ocean 60km away.
6. Famous landmarks include the Place de la Bourse, Grand Théâtre de Bordeaux and Saint-André Cathedral.
7.Other notable monuments are the Grosse Cloche bell tower and the Monument aux Girondins.
8.The city has the largest square in France, Esplanade des Quinconces.
100 Bordeaux intereststing facts for kids
History and Culture
9. Bordeaux was founded over 2,000 years ago by Roman settlers.
10. It was an important trading port and commercial center during Roman times.
11. Bordeaux wine production and trade began during this period.
12. As part of Eleanor of Aquitaine’s dowry, Bordeaux became under English rule in 1152.
13. The city flourished as a wine trading hub between England and France.
14. Many medieval castles and architecture in Bordeaux are from the English period.
15. Bordeaux has over 350 preserved historic buildings designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
100 Bordeaux intereststing facts for kids
Education
16. Bordeaux is home to one of the oldest universities in Europe, the University of Bordeaux, founded in 1441.
17. Other major universities are Bordeaux Montaigne University and the Bordeaux Sciences Agro school.
18. There are 70,000 university students living in Bordeaux, making it a youthful city.
19. The city has high concentrations of science and technology companies due to its educated population.
Language and Communication
20. Most residents speak French as their first language.
21. Bordeaux has its own regional dialect and accents that differ from standard French.
22. Common words used locally include “chocolatine” for a chocolate croissant and “filer” to describe leaving somewhere.
23. The Gascon language derived from Occitan is also spoken by some residents.
100 Bordeaux intereststing facts for kids
Food and Cuisine
24. Bordeaux is renowned for its wine production and wine culture.
25. Popular local dishes include lamprey pie , beef bourguignon stew, duck confit and canelés cakes.
26. Bordeaux has many open-air markets selling local seafood, cheese, produce and dried meats.
27. The Marché des Capucins is the city’s main food market located along the river. 28. There are over 8,000 wine estates and châteaux in the Bordeaux wine region.
