Holidays with children in Provence-Côte d’Azur: 20 great tips for the whole family

1. Visit picturesque villages

The small villages in Provence often provide the fondest memories during a holiday with children in the South of France.

Moustiers-Sainte-Marie is situated close to the Gorges du Verdon, built against high cliffs. Narrow streets wind their way past shops and terraces, leading up towards viewpoints. Many families combine a visit to the village with an afternoon at Lac de Sainte-Croix. In July and August, it’s a good idea to arrive before 10.30 am to avoid the crowds and the heat.

Castellane is also popular with families. The village lies on the Route Napoléon and serves as the gateway to the Verdon for many holidaymakers.

Cotignac is known for its terraces beneath the limestone cliffs and the relaxed atmosphere on summer evenings. Tourtour is situated higher up in Provence and is quieter than many coastal towns, which is ideal with young children.

Heading towards the Côte d’Azur, many holidaymakers end up in Èze, between Nice and Monaco. The steep streets and viewpoints overlooking the sea are impressive, especially early in the day when it’s still quiet.

2. Swimming at Lac de Sainte-Croix and Lac de Castillon

On hot summer days, many families head to Lac de Sainte-Croix and Lac de Castillon in the Verdon to cool off. The clear water and gently sloping beaches make these lakes popular with families with children.

Lac de Sainte-Croix

Young children in particular can play safely on the shores of Lac de Sainte-Croix. Many families spend the whole day here with a cool box, a parasol and an inflatable boat. Water shoes are useful as some of the beaches consist of small pebbles.

Things to bring:

• water shoes
• parasol
• cool box
• life jacket for young children

Lac de Castillon

Lac de Castillon near Castellane has a more peaceful atmosphere and is nestled amongst the mountains. As well as swimming, you can also go stand-up paddleboarding, canoeing and hire pedalos here. The FranceComfort-Domaine de Castellane holiday park is nearby.

3. Canoeing in the Gorges du Verdon

For many families, the Gorges du Verdon is one of the highlights of a holiday in the South of France. The river winds its way between towering limestone cliffs, and the turquoise water immediately catches the eye. It’s an easy drive there from the Résidence de Salernes holiday park.

At Lac de Sainte-Croix, families can hire canoes, electric boats and pedalos. Canoeing on the Verdon is suitable for children aged around 6 and over who can swim. It’s best to set off early in the morning. It’s often quieter and cooler around 9.00 am.

As you sail along, you’ll pass through narrow passages and past high rock faces where the sun sometimes barely penetrates. Older children often opt for more active pursuits such as rafting, canyoning or kayaking. This makes the Verdon a popular destination for families looking for an active holiday.

If you’d like to check out routes and viewpoints in advance, you’ll find up-to-date information about the area on the website of the Parc naturel régional du Verdon.

4. Boat trips to Saint-Tropez and the islands

By boat to Saint-Tropez

For many families, a boat trip is an essential part of a holiday on the Côte d’Azur. In summer, many holidaymakers avoid the busy roads to Saint-Tropez by taking the boat. Boats departs daily for Saint-Tropez from Sainte-Maxime, Cannes, Nice and Saint-Raphaël. The morning boats are particularly popular on hot summer days.

From the Résidence de Salernes villa park, you can drive to ports such as Sainte-Maxime and Saint-Raphaël. During the crossing, you’ll sail past bays, villas and yachts along the coast. Once you arrive, you can walk straight into the centre of Saint-Tropez. Around the harbour, families stroll past terraces, luxury yachts and ice-cream parlours. Many holidaymakers combine a visit to Saint-Tropez with seaside resorts such as Sainte-Maxime and Fréjus.

Stop-off at Port Grimaud

On the way, many families stop off at Port Grimaud, often referred to as the ‘Venice of Provence’. Little bridges, colourful houses and small boats create a very different atmosphere here compared to Saint-Tropez.

Islands off the Côte d’Azur

The islands off the coast of southern France are also popular with families. Porquerolles attracts many visitors because the island is car-free and has small beaches with crystal-clear water. The Îles de Lérins near Cannes, on the other hand, feel much quieter than the bustling coastal towns.

5. Visit cities such as Nice, Marseille and Cannes

During a holiday in Provence-Côte d’Azur, many families combine days at the beach with visits to cities such as Nice, Marseille and Cannes. Especially in summer, it’s a good idea to park early; temperatures rise quickly later in the day.

