Where to Go in France with Kids

Last Updated on September 24, 2026 by Ina Geißler

Trying to decide where to go in France with kids? France has much more to offer families than Paris and the French Riviera. Over the years, we have explored very different parts of the country with our four children – from Disneyland Paris and the streets of the capital to Corsica, Alsace, the Atlantic Coast and, most recently, the Mediterranean beaches around Sérignan-Plage.

Each region gave us a completely different kind of family holiday. Some are ideal for first-time visitors, others work best for a relaxed beach holiday, a road trip or a short stop on a longer European journey. In this guide, I share our first-hand experiences to help you find the part of France that genuinely fits your family.

Best places to go in France with kids

France with kids can mean a city break, a theme park holiday, a road trip, a relaxed week by the sea or a combination of several completely different experiences. That variety is one of the main reasons we keep returning to France as a family.

Over the years, we have visited very different parts of France with our children:

• Paris, combining famous landmarks with slower sightseeing days
• Disneyland Paris, which we have experienced repeatedly and in different seasons
• Corsica, including the island’s beaches, river pools and contrasting east and west coasts
• the French Atlantic Coast, where we stayed near Les Sables-d’Olonne
• Alsace, with its colourful towns, castles and short driving distances
• Southern France, where we recently stayed near Sérignan-Plage in Occitanie

These destinations do not offer the same kind of family holiday. Paris and Disneyland work particularly well for sightseeing and entertainment, Corsica and Southern France are strong choices for beach holidays, while the Atlantic Coast and Alsace feel slower and often less hectic.

The following sections focus first on places we have experienced with our own children. Further down, you will also find a few additional regions to consider if your family is looking for mountains, castles or another side of France.

Paris with kids

Paris is not an effortless family destination. The city is busy, children may tire quickly from walking, and not every Metro station is convenient with a stroller. However, Paris with kids can be a wonderful part of a family trip when you slow down and resist the urge to squeeze every famous sight into one day.

We have visited Paris with our children on different trips and have also combined the city with Disneyland Paris and longer road trips through France. For us, the key is choosing a small number of priorities and leaving enough time for food, parks and spontaneous breaks.

What to do in Paris with kids

The Eiffel Tower is an obvious highlight, but children do not need a packed sightseeing itinerary to enjoy Paris. Watching the city from Trocadéro, eating crêpes, riding along the Seine or spending time in one of the city’s parks can be just as memorable as visiting a museum.

Good family activities in Paris include:

• seeing the Eiffel Tower from Trocadéro
• taking a sightseeing cruise on the Seine
• visiting one carefully chosen museum
• stopping at playgrounds, parks and carousels
• enjoying bakeries, crêpes and ice cream without rushing
• combining Paris with one or more days at Disneyland Paris

Paris works particularly well with school-age children and teenagers who already recognise the famous landmarks. With younger children, I would plan shorter sightseeing days and stay as centrally as the budget allows.

Disneyland Paris with kids

For many families wondering where to go in France with kids, Disneyland Paris is one of the most obvious answers. It can be visited as a destination in its own right or combined with Paris, Alsace, the Atlantic Coast or a longer road trip through France.

I first visited Disneyland Paris in 1992, the year the resort opened, and we have since returned several times with our children at very different ages. This has given us a good sense of how much the experience changes between visiting with younger children, school-age kids and teenagers.

Disneyland Paris now consists of Disneyland Park and Disney Adventure World. First-time visitors with only one park day will usually get the most recognisable Disney experience in Disneyland Park. Families staying for at least two days should consider both parks, especially since World of Frozen, Adventure Way and the new nighttime entertainment have made Disney Adventure World a much stronger second park.

Disneyland Paris is particularly suitable for families who:

• want a destination designed around shared family experiences
• travel with children of different ages
• enjoy themed attractions, shows and familiar characters
• prefer an organised resort with hotels and transport close to the parks
• are willing to plan ahead for tickets, accommodation and popular travel dates

It is not a cheap addition to a France trip, and busy park days can be exhausting. Choosing the right hotel, season and number of park days makes a significant difference.

Paris is compact, walkable in many areas, and full of parks and open spaces where children can move freely. Many of the city’s highlights are visually impressive even for younger kids, and public transport is easy to use with children.

Corsica with kids

Corsica is one of the places in France we would return to without hesitation. We have visited the island twice with our four children and spent around four weeks exploring its beaches, mountain roads, river pools and towns.