Economy and Entertainment
29. The wine industry and wine tourism play major roles in Bordeaux’s economy.
30. Other key industries are aerospace, defense and pharmaceuticals. The city is also a tech hub.
31. Culturally, Bordeaux is home to the Grand Théâtre opera house and many art museums.
32. Leading museums are the Bordeaux Museum of Fine Arts and the CAPC Museum of Contemporary Art.
33. Popular shopping streets are the Rue Sainte-Catherine and Rue Porte Dijeaux.
34. Bordeaux holds many music festivals like Bordeaux Fête le Vin and Les Nuits Atypiques de Langon.
Nature and Wildlife
35. Bordeaux has over 2,000 acres of public parks and gardens.
36. Main parks are Jardin Public, Parc Bordelais and Jardin Botanique de Bordeaux.
37. The Botanical Garden has been open since 1629.
38. Parc Zoologique de Bordeaux Pessac is the city’s zoo with over 850 animals.
39. Bordeaux has a Japanese garden called Jardin de la Confluence.
Sports and Recreation
40. Rugby union is popular in Bordeaux. The local team is Union Bordeaux Bègles.
41. Football club FC Girondins de Bordeaux plays in Ligue 1, France’s top league.
42. Surfing and water sports are popular along the Atlantic coast beaches near Bordeaux.
43. The city hosted matches during the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France.
44. Bordeaux has hosted the French Open tennis tournament and the World Figure Skating Championships.
Transportation
45. Bordeaux has a modern tram system with three lines across the city.
46. The main train station is Gare de Bordeaux Saint-Jean, offering high-speed rail links.
47. The motorway A10 connects Bordeaux to Paris and Spain.
48. Bordeaux–Mérignac Airport provides domestic and international flights.
49. Bordeaux has an extensive bus and ferry network for public transportation.
Festivals and Celebrations
50. The Bordeaux Wine Festival is held biennially celebrating the region’s wine culture.
51. Bordeaux Fête le Fleuve is a festival honoring the Garonne River with concerts, exhibits and activities.
52. Festival Bordeaux Tango hosts dance performances and lessons.
53. The Christmas market, Marché de Noël, lights up city center in December.
54. Bordeaux celebrates Bastille Day on July 14th with a large military parade.
55. The Fête du Vin d’Aquitaine in June honors wines of the Aquitaine region.
Architecture and Urban Design
56. Bordeaux has one of the largest 18th century architectural urban areas in Europe.
57. Over 5,800 buildings in Bordeaux are protected as national heritage sites.
58. Bordeaux’s city plan and architecture was influenced by philosopher Michel de Montaigne.
59. Many downtown buildings are made of limestone from local quarries.
60. Notable structures include the Grosse Cloche bell tower, Porte Cailhau gatehouse and Saint-Michel spire.
Parks and Gardens
61. Jardin Public is a large park in central Bordeaux founded in 1746.
62. It has a lake, waterfall, bamboo garden and geometric flower beds.
63. Parc Bordelais has a large pond and walking trails.
64. The Jardin Botanique has an orchid greenhouse, rose garden and small farm animals.
65. Bordeaux has many squares lined with trees like Allées de Tourny and Place Gambetta.
Museums and Galleries
66. Musée des Beaux-Arts is an art museum housed in a former palace.
67. Musée d’Aquitaine covers the region’s archaeology, history and ethnography.
68. CAPC musée d’art contemporain focuses on modern and contemporary art.
69. Musée du Vin et du Négoce explores the wine trade’s history.
70. Galerie des Beaux-Arts exhibits work by young contemporary artists.
History and Heritage
71. Many areas of Bordeaux were built during the 18th century as it prospered from the wine and slave trade.
72. Wealthy wine merchant families financed the construction of most historic buildings.
73. Bordeaux has been inhabited since prehistoric times. Celts and Romans settled the area.
74. As part of Eleanor of Aquitaine’s dowry, Bordeaux passed to English rule in 1152 for 300 years.
75. Writer Victor Hugo described Bordeaux as being shaped like a half moon.
River and Port
76. The Garonne River flows into the Gironde Estuary leading to the Atlantic Ocean.
77. Bordeaux’s port is Europe’s largest estuary port.
78. The river was key for Bordeaux’s wine trade and other maritime commerce.
79. Many stone bridges like the Pont de Pierre cross the Garonne.
80. The riverfront along the Garonne is popular for strolling and cycling.
Food and Dining
81. Bordeaux has over 8,000 wine châteaux and estates in its wine growing region.
82. Local dishes include lamprey pie, duck confit,beef bourguignon stew and canelés cakes.
83. Open-air food markets sell produce, cheese, seafood and regional products.
84. Le Marché des Capucins is the main indoor food market.
85. A popular bakery treat is the ‘Bordelais’ a crunchy biscuit topped with roasted almonds.
Language and Literature
86. Most residents speak French, but some speak regional Gascon or Occitan dialects.
87. Writer Michel de Montaigne influenced philosophy and Bordeaux’s urban design.
88. Poet Paul Verlaine taught at a Bordeaux lycée in the late 1800s.
89. Playwright Edmond Rostand who wrote Cyrano de Bergerac studied in Bordeaux.
90. Author François Mauriac set many novels in Bordeaux where he grew up.
Economy and Industry
91. Bordeaux’s economy is based on winemaking, tourism, high-tech and aerospace.
92. The Airbus assembly plant in Blagnac near Bordeaux manufactures commercial aircraft.
93. Wine and cognac production accounts for over 30% of the regional economy.
94. Bordeaux has chemicals/pharma firms like Sanofi and many research laboratories.
95.The wine trade has been important to Bordeaux since Roman times. The city was the center of the Bordeaux wine trade triangle between Britain, France and North America.
96.There are over 120,000 acres of vineyards in the Bordeaux wine region producing around 700 million bottles per year.
97.The Médoc and Haut-Médoc regions north of the city produce many fine Cabernet Sauvignon based red wines.
98.The Left Bank regions of Graves and Pessac-Léognan are known for their prestigious red wines using Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.
99.On the Right Bank, Saint-Émilion and Pomerol produce Merlot dominant reds as well as sweet white wines.
100.Sauternes and Barsac are southern wine regions specializing in botrytized sweet white wines like Château d’Yquem.
Sip Wine, Savor the City, Stay in Bordeaux France
Tips for visiting Bordeaux with kids
When planning your trip to Bordeaux with kids, it is important to keep the following tips in mind:
- Choose the right time of year to visit. Bordeaux has a mild climate year-round, but the best time to visit with kids is during the spring or fall, when the weather is pleasant and there are fewer crowds.
- Book your accommodations and activities in advance. Bordeaux is a popular tourist destination, so it is important to book your accommodations and activities in advance, especially during peak season.
- Create a flexible itinerary. Kids are unpredictable, so it is important to have a flexible itinerary. This will allow you to make changes to your plans as needed.
- Pack for all types of weather. Bordeaux weather can be unpredictable, so it is important to pack for all types of weather. Be sure to bring rain gear, sunscreen, and hats.
- Take advantage of free activities. There are many free activities available in Bordeaux, such as visiting the Jardin Public and the Miroir d’Eau.
- Use public transportation. Bordeaux has a good public transportation system, which is a great way to get around the city with kids.
- Be prepared for emergencies. It is always a good idea to be prepared for emergencies when traveling, especially with kids. Pack a first-aid kit and learn some basic French phrases.
Dining with Kids
When dining with kids in Bordeaux, it is helpful to keep the following tips in mind:
- Choose restaurants with family-friendly menus. Many restaurants in Bordeaux have special menus for kids, with smaller portions and less expensive prices.
- Order food to share. This is a great way to try different dishes and save money.
- Be patient. Service can be slow in France, especially during the summer months. Be patient and enjoy the meal with your family.
- Don’t be afraid to ask for help. If your kids are picky eaters, ask the waiter or waitress for recommendations. They will be happy to help you choose something that your kids will like.
