Key points of the article:
- France offers a wide variety of natural landscapes for family holidays by the sea, in the mountains, or in the countryside.
- The mountains, lakes, and rural areas provide opportunities for active stays, from hiking and swimming to exploring local heritage and cuisine.
- Each region offers a wide choice of accommodation – hotels, campsites, apartments and chalets – with many of them suitable for children.
- OVO Network offers fully equipped family chalets in authentic destinations, perfect for both summer and winter holidays.
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Why choose France for a family holiday?
Stays between sea, mountains and countryside
Between mountains, forests, coastal beaches and flower-filled valleys, France brings together a wide variety of landscapes. This rich geography within a compact and well-connected area, allows you to plan family holidays for a weekend, a full week, or longer, and enjoy varied activities without long travel times.
You are sure to find a region in France that matches your interests, even during school holidays, when families look for accessible destinations and offers to suit both children and parents.
Lifestyle, gastronomy and heritage
France is also popular for its diverse heritage, lifestyle, rural traditions and regional customs. From a medieval castle in the south west to a mountain village in a national park, each region has its own unique identity.
Provençal markets, Breton ports, Savoyard hamlets and the island of Corsica offer countless fascinating opportunities without the need to visit Spain or Italy. Altogether, they create the perfect setting for a memorable family holiday in summer, spring or at Christmas.
Accommodation to suit everyone
France also offers a wide variety of accommodation options. Hotels, campsites, holiday cottages, holiday complexes, independent houses and chalets cater to all tastes and budgets.
Family hotels and holiday complexes often provide services that make planning easier, such as a swimming pool, a children’s club or full board. Self-catering properties offer more independence, with the ability to cook and make yourself at home. For an authentic experience, some guests even choose a mountain chalet rental, where you can enjoy the great outdoors in both summer and winter.
Family holidays in the mountains
The Alps and Savoie: nature in all its splendour
The Alps are one of the best destinations for family holidays in France, with their majestic panoramas of ancient peaks and popular ski areas, as well as a wide range of activities for all ages. Mountain stays can combine hiking, relaxation and cultural outings, while enjoying pleasant summer weather.
In Savoie and Haute-Savoie, families can enjoy the peaceful Alpine pastures and many accommodation options, ranging from comfortable apartments to traditional chalets. In winter, large groups can book a family chalet for skiing, or even a chalet at the foot of the slopes, where everyone can enjoy their favourite activity without wasting any time travelling.
The Pyrénées: hiking and hilltop villages
The Pyrenées appeal to families looking for unspoiled nature, rural traditions and prices that are often lower than in the Alps. The landscapes are stunning, and the atmosphere is warm and family-friendly. You will find accessible high-altitude lakes, hiking trails suitable for children, and hilltop villages with Spanish flair, where time seems to slow down.
In winter, the region offers small-scale ski areas, perfect for a first family snow holiday. In the warmer months, watching marmots, enjoying lakeside picnics and exploring the forests are the perfect complement to a multi-activity stay.
The Jura and the Vosges: forests, lakes and traditions
The landscapes of the Jura and the Vosges represent a gentler, wooded and hilly France, perfect for families who want to explore nature at a more relaxed pace. These mountains, which are more accessible than the Alps, invite visitors to discover vast forests, green plateaus, waterfalls and beautiful lakes suitable for swimming.
In towns and in the countryside, you will find many campsites, holiday cottages and small hotels to suit a limited budget. Jura’s cheese-making traditions, Vosges craftsmanship and tree-top adventure courses create a simple and friendly environment that delights both young children and teenagers.
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Holidays by the water
Alpine lakes: Geneva, Annecy, and Bourget
Alpine lakes are among the most beautiful natural landscapes in France. These include Lake Geneva and Lake Annecy, but also Lake Bourget and Lake Saint-André, all offering spectacular scenery that combines crystal-clear water and rocky mountains.
In summer, these destinations are perfect for those who want to choose between relaxing on a sunny beach and exploring the region. Families enjoy both the serviced beaches and water activities such as paddleboarding, pedal boating, sailing and diving. |And with the mountains close by, there are even more activities to try within just a few minutes.
The Atlantic coast: surf and wide open spaces
Visitors flock to the Atlantic coast for its long beaches, sand dunes and sporting spirit. Children have plenty of room to run around, while teenagers and adults enjoy surfing or sailing. From Brittany to the Basque coast, fishing villages, colourful ports and historic towns make perfect destinations for nature and ocean-focused holidays. Families will find plenty of water sports clubs as well as full-board accommodation options for those who prefer to travel without constraints.
The Mediterranean: coves and coastal inlets
When you think of the Mediterranean, you picture sunshine, turquoise water and a warm atmosphere. Along the coasts of Provence, the French Riviera and around the island of Corsica, families can explore hidden coves, colourful markets, fragrant hills and lively villages.
Exploring the coves, whether on foot or by boat, is often a highlight for children. Many multi-night stay options allow you to combine beach, culture and nature while enjoying a pleasant climate even in autumn and winter. This is where the art of living truly comes to life, especially in Provence and the Luberon, where local products bring a flavour of Italy.
