10 Practical Vacation Destinations in France With a Baby

You want to go away for a few days, but you’re afraid that it will not suit your baby’s needs? Don’t worry anymore, I’ve put together a list of the ideal destinations in France where you can go with a baby just for you (up to 2 years old).

 

Paris

For a family trip full of discoveries, the capital of France stands out in many ways.

Very rich in cultural and historical heritage, the city can be explored in summer or winter, depending on your desires.

You can easily move from one end of the city to the other by metro thanks to the Navigo Jour pass. Children under 4 years old can ride for free!

For a fun activity with your baby, spend a few hours at the Cité des Sciences, and more specifically, at the Lab de la Cité des Bébés (website in French), where you can help your child’s cognitive and psychomotor development through different toys and courses.

Drop by the Un Air de Famille (website in French) restaurant, where you can not only recharge your batteries, but also  enjoy different workshops with your baby depending on the day and time you go there.

Take a bateau-mouche on the Seine to admire the capital and its monuments while taking care of your toddler. And if they’re under 4 years old, it’s free for them.

Let yourself be tempted by a tasty experience full of surprises by going to La Fabrique de Chocolat (website in French), which will remind you of the famous movie Charlie and the Chocolate Factory! Book in advance.

 

Loir-et-Cher

In order to combine calmness and fun trips with your baby, you can go to the Loir-et-Cher department, in the Centre-Val-de-Loire region.

Take a walk in Blois, a city where life is good, with several places to visit such as the Maison de la magie, the Fondation du doute, or the Maison de la BD (website in French).

Visit the Royal Castle of Blois, classified as a historical monument since 1845 and an example of the evolution of French architecture from the 13th to the 17th century.

Book your tickets, and your baby can enjoy it free of charge!

Embark on a restaurant boat to take a break: L’Embarcadère (website in French) offers maritime and regional cuisine, to eat with a beautiful view.

Located at about a 45-minute drive away from Blois is the fourth most beautiful zoo in the world, the ZooParc de Beauval!

Discover more than 35,000 animals from all over the world, settled in the 20 territories of the ZooParc de Beauval.

You and your child will be impressed, and you can even learn about the history of these animals thanks to explanatory plaques throughout the park.

 

Biscarrosse

Want to relax on the beach during the summer, or even walk on the sand during the colder seasons with your baby?

Biscarrosse is the ideal destination to enjoy the sun and the beach, especially with a baby, bring equipment to make sand castles, towels and a parasol and there you have it.

Opt for the camping solution, to make the most of your stay and to organize your outings strategically.

Walk along the Dune du Pilat, which is about 12 miles from Biscarrosse, without forgetting your baby carrier.

Don’t forget to take a ride on the merry-go-round with your child at the beach in Biscarrosse.

Les Manèges Carrobé offers duck fishing, bumper cars, and even a bungee trampoline for an exciting time.

 

Charente-Maritime

La Rochelle and its surroundings have a lot to offer, making it an ideal destination for many families.

Cycling around the Isle of Aix is an unforgettable experience, and it’s possible to take your baby with you on a bike trailer to enjoy the scenery as a family.

To get there, you can take a boat from Fouras and then rent one or more bikes as soon as you set foot on the island, from bike rental companies.

Explore the Aquarium de La Rochelle to discover more than 600 different marine species during a visit of about 1 hour and 30 minutes. Book in advance.

From the Saint-Trojan-les-Bains train station, in the south of the Ile d’Oléron, Le p’tit Train de Saint-Trojan (website in French) will take you on a 7 miles round trip.

Enjoy beautiful landscapes of fine sand and pine forests inaccessible by road, again with a free ticket for your baby.

 

Antibes

Antibes is a city and seaside resort located on the French Riviera, by the sea.

Head to Europe’s largest marine zoo, the Marineland of Antibes, to discover many marine species with your family.

The zoo is close to several amusement parks, including Aquasplash (website in French), a perfect water park for a day full of excitement and learning for your baby!