Both times, we travelled to Corsica by ferry and brought our own car. We mainly stayed in the northeast, but also visited places including Bastia, Ajaccio, Bonifacio, Palombaggia and Santa Giulia. This gave us a good sense of how much the island changes between its calmer east coast, mountainous interior and wilder western landscapes.

Corsica with kids is particularly well suited to families who:

• enjoy beaches but do not want to spend every day on a sun lounger
• prefer natural surroundings to heavily developed resorts
• want to combine swimming with road trips and small adventures
• are happy to explore with their own car or a rental car
• enjoy snorkelling, kayaking, river swimming and being outdoors

Some of Corsica’s beaches have shallow, calm water that works well with younger children. At the same time, older kids and teenagers can snorkel, paddle, climb over rocks or explore the island’s natural river pools.

Corsica is not the easiest choice for families looking for an all-inclusive holiday with every service immediately available. Driving distances can also be misleading because the mountain roads make many journeys considerably longer than they appear on the map. For families who value nature, freedom and variety, however, Corsica is one of the best places to go in France with kids.

South of France with kids

The South of France is often associated with the Côte d’Azur, glamorous coastal towns and small Mediterranean bays. Our own family trip took us further west to Occitanie, where we stayed near Sérignan-Plage, close to Béziers and not far from the Spanish border.

This part of Southern France feels noticeably different from the French Riviera. The coastline is wide and sandy, the landscape is warmer and more rugged, and the atmosphere already feels slightly Spanish. Instead of beach clubs and tightly arranged sun loungers, we found long stretches of sand where families brought their own beach tents, blankets and picnic bags.

We visited at the end of August and beginning of September and experienced temperatures of around 28 to 33°C. The Mediterranean was clear and calm on most days, with shallow areas and a sandbank that made swimming particularly enjoyable with children. On a couple of days, there were enough waves for the kids to have fun jumping into them without the sea feeling dangerously rough.

Why this part of Southern France works for families

The coast around Sérignan-Plage is especially suitable for families who want to combine an easy beach holiday with a few day trips. Mobile homes and holiday villages are popular in the region, and many combine direct beach access with swimming pools, playgrounds and children’s activities.

From Sérignan-Plage, families can visit places including:

• Béziers and the Canal du Midi
• the Fonseranes Locks
• Tunnel du Malpas
• the unusual landscape of the Étang de Montady
• the volcanic coastline around Cap d’Agde
• the protected dunes and beaches around Les Orpellières

A car is highly recommended because the region is spread out and larger supermarkets, towns and many day-trip destinations are much easier to reach independently.

For us, the greatest appeal was not one particular attraction. It was the combination of warm weather, clear water, wide beaches and the freedom to decide each morning whether we wanted a beach day, time by the pool or a short family excursion. This relaxed atmosphere makes the South of France one of the best places in France for a summer holiday with kids. If you’re looking for a laid-back family vacation and don’t know where to go in France with kids yet, do yourself a favor and look into this region!

The Atlantic coast with kids

The Atlantic coast of France feels completely different from the Mediterranean. Instead of calm water and reliably hot beach days, you get wide horizons, dramatic tides, rugged rock formations and waves that can change the character of a beach within a few hours. For families who love nature, space and a slightly wilder kind of seaside holiday, this part of France is well worth considering.

We spent ten days near Les Sables-d’Olonne in the Vendée with our four children. Our accommodation was a mobile home at Camping La Dune des Sables, located directly behind the dunes. It was part of a longer family road trip through France, with stops in Paris, the Jura and Alsace.

Our experience in Les Sables-d’Olonne

What we loved most was the feeling of space. The beach beside our campsite was popular, but it never felt remotely like the rows of sun loungers and tightly packed beach areas you find in some Mediterranean resorts. Families simply brought their towels, beach tents and toys and found their own place in the sand.

However, the Atlantic coast with kids requires a little more caution than a beach holiday beside a calm sea. The beach directly below our campsite was beautiful, with coarse sand, impressive rocks and powerful waves, but it was not suitable for swimming because of the currents.

When the tide went out, shallow pools formed between the rocks. Our children loved searching for shells and small crabs and playing in the water left behind by the sea. This became one of those simple holiday activities that kept them busy far longer than anything we could have planned.

For safer swimming, we preferred the Grande Plage in Les Sables-d’Olonne. The beach there slopes more gently into the water and was much better suited to a proper family beach day.

