Fancy skiing in the morning and playing on the beach in the afternoon? The South of France has got you covered. With miles of ‘azure’ coastline, snow covered mountains and a plethora of pretty hilltop towns in between – not to mention some of the best weather in France – it’s easy to see why it’s a mecca for families.
Whether you choose to fly, drive or hop on a scenic coastal train, exploring the South of France with kids is an adventure in itself, and multi-base itineraries are a great way to go. Pair Provence with the Midi-Pyrenees or the French Riviera with Corsica to get the most out of your family friendly South of France vacation, catering to all your crew’s activity favourites while weaving in some foodie hot spots and a vineyard or two for yourselves.
We’ve rounded up our top picks of things to do and where to stay in the South of France with kids for a hassle free adventure that will tick all the family’s boxes.
The 7 Best Areas to Stay in the South of France With Kids
1. Provence
From epic scenery and romantic hilltop villages to castles, hip art crowds and a bucket load of outdoor activities, there’s something for every age group, and adrenaline tolerance in Provence.
Set away from the coast and up in the hills, pretty Provencal towns such as Saint-Rémy and Eygalieres offer a mix of beautiful views, historic cobbled streets and idyllic town squares where the kids can safely play while parents enjoy a coffee.
The Luberon is the place to head to frolic amongst the famous lavender fields (from June to August), and is home to the lesser traveled but seriously charming villages of Bonnieux and Gordes – worth a visit for their panoramic views best enjoyed with a glass of local Rosé, or an ice cream.
Those seeking wilder adventures can’t go wrong in The Carmague home to indigenous wild horses , pink flamingos and rose-coloured salt flats.
Stay At: The Avenue de la Leque Residence for a hassle-free vacation with an outdoor pool and the beautiful village of Eygalières just a few minutes walk away. Explore Provence vacation homes
2. French Riviera
The French Riviera or the Cote d’azure, is the place to head for sandy, family friendly beaches and those famous blue waters. Antibes offers up a good variety alongside a ferris wheel, playgrounds and museums, while pretty Paloma Beach on Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat is one of the region’s most scenic, drawing families for its rock jumping and snorkelling creds.
For French Riviera family vacations where relaxation is high on the agenda, seek out laid back coastal towns such as Eze or Hyères. Those looking for a livelier vibe will find a vibrant social scene alongside some serious glamour in Saint Tropez and Cannes.
Just outside Cagnes-sur-Mer is Le Bois de Lutins, a family friendly adventure park with a forest theme. Suitable for kids age 2 and up it includes a mix of treehouses, ziplines, playgrounds and net walks.
Stay At: The Avenue des Fauvettes Residence for a taste of the Belle Epoch in one of Hyères’ most beautifully preserved Victorian villas. Explore French Riviera Vacation Homes
3. Languedoc
Kids into Knights and Bikes will find plenty of IRL adventure in Languedoc, home to some of the country’s best preserved fortress towns as well as some thrilling biking trails.
Stretching between Provence and the Pyrenees, its mountainous landscape is dotted with UNESCO world heritage sites including forts and castles, alongside plenty of land and water based activities providing the perfect mix of things to do with kids in the south of france.
Jump on the open ‘Yellow Train’ which climbs through the hills to up to the 11th century fortress town of the Villefranche-de-Conflent or play at knights/ chevaliers at Carcassone’s Cité Médiévale, a rampart ringed fortress dating back two millenia.
Stay At: The Country Kids Farmhouse estate for all-inclusive childcare at one of Europe’s top rated family resorts. Explore Languedoc Vacation Homes
4. Midi-Pyrénées
Stretching down from the Spanish border, this landlocked region includes numerous ski resorts as well as the Averyon river gorges and culture rich Toulouse – home to the excellent Cité de l’espace, a sure fire hit for any aspiring astronauts.
What the region lacks in beaches it more than makes up for with its mountains, valleys, lakes and natural parks with plenty of outdoor adventure on offer including kayaking, climbing, horse riding, biking, caving and skiing. Medieval, legends, fortresses and castles also abound and kids can see knights in action at the Durandel, where cinematic and real life acrobatics, stuntmen and actors co. Until June 2024 France’s own Escalabar could be seen at Rocamadour but it disappeared in mysterious circumstances…
For parents keen to sample the local vintage, increasing numbers of vineyards also cater for kids with playgrounds, trails, picnics or even escape room style games, such as the one hosted at the Chateau Bojac.
Stay At: The Mount Kenya Safari Tent for a luxe safari style adventure set amongst epic French sceney. Explore Midi-Pyrénées Vacation Homes.
