France Vacation: Destinations for Families
with Elementary Aged Children

From LoveToKnow Travel

France offers a melange of activities for the whole family to enjoy. This is especially true for those families with elementary aged kids in tow. Enough exhibits, museums, and activities are spread throughout the country to keep any family satisfied during a France vacation. This expansive European nation boasts a collection of natural and manmade landscapes. Both will surely inspire any family and give it enough choice and variety of activities to please even the pickiest members.

Chateau La Ferte-Saint-Aubin

Each family is different. For most, however, the idea of visiting a large city, such as the capital city of Paris, is a logistical, as well as costly, nightmare. The bustling congested streets and vast spread of the city may not be the ideal place to take a tribe of energy-filled children. So why not see what else a France vacation has to offer in the way of entertainment for the whole family to enjoy?

An hour and a half away from Paris, in the picturesque area of the Loire Valley, stands an attraction for the entire family to enjoy. Here, the 16th century building of Chateau La Ferte-Saint-Aubin, among dozens of historic castles, can be found. Inside, families can discover artifacts from many generations of French aristocracy, as well as a few surprises the kids may enjoy. For example, there is a horse museum and a petting zoo within the grounds of the chateau. Both attractions allow families to get close to animals of all shapes and sizes.

Children who enjoy getting their hands dirty may also enjoy slipping on an apron and trying their hand at a little gardening while digging the soil in the farm outside of the chateau. Children will also enjoy the indoor schoolroom and kitchen exhibits. These exhibits showcase the rooms as they looked in the past, providing an enjoyable and surprising exhibit for families interested in exploring the living history of France. Finally, there is a play witch’s house at the chateau. Children who are brave enough to enter will enjoy exploring all of its nooks and crannies.

The chateau is set in the idyllic French countryside. Therefore, families may choose to enjoy a picnic in the serene setting on a sunny day. This is a particularly good idea for families with children who are picky eaters. In case of bad weather, families can return to the chateau for refreshments.

Activity Parks

If the thought of touring the length and breadth of France on vacation is a little daunting, families may decide to choose a more manageable snapshot of French life. This can be achieved at Elancourt, which is situated just a few miles outside of Paris in the Yvelines. Elancourt is a miniature village dedicated to all of the popular France vacation sights. Here, families can get a feel of what the country has to offer in 1/30 scale.

For children with a desire to brush shoulders with figures from the pages of books and the big screen, a trip to one of France’s many theme parks may be in order. Parc Asterix is a sight dedicated to the Gaulle cartoon about the diminutive warrior of the same name. The park houses numerous attractions, rides, and various Asterix related shenanigans. The activities here can easily keep the family entertained for a day or more.

France also houses the European Disney park -- Disneyland Paris, where children can meet Mickey Mouse and his various friends amongst the fairytale setting of the Disney streets. With rides, attractions, and, of course, full-size incarnations of children’s animated heroes, Disneyland Paris is popular with families from all over the world. Accommodations are plentiful within the park, making this visit even easier for families. For the budget-conscious family, however, there are also a number of hotels located a short distance outside of the park.

Outdoor Activities

The Waterfront at Nice

What France vacation would be complete without at least sampling the magnificent natural landscapes the country has to offer? Traveling down to the south of the country in order to visit one of the various towns and cities on the French Riviera is worth the trip. Nice, Marseilles, Perpignan and Cannes are examples of just a few of the larger and more popular sites on the Riviera.

For families with a desire for action and outdoor activities, there are many activities that may be enjoyed while on a France vacation. In fact, there are more than 30 national parks to explore. These parks vary in landscape from the mountainous ranges in the French Alps to the more serene woodland walks found in regions such as the Loire Valley and Provence.

The French have a love for bicycles. Therefore, bike rentals are common throughout the country. In addition, many parks have trails of varying difficulties, making it possible to find one to suit any family. Canoe, kayak, and boat rentals are also available, all of which offer fantastic opportunities for families to enjoy France’s beautiful waterways.