Provence with kids: Activities for the whole family

When you think of busy, fun-filled luxury France holidays, your first thought might be Paris. There are so many activities and things to keep your children entertained, but why not go further south?

Provence is one of the most exciting and beautiful regions in France and you'll never run out of things to do. We know that when travelling with your children, you need to plan ahead, so we have created the ultimate Provence holidays with kids guide!

A day in the wild

There is nothing that children love more than seeing all of their favourite wild animals in one place. Le Parc Zoologique de la Barben is a fantastic zoo that is perfect for a day trip. The zoo itself won the Gold Medal of the French conservation trophy, meaning that their conservation and animal protection is top-notch.

From alpacas to zebras, elephants, lions and more, the variety is incredible. As well as being able to visit all of the animals, the zoo puts on special workshop for kids, showing them all the aspects of a working zoo. They can feed the vultures, meet the elephants and watch the flight of the raptors. All in all, this zoo will make for a fantastic day out in Provence with kids.

A purple paradise

The magic of the lavender fields of Provence is enchanting for everyone, both adults and children. During the summer when the lavender is in full bloom, take advantage of the exquisite display and spend the day visiting a few of the country's most beautiful fields.

You will see why Provence has been the inspiration for so many artists over the years and why the lavender fields attract visitors without fail. The landscape is painted purple and fills the horizon as far as the eye can see. This experience will not be disappointing as your children will really feel the magic of nature.

Sun, sand and sea

A day at the beach never goes amiss, especially in the warm September sun. The Grande Plage, located near La Ciotat is family-friendly and full of activities. For active children, they can waterski, sail, kayak and many other water-sports to keep them busy all day.

For your more tranquil children, they can play in the white sand and paddle in the sea, safe in the knowledge that the lifeguard is always watching. There is a private strip of the beach where you can hire sun loungers and umbrellas. There are also restaurants that are scattered along the seafront, perfect for a lazy lunch.

Culture clash

A day spent in museums could sound tedious when travelling through Provence with kids, but pick the right ones and they will have a great time. Seeing the paintings inspired by the beautiful landscape of Provence is always compelling. Provence was the catalyst of inspiration for many a famous artist and Musée Granet is home to a lot of these works.

Picasso, Cézanne and Giacometti line the walls of the prestigious museum and they regularly have new and exciting exhibitions. For the children, they have dedicated workshops and kid-friendly tours. You can do these as a family or leave your children in the capable hands of the museum guides.

Medieval Magic

In the splendid town of Avignon lies the Palais des Papes, an UNESCO heritage site filled with medieval excitement. The extraordinary building dates back to the 1300s and is the biggest Gothic palace in the world.

Pope John XXII took over the papal seat and transformed the building into a magnificent papal residence. The history present in this building is mind-blowing and they offer informative and interesting tours for both children and parents alike. Make your holiday in Provence with kids educational as well as entertaining at the Palais des Papes.

Floating over the fields

Take your place in the basket, as the gravity-defying balloon overhead slowly hoists you to a place of complete incomparable stillness and beauty. Lap up the unrivalled views of the Ochre Valley and Luberon below. 

A patchwork of colours extends as far as the eye can see: sprightly and sprawling fields of lavender are woven between gatherings of green, canopies conspiring to conceal the forest floor, and parched fields of wild grasses that compliment the ochre valley's pallet. 

Treasure hunting for truffles

Hare off between the trees, pursuing an expertly trained truffle hunting dog, in search of a black diamond of the world of cooking: a black truffle. Over 80% of France's black truffles come from Vaucluse in Provence. 

WIth Le Collectionist, you can spend the afternoon with a family of truffle cultivators who have been established in the region for generations. Learn the art of training dogs to hunt for the treasured truffle and the methods of cultivating these lands to accommodate them. 

Where to stay

When travelling with kids, your villa is of utmost importance. You need the time to relax on your own but also enough space to allow the children to explore freely! Our Provence villas are perfect for this, especially Mas Des Oliviers. 

Mas Des Oliviers

One of our favourite villas in Provence, Mas Des Oliviers is perfect for a family getaway. With classical style furnishings and modern utilities. A swimming pool, garden, pool house and Bocce ball court, your kids will be entertained all week-long.