5. Corsica
Swap screen time for island adventure on an epic scale in Corsica. With over 200 beaches, one of Europe’s most spectacular hiking routes and a vast array of land and water based activity, the kids won’t have time to miss their devices.
Rivers, lakes and the coast offer up a mix of kayaking, windsurfing, sailing, stand up paddle boarding and diving. For those swimming with little ones, the Fango river offers the warmest water temperature while Arinella and Bodri beaches near Calvi serve up gently shelving sand and shady spots. Combine with a trip on the coastal train which takes the scenic route to L’Ile Rousse, ideal for those visiting Corsica without a car.
Wildlife enthusiasts should head to the west coast to visit Europe’s leading turtle research and conservation centre Acupulatta, home to over 170 species.
Stay At: Villa Alzitella for hilltop elegance with serious mountain and sea views. Explore Corsica Vacation Homes.
6. Beaujolais
Think of Beaujolais and the easy drinking red wine might spring to mind, though the region has much to offer beyond that the kids will also love including cooking classes, horse riding treks, michelin star restaurants and theme parks (although yes, we are talking wine themed).
France’s first vine and wine theme park, Hameau Dubœuf was developed by one of the region’s largest wine producers and offers a novel way for adults and kids to have some vineyard fun with tastings for the parents and 4D cinema, rides and mini golf for the kids.
Stay At: The Domaine de Vavril Residence for 18th century manor charm surrounded by vineyards. Explore Beaujolais Vacation Homes
7. Southwest France
Including the Dordogne, the Lot, Bordeaux, and the ‘wild coast’, Southwest France has just as many jewels in its crown as the lauded east.
Surfers will be in their element along the Côte Sauvage, with beautiful, sandy beaches which stretch for miles. Head to Hossegor for crashing waves, chilled beach cafes and wonderful sunsets. The Landes pine forests which back the coast are perfect for family bike rides with numerous trails for all abilities.
The Dordogne is the place for epic river canoeing, castles and caves, including the Grotte de Lascaux to see France’s most famous prehistoric cave paintings. Its next door neighbour – The Lot – is slightly quieter and has just as much to offer, from fairytale medieval villages to caves, gorges, and hiking trails for all abilities. Buy your tickets in advance if planning to visit the spectacular Padirac Chasm, they almost always sell out on the door!
Bordeaux is an excellent base for families looking to blend some city culture and kid-friendly museums with coastal day trips, and vineyard tours around Southwest France. Either head to Saint-Emilion (a gorgeous little medieval town) or follow the Route des Vins through the Médoc
Stay At: The Ruisseau du Boue Residence for 17th century chateau vibes with all the mod cons and space for up to 20. Explore Southwest France Vacation Homes.
Booking Your South of France Family Vacation
When working out where to stay in the South of France with kids, consider the preferred activities and age range of your family group. With so much variety on offer there’s a vacation base and a budget to suit every family and it’s easy to combine a laid back beach break with some outdoor adventure of the mountainous kind, or a vineyard road trip with some city culture if you choose the right area.
Thanks to France’s good public transport network, car-free vacations are also entirely possible. Look for villas which are walkable from towns and amenities with hiking and biking paths, or local transport connections on the doorstep.
Take the hassle out of packing and check out our range of South of France residences featuring toys, games, cribs, and more so you can travel light, and leave more space for bringing home the French goodies.
Frequently Asked Questions
The South of France is a great place to visit with kids, with a wealth of family-friendly attractions, stylish yet spacious accommodation options, and outdoor activities to suit every level and taste.
It’s a large area with a diverse terrain and climate so all you need to decide is the style of holiday and activities your family wants, the South of France will do the rest.
The South of France is a large area with a diverse terrain and climate so you could easily spend weeks exploring. For those with shorter vacation time, it’s possible to enjoy an area of The South of France for a week or even a weekend if you stay in one coastal town or city.
Bordeaux is said to be one of the safest cities in France. It’s an easy place to explore safely with kids and is popular with families who enjoy biking and scooting along the riverfront (les quais), frolicking in the Place de la Bourse’s Miroir d’eau splash pools, and picnicking in the pretty Jardin Public.
- https://www.kidandcoe.com/destinations/southwest-france/the-ruisseau-du-boue-residence
- https://www.kidandcoe.com/destinations/beaujolais/the-domaine-de-vavril-residence
- https://www.kidandcoe.com/destinations/corsica/villa-alzitella
- https://www.kidandcoe.com/destinations/st-antonin-noble-val/the-mount-kenya-safari-tent
- https://www.kidandcoe.com/destinations/eygalieres/the-avenue-de-la-leque-residence
