Family Vacations in France: Exploring France with Kids
Wondering what to do in France with kids and how to engage little ones but still feed that cultural and gastronomic trip you’ve been yearning for? Then keep reading to see our guide to France family vacations.
When it comes to planning a family vacation, France stands out as an idyllic destination. It is a country of contrasts, where the glamour and glitz of Paris and Cannes, sits alongside the peace and beauty of the Provencal countryside. You’ll find haute cuisine and Michelin stars, but also simple and rustic, familiar home cooking (that even the pickiest eaters will love). There are beaches and mountains, serious history, and playful fun. France ensures a vacation that will satisfy the entire family.
And if you’re concerned about any language barriers, fear not. France is remarkably welcoming to English-speaking tourists, ensuring a hassle-free experience and making it easier than ever for families to navigate their way around a French adventure. If this sounds alluring, but you’re not sure where to start, here is where to go, what to do, and where to stay when traveling to France with your kids.
Is France a Good Place for Kids?
France is a fantastic destination for a family getaway. With child-friendly hotels and villas, long, sandy beaches, cities that tell captivating stories, fairytale architecture, and thrilling mountain adventure, it has everything you need for a proper family vacation.
Each region has its own style, ambiance, and traditions. If you want to bring history lessons to life on a cultural mega-trip, try Paris. Is it the great outdoors that brings your family together? Then head to the Alps! Explore coastlines and history in Normandy, and if it’s beaches and sunshine you’re after, the South of France is your place. Wherever you pick for your family vacation to France, memories are waiting to be made.
Where to Go in France with Kids?
France’s storybook destinations have been a favorite of vacationers for so long. But if you haven’t been before, it can be hard to know where to start. Scott Dunn’s travel experts know the country like the back of their hand. We will make planning a family vacation in France a breeze, with bespoke itineraries, unique experiences, transfers between destinations, restaurant bookings, and attractions that will have your kids smiling from ear to ear.
South of France with Kids
A vacation with your family in the South of France is the stuff that dreams are made of. Drift off into an alternate universe of sun-soaked villages, sandy beaches, and a slow-motion, uncomplicated version of life. Provence’s picture-perfect villages sit on hilltops, surrounded by lavender fields and vineyards. Markets are full of fresh fruit and vegetables, and the perfect souvenirs to take home. There are Michelin-star dinners (for the grown-ups), sandcastles and ice creams (for the children), and plenty of water sports (for the teenagers). Stylish, boutique hotels have spas and tailormade activities which show off the picturesque local areas. The South of France’s beaches are up there with some of the best in Europe, often sitting right next to glamorous towns and cities. There’s a destination to suit all tastes, from the glitzy Cote d’Azur where restaurants are booked weeks in advance and not a hair is seen out of place, to the more bohemian parts of St Tropez where toddlers run in and out of the waves, before a barefoot lunch.
Family Vacations to Paris
Paris and romance might be synonymous, but the French capital city is also surprisingly child friendly. Hotels will welcome your kids with open arms. They are stocked with all the amenities you could need, ply little ones with gifts, and have carefully thought-out menus enfant. Games and rides can be found all around the city, whether that’s puppets and slides at the Jardin du Luxembourg, a vintage fairground in Jardin d’Acclimatation, or hopscotch and ping pong at the pedestrianized Parc Rives de Seine. There are family-friendly tours and scavenger hunts at famous landmarks and galleries, creative workshops to join, immersive art exhibitions, and cookery lessons plenty. You could spend two to three days or a week on a family trip to Paris, depending on what you would like to see. Scott Dunn will put together a bespoke itinerary to strike the balance between you and your kids’ wishes.
Adventure Family Vacations
When it comes to adventure holidays, skiing in France with kids has to be up there with one of the most thrilling, especially for teenagers. But the Alps are well-established for family vacations and all ages, with crèches and nannies for babies and ski schools starting at 4+. The mountains offer up some of the best, and definitely the most varied, skiing in the world, whether you’re a beginner or an advanced skier looking for off-piste action. Chamonix, Val d’Isere, and Courchevel are three of our favorite French ski resorts for families. They’re filled with luxury five-star hotels, cozy chalets, fine-dining restaurants, designer boutiques, and glitzy après ski. But, if snow isn’t your thing, the Alps in the summer have so much to offer thrill-seeking families. Chamonix and Megéve are our top picks for an adrenaline rush guaranteed to jolt sullen teens out of their moods.
