Growing up I was lucky enough to travel quite a bit, we plan on doing the same with Abbie and showing her the world, starting off more locally and working our way up to the bigger places! If you’re looking for somewhere to visit in Europe that has plenty for all the family, then France is an excellent choice, it offers something for everyone, with art and cultural attractions, exciting tourist sites and a wide range of delicious food and drink to sample.
Travelling to France One of the benefits of France for families is its convenient location to the UK. There are a variety of transport methods and it is perfectly placed if you want to take your own car away with you, as you can travel by ferry or take the Le Shuttle service. Alternatively, you could fly direct from one of the UK’s regional airports to destinations across France or use the Eurostar in around an hour and a half, perfect if you have little ones who aren't great with long journeys!
Where to visit There are plenty of towns and regions to visit across France and they all offer something different. Whether you’re looking to explore some of the country’s stunning coastline, immerse yourself in its extensive history and heritage or have some fun at one of the many tourist attractions, France makes the perfect base for a family holiday.
Northern France is ideally situated for UK visitors. It offers a short traveling time and you can easily use your car. A break in Brittany would be perfect for British visitors as this part of France is steeped in history, with an abundance of gloriously sandy breaches and a variety of cultural sites. There are also a variety of beautiful hotels in Brittany to choose from for a relaxing break, having been here myself, it's definitely perfect for Abbie and great for Photography too!
Different accommodation Holidaying with children can be great fun, but it’s important to choose the right type of accommodation. One of the benefits of France is that it has an excellent selection of self-catering sites, which can be an ideal option when you have children. You could chose from rustic country cottages; swish city apartments, well equipped caravans, great camping sites or luxury lodges.
What to do It’s essential that when you booking your hotel in France that you take attractions into account. Pick a hotel in a location that allows you to easily see the sites as well as get away from it all and relax, if you prefer the whole touristy thing of walking around everywhere then go for it, however pushing around a pushchair and changing bags might want you to be closer to all the amenities and attractions!
Puy du Fou on the west coast is a fantastic place for children. This theme park has an historical element and features re-enactments with Gladiators, Vikings and the French and English armies.
Nantes is a beautiful area to spend some time on your holiday in France. It has a gorgeous quayside with plenty of attractions, including the chance to ride on the top of a mechanical elephant.
Normandy is an ideal base for a cycling holiday. The region has a large area of flat terrain and many easily accessible routes for all abilities; including the Loire à Vélo, which covers 500 miles by the Loire.
Brittany has plenty of rural sites, as well as the region’s coastal attractions. This includes Lac de Guerlédan, which is a large lake with sandy beaches, alongside calm waters for kayaks and pedalos. The town of Pont-Aven is a haven for art lovers.
However you choose to spend your family holiday in France, it will provide you with many lasting memories and is a country you’ll want to visit again.
And don't forget to relax and enjoy! :)
x
