Young family holiday - Bordeaux or Biarritz?

Supercell

We are planning the summer holidays (mid to late May) at the moment and are not sure which place would be better for us.

Family is two adults and three kids (aged - 4, 2, 0).
We will be using self catering accommodation (probably through airbnb) and are very budget minded!
Both destinations cost about the same to get there and back and accommodation prices look broadly similar for what we are looking for.

Biarritz is by the sea which is a big attraction however Bordeaux has a nice city to explore and parks etc too.

We have never been to either before so really would love some comments and recommendations from previous visitors, thanks

schemingbohemia

Haven't been to Biarritz and don't have kids, however my mother was in Biarritz and found it quite hilly walking around which could be an issue for you with buggies etc Though if you spend your time at the sea-side you'd be okay.

Bordeaux has some lovely areas especially around the old town, and the river-side comes alive during the summer.

I'd nearly always pick the sea-side to be honest but just thought it worth pointing out the potential difficulties with walking around with a double-buggy.

Ryan Mac Sweeney

Hi
I have just looked up Bordeaux on Google and it is all flat surfaces, small narrow cobble streets and there is lots to do such as Bordeaux Cathedral and lots of museums and art galleries. I would highly recommend Bordeaux with a young family as it is a nice city. You can also get there with Ryanair and it is a short flight. So if I were you I would chose Bordeaux. May is a perfect time to go with a young family as it is not too hot and as its the low season it shouldnt be too crowded either.

nc6000

Why not do both? We did that a few years back and had a great holiday. Fly into Biarritz and fly home from Bordeaux. I don't remember the train between the two being too expensive and I'd guess your kids will be free.

Two or three days in Bordeaux should be plenty.

Arbiter of Good Taste

I've been in Biarritz a couple of times before and found it ok - a bit boring to be honest. But children might find it fun at the beach.

The post suggesting you do both might be a good idea.

imitation

I drove from bordeaux to biarritz and then onwards to san sebastian and bilbao for a holiday with the lads. Bordeaux is a very nice city indeed, not sure what draw it has for a family though.

Biarritz is beautiful and the beaches are quite beautiful. They are however atlantic beaches popular with surfers, small kids wont fare well on a windy day. Its more expensive than spain, there are quite a few designer shops in the town and you might see the odd sports car. There is a good aquarium and plenty of nice resturants. The town is big enough and is a bit of a sprawl, if you stay on the outskirts you will have to drive in, pay for parking and endure traffic at peak time, so choose accomadation carefully.