Northern France with Kids
Originally a fashionable place for Parisians to escape the city’s summer heat, Normandy then became associated with the historic D-Day landings after WWII. Nowadays its combination of beautiful seaside scenery and rich, poignant history gives it a deeply rooted sense of culture. Normandy’s craggy coastline and ancient villages have long inspired some of the country’s great impressionist artists, and Monet’s famous garden at Rouen is a must-see. Alongside all these world-famous attractions are artisan food producers making the likes of cheese, cider, and olive oil, as well as traditional lacemakers and potters whose crafts have stood the test of time. Combine four nights in Normandy, with four nights in Paris to get your ultimate dose of culture and beach while visiting France with kids.
Best Things to Do in France with Kids
Whether your kids are full of beans or laid back and ready to go with the flow, France is prepped for all ages.
One of the best ways to explore Provence with kids is by touring its small villages and resplendent countryside by bike. Stop for picnics under shady cypress trees or another ice cream to keep energy levels up. Grasse’s lavender-filled fields are an Instagram opportunity waiting to happen, plus there is scent-making for teens and tweens at one of its perfumeries. Younger children will love a break from trawling markets at the Confiserie Florian sweet factory in Gorges du Loup. While, for the more active, there is white water rafting and kayaking in Gorges du Verdon or horseback riding in the Camargue with a Provencal cowboy.
Further south, there’s Marseille to explore, which is also a gateway to the protected islands of Porquerolles or Port Cros. Sailors will love cruising around Les Calanques National Park, stopping to swim, kayak and snorkel the clear waters, before feasting on a delicious alfresco meal prepared by a private chef. If shopping is high on your teens’ priority list, a day out exploring Cannes will be a hit. For toddlers and beachcombers, check in to one of St Tropez’s exclusive hideaways and spend your days being shuttled between the beach and hotel pool.
If culture is what brings you on a family vacation to France, then Paris’s interactive child-friendly activities will pique your interest. Join a scavenger hunt while taking in the Louvre, Versailles, and Musee d’Orsay, cruise down the Seine by boat, or climb up the Arc du Triomphe. Join cooking or patisserie masterclasses. And of course, there’s always Disneyland Paris to bribe them with! Make it extra special with our VIP Disney Dream Day experience.
History comes to life on the beaches and memorial sights in Normandy. Join a historian onboard a WWII military vehicle, complete with vintage radio and equipment. Learn about the D-Day landings and taste the same food that was eaten in 1944. Or go even further back in time by visiting the Bayeux Tapestry.
Those with older kids, who want high-octane activities, will find them in the Alps. There’s skiing, dog sledding, or climbing glaciers in the winter. In the summer go kayaking, canyoning, and caving in rivers and valleys, while back on land (and in the sky) paragliding, mountain biking, and high rope courses are waiting for you.
Our France Family Vacation Itineraries
If you’re looking for more inspiration, try exploring our sample France family vacation itineraries that can be curated to suit any guest.
Best Places to Stay in France with Family
Designed to deliver exactly the kind of adventure your family has been waiting for, here are the best places to stay in France with your kids.
Younger Kids
Don’t compromise on your dream vacation because of the kids, these hotels have it all. They’re close to main attractions, have activities for everyone, family-friendly bedrooms, and glorious spas.
Regent Carlton Cannes, Côte d’Azur
The epitome of Riviera chic, Regent Carlton Cannes may be one of the Grande Dames of the Cote d’Azur, but it still manages to welcome little ones with open arms. Rooms are large enough for a cot or extra bed and there are adjoining options too. With three stunning restaurants mealtimes can be whenever suits you and the private beach club across the street is ideal for toddlers.
Chateau Saint Martin Hotel & Spa, Nice
Part of the Oetker Collection of hotels, which gave us the iconic Hotel du Cap Eden Roc, this is a less showy but equally magical feather in the hotel group’s cap. Set amongst rolling hills and sleepy villages, Chateau Saint Martin Hotels & Spa is all about relaxation. Various suites work well for families with young children and there is a captivating kids’ club, which will see your troop head off for the week without looking back. So that leaves you with the spa, sun lounger, and opportunity to actually finish a book.
Rosewood Hôtel de Crillon, Paris
At the top of the list of child-friendly hotels in Paris is Rosewood Hôtel de Crillon, where rooms are turned into a kids' paradise with balloons and toys, and every little guest leaves with their own Bernie the elephant – the hotel's mascot. But don’t be fooled into thinking parents are forgotten. This is one of the most luxurious hotels in Paris. The suites are palatial and come with their own butler, and the restaurants and bars ensure an opulent experience too. It has all you could need for a family trip to Paris.
