France Vacation: Great Spots for Families with Infants and Toddlers
From LoveToKnow Travel
France also offers a huge range of activities and accommodations from which to choose that will be sure to suit all family needs and budgets. Parents that are planning a France vacation for the first time or even as regular visitors will have no fear of running out of great things to do for the whole family to enjoy.
Travel Information for Young Families
One thing to consider when traveling to any foreign country is the change in food culture. France has a reputation for fine cuisine and specialty dishes. For many, experiencing these new meals is one of the primary draws of a France vacation. For others, particularly children, the food might be a little too different for their taste. In addition, infants and toddlers are more susceptible to dietary changes.
While parents may wish to encourage their toddlers to try new foods, it is still best to be prepared to have other foods available as a contingency plan. Supermarkets and restaurants always provide local as well as more global foods. Even French specialty restaurants often offer options other than traditional French cuisine. France is not simply full of frog legs and snails. Like any other foreign country, it is important for parents to take the time to look for other choices and to gain recommendations from the hotel or other travelers. Of course, it’s ok to just try out a few places - the range of foods that are available may be a pleasant surprise.
Beaches of Northern France
Beach vacations are always popular with young families. Fortunately, there are vast coastlines available for families to explore while on a France vacation. Northern France, particularly Normandy and Brittany, have beach resorts scattered throughout the coast.
Dinard provides the premier beach destination in Brittany, with sandy beaches and numerous local campsites and hotels. Normandy also hosts a variety of popular beach destinations, including the famous sites of the D-Day landing in 1944. In addition, Brittany offers a variety of historical sites to visit, such as the famous sea fortress le Mont St. Michel. The fortress is, however, cut off from the mainland at certain times of the day. The variety of beaches and historical sites available make the North coast of France an ideal vacation spot for young families.
The French Riviera
Travel south through France and visitors eventually reach the beautiful Cote d’Azur region and the French Riviera. Here is the point at which France meets the Mediterranean, producing warm seas and golden sands. Families who enjoy the beach life and the surrounding entertainment and activities flock in droves to enjoy the golden sands of the French Riviera each year.
Locations such as Perpignan, Marseille, Monte Carlo (part of the French province of Monaco) and Cannes have grown immensely thanks to the tourism. These seaside resorts are an ideal place for families looking to enjoy the trappings of an established location, picturesque scenery, and beautiful beaches. Here, families can choose a moment of rest and relaxation or high energy family fun. Accommodations geared toward families are spread liberally throughout the region. These include campsites, RV parks, and hotels.
Established companies such as Eurocamp also have numerous sites located throughout the area, each offering a variety of activities and accommodation options. Hotels can be found at local tourist information offices or through Internet sites and travel agencies.
Renting a place to stay is also an option. Apartments, houses, and villas can be found in much the same way as hotels and other accommodations in France. There are, however, some specific rental web sites such as French Riviera Rental, which offer a huge variety of properties for visitors to choose from in the area.
The French Countryside
Families who wish to experience the beauty of the French countryside are filled with options. France has a unique landscape, which encompasses all types of natural scenery. This includes mountains, rolling countryside, gorgeous valleys, and pristine rivers and lakes. Families with infants and toddlers can enjoy various outdoor activities and experience some of the more inspiring natural landscapes the country has to offer while on a France vacation.
Some popular French countryside locations include Provence, Dordogne, Burgundy, and the Loire Valley. Depending on the needs and choices of individual families, these locations are a hive of tourist activity. Therefore, places to stay and entertainment are easily found. As with all travel excursions or vacations, however, planning and booking ahead is always recommended, if not entirely essential, in order to guarantee the perfect combination of accommodations and location.
Alternative Breaks
Many families may choose to avoid visiting larger cities such as Paris or Lyon while on a France vacation. Nonetheless, there are a range of activities that some small children may enjoy in or around these busy cities.
Infants may delight in some of the attractions and characters at the European Disney Land just outside of Paris. A trip to Euro Disney is an experience for all generations to enjoy. If one day in the Enchanted Kingdom is not enough to satisfy a family’s needs, there are plenty of lodging options and day passes to choose from. Travel agencies are often able to supply information and take bookings for a stay at Euro Disney. Another option is to visit the Euro Disney website in order to book tickets and lodging.
Another park dedicated to cartoon capers, Parc Asterix, is also within easy distance of Paris. Like Euro Disney, this is a theme park dedicated to family entertainment. This park, however, is themed entirely around the Gaulle cartoon character Asterix. Parc Asterix is one of the top three attractions in France and is visited by millions of tourists each year. The site offers amusements, rides, and cartoon-based fun for the whole family. Also like Disney, there are hotels on site to accommodate families wishing to enjoy the magic over two or more days. Tickets and accommodations can be booked through local travel agencies or by visiting the Parc Asterix website.
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