Nice with children

Nice is famous for the Promenade des Anglais along the seafront and the old town with its ice-cream parlours, markets and restaurants. Children often play by the fountains in Place Masséna or hop on the tourist train heading for the viewpoints above the city.

Marseille and the Calanques

Marseille feels bigger and busier than many other places on the Côte d’Azur. Around the Vieux-Port, children watch the fishing boats and street musicians along the quayside. Boat trips depart from the city to the Calanques, famous for their white cliffs and clear blue bays. Many holidaymakers check the information from the Parc national des Calanques in advance for walking routes and access rules.

Cannes, Antibes and Monaco

Cannes attracts families thanks to its film festival, the promenade, beaches and harbour. Antibes and Juan-les-Pins are also popular for their combination of beaches, markets and a compact old town. Many families also take a day trip to Monaco from Nice. Children are amazed by the harbour full of yachts, the palace and the aquarium perched on the rock above the sea.

6. Zoos and aquariums

Zoos and aquariums remain particularly popular with families with young children during a holiday in Provence-Côte d’Azur. The region is home to several zoos, bird parks and aquariums that are ideal for hot days or when the weather isn’t at its best.

The Marseille Aquarium near the Vieux-Port is popular for its large tanks housing Mediterranean fish and sharks. In the Camargue, bird parks such as the Parc Ornithologique de Pont de Gau attract many visitors thanks to their flamingos, herons and other waterbirds.

Zoo de la Barben near Aix-en-Provence is also a favourite with families. Here, giraffes, lions, elephants and rhinos roam in spacious enclosures amongst the hills of Provence. It’s particularly more pleasant to walk around here with children in the morning than in the middle of hot summer days.

7. Water parks and aqua parks

Water fun on hot summer days

For many children, a day out at a water park is an essential part of the summer holidays. Families often set off early on hot days to avoid the crowds. Water play areas and smaller slides are particularly popular with young children. Water shoes are useful as the tiles can get very hot in the midday sun.

Well-known water parks in Provence-Côte d’Azur

The page on 10 water parks in Provence-Côte d’Azur features several well-known parks. Aqualand Fréjus mainly attracts families with older children because of its tall slides. Aquasplash Antibes and Wave Island are popular on hot summer days. Families with young children sometimes prefer Parc de Loisirs Dracénie Provence, which has play areas, water attractions and inflatable play equipment.

Holiday park with a swimming pool

Many families combine active outings with quiet days at a child-friendly holiday park. A swimming pool at the holiday park or one near the holiday home therefore remains a popular feature during a holiday in the South of France.

8. Visiting the lavender fields

The lavender fields around Valensole and Sault attract many visitors every summer. Cars regularly stop along the roads to take photos of the purple fields. At stalls along the route, farmers sell honey, soap and lavender oil. It gets quieter around sunset. For photographers, this is the ideal moment.

Flowering season and routes

Lavender usually blooms between mid-June and the end of July. Temperatures are more pleasant and the light is at its best, particularly early in the morning and at the end of the day. You can find up-to-date information on the blooming season and routes through the lavender fields on the Office de Tourisme de Valensole website.

Best times to visit:

• early in the morning for quieter roads
• late afternoon for softer light
• mid-June to late July for fields in bloom
• on weekdays when it’s less busy

The lavender fields in Provence are easily accessible from the FranceComfort-Vallée de la Ste. Baume holiday park.

9. Beach days on the Côte d’Azur

Sainte-Maxime, Fréjus and Antibes are popular for their wide, child-friendly sandy beaches. You can also enjoy the Mediterranean Sea in Cassis and Sanary-sur-Mer.

Many families head to the beach before 10.00 am and return to their holiday home or the swimming pool around lunchtime. This helps them avoid the hottest and busiest hours of the day. During the summer, the France Bleu website regularly publishes updates on crowd levels, water quality and beach conditions along the Côte d’Azur.

Many families take the following with them:

• a parasol or beach shelter
• snorkelling kit for children
• water shoes
• a cool box with drinks

Children build sandcastles, look for shells or snorkel along the rocks whilst their parents relax and enjoy the sun and sea.

What can you do on hot days?

Activities that families often plan for early on:

• beach days
• walking
• visiting Saint-Tropez
• seeing the lavender fields

10. Tree-top adventure parks and adventure forests

There are several climbing parks around Fréjus, Aix-en-Provence and Grimaud where children can get active. Families with children aged between 6 and 14 in particular love to plan a day out at an adventure forest.

The courses feature rope bridges, climbing nets and zip lines amongst the trees. Many climbing parks also have routes suitable for young children from around 4 years old.

