When people hear “Bordeaux,” the word wine usually comes first. And that’s understandable — this city is the global capital of wine. But after living and traveling here multiple times, I discovered that Bordeaux is not just vineyards and cellars. It’s also a city of green escapes — vast urban parks, charming botanical gardens, riverside promenades, and hidden squares shaded by century-old trees.
They are places where I reset my senses: listening to birdsong instead of traffic, smelling flowers instead of exhaust fumes, watching kids play instead of scrolling on my phone. In Bordeaux, these green oases gave me space to breathe, think, and even fall in love with the city on a deeper level.
I’ll share my experiences in three parks and gardens I visited myself:
- Jardin Public – Bordeaux’s iconic green heart
- Parc Bordelais – A family-friendly haven with animals and lakes
- Jardin Botanique de Bordeaux – A plant lover’s paradise
And I’ll also recommend three others that deserve a spot on your itinerary: - Parc de Majolan – A fairytale park with grottos and bridges
- Parc aux Angéliques – Modern riverside green space with a fresh vibe
- Espace Darwin & Skate Garden – An alternative, eco-cultural escape
Each section includes my own stories, pros and cons, how to get there from the airport and train station, activities, services, booking tips, and a “recommendation index.”
- Jardin Public – The Beating Green Heart of Bordeaux
📍 Location: Cours de Verdun, 33000 Bordeaux
🚇 How to Get There:
• From Gare Saint-Jean: Take Tram C toward “Parc des Expositions,” stop at “Jardin Public” (about 20 minutes).
• From Bordeaux Airport (Mérignac): Take Bus 1 to “Quinconces,” then Tram C for 2 stops. Total: 45 minutes.
⏰ Opening Hours: Daily, 7:00–20:00 (longer in summer). Free entry.
My Personal Experience
The first time I entered Jardin Public, I felt like I had stepped into a painting from the 18th century. Designed in 1746, this park has elegant pathways, sweeping lawns, and a romantic lake with a little bridge.
I went on a bright spring afternoon, carrying a takeaway sandwich from a bakery nearby. Sitting on the grass with the Garonne breeze brushing my face, I watched children chase pigeons, students read books under the trees, and elderly couples stroll arm in arm. The park felt alive but never overwhelming.
The lake was the highlight for me. Ducks paddled across the water, and willow trees hung lazily over the edges. I found a quiet bench, closed my eyes, and thought, this is Bordeaux at its most serene.
Services & Facilities
• Benches, playgrounds, and picnic lawns
• Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle de Bordeaux inside the park (perfect for families)
• Small kiosk cafés selling ice cream and drinks
• Public restrooms
Pros & Cons
✅ Central location, very easy to reach
✅ Perfect mix of history and greenery
✅ Family-friendly with a playground
❌ Can be busy on weekends
❌ Food options inside are limited — better to bring snacks
Entertainment & Activities
• Reading under the shade of plane trees
• Visiting the Natural History Museum (€5 entry)
• Taking children to the playground
• Birdwatching around the lake
Recommendation Index: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
If you have time for only one park in Bordeaux, make it Jardin Public. It’s the city’s soul in green form.
- Parc Bordelais – A Family Wonderland
📍 Location: Rue du Bocage, 33200 Bordeaux
🚇 How to Get There:
• From Gare Saint-Jean: Tram D toward “Eysines Cantinolle,” stop at “Barrière du Médoc,” then 5 minutes on foot. About 35 minutes.
• From Bordeaux Airport: Bus 1 to “Barrière Judaïque,” then Tram D for 2 stops. About 50 minutes.
⏰ Opening Hours: 7:00–21:00 (summer), shorter in winter. Free entry.
My Personal Experience
If Jardin Public felt elegant, Parc Bordelais felt joyful and playful. Spread across 28 hectares, this park was bustling with families.
I went on a Sunday morning, and the park was alive with children riding miniature ponies, teenagers kicking footballs, and parents enjoying coffee on benches. The highlight for me was the small animal park — goats, ducks, swans, even peacocks. It reminded me of a mini-zoo, perfect for kids but fun for adults too.
I walked around the lake, which reflected the tall trees like a mirror. Then I discovered the old carousel, painted with vintage horses and fairy lights. Even as an adult, I couldn’t resist buying a ticket (€2.50) and taking a ride. Yes, I laughed out loud, and yes, people looked at me — but it was worth it.
Services & Facilities
• Animal enclosures with goats, ducks, swans
• Large playgrounds and sports fields
• Carousel and pony rides (extra fee)
• Restrooms and picnic areas
Pros & Cons
✅ Huge variety of activities for kids
✅ Relaxed, community atmosphere
✅ Lots of shade, perfect for hot days
❌ Less central than Jardin Public
❌ Can feel crowded on weekends
Entertainment & Activities
• Ride the carousel (€2.50)
• Feed ducks at the lake (but check signs for rules!)
