Visiting the South of France with kids

Read our guide on how to get the best out of a family holiday in the beautiful region of Provence, including our top activities and things to do with the kids.

The South of France has a reputation for scenic villages, sophisticated restaurants, rustic markets, art, and glamorous coastal resorts; which all sounds wonderful, but doesn’t exactly scream kid friendly!

However, we recently took our two kids aged 7 and 5 to Provence and had an excellent family holiday. My eldest says France is his new favourite country!

It’s true that there wasn’t much to entertain the kids, but we found that they still enjoyed it, in fact they loved it, and we adapted our outings to suit their needs.

It’s also one of travel our philosophies that children are a part of our society and community, including the travel community. We believe that our kids can fit in to our travel plans and join us in exploring the places we love, rather than making every trip about kids activities.

Of course, we still include days purely for the kids sometimes, such as wildlife parks and theme parks, and we adapt our itineraries to make them fun and suitable for the whole family, but we want our kids to adapt to our lifestyle too. We have found the kids make there own fun wherever they go, anyhow!

In this post, you can read about our days in Provence and get our tips for creating a fun family holiday.

Read below for all the details you need for a recipe for success for a family trip to the South of France, and click here for our top activities and things to do with the kids in the Luberon and Provence.

Family-friendly accommodation

The region is full of stunning château’s and boutique hotels, but that wasn’t really our top choice with kids. Being anxious about noise and annoying other guests was not on my agenda, and the culture in France has distinct expectations on how children should behave in adult spaces, not least in restaurants where kids are expected to sit and eat calmly and quietly ( I’ve no chance there!)

There is often not a kids menu, or high chairs like I might expect in the UK, and the French take their time to enjoy and savour long meals, and service often doesn’t get going until 730/8 pm.

Our personal recommendation is to choose a holiday park with cabins or bungalows, there are loads of great French campsites/ holiday parks all over France and Provence is no exception. We are also a budget travel family and this is a great low cost way to see parts of Europe that can get really expensive.

We tend to go with Eurocamp as we know it well and have used it lots of times, although there are lots of other options out there; I’ve heard good things about Canvas Holidays and Yelloh camping villages.

The beauty of these types of places is that they are geared up towards families; there is often entertainment on (not our thing but good to have the option), they normally have swimming pools with slides and features, play parks, football, volleyball etc. Kids can run and play in the wide open spaces.

We also love that it’s self-catering because

1: French supermarkets are incredible, and it’s a pure joy buying our food in them;

2. We can cater to our fussy children’s needs, and they don’t end up eating chicken nuggets for 14 days straight. Also, even though I love a meal out on holiday, I wouldn’t want to eat out every night and we do like to have homecooked food, even better with all that delicious fresh French produce;

3. By the time the evening comes and French restaurant service begins, our kids are DONE, they are over tired, and getting them to sit calmly and respectfully for a slow paced French dinner would be nigh on impossible.

If the thought of Eurocamp or similar just isn’t your thing, then I would say make sure you choose a family-friendly hotel, air b and b, or gite. If you can, with a pool would be great. Those hot and sunny afternoons in the south of Frqance are just made for playing in the pool!

Less is more

We found a recipe for success in Provence:

Up early and have breakfast (full tummies, happy kids)

When planning an itinerary, we try really hard not to pack too much in to a day, making sure to schedule lots of down for the kids. This is hard for me as there is always so much to see, but we have learnt the hard way that it’s asking for meltdowns if we try to fit too much in.

We drive to a beauty spot or village. Getting there early gives us time to explore before the crowds get going. We loved to wander the cobbled streets of Provencal villages, take in the views, buy a few souvenirs, and wander the markets.

We always stop for a second breakfast in a local café; the kids get orange juice and croissants, coffee and croissant for us!

If there is a playground, we will visit it for a bit of a run around for the kids. Depending on the time, we will get a filled baguette from the boulangerie and have a picnic in a pretty spot. We will then normally stop for an ice cream, especially if they have done a lot of walking.

In the afternoon we head back to our campsite and play with the kids. Football, badminton, swimming in the pool.

We find this works so well and keeps everybody happy.

Things to do in the south of France with kids

Walk in the villages and towns

The charming and picturesque hilltop villages and towns, with a backdrop of flower fields, vineyards and rolling hills, are what made this area famous.

