Kids are welcomed in ski resorts’ dedicated jardins de neige (snow gardens) starting at age three. Summertime thrills include wildlife spotting, hiking and rafting, while the winter season lures families in droves to the pistes.
Then there’s the Loire Valley, where you can relive the glory days of the French monarchy in extravagant châteaux.įor outdoor adventure, make a break for the French Alps. Another kid-approved playground: the Dordogne Valley, where you can combine river canoeing with prehistoric cave art, châteaux, and fortified villages. Where else can you make a date with Monet in the morning, climb a medieval tower in the afternoon, followed by a Seine river cruise and a cone of chocolate mousse from Chocolat Chapon?Īnd la cerise sur le gâteau (the iceing on the cake)? Jumping on a trampoline surrounded by palm trees in the Jardin des Tuileries. Still, you can find your own slice of family-friendly paradise (my kids vote for the port town of Menton).Ĭulture-packed Paris is a feast for all ages.
The Côte d'Azur may be known for unabashed luxury and next-level hedonism (picture bronzed revelers on Plage de Pampelonne in St-Tropez). For a beach break, the wide sandy shores of the Atlantic coast are a draw, as are Brittany’s secluded coves. There's often a good-value kids’ menu, inclusive of drinks and desserts.įrance is a huge country with plenty of choice, especially if you've only got little legs © margouillat photo / Shutterstock Where is best in France for kids?įrom the tidal marvels of the Baie de Somme to the big-wave surf of Basque Country, the French coast offers a dizzying array of delights. That being said, we’d only recommend bringing your enfants sages (well-behaved children) to a Michelin-starred establishment if they won't disturb other diners. Searching for a family-friendly spot? All-day brasseries and casual crêperies are good options. From a young age, kids eat multi-course meals with their parents ( fromage included). When it comes to navigating cities, umbrella strollers are practical for sidewalks (and naps) - but it's best to bring a baby carrier to avoid the headaches of cobblestone streets, not to mention the ubiquitous stairs in the Paris metro.Ĭhildren are not frowned upon at restaurants. Playgrounds are as prolific as pâtisseries.
Great lakes medieval faire theme weekenda free#
Many museums offer free admission for kids, or a forfait tribu (special family rate) for two adults and two children. Likewise, French museums set the standard for kid-centric games and workshops. Even small rural villages have dedicated tourist offices with children’s activities such as themed jeux de piste (treasure hunts). The afternoon snack isn't just enjoyed by kids when they get out of school in the afternoon it's part of the cultural fabric, a Proustian moment even channeled by pastry chefs on chic restaurant menus.
Just look at the culinary ritual of the goûter. From giant marionette parades to the Fête de la Musique, the country that exudes joie de vivre is all-inclusive for children. Here are the best things to do with kids in France.įrom famous sights to fallen leaves, France is set up for little ones © encrier / Getty Images Is France good for kids?Ĭombining crowd-pleasing favorites and offbeat thrills, France is an easy sell for family travel. Through it all, I've found that family adventures in France have enriched my own travels with a sense of novelty, discovery and awe. There have been beach breaks and alpine hikes and urban escapades, too. We've watched a falconry show at Provins, dressed up in Renaissance garb in Loire Valley châteaux, crawled through WWII bunkers - and that’s just the start. We’ve admired prehistoric cave paintings at Lascaux IV and hurled water balloons from medieval catapults. Over the years, travel in France hasn’t just delighted my daughters it's also served as a crash course in history. Instead, we’re cheering for chariots under the watchful eye of a toga-clad Emperor at the annual Grands Jeux Romains (Great Roman Games), a rip-roaring reenactment that completely immerses my kids in the ambiance of Antiquity. But we’re not here to watch a rugby or football match. Sat around us are some 12,000 spectators.
Giddy, they wave their handkerchiefs and parrot a prayer to the sky god Jupiter. It’s a hot May day in Nîmes, and a gladiator in the ring of Les Arènes winks at my kids.
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