Countryside and rural charm
Dordogne: chateaux and waterways
Families love Dordogne for its castles, prehistoric caves and medieval villages such as Limeuil or Saint-Jean-de-Côle. There is a wide range of activities, from canoe trips on the rivers to cultural days out, animal parks and bike rides.
Young children enjoy the gentle pace of the traditional towns, the closeness to nature and swimming on hot summer days.
Ardèche: rocky gorges and old stone villages
Just seven hours from Paris, Ardèche offers wild nature, impressive gorges, ancient stone villages and plenty of hiking routes. The region is known for river swimming, impressive caves and forest adventures.
Cottages, campsites and holiday complexes allow for a flexible stay, with some offering access to a swimming pool that is especially welcome during the summer months.
Provence: markets and fields of lavender
Provence evokes the scent of lavender, colourful markets, olive groves and picturesque alleyways. Children enjoy homemade ice cream, while parents soak up the sun-drenched landscapes.
Between Luberon, the Southern Alps and the Mediterranean, the region offers countless options for short getaways that combine culture, nature, gastronomy and relaxation.
Family-friendly activities
Hiking, cycling and tree-top assault courses
From the Alps to Brittany, France offers countless waymarked hiking trails suitable for families, leading through mountains and forests to breathtaking viewpoints and untouched natural settings. The French countryside also invites visitors to enjoy bike rides or electric mountain biking, playful tracks and tree-top assault courses that appeal to children of all ages.
Swimming, picnics and water activities
If you’re staying near a lake, a river or the seaside, swimming is likely to become a highlight of your family holiday. Days by the water mean everyone can enjoy the stay at their own pace: swimming, sandcastles, ball games, picnics under a shady tree and exploring small hidden coves. You can also try water activities such as pedaloes, paddleboarding or kayaking.
Cultural days out and farm visits
France has many interactive museums, historical parks, educational farms and activities designed for children. These visits are a great way to combine discovery and fun through nature workshops, encounters with animals, history tours or creative activities. They add a touch of learning and curiosity to more active pursuits.
Preparing for your family holiday
When to travel with children
Traveling with children requires a little more planning than a trip for adults. Taking a break during school holidays often means booking in advance, especially for the most popular types of accommodation, such as a mountain chalet or a beachfront hotel.
Spring and autumn offer mild temperatures and more flexible prices. In summer it is a good idea to choose destinations close to nature, while in winter, family-friendly ski resorts are perfect if you want to enjoy the snow at a more gentle pace.
Budget, facilities and travelling
The cost of your holiday depends, of course, on the type of accommodation you choose (holiday cottage, hotel, apartment, campsite or private rental), as well as transport and the activities planned during your stay. Families often opt for a week in the low season, which is usually more economical.
Don’t forget essential equipment such as sun protection, clothing suited to the climate and terrain, water bottles, hiking shoes and entertainment for the journey. The choice of transport also depends on the destination. Some regions are easily accessible by train from Paris or other major cities, while more remote locations may require a car.
Book a family-friendly chalet with OVO Network
For families looking for space, comfort and high-end amenities, renting a chalet through OVO Network is one of the best options on the market. Our partner chalets offer great independence, with a number of separate bedrooms, a fully equipped kitchen, a spacious and welcoming living area and often wellness facilities. They are equally suited to summer mountain holidays with the family as well as winter ski trips.
Why stay with OVO Network?
Spacious, well-equipped chalets for families
The chalets selected by OVO Network are designed specifically for families and feature a number of bedrooms, spacious living areas, modern comfort and child-friendly amenities. They are suitable for a weekend, a week or longer stays, even during winter holidays or festive periods such as the Christmas week and New Year.
Authentic locations between lakes and mountains
You’ll find OVO Network partner properties in some of the most beautiful natural areas of France, including the Alps (Savoie and Haute-Savoie, from chalets in La Clusaz to lakeside villas on Lake Annecy), the Pyrenées, Provence and the Vosges. Between lakes and mountains, traditional villages and wide-open spaces, families can enjoy an unspoiled and uplifting environment where they can create lasting memories in harmony with nature.
Frequently-asked questions about family holidays in France
Where in France should we visit with children?
For a family holiday in France, focus on mountain and seaside resorts that carry the “Famille Plus” label, such as La Giettaz, Flumet or Saint-Martin-de-Belleville.
Where should we go in France for a peaceful holiday?
For a quiet stay, choose the French countryside, the forests of the Jura or the Vosges, or off-season mountain rentals in authentic villages like Morillon or Saint-Jean-d’Aulps.
Where can we go to avoid the crowds in August?
If you’re travelling in August, opt for less-crowded destinations such as the Jura, the Pyrenées or mountain hamlets like Samoëns or Saint-Jean-de-Sixt.
What is there to do with children during our holiday?
Children will enjoy easy hikes, bike rides, swimming, cultural days out or visits to farms, and fun activities like tree-top assault courses or trampolining.
How can I choose a family-friendly chalet?
When choosing a family chalet, look for space, comfort and child-friendly amenities – it’s easy to book the perfect chalet through OVO Network.