What families can do on the Atlantic coast

A family holiday on France’s Atlantic coast is not only about swimming. The region works especially well for families who enjoy spending time outdoors without needing a full sightseeing programme.

Around Les Sables-d’Olonne, we particularly enjoyed:

• walking along the wide beaches and coastal paths
• exploring the rocks and tidal pools at low tide
• spending time at the Grande Plage
• surfing or surfing lessons in France
• strolling through the centre and harbour of Les Sables-d’Olonne
• visiting the small playgrounds and children’s rides around town
• visiting the beautifully landscaped Zoo des Sables
• enjoying the pool and activities at our holiday park

Cycling and surfing are also popular along the Atlantic coast. Families travelling with older children or teenagers may find even more activities here than those looking for a classic beach holiday with toddlers.

Weather on the Atlantic coast of France

The weather is less predictable than in Southern France. We visited at the end of August and were able to swim on nine out of ten days, although some days were noticeably cooler. There was often a breeze, and we did not experience the intense summer heat you might expect along the Mediterranean.

That can be a real advantage for families who do not cope well with temperatures above 30°C. At the same time, I would always pack a light jacket and plan at least one alternative for a rainy or particularly windy day.

Who is the Atlantic coast best for?

The Atlantic coast of France with kids is a great choice if your family enjoys wide beaches, fresh air, coastal walks and a more natural holiday atmosphere. It is especially suitable for active families and for parents who do not need guaranteed heat every day.

If calm, shallow water is your main priority, you need to choose your beach carefully. Not every spectacular Atlantic beach is safe for swimming. But if you appreciate wild scenery, changing tides and plenty of space, the French Atlantic coast offers a family holiday that feels wonderfully relaxed and refreshingly different.

Alsace with kids

Alsace is one of our favourite regions in France for a shorter family trip. We have visited several times with our children and explored Strasbourg, Colmar, Ribeauvillé, Wintzenheim and the countryside near the German border. We have stayed in both a holiday home and a mobile home, and we have also used Alsace as the final stop on a longer road trip through France.

The region feels distinctly French, yet the architecture, food and place names reveal its strong German influences. Colourful half-timbered houses, vineyards, castles and compact historic towns make Alsace easy to explore without filling every day with major attractions.

Why Alsace works well for families

Alsace is not a destination built entirely around children, but it is still very family-friendly. Distances between towns and attractions are short, many historic centres are walkable, and we regularly found playgrounds in places where we needed a break.

With children, we particularly enjoyed:

• exploring the half-timbered streets of Strasbourg and Colmar
• taking playground breaks between sightseeing stops
• seeing the canals in Colmar’s Petite Venise
• riding the traditional carousel in the Parc du Champ de Mars
• visiting smaller towns such as Ribeauvillé
• walking through vineyards and around the Vosges foothills
• exploring Château du Hohlandsbourg and its castle walls

Château du Hohlandsbourg was particularly memorable for us. The children had space to move around inside the courtyard, while the path along the castle walls offered wide views across Alsace and towards the Black Forest. The parking area is located below the castle, but the remaining walk was manageable with children.

Strasbourg or Colmar with kids?

Strasbourg is the better choice if you want a larger city with impressive architecture, parks, restaurants and more variety. La Petite France is beautiful, but the city also has several green spaces and playgrounds where children can take a break from sightseeing.

Colmar feels smaller and more storybook-like. The colourful houses and canals around Petite Venise make the town visually exciting even for children who are not particularly interested in traditional sightseeing. We found it easy to combine a walk through the old town with a carousel ride, a playground stop and something sweet to eat.

Families with more time can stay outside the cities and visit several smaller towns. We stayed in Wintzenheim near Colmar and later at Camping Le Ried in Boofzheim, close to the German border. Both locations worked well as bases for exploring the region by car.

Is Alsace worth visiting with kids?

Alsace with kids is especially suitable for families who enjoy small towns, castles, gentle walks and relaxed sightseeing. It also works very well as a stop between Germany, Switzerland and other regions of France.

You can see a lot during a long weekend, but the region is varied enough for a longer stay. Autumn is our favourite season in Alsace because the vineyards, forests and historic villages look especially beautiful. The Christmas season is magical too, although places such as Strasbourg and Colmar become much busier and accommodation prices rise.

The French Alps and Jura with kids

Families who prefer lakes, mountains and outdoor activities to beach holidays will find very different landscapes in eastern France. Both the French Alps and the Jura work particularly well during summer, when hiking trails, swimming lakes and scenic drives replace winter sports.

