Planning a family holiday can feel like a juggling act at the best of times, but throw in school holidays, different ages, and the desire for fresh air and relaxation, and it can get overwhelming fast. The answer? Head to la belle France. With short travel times from the UK, amazing adventures for little ones of all ages and endless mix of gorgeous landscapes and great food, it’s a one-stop shop for active, outdoors-loving families.
A no-fly favourite
One of the biggest advantages of a family holiday in France is how easy it is to go no-fly. Travelling by train or ferry significantly reduces your carbon footprint and often makes the journey feel like part of the adventure rather than a stressful hurdle. The Eurostar opens up northern France brilliantly, especially when combined with France’s excellent rail network, while ferries to Brittany and Normandy are ideal if you’re bringing bikes, surfboards or just want maximum flexibility. Once you’re in-country, choosing walkable towns, cycling routes, and accommodation close to nature helps keep car use to a minimum. Campsites and rural gîtes also tend to encourage a slower, lower-impact style of travel – think shopping at local markets, and days spent outdoors rather than driving from attraction to attraction.
Choosing where to go
Deciding where in France to go is often harder than deciding to go at all. For first-time family trips, regions like Brittany, the Dordogne and the Vendée are perennial favourites. They offer gentle adventure, manageable driving distances, and a slower pace that suits travelling with children. If your family leans more towards big landscapes and physical challenges, the French Alps or Pyrenees are fantastic in summer, with hiking, lake swimming, cycling and cable cars on tap. For sun-seekers who still want to stay active, the Atlantic coast around Les Landes combines long sandy beaches with forests, cycle paths and surf schools that cater brilliantly to kids.
Active adventures that work for all ages
One of the joys of a family holiday in France is how easy it is to be active without it feeling like a military operation. Cycling is a standout option: many regions have flat, traffic-free routes along rivers or old railway lines, and bike hire is widely available. Even younger children can get involved with trailers or tag-alongs.
Water-based activities are another big win. Canoeing on calm rivers like the Dordogne or Lot is surprisingly accessible for families, with plenty of half-day routes and picnic spots along the way. Coastal areas offer surf schools, paddleboarding and bodyboarding, while inland lakes often have supervised swimming areas that feel much safer than wild beaches.
Hiking doesn’t have to mean epic mountain days either. Short woodland walks, waterfall trails and nature reserves are everywhere, often with waymarked routes and information boards that keep kids engaged.
Yelloh! campsites with swimming pools: a reliable family favourite
If you’re travelling as a family, Yelloh! Village campsites are a bit of a secret weapon – especially those with swimming pools. These welcoming campsites offer everything from safari tents to well-equipped mobile homes, so you get comfort without losing that outdoorsy holiday feel. Their swimming pool complexes are often the highlight for kids (and, let’s be honest, adults too). Heated pools, slides, splash areas and lifeguards mean children can burn off energy safely while parents actually get to relax. Add in kids’ clubs, sports courts and on-site restaurants, and you’ve got a base where everyone can do their own thing without constant planning. Yelloh’s swimming pool camping sites are dotted across some of France’s best holiday regions, from the Atlantic coast and Mediterranean beaches to lake districts, river valleys and the foothills of the Alps, making it easy to pair great on-site facilities with genuinely beautiful surroundings and easy access to outdoor adventures. For families who want adventure by day and an easy evening routine, Yelloh! campsites are a dependable go-to choice.
Practical planning tips
Travelling outside peak August can make a huge difference. Late June and early July, or the first half of September, often bring better availability, lower prices and more manageable temperatures. Driving gives the most flexibility, especially with outdoor gear, but trains within France are excellent if you’re basing yourselves in one region.
Make food a big focus. Local markets, bakeries and cafés make it easy to eat well without fuss, and there are plenty of French specialities that kids genuinely love – think fresh baguettes with butter, cheese toasties, roast chicken and potatoes, crêpes, pastries, pizza-style tartes flambées, and simple pasta dishes.
Finally, involve your kids in the planning. Let them choose an activity or destination, and they’re far more likely to embrace the adventure when you arrive.
