The family tour at La Maison Cardinale (2026 Global Best Of Wine Tourism winner) in Saint-Émilion is a perfect example. It includes playful activities for children of all ages. Larger-than-life vine models explain the seasons as children remove and add leaves and bunches of grapes. Sounds and sights form part of interactive adventures so families can discover the world of wine together. Their Panoramic Tour is all about the visuals, taking the family outside – where 90% of the work happens. Perfect for nature lovers, it explores this all-important, and too often forgotten, part of winemaking. Polaroid in hand and guided by the team, visitors capture the parts of the landscape that inspire them most: an immersive experience where guests create their own ‘vintage visuals’ souvenir.
Royal Rescue
Young knights and princesses looking for adventure will find it at Château d’Agassac in the Médoc. Thanks to an interactive iPad, young explorers are sent on a mission to rescue the princess imprisoned by a dragon in a tower of the moated château. To do so, they must venture from pigeon tower to cellars and then to the château, finding clues and answering questions to earn enough points to set her free. Parents are kept busy too: their parallel trail takes them through the history of the château and its wines, leading everyone to meet up again for a tasting of wine and other goodies.
For art’s sake
The sculpture garden at Château d’Arsac is an open-air museum where art enthusiasts of all ages will discover huge, bright, contemporary installations among the 100 ha of vines and parkland. Many are accessible for kids to explore: they can enter the owl house or sit on the Niki de Saint Phalle bench. There’s even a wine named in their honour, ‘Le Kid d’Arsac’.
Kid’s Country Club
This summer, Château Mauvinon (2024 Regional Best Of Wine Tourism Winner in Sustainable Wine Tourism) in Saint-Émilion, launched their Friday evening Kids Club. While parents enjoy a sunset glass of wine on the roof terrace or in the gardens of the chateau, children from 3 to 14 are whisked away by the property’s Super Nany for an evening of fun, games and cinema. There’s evening pop-corn! Welcome from 6 pm, families can enjoy this bucolic start to the weekend, with children creating their own souvenir bottle or wandering down to feed the miniature pigs. Meanwhile parents can taste the organic red, white, rosé or orange wines, paired with cheese or veggie plates.
You are not alone
Children love discovering the fauna as well as the flora. At Château Giscours (2024 Global Best Of Wine Tourism winner) they’ll see rare breeds of cattle and sheep, and at the petting farm at Château Troplong Mondot, they’ll meet the chickens supplying eggs to the restaurant. The Land Art ‘Forest of the Senses’ tour at Château Smith Haut Lafitte (2019 Global Best Of Wine Tourism winner) finishes in the farmyard with goats, donkeys, horses and two llamas – even more effective at weeding than sheep! If you’re lucky, you’ll also meet the beautiful Highland cows that are busy eating the ivy invading the ancient oaks. There are also Highland cows at the farm of the recently renovated Château Plain-Point (2026 Regional Best Of winner in Architecture and Landscapes) in Fronsac; you’ll meet alpacas and a draught mare too. A 2.9 km walk takes you on a discovery of the living terroir, with interactive stations along the way to delve deeper into the place.
Game time
In the grounds of the elegant Château Soutard (2026 Regional Best Of winner in Accommodation) in Saint-Émilion, children of all ages enjoy playtime. Games of Mölkky, pétanque and giant mikado are available, as well as a children’s playground. The free self-guided tour through the vineyard is signposted with explanations of the natural environment, biodiversity and their efforts to protect it. For the more adventurous, bicycles are available to explore further afield, following the winding roads between the vines.
In your own time
Families are often more comfortable with a self-guided tour – kids can easily get bored on a more formal visit. At Vignobles de Larose (2026 Regional Best Of winner in Sustainable Wine Tourism) they know that not everyone wants a full-blown wine tour, they encourage people to pop in – no appointment needed. Guests visit at their own pace, discovering the history, seasons and terroir of the property thanks to clever scenography and videos. They can also enjoy a bite to eat, and there’s a corner where kids can create their own artwork.
Self-guided tours outdoors are a joy in the summer months. At Château Cantemerle in the Haut-Médoc, young nature lovers can explore the stunning park around the château with Babette, a herbalist. She takes them on a journey through the diversity of the region’s flora. They’ll learn how to identify different plants and their secrets, engaging their senses of sight, touch, smell and taste, and leaving with their very own ‘tisane’.
Stay awhile `
Taking your time is part of slow tourism, linger a little and stay over as a family. The new eco-lodge at Château Loudenne just steps from the estuary is perfect. The three-bedroom cottage has a wood-burning stove, fully for a cozy get away. For larger families, the farmhouse at Château Bauduc in the Entre-Deux-Mers is an 18th-century stone house that sleeps eight with its own heated swimming pool. Near Cadillac, on the stunning limestone slopes overlooking the Garonne River, stay in the three duplex-style ‘maisonettes’ of Château Biac — perfect for extended families and longer stays.
Some kids never grow up
Bordeaux encourages everyone to find their inner child. Pose for a photograph in the garb of a maharaja after your visit and tasting at Château Cos d’Estournel, or join the dots and colour in the label of Château Picoron ‘Né de l’Eden’.
You don’t stop playing because you grow old – you grow old because you stop playing!
Come play in Bordeaux.
Author: Wendy Narby - Insider Tasting Photos credits: ©LaMaisonCardinale / ©ChâteaudArsac / ©ChâteauGiscours / ©LesVignobledeLarose / ©CosdEstournel