The best family holiday destinations in France

Plan the best family holiday to France with this LeShuttle guide! We’ve gathered the region’s best holiday destinations, resorts and attractions so that you can have a jam-packed and joyous trip! 

Plan the best family holiday in France

A family holiday can be tricky to plan, especially if you have a wide range of age groups. Luckily, these destinations all have plenty to offer everyone, keeping the whole family entertained.

Paris

Although well known for romantic breaks, Paris is also a wonderful place for the whole family. Museums, parks, shopping, and plenty of restaurants to choose from means there is truly something for everyone.

Visit the parks in Paris

As well as being a city steeped in culture, Paris is also home to some gorgeous parks and gardens. Taking a leisurely afternoon stroll through the Parc des Buttes-Chaumont can be a welcome way to escape the heat during the warmer months. The ever-popular Jardin du Luxembourg is filled with puppet shows, pony rides, and ice-cream stands making it a great place to visit with children. Equally, if you fancy something a little more daring, Paris is also close to some amazing theme parks - more about those below! 

Visit the art galleries

As well as the Louvre, Paris is home to art galleries across the city, notably in Montmartre - an inspiring home for artists, writers and other creatives during the Belle Époque (Beautiful Era).

See the Eiffel Tower

No trip to Paris is complete without a visit to this famous landmark. You can buy tickets to ride elevators to its top, with unmatched views of the city awaiting you.

Dordogne

One of the oldest departments in France, the boundaries of Dordogne are a reminder of the ancient county of Périgord, home of the Gauls, a group of Celtic peoples in the Iron Age and the Roman era. Bring the family for a holiday steeped in history.

Castles of Dordogne

If you have a penchant for palaces, you are in luck as there are nearly 1,000 across the Dordogne. Head for Château des Milandes, a pretty castle that housed French Resistance fighters or medieval fortress Château de Castelnaud for views over the Dordogne river.

Outdoor adventures

Canoeing, kayaking or hiking are ideal ways to explore the beautiful Dordogne Valley with the whole family. Discover the region’s castles, prehistoric sites, wildlife and landscapes from a fresh and unique perspective with one of the area’s many guided tours.

Adventure parks

Leisure and theme parks are plentiful in the area, from waterparks to nature reserves. Perigord.com has a full list of the different parks available.

Strasbourg

Strasbourg is a fantastic place to visit as a family with endless outdoor activities, museums, and places to shop and eat. Nestled in the centre of the mountainous region of Alsace, it’s just half a day's drive from LeShuttle in Calais.

Barrage Vauban

This 17th century covered bridge is tonnes of fun for children as they can explore the statues and ancient plaster casts on display, as well as climb on the roof to see the city from up high. 

La Petit France

This historic quarter of the city was once home to the city's tanners, millers and fishermen. It is also where the river Ill splits into channels that cascade through the area, making it particularly picturesque. Timbered buildings, narrow lanes, and footbridges make exploring fun for all the family.

Boat Tours

All aboard for a waterway tour of the city, which will take you on the river Ill. Guides can tell you the city’s history and point out places of interest along the way.

Nice

A gem in the south of France’s crown, Nice is a wonderful family destination, especially if you love the seaside.

A drive to Nice is always worth the trip.

Nice Carnival

Typically held each February, Nice Carnival is one of the most popular events on the French Riviera. It started in 1873 and today it is an opulent show of floats, musical entertainment, and creativity.

Playgrounds

Nice has innovative playgrounds around every corner, from the Promenade du Paillon which features a giant climbing whale and octopus swings, to Parc des Deux Rois with its ping pong tables.

Beaches

Nice has plenty of beaches to choose from, including La Réserve close to the city centre and, although technically a little outside Nice, Plage des Marinières beside the pretty fishing village of Villefranche-sur-Mer is a must for swimming and snorkelling.

Don’t forget to complete your beach trip with ice cream. We recommend Fenocchio on Place Rossetti in Nice's old town, which has an impressive 94 varieties on offer: 59 different flavours of ice cream, and 35 sorbets.

Parc Phoenix

Parc Phoenix is a child-oriented botanical garden where they can learn all about fauna and flora. There are animals to see, and dinosaur fans will certainly enjoy the Island of Bygone Times where prehistoric plants can be found.

Bordeaux

Although being the capital of the wine region may not be all that child-friendly, a family trip to Bordeaux is full of activities and sights that everyone can enjoy.

Jardin Public

The Bordeaux Public Garden is a gorgeous outdoor space, ripe for exploring. Taking inspiration from English gardens, it covers over 11 hectares and features lush greenery and a nature pool.

Musée d'Aquitaine

Musée d'Aquitaine is one of the largest French regional history museums outside of Paris. Covering pre-Roman Bordeaux to the present day, it will keep you captivated with its exhibitions and displays.

Visit the beach

A short one-hour drive from Bordeaux lies Arcachon, with each of its four quarters named after a season. A charming oyster-harvesting area on the southern side of the tranquil, triangular Bassin d'Arcachon (Arcachon Bay), this seaside town features some gorgeous 1950s architecture. With stunning sandy beaches, turquoise sea, and a pretty town ideal for afternoon strolls, this is a perfect day trip.

The French Alps

If your family holidays usually focus around being in the great outdoors, the Alps are perfect. No matter the time of year, there are sports, hikes, and views to enjoy. Many head here for skiing, but a summer in the Alps is just as rewarding.

Flaine

A popular ski destination, Flaine is known for monumental outdoor sculptures by artists such as Pablo Picasso, and 1960s Bauhaus-inspired buildings. The ski school here is particularly good for children.

Méribel

Meribel is another great resort for families. The Inuit Village is a favourite, with a variety of obstacles and games for kids to enjoy, while still practicing their skiing skills. The grownups can enjoy the apres-ski at local restaurants and bars too.

Holiday resorts in France for families

Whether you’re looking for camp sites, beach resorts, theme parks, city breaks, self-catering options or all-inclusive getaways, France is packed with family-friendly holiday resorts. 

Eurocamp

Eurocamp holidays are perfect for families looking for low-cost, self-catering breaks. These sites have a range of family-friendly facilities, including bars, restaurants, shops, on-site entertainment, kids clubs and impressive water parks. With locations across the North and South of France, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to explore nearby attractions and landmarks.

Disneyland® Paris

Families looking for memorable holiday resorts will not be disappointed by Disneyland® Paris. The theme park is the perfect place to stay if you want to immerse the whole family in a truly magical experience. With your favourite characters nearby as well as exciting rides, shows, parades and attractions, you’ll have plenty to do. What’s more, it only takes around 3 hours 15 minutes to drive to Disneyland® Paris from the LeShuttle Calais terminal. 

Parc Astérix

Just two and half hours from our Calais terminal, Parc Astérix is perfect for thrill-seeking families and Astérix fans. You’ll find rollercoasters and rides for all ages here, as well as shows, parades and more. Hotel guests can also enjoy the park 30 minutes before everyone else!

Start your family holiday to France with LeShuttle

Ready to whisk the family away? LeShuttle can take you from Folkestone, UK to Calais, France in just 35 minutes and from there the adventure is yours to take.