A popular adventure park is Aoubré near Flassans-sur-Issole. As well as climbing routes, you’ll find walking trails, animal enclosures and play areas for younger children here.

11. Markets and summer festivals

Markets are an integral part of Provence-Côte d’Azur. The markets smell of herbs, fresh fruit and grilled chicken, whilst children wander around with a crêpe or a slice of melon. Many families take home olive oil, herbs, lavender or other regional products.

In July and August, many village squares transform into small festivals in the evenings, complete with music, long tables and stalls. On the page about markets in Provence and the Côte d’Azur, you’ll find well-known weekly markets and evening markets. Up-to-date dates for markets and summer events are often listed on the regional website of Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur Tourisme.

12. Amusement parks and theme parks

For families staying in Provence-Côte d’Azur for longer than a week, amusement parks offer a fun change of pace. OK Corral and Parc Spirou Provence are among the region’s best-known theme parks and are popular with children aged between approximately 4 and 14.

Kids Island also remains a favourite with younger children. This park combines rides, play areas and water play areas for families with children up to around 10 years old. Many families plan a day out at an amusement park between quiet days by the pool or on the beach.

13. Water sports for families

There are plenty of opportunities for water sports along the Mediterranean coast, including for children. You’ll find a variety of activities for families. More and more families are hiring stand-up paddleboards or kayaks. This works particularly well with children in quiet bays.

Older children are more likely to opt for snorkelling or diving. Around rocky coastal areas, there are plenty of small fish swimming about, which makes snorkelling surprisingly enjoyable.

14. Cycling with children

Provence has plenty of cycle routes for families, taking in lavender fields, nature reserves and villages. On the page about cycling in Provence-Côte d’Azur, you’ll find various routes for an active day trip.

Around Mont Serein, on the northern side of Mont Ventoux, activities such as tubing, climbing routes and short mountain bike trails are also organised in the summer. More and more families are hiring e-bikes to cover longer distances more easily. Routes past vineyards and lakes are particularly popular.

15. Walking with children

During a holiday in the South of France, many families go for walks in the countryside. The page on walking in Provence features several routes suitable for families.

Many families opt for short walks of one or two hours and set off early in the morning during the summer to avoid the heat. Make sure to bring plenty of water, sun cream and hats.

The Massif des Maures and the Massif de la Sainte-Baume are popular for their shaded paths and beautiful natural surroundings. The Sentier des Ocres near Roussillon is also a favourite with families. During this short walk, you’ll pass striking red and orange-coloured rocks.

16. Driving the Route Napoléon

The Route Napoléon is one of France’s best-known driving routes and runs right through Provence-Côte d’Azur. Along the way, you’ll pass mountains, lakes and villages, making the route a popular day trip for families. The route passes the FranceComfort-Domaine de Castellane holiday park.

A well-known stop-off point is Grasse, famous for its perfume houses. Children often find it surprisingly fun to see how perfumes are made. As you head towards Castellane, the landscape constantly changes from coastal areas to mountains and countryside.

17. Visiting castles

Scattered throughout Provence-Côte d’Azur are ancient castles, abbeys and fortified towns. Children are particularly fascinated by towers, staircases and viewpoints. Many castles are perched high above villages, so you can combine a visit with a walk or a stop at a terrace in the surrounding area.

18. Spotting flamingos in the Camargue

The Camargue is one of the most beautiful nature reserves in the south of France. You’ll drive past marshes, salt flats and wetlands where flamingos stand amongst the reeds. Many families check the Parc naturel régional de Camargue website in advance for walking routes and birdwatching spots.

Flamingos are particularly easy to spot in the morning and late afternoon, when it’s quieter and cooler in the nature reserves. You can drive straight there from the FranceComfort-Jardin du Golf holiday park.

19. Visiting caves

On hot summer days, caves are popular because it stays cool inside. There are stalactite caves in various parts of Provence where families can take guided tours. For children, this often feels like an adventure. The temperature in caves is usually around 12 to 15 degrees. It’s a good idea to bring a cardigan or light jacket, especially for younger children. Some caves have narrow passages and underground rivers.

20. Tips for bad weather

Although the south of France is known for its sunny weather, there can be the odd rainy day. On such days, many families opt for an aquarium, a cave or a visit to a perfume house in Grasse. At the perfume houses, you’ll learn how fragrances are made, and children are often allowed to smell different perfumes.

On rainy days, families often check Météo-France to see where the weather in the south of France is set to clear up the quickest.