Walking around pretty villages isn’t exactly a 7 and 5 year olds idea of a thrilling time, however, we have done this before with the kids in the villages of the Alsace, and found that they were interested in the unique and pretty scenery, and enjoyed looking at the shops, cafes and markets as we did, and had a short walk around with no problem. They did tire of it before we did, so we kept our visits short and sweet, and made it fun for them by providing ice creams and treats from the bakery! We did the same this time, and I’ve listed the villages we visited below. There were lots more to explore that we didn’t have time for, which I guess means we will need to make a return trip!

Gordes

Gordes, perched atop a hill in the Luberon region of Provence, is like a scene from a postcard come to life. Its stunning stone buildings, narrow cobblestone streets, and panoramic views of the surrounding countryside make it a picture-perfect destination. There is an amazing view of the village carved in to the cliff top which makes for a brilliant photograph.

Explore its medieval castle, wander through its quaint shops and art galleries, or simply soak in the beauty of the Provencal landscape from one of its many scenic viewpoints. Gordes is a true gem of southern France, captivating visitors with its timeless allure and undeniable charm. We loved getting a take out from the boulangerie and enjoying our delicious coffee and pastries on a bench over looking the gorgeous scenery.

This is a must visit village of the region, and this of course attracts tourists in droves! We stuck to our usual plan of getting there early and we again had the place virtually to ourselves for a couple of hours and left just after lunch. By the time we left the car park was full, there were ques to pay for parking and the streets were heaving.

Rousillion

Roussillon, a quaint village in Provence, is famous for its colourful cliffs and cosy streets filled with cafes and art galleries. It’s like stepping into a painting – vibrant, charming, and utterly captivating.

When we visited the market was on and I was happy to find the produce unique, well priced and enticing. In markets at home and abroad I often feel like I’m buying supermarket produce at inflated prices, but I didn’t get that vibe here at all and got lavender, honey, a handmade straw hat and various other bits of produce from the region and absolutely loved the whole experience. The kids loved helping me pick out some bits from the market stalls.

There is a fab view of the orange coloured cliffs from the bridge adjacent to the market square, and from here it is a short walk up the hill to the national park of the Ochres where you can walk through the red earth that has given the village its vibrant appearance. We didn’t do the walk this time as it was getting hot and it was getting busy so we decided to leave rather than push the kids too far! It is something I would like to do on a return trip though.

Bonniuex

Bonneuix in Provence is a charming escape, where lavender fields dance in the breeze and vineyards stretch as far as the eye can see. This idyllic village embodies the quintessential Provençal lifestyle, with its rustic stone buildings and sun-drenched squares.

This was the first village we visited and it was top of my hit list as one of the filming locations for one of my favourite filsm, ‘A Good Year’ starring Russel Crowe. The view from the village took my breath away and I totally fell in love with the region of France there and then! It small but perfectly formed, and had everything we need; cafes, souvenirs and most important of all the boulangerie! We had a short walk to the sweet little play park and let the kids played while we ate our baguettes. This one would be a fab one to come back to for sunset. The drive up the mountain side to reach the village was also epic, May is such a beautiful time to come to the region, the hillside were bursting with wildflowers and fields full off poppies.

Aix en Provence

Aix-en-Provence is a delightful city in the south of France, known for its elegant boulevards, charming squares, and rich history. Strolling through its picturesque streets, you’ll encounter beautiful fountains, centuries-old architecture, and bustling outdoor markets brimming with local delights. With its vibrant cultural scene, delicious cuisine, and laid-back atmosphere, Aix-en-Provence captivates visitors with its timeless allure and unmistakable Provençal charm.

The boys loved playing in the fountains, which seemed to be totally acceptable as we witnessed the locals coming up and using the water to splash on there bodies and hands which has not been the case in other European cities we have visited (when we have been in Rome for example this has been strongly prohibited).

The shops here looked incredible and diverse. It would be a great place to come if you are in to shopping! I didn’t want to drag the kids around the shops so we headed for some gardens to enjoy the fresh produce we had picked up for lunch rom the market.

We also visited the cathedral, got a mountain of ice cream and had a go on the carousel. The city was buzzing with buskers and market stalls, and we really enjoyed the atmosphere here.

