Family holidays in France
France is a large, incredibly varied country, with wonders in each region that will delight the whole family. If your children are learning French at school, they’ll love hearing it in everyday use, and there are few more impressive cities than Paris. France also boasts a beautiful coastline and delightful smaller villages – and all are accessible when travelling with children.
When to go
Summer is great for a beach holiday, spring for a city break or of course winter for skiing.
Top tip
Motorways can become extremely busy in the summer months, when most of the French population heads on holiday.
Food
As the country responsible for the invention of the restaurant and haute cuisine, France takes food just a little seriously. This doesn’t mean your children won’t be welcome at restaurants, but rather that you can expect them to eat well while they’re there. Traditional French food can be slightly creamy and heavy for a child’s tastes, but deliciously fresh vegetables, fruit and even (sacré bleu!) fast food are nearly always available if preferred.
Entertainment
Even if you rely on entirely natural options, you’ll not be short of entertainment in France. The coastline and the countryside of the interior are both equally beautiful - you could even try a bit of camping. And, if you opt for a city break instead, you’ll be struggling to fit it all in. Paris boasts a lifetime’s worth entertainment, from theme parks to the Louvre to boat trips, while cities like Nice and Marseille offer a great mix of metropolitan pastimes and nearby seaside relaxation.
Flying time
1 - 2hours
Time difference
GMT + 1 hour
Transfer times
- Paris:
- Paris Charles de Gaulle International Airport – approximately 60 mins (can be much longer depending on traffic)
- Lyon:
- Lyon International Airport – approximately 35 mins
- Nice:
- Nice International Airport – approximately 20 mins