Older Kids
When your kids are ready for something a bit more grown up and want some fast-paced activities, these hotels have got you covered.
The Maybourne Riviera, Côte d’Azur
The Maybourne Riviera is an ideal spot to base yourself for a few days exploring the Côte d’Azur. With Monaco and the medieval town of Roquebrune-Cap-Martin nearby. This new showstopper of a hotel looks out over the Mediterranean Sea. And everything is impeccable, from the views to the restaurants. Suites are big enough to add extra beds and some come with private pools.
Les Roches Blanches, Cassis
Children of all ages are welcome in this stunning, seaside hotel. Les Roches Blanches has an impressive collection of kids' activities, from sailing and climbing to water sports and tennis. While your kids are busy having fun, take advantage of the private beach, Sisley spa, or a leisurely vineyard tour for two.
Multigenerational Families
Keeping everyone happy on a multigenerational family vacation might seem a challenge, but not with these hotels, which have spacious accommodations and plenty to keep you all busy. So, you can be together when you want to and get that much-needed alone time too.
La Reserve Paris Apartments, Paris
La Réserve Paris Apartments have all you need for a family trip to Paris, France. One-, two- and three-bedroom apartments are beautifully decorated, and more importantly, big enough for everyone to have their own space. Stocked with coloring pencils and books, PlayStations, chess, cards, and other games, when you aren’t sightseeing, the kids will be all right. And if they aren’t, there’s always La Reserve Hotel’s swimming pool, 10 minutes away.
Grand Hotel du Cap Ferrat, Nice
Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat is an idyllic location for a multigenerational family vacation in France. Set right by a private beach with crystal-clear waters, it makes the most of its position with excellent water sports, such as kayaking and paddle boarding. For younger children, there is an impressive kids' club, allowing grandparents and parents the chance to explore the surrounding area with guided hikes and bike rides.
La Reserve Ramatuelle, St Tropez
Close enough to St Tropez for some buzz, but far enough away for peace and solitude, La Réserve Ramtuelle’s location is pretty irresistible. Often lauded for its incredible spa, the hotel’s other offerings deserve praise too. Such as the beautiful villas, with private pools and gardens, which fit all the family. Or the activities available, which include horse riding, e-biking, or dolphin watching by Seabob.
For Skiing
Take all the stress out of planning a family ski vacation in France and let us do it for you, here are three of our favorite hotels.
La Portetta, Courchevel
Thanks to its ski-in, ski-out location, La Portetta makes a family ski vacation as easy as can be. Rooms and duplex suites overlooking the mountains are decked out in classic, chalet-style interiors but it also has four mountain lodges with their own spas too. Cozy is the name of the game here, curl up with a board game and a warm drink after a day on the slopes or unwind in the spa.
Les Barmes de l’Ours, Val d’Isere
This beautifully luxurious hotel manages to achieve the holy grail by being a place that wholeheartedly embraces children and caters to the needs of their exhausted parents. Les Barmes de l’Ours is a hotel where kids can spend the day in exhilarating ski lessons, only to return to a myriad of kid-friendly indoor activities. Meanwhile, you will be treated to world-class spa treatments and Michelin-star food.
Christiania, Val d’Isere
The Christiania is a perfect choice when skiing in France with kids. Just 100ft from the main lifts and a couple of minutes from the main center. Interconnecting rooms, a buffet breakfast, and friendly staff will all get the thumbs up from your family.
For the Beach
Beach vacations are all about relaxation, and a little bit about making sure the kids are occupied. These hotels tick both off the list.
Monte Carlo Beach Hotel, Monaco
This is an all-bells-and-whistles resort that will see your kids smile from ear to ear all vacation. For younger ones, there’s Le Marmorata Kids' Club, while older kids will love parasailing, tubing, and boating. Monte Carlo Beach Hotel is all that you’d expect from a hotel in Monaco. There’s a fabulous spa, Michelin-star restaurants, and private cabanas on the beach. Shy and retiring it’s not, luxurious and spoiling it is.
Hotel du Palais Biarritz, Biarritz
This imperial, palatial hotel right on the beach in Biarritz will transport you back to the golden era of travel. A stunning saltwater pool blends into the horizon, looking out over the Atlantic Ocean. A kids’ club for 4 to 14-year-olds sees the children taken care of and connecting rooms or suites meet all your accommodation needs.
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