• Family picnics
• Pony rides for children (€3–5)
Recommendation Index: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5)
Perfect if you’re traveling with children or want a local family vibe. For solo travelers, it’s fun but less essential.
- Jardin Botanique de Bordeaux – Nature’s Library
📍 Location: Esplanade Linné, 33100 Bordeaux (Right Bank)
🚇 How to Get There:
• From Gare Saint-Jean: Tram C toward “Parc des Expositions,” change to Tram A at “Quinconces,” stop at “Jardin Botanique.” About 25 minutes.
• From Bordeaux Airport: Bus 1 to “Quinconces,” then Tram A. About 1 hour.
⏰ Opening Hours: Tue–Sun 11:00–18:00, closed Monday. Free entry.
My Personal Experience
As someone who loves plants, I was thrilled to visit this garden. Unlike the ornamental style of Jardin Public, the Jardin Botanique is more scientific and educational.
I visited on a weekday morning. The garden was quiet, almost meditative. There were greenhouses with Mediterranean plants, exotic palms, and desert cacti. Outside, themed gardens displayed medicinal herbs, aquatic plants, and regional flora.
My favorite spot was the water garden, with ponds full of lilies and reeds, buzzing with dragonflies. I sat there sketching in my notebook, feeling like a naturalist in the 19th century.
Services & Facilities
• Greenhouses with exotic plants
• Educational panels in French & English
• Outdoor thematic gardens
• Small café nearby
Pros & Cons
✅ Free entry!
✅ Peaceful, less crowded
✅ Educational, great for plant lovers
❌ Less “fun” for children compared to Parc Bordelais
❌ Limited facilities (few cafés)
Entertainment & Activities
• Explore greenhouses with Mediterranean and desert plants
• Sketch or photograph flowers
• Join guided tours (occasionally offered, check website)
• Visit the nearby Right Bank Promenade after the garden
Recommendation Index: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5)
A must if you love plants, photography, or quiet walks. Not essential if you’re looking for playgrounds or busy vibes.
Recommended Parks & Gardens
- Parc de Majolan
📍 Blanquefort, northwest of Bordeaux
• Famous for artificial grottos, lakes, and romantic bridges
• A little outside the city but worth the trip
• Great for photographers - Parc aux Angéliques
📍 Right Bank, along the Garonne
• Modern riverside park, perfect for jogging and picnics
• Best views of Place de la Bourse across the river - Espace Darwin & Skate Garden
📍 Right Bank, Quai des Queyries
• Alternative eco-space with street art, skate park, and gardens
• Perfect for young travelers and those who love counterculture vibes
Booking Platforms & Tips
Most parks and gardens in Bordeaux are free — which is refreshing compared to expensive museums or attractions. However, some guided tours and special activities can be booked via:
• GetYourGuide – walking tours that include garden stops
• Bordeaux Tourism Office – seasonal events in parks
• Official garden websites – for opening hours and special exhibitions
Breathing Bordeaux
When I think back on my days in Bordeaux, it’s not just the wine tastings or the cathedral towers I remember. It’s sitting on the grass in Jardin Public, laughing on the carousel in Parc Bordelais, and sketching water lilies at Jardin Botanique.
These green spaces reminded me that cities are not just stone and glass; they are living organisms that breathe through their parks. Bordeaux does this beautifully.
If you come here, don’t just sip wine. Take a morning to stroll in a park, an afternoon to nap under a tree, or an evening to watch the sunset across the river from Parc aux Angéliques. You’ll see Bordeaux in a new light — softer, greener, more human.
Because Bordeaux’s parks are not just gardens. They are the city’s lungs, soul, and smile.
Why These Parks Changed My Perception of Bordeaux
Before my trip, I assumed Bordeaux was primarily about vineyards, châteaux, and high culture. But walking through these gardens, I realized something deeper: Bordeaux is a place that balances sophistication with simplicity. A place where you can drink a glass of Grand Cru one moment and feed ducks in a city pond the next. That contrast is what makes Bordeaux so magnetic to me.
A Personal Note to Future Travelers
I know it’s tempting to pack every trip with landmarks, museums, and tours. But trust me on this — leave at least a few hours unscheduled. Grab a baguette, sit on a bench in Jardin Public, and watch life go by. That’s when Bordeaux speaks to you. Not through guided commentary, but through the laughter of children, the chirping of birds, and the rustling of trees in the wind.
Practical Takeaway
• Don’t rush. Parks reward patience.
• Bring snacks or a book. They’re perfect companions.
• Check local events. Many Bordeaux parks host free concerts, open-air cinema, or plant fairs.
• Visit both Left Bank and Right Bank parks. They give you two completely different perspectives of the city.
Travel, at its best, is not only about seeing but also about feeling. And in Bordeaux, I felt most grounded, most connected, and most alive in its parks and gardens. They gave me something wine alone never could — a sense of stillness, of balance, of being fully present.
So if you ever find yourself in Bordeaux, let its green escapes work their quiet magic on you. You’ll return home not only with bottles of wine but also with a refreshed mind and a lighter heart.