Plan Your Trip

Travel with Children

Provence and the Côte d'Azur is a wonderful place to travel with children. There's swimming and snorkelling galore, cycling through lavender fields, kayaking in the Camargue, visiting Roman ruins, walking along the Calanques and wildlife-watching in the Parc National du Mercantour, to name a few.

Best Regions for Kids

Nice, Monaco & Menton

Riviera glamour isn't just for grown-ups: skate or scooter along Nice's Promenade des Anglais; hop on a boat for a scenic cruise or a dolphin excursion; and in Monaco, watch the changing of the guard, ogle the yachts and slurp milkshakes at Stars 'n' Bars.

St-Tropez to Toulon

Buckets and spades, beachcombing, swimming, snorkelling – it's all about the beach here.

Arles & the Camargue

Quiet roads, bountiful nature, long beaches and activities galore make the Camargue one of the easiest places to visit en famille. Add evocative Roman ruins in Arles and you have the perfect holiday.

Haute-Provence & the Southern Alps

White-water activities in the Verdon, snow fun in the mountains, dinosaurs in Digne and the Vallée des Merveilles – nature is Haute-Provence's drawcard.

Provence & the Côte d'Azur for Kids

Museums & Activities

Many museums and monuments are free for kids, but rules vary – sometimes 'kids' refers to children aged under 18, sometimes to children aged under six or 12. Family tickets, covering two adults and two children, are often available.

Note that for many outdoor activities (rafting, canoeing, horse riding etc) there is often an age minimum, generally six or seven years. Check in advance to avoid disappointed faces on the day.

Food & Drink

Eating out en famille is commonplace, but the French will expect children to behave properly at the table – so don't let the kids run wild. Most restaurants don't open for dinner before 7.30pm, so brasseries (which serve food continuously) are often a more useful option for families.

There is usually a menu enfant (children's menu) – pizza, pasta and steak hâché-frites (bunless hamburger and fries) are staples. Don't be shy about ordering a starter or half-portion as a child's meal; most restaurants will happily oblige.

Drinks can be pricey in restaurants (€5 for a soda is not unusual); save money by ordering une carafe d'eau (a jug of tap water) or un sirop (syrup; €2 at most), diluted with water. If you want a straw, ask for une paille.

Practical Tips

Public toilets are rare in smaller towns and villages, but automated loos are common in cities. Most visitor attractions and some service stations have dedicated loos with baby-changing facilities.

Breastfeeding is generally not a problem. Nappies, baby formula, baby food and other supplies are widely available in shops and supermarkets.

Note that children under four get free train travel, and discounted tickets are available for older kids.

Children's Highlights

Rainy Days

AGo Roman at Ludo, Pont du Gard.

AWatch sharks and fish at Musée Océanographique de Monaco.

ATest your sense of smell at Musée International de la Parfumerie.

ALearn about the stars at Centre d'Astronomie.

Wildlife Watching

ASee wolves in the wild at Alpha.

AGo horse riding and flamingo-watching in the Camargue.

ASpot fish while snorkelling in Port-Cros, Domaine du Rayol or the Corniche de l'Estérel.

AMeet goats at La Ferme des Courmettes.

Outdoor Activities

AClamber among rocks, caves and cliffs on the Sentier de Littoral in Cap d'Antibes.

AHike one of the nature trails on the Domaine des Courmettes near Vence.

APaddle a canoe under the Pont du Gard.

ARe-live medieval battles at Château des Baux.

ATackle the adventure course at Colorado Aventures. (%06 78 26 68 91; www.colorado-aventures.com; adult/child €18/14; hclosed Jan; c)

Planning

When to Go

For swimming and sunshine, the best times are from May to September; for skiing in the mountains, the season runs from December to March.

Be careful of the heat – especially in midsummer, when the sun is fierce. It's very easy to get sunburned, even on overcast days; cover up and slap on the sunscreen.

Accommodation

Most hotels have quadruple or family rooms with extra beds for the kids. Chambres d'hôte (B&Bs) are a great family option; many offer dinner on the premises, which takes care of babysitting arrangements: just bring a baby monitor to wine and dine in peace.

Renting your own gîte (self-catering cottage) is the best idea if you don't mind staying in one place; it feels more like home, and you can cook your own meals.

Camping is popular too. Book ahead, as tent pitches and mobile homes get snapped up fast.

What to Pack

Don't panic if you forget something: you will find everything you need in French shops and supermarkets.

Babies & Toddlers

AA carry sling: pushchairs are a pain on cobbled lanes.

AA portable changing mat (changing facilities are a rarity)

AA screw-on seat for toddlers (restaurants don't always have high chairs)

AInflatable armbands for the sea or pool

ABaby sunscreen and mosquito repellent

Children Aged Six to 12

AEntertainment for car journeys: tablets, DVD players, activity books, sketchpads (remember to pack chargers and extra plug adapters)

ASwimming gear, goggles, snorkel and flip-flops for the beach

ABinoculars for spotting wildlife

AWater bottle

ACamera and batteries