The French Alps with kids

The French Alps offer cable cars, mountain lakes, family hiking trails and plenty of outdoor activities. They are a good choice for active families who want impressive scenery without giving up well-developed tourist infrastructure.

When choosing accommodation, look for a village with family-friendly hiking routes and activities that do not require long drives every day. Especially with younger children, easy access to cable cars, playgrounds and swimming opportunities can make a significant difference.

The Jura with kids

We spent three nights in the French Jura during our road trip from the Atlantic coast towards Alsace. After busy travel days and time by the sea, the quieter landscape felt like a welcome change of pace.

The Jura is less dramatic and less touristy than the Alps, but that is part of its appeal. Forests, lakes, waterfalls and small villages make it ideal for families who enjoy nature without needing demanding mountain hikes. It also works well as a peaceful stop on a longer family road trip through France.

More places to visit in France with kids

The destinations above are the parts of France we know from our own family trips. However, there are several other regions that may be worth considering, depending on your children’s ages and the type of holiday you enjoy.

Brittany with kids

Brittany is known for its rugged coastline, beaches, fishing villages and strong regional identity. It suits families who enjoy coastal walks, nature and changing weather more than guaranteed summer heat. As on the Atlantic coast, swimming conditions can vary considerably between beaches.

The Loire Valley with kids

The Loire Valley is a good option for families interested in castles, cycling and slower road trips. Many of its famous châteaux have extensive gardens and outdoor areas, making them easier to visit with children than traditional indoor museums.

This region is likely to appeal most to families with school-age children and teenagers who already enjoy stories about castles, royalty and French history.

Is France a good destination for families?

Yes, France is one of the most versatile countries we have visited with our four children. It works for a short city break, a two-week beach holiday and a longer family road trip. The main challenge is not finding enough to do, but deciding which region best matches your family.

If you are still wondering where to go in France with kids, these are the destinations I would consider first:

• For a first family trip to France: Paris and Disneyland Paris
• For clear water and nature: Corsica
• For a relaxed Mediterranean holiday: Southern France
• For wide beaches and cooler summer weather: the Atlantic coast
• For towns, castles and a shorter trip: Alsace
• For lakes, forests and outdoor activities: the Jura or French Alps

France is particularly easy to explore by car because you can combine very different regions within one trip. At the same time, distances are easy to underestimate. With children, I would choose fewer stops and allow enough time to experience each destination properly.

After several family trips through France, we still have places left on our list. That is probably the best thing about the country: France with kids never feels like a destination you visit once and then consider finished.

Frequently asked questions about visiting France with kids

Which part of France is best for a family holiday?

That depends on the type of trip you want. Corsica and Southern France are excellent for swimming and beach holidays, while the Atlantic coast suits families who prefer wide beaches and cooler summer temperatures. Paris, Disneyland Paris and Alsace work particularly well for shorter trips or as stops on a longer France itinerary.

Is France a child-friendly country?

Yes, France is generally easy to visit with children. Family accommodation, holiday parks, playgrounds and supermarkets are widely available, and travelling by car gives families plenty of flexibility. However, historic town centres are not always ideal for pushchairs, and children’s menus or changing facilities may be less common than some families expect.

Where should you go in France with toddlers?

With toddlers, I would choose a destination with short distances, shallow water and accommodation that allows easy breaks. Corsica’s eastern coast, selected beaches in Southern France and a holiday park with a pool can work particularly well. Disneyland Paris is also manageable with young children when you plan a slower day and stay close to the parks.

What is the best beach destination in France for families?

For calm, clear and relatively shallow water, Corsica is our favourite. Southern France around Sérignan-Plage offers long sandy beaches and warmer Mediterranean weather. The Atlantic coast is more rugged and spacious, but families need to check currents and swimming conditions carefully.

What is the best time to visit France with kids?

May, June and September are excellent months for many regions because temperatures are usually pleasant and popular destinations can be less crowded. Families who depend on school holidays will find the warmest beach weather in July and August, but prices and visitor numbers are also higher. Alsace is especially beautiful in autumn and during the Christmas season.

Is France suitable for a family road trip?

France is very suitable for road trips, particularly when you want to combine cities, beaches and countryside. The roads are generally well developed, but tolls and long distances can make the journey more expensive than expected. With children, we recommend limiting the number of accommodation changes and planning relaxed stops instead of trying to see too many regions in one trip.