Provence Family Travel Guide
The region of Provence ranges from the Southern Alps to the Côte d’Azur and boasts a spectacularly varied landscape. How many kids do you know who've seen fields that are completely purple? Or kayaked under a Roman aqueduct? Provence offers fun activities for your children to discover and enjoy. From educational museums of history to limestone mountains and caves, rocky plateaus and Roman ruins. It’s all here… escapade to cater for all ages and interests...there is definitely something here for everyone!
Family days out and attractions in Provence
Families will love this region because it’s truly unique, from the salt marshes of the Carmargue and the blue Mediterranean ocean to charming villages, and the historic city of Marseilles. Let’s go see the sites!
Avignon has a must see awesome 14th century Papal Palace where the kids can climb around castle ruins. Then enjoy a gentle stroll to the Pont du Gard, a Roman aqueduct that soars overhead before trying a family kayaking excursion. After all of the excitement of the day, why not explore the colourful market and take an easy walk to Séguret?
Wine tasting in Châteauneauf-du-Pape will be welcomed by the adults and everyone will enjoy watching monks at work in an ancient abbey and listening to them chanting.
Zoo de la Barben - With over 600 animals from over 120 different species nestled on 33 hectares of evergreen oak forests there is plenty to keep the kids occupied all day!
Thouzon Cave - Your kids will just adore exploring all the nooks and crannies of this 60 million year old cave which was discovered in 1902 while excavating for a quarry.
The Amphitheater in Arles - Kids will absolutely love running around the arena like the gladiators once did! They can even climb up the watchtower. It’s a fun filled day of gladiator combat and wild animal shows of a bygone era! Well- they can use their imaginations!
Western theme park - You won’t get away without visiting the OK Corral; an amusement park for kids with a Wild West theme. It’s a fun field ay of roller coasters, haunted houses, teacups and much, much more.
Magic Park Land - This theme park is located in Ensuès-la-Redonne, close to Marseille and is only open from March through mid-November. Lots of fun here!
Aerial adventure playground - Swing through the trees like Tarzan in total security The Passerelles des Cimes in Lagnes, Vaucluse, is an adventure playground high above the ground, amongst the trees. After a brief initiation, both children and adults can journey through the trees, crossing bridges, obstacle courses, spider webs and zip lines. Look- no hands!
Le Train à Vapeur des Cévennes - Steam train travelling through exquisite scenery. Kids will enjoy this one and parents will enjoy the tranquillity of the ride!
Child friendly accommodation and places to stay in Provence
Try camping in the village of Bonnieux which has a great little playground nearby and a great pool and your kids can meet and play with other children even if they speak different languages children connect with one another so easily. You may wish to hire a car but do remember that kids often get bored on even thirty minute car trips so be sure to pack plenty of crayons, books and paper to create beautiful artwork during your drives. Provence has some excellent choices when it comes to accommodation including hotels, apartments and great villas. For the ultimate experience though, you cannot go past a luxury chateau in the hills! Go on; be king or queen for a while!
Family restaurants in Provence and cuisine
There are lots of outdoor restaurants that serve child-friendly meals such as pizza as well as Provencal specialities. Try delicious crepes and wonderful ice cream and the adults can sit outside and sip some great Provencal wine. Cheers! Provencal ingredients; pistou and aioli are well known in the region although the kids will be more interested in playing "borie spotting" games when driving through this area or exploring prehistoric caves, than fine dining; so perhaps a picnic or two may be a good idea to satisfy their hungry appetites!
Restaurant La Salicorne is a great fondue restaurant near the covered marketplace at Les Halles that has a fondue menu which is a fun meal for kids.
When to go to Provence and other useful kid stuff!
Best times to enjoy Provence are from mid-April through October and there is a lot more going on in the summer months as the villages and towns host a variety of carnivals, small circuses and fairs. Keep your eye out for signs and posters advertising special events. Spring is lavender season and the purple splendour is nothing short of amazing! Kids also enjoy having their own camera, so be sure to pack them one.
Kids can learn to speak a foreign language so easily - Bonjour, Bonsoir. Kids aren’t that self-conscious and it's fun as they learn to recognize and speak a few French words and phrases. Waiters and shopkeepers like kids and will respond very enthusiastically- no worries! Happy travels!