It was incredibly busy (and we visited in shoulder season; i bet its heaving in peak season! ) There were lots of guided tour groups milling around. This kind of thing normally frustrates me and makes me annoyed but it didn’t seem to bother me here and just added to the electric atmosphere. After a wonderful morning and lunch , we headed back to camp.

Loumarin

Lourmarin, nestled in the heart of the Luberon Valley, is a quintessential Provençal village that exudes charm and tranquility. Its winding cobblestone streets are lined with pastel-hued buildings, quaint cafes, and artisan boutiques, inviting visitors to explore at a leisurely pace.

This gorgeous village had a really laid back vibe that we loved and it was only a 15 minute drive from our campsite. It seem less rustic than the others, there were lots of restaurants, cafes and gelatries along the main walking street that narrowly wound its way through the centre of the village. We changed up our routine a bit here and came one evening after the heat of the day had lost a bit of its intensity. Its a great spot for relaxing and people watching, so we pulled up a chair and ate our ice creams watching the people stroll happily by. This great gem of a village also had a play area so we headed there to give the kids a go on the toys before heading back to the campsite for the night.

Those were all the villages we had time for in the Luberon Region, and they were all amazing to be honest; if you had to pick one you couldn’t go wrong. All offer the food, markets and views that the south of France is famous for while all maintaining a unique charm all of their own. Some other I have on my list for next time include Lacoste, Oppede, Saint Remy de Provence, Arles, Nimes, Avignon and Orange.

Spend time at the Pool

As you no doubt already sure know, kids love spending time at the pool on holiday!

We made sure that our holiday park had a pool, this one looks amazing with lots of water slides and features. It’s a good trade off to spend the afternoon but the pool after a morning in the villages. Its probably the most important factor that made this holiday a success and enjoyable for all of the family. You can choose from gites, villas and hotels with pools, or maybe you will choose a holiday park like us.

Go to the Playground

Finding a playground and park on google is always the first thing we do when we get to a new area. Just like at home, a play area always goes down well on holiday, and the boys can easily be entertained for hours. It’s a nice stop for the kids to let loose when visiting somewhere for a walk or stroll. Some parks that we found were in Roussillon, Bonniuex and Loumarin.

Visit the Flower Fields

The flower fields of Provence really are a beautiful sight to behold and should not be missed on a family trip to the region. The region is famed for its abundance of stunning purple lavender fields and miles of sunflowers that come in to bloom in July and August.

In May, you can see masses of poppies fields that spring up all around the Luberon, covering vast plains and springing up all along the grass verges and roadside. It truly is such a beautiful time to visit.

Be aware that the stunning and famous lavender fields of Provence attract two things in droves; bees, and tourists! It will be busy, and there will be (many) selfie sticks! Not only is it peak season for tourists in one of the most popular areas of the most visited country in the world, its also the hottest, and the baking sun in the heat, with limited to no options for shade make it a trickier when planning a visit with your kids.

For these reasons, we decided on visiting in May for our first trip to Provence. It was a lovely 22/23 degrees Celsius, the crowds were manageable, and if we got there early we nearly always had villages, beauty spots and flower fields totally to ourselves for an hour or two before other people started trickling in.

The poppies and the countryside captured our hearts and was so gorgeous, it has made we want to return to see the famous lavenders. When we return, we will make sure we are at popular destinations not long after sunrise and be out of there before the masses arrive!

Go on a Bike Ride

The south of France is a wonderful place to go for a family bike ride. There were lots of bike rental places in the nearby towns ands villages (we got a recommendation from our campsite).

France is full of quite roads that are cycle routes through the countryside, often on dedicated cycle paths that are traffic free. We always speak to the campsite reception to get the low down on the best cycle routes in the area.

We are recently converts to e-bikes; they are so effortless and we all just love zooming along on them; especially James who is always towing our littlest guy in the trailer! They really were great, especially for our eldest (Mr 7) who was able to go further and didn’t struggle up the hills as he had the help of the e-bike.

You can stop at the boulangerie and get a filled baguette and other treats, then park the bikes at one of the many beauty spots you will see along the way.

Go Kayaking

There are a couple of options to get on the water in the region. The most famous of all is the stunning Gorge du Verdon, a breath taking river canyon in the south, about 1.5 – 2 hours drive from the Luberon area.

