Family Holidays Overview
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Family Holidays: South of France family holidays and breaks
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Why
The area of France that stretches from Marseilles to the Italian border at Menton, or in other words the Côte d'Azur, is for many people the ultimate Mediterranean playground. The undisputed queen of the coast in the 19th and early 20th Century, this beautiful area has suffered from massive overdevelopment and in many places has become a pastiche of its former self. It is however, still possible to find between the frenetic tourist traps a land of remarkable beauty and if you can visit out of season, you will find the blue water, mimosa blossom and smell of pine in the sunshine completely captivating. The famous centres of Cannes, Nice, St. Tropez and the tiny principality of Monaco are still magnets for the rich and famous and even if the allure is not quite what it was, it is still a place to touch celebrity magic.
- Top left: Monaco harbour
- Top middle: Monte Carlo Casino
- Top right: Sailing in the Gulf of St Tropez
- Bottom left: Stretch of beach at Nice
- Bottom right: Endless beach at Côte d'Argent
Do
Visit Monaco, it is an extraordinary place and if not exactly beautiful, makes up for it with the large quantity of beautiful people who live there. A shopping, gambling, gawping mecca, it is not quite like anywhere else on earth. May we particularly recommend the fabulous aquarium for children, set up by Jacques Cousteau and part of the Grimaldi castle in the old walled town; it is a magical introduction to the sea, which glimmers just out of the windows. We also recommend some serious yacht-spotting; this is the harbour for million dollar boats, with glamorous crews to match.
St-Tropez, once a pretty little fishing village before the invasion of firstly the Impressionists, drawn by the exquisite light, then the likes of Cocteau and Collette and finally Brigitte Bardot who introduced St-Tropez to the world. The international cult of St-Tropez, sun, sex and celebrities is still in force today. When bored of the miles of overly -oiled bare flesh take the children to the beaches either side of St-Tropez proper or to Port Grimaud, where the unabashed hedonism is a little quieter.
Nice can be a wonderful place to go with children. In season there are a million things laid on for les petits. Adults may be dubious about the delights of the Promenade des Anglais, with its promenading weirdoes, but children of all ages seem enchanted by this massive seaside walkway, where they can run, rollerblade, stop every couple of feet for an ice-cream, throw stones into the water (only at high tide!) and generally muck about by the sea. As for the adults, once you’ve had a few good gulps of sea air and got in the mood, then even the miniature poodles will (after a while) seem strangely charming.
Eat
Provencal cuisine is rightly famous internationally; there won’t be too many surprises for your children here, unless it is how delicious it all is. We recommend shopping at local markets for simple produce and whipping up your own baguette based picnic. Avoid places with menus in many different languages, the small local one will usually provide much nicer food for a fraction of the price.
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Ready to go
Le Mas de Pierre, South of France
from €220*
A 48 room luxurious countryside retreat with easy access to the seaside.
* per room per night
Le Beauvallon, South of France
from £1,057*
Private beach & shuttle for the 3 minute ride across the bay to St. Tropez
* from 1057 per adult
Argeles, Camping la Sirène, South of France
from £539*
Ideal family centre, outstanding pool complex, with Hoopi and Buzz clubs
* from £539, per jubilee mobile home, for 12 nights, at low season, includes mid week ferry crossing.
Domaine des Naiades, South of France
from £275*
On Cote d'Azure, a short walk from beaches, Toddler, Hoopi and Buzz clubs
* from £275 per maxi tent, for 12 nights, at low season, includes mid week ferry crossing.
The Ardeche Summer 7 nights, South of France
from £535*
Explore the very best of France; canyon descents, canoeing, spectacular setting
* from £535 per adult for 7 nights, including most meals, hotel accommodation and tuition.
Pyrenees Summer 7 nights, South of France
from £710*
Hugely varied, challenging activity holiday, stunning mountain & forest backdrops
* from £710 per adult for 7 nights, including most meals, hotel accommodation and tuition.
La Réserve, South of France
from £269*
Tranquil, natural and secluded parc with it's own on-parc beach & free kids clubs
* from £269 per home, per week, not including ferry crossing or flights.
Bonne Anse Plage, South of France
from £310*
Siblu's latest parc, 54 miles from La Rochelle, great facilities, 600m from beach!
* from £310 per excellence home, per week, not including ferry crossing or flights.
P & V Cap Esterel Holiday Village, South of France
from £293*
210 hectare multi-activity holiday complex overlooking the Mediterranean
* from only £293 per apartment per week, including free childcare for ages 3 to 18 years
Résidence P & V Villa Francia, South of France
from £267*
Overlooking Cannes, particularly suitable for younger children
* from £267 per apartment, including accommodation, sheets and bathroom linen.
Résidence Maeva Cannes Verrerie, South of France
from £203*
Seafronted with terrific views of Med in Cannes-la-Bocca
* from £203 per apartment. Additional services at additional cost are available.