Book your combined Marineland+Aquasplash tickets on one of their sites and get free admission for your child under 3 years old.

You can stroll through the Old Town listening to the sound of the waves or exploring the labyrinthine streets of this picturesque city.

Stop by La Tour Antique (website in French), an Italian restaurant with a medieval feel, to enjoy a dish of Italian cuisine.

 

Mulhouse

Do you feel like going on an original excursion with your family to escape from everyday life?

Mulhouse has been classified as a city of art and history since 2008, thanks to its important cultural heritage.

Visit the Musée National de l’Automobile, to discover together the history of the automobile since its beginnings, which will impress young and old. Get your ticketsknow that it is free for children under 4 years old.

Stroll around town and spend some time in one of the city’s parks, resting and playing with your baby.

If you drive 20 minutes north of Mulhouse, you will find a theme park to spend some wonderful moments with your child.

The Parc du Petit Prince, an aerial park with the theme of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s famous book, welcomes you and your children.

Benefit from a free ticket for a child under one meter tall, and discover Alsace at 150m of altitude in the Ballon du Roi.

Take a ride on the little train, have fun on the zipline and the big swing, venture into the inflatable volcano and take a refreshing break at the desert dew.

There’s plenty of fun for the whole family!

 

Dijon

Dijon is known for its gastronomy and wine, being one of the main wine territories of the country.

The city has a small lake, Lac Kir, where you can walk or bike to spend time by the water with your baby for a nice afternoon.

If you want to have a unique experience, about 2 hours away from Dijon, go to Le Pal.

This is an amusement park that also has a large animal section, with several attractions suitable for the little ones, such as the Lion River, the Carousel, the Frog Roundabout, and many others.

The park allows you to meet a thousand wild animals, which will impress you.

Take your baby to meet his or her favorite animal, whether it’s a lion or a wolf!

Book your tickets and get a free admission if your baby is less than 1 meter tall.

A family day close to nature to teach your child to respect nature.

 

Colmar

Colmar, classified as a “ville fleurie” (or flower city), is a jewel where you can spend time with your family exploring the surrounding area.

The city is dotted with various museums, some of which you might be interested in if you’re planning to visit them with your baby.

The Toy Museum has an impressive collection of toys dating from the 19th century to the present day.

The ticket is free for children under 8 years old.

By car, drive 2 hours west of Colmar to reach the Ferme Aventure (website in French), the greatest barefoot park in France.

It’s a park that offers a unique sensory adventure through several activities, such as labyrinths, thematic trails, a mini-farm and even tree courses.

It’s not expensive, and moreover, it’s free for your child under one meter tall.

 

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Le Havre

Le Havre is a very famous city where life is good, which is ideal for a family outing.

Be sure to take a stroll along the harbor with your partner and baby.

Continue your walk in the Perret district, which was rebuilt after the war, and pass by the rue de Paris, where you can visit the Appartement témoin Perret, decorated in the taste of the 1950s.

Relax on the beach in the center of town, then have a crepe  at Bord Salé, a small seaside creperie.

If you want to spend a fun afternoon with your baby, there is a Gulli Parc (website in French) in town, a fun park whose theme is based on a french TV channel for kids.

it is perfect for your child to spend some time with a ball pool, a construction site, a volcano, slides and other fun activities.

It’s a great way to spend an afternoon.

 

Niort

This small town is close to the regional park of the Marais Poitevin, labeled “Grand Site de France” (or great site of France).

Halfway between Poitiers and La Rochelle, Niort is the ideal destination if you want to spend some quiet time with your family.

Visit the Musée du Donjon (website in French), a real military fortress with an eventful history.

Fortress, residence, prison… You can learn more by visiting this museum for free on the first Sunday of each month if you are under 25 years old.

Otherwise, you can pay less for a non-guided visit of the museum.

Take a bike ride around the Marais Poitevin for a breath of fresh air, and bring a picnic lunch.

There are 528 miles of bike paths to choose from.