Its stunning turquoise waters and dramatic cliffs offer hiking trails, kayaking and boat hire, as well as many river beaches to moor up on to enjoy a picnic, making this a must visit destination for families that love the outdoors. Verdon Secret has all the information on renting a boat and kayaking on the lakes and rivers of the Verdon Gorge. Click here to find out more.

Pont du Gard, the famous Roman aqueduct and river in the Occitane region of Provence is a fabulous place for a family kayak activity. Its scenic surroundings and calm river make for a great family day on the water.

Another option in the Provencal town of Fountain de Vacluse is kayaking on the Sorgue River which emerges from deep underground in the town. From the town you can rent a kayak and ride the river down to the stunning and famous beauty spot L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue.

Cassis, an hours drive form Provence, is a beautiful harbour town on the edge of the simply stunning Calanques National Park, which is a fab spot for sea kayaking for families with older kids. We visited this area for a beach day and ended up taking a short hike with the kids in to Calanques to Port Mieu. I would love to return to sea kayak here one day when our boys are a bit older; the scenery is simply breath-taking.

For more details on kayaking and getting on the water in and around Provence, click here for more information from the wonderful website Provence Days.

Go Climbing

Acro-branching is an activity for children in France which is like an obstacle course through the trees.

There is an acro-branch centre near Fountain de Valcluse, called Passerelles des Cimes, which has runs for children age 3 and up. Pre booking is advised.

There is also Provence Adventure near Vidauban, Provence, which as well as acrobranching and zip wires, has a great playground and also a lake for canoeing.

Near Aix en Provence, there is a place called the Indian Forest, which is a unique acrobatic climbing park for children aged 3/4 and upwards. There are a choice of ( trails to choose from in the park. Pre booking is advised.

For more details no the Indian forest, click here.

Go to the Beach

The boys are happy all day in the sand and sea, mother nature really is the best playground! We decided to drive for a dip in the med and our top choice for the beach was the beautiful harbour town of Cassis, which was only a 1 hour drive away.

We got there early (of course!) and had breakfast on the waterfront overlooking the cliffs and the harbour. The waterfront if full of café’s and bistro’s so we wandered along and picked a spot we fancied. After breakfast we headed to the nearby pebble beach of Bestuan, which was a 10 minute walk.

It was a stunning day and the beach was busy. It had a sophisticated vibe with lots of glamorous looking couples but also lots of families, we found a spot on the rocks and we set up camp for the day and soaked up the sun!

The water was turquoise and crystal clear, calm and still and perfect for swimming. We had to keep a close watch on the kids as the shore was quite steep, but we all loved playing in the water. There are lots of cafes and bistros near the beach to get drinks, ice creams and lunch.

In the afternoon we went for a walk and discovered the stunning national park of the Calanques. We had no idea that it was here so it was a great surprise to discover this stunning national park.

Calanques are the name given to the dramatic rocky limestone coves of this area of coastline. Out of 26 located in the park, there are three main Calanques: Port Mieu, Calanque de Sutigon and Calanque En Vau. The cyrstal clear waters of turquiose and idigo blend with the heights of the cliff creating a stunning vista.

This is a great place to sea kayak, or there are many boat tours that leave daily from the harbour of Cassis. We took a 30 minute walk form Bestuan beach along the residential street of homes and hotels that hugged the coast line until we reached the edge of the national park. There is a nice restaurant here called Le Plage Bleu, where we stopped for a beer and an ice cream and watched groups of teenagers diving from cliff in to the crystal clear sea pools below!

Just around the corner from Le Plage Bleu, through the trees, you come to the Calanque of Port Mieu, and a magnificent view of all the boats in the port and a sea of emerald greens, turquoises and deep indigo blues. There are many hikes in to the Calanques National Park starting from Port Mieu, we would love to try some of them in the future.

Learn more about the Calanques here.

Some other options we looked at that you could consider as a day trip to the beach from the Luberon include Frejus, a 1hour 30 drive, or Saint Maxime, a 2 hours drive.

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Hi! I’m Lizzie, a mum of two living in the Cotswolds. Here on Travel Happy Family, I share all of our travels with you, where we’ve been, how we got there, and how much it cost!

If you are looking for ideas on where to travel with your kids, inspiration for new destinations, or just want to follow us on our journey, welcome, and I hope you find what we write helpful.

Happy travels! Xxx