In our group, we often get questions about the South of France. In particular, the best small towns and villages in the area to stay with kids. Based on member suggestions, here are our top suggestions of towns to visit in the South of France with kids.
Antibes
Antibes is known for its sunny seaside location. Accessible via car along the Cote d’Azur, Antibes features a beautiful old town with well-preserved streets and buildings. There are quite a few family-friendly beaches in the area. This includes Plage de la Gravette, Plage de la Ponteil, and Plage de la Salis. There is also a lovely little playground with a carousel in the pedestrian area of rue de la Republic — perfect for little ones! Another great attraction in Antibes is the Marineland Park, which features an aquarium, a water park, an adventure playground, and a mini golf course.
St. Maxime
There are activities for kids of all ages in St. Maxime! This includes guided tours, sports like tennis and golf, a diving center, a sailing club, a skate park (recommended for teens), and the Aqualand waterpark. There are also many playgrounds, including one with a carousel. As far as beaches go, St. Maxime’s Plage du Centre Ville is quite popular. It features three on-the-beach restaurants, booths to rent parasols and lounge chairs, clean and well-maintained public restrooms, and various yummy ice cream shops.
Bandol
Bandol is another great seaside destination in the South of France. Boating is big in this town, with the Port de Bandol often hosting events like sailing regattas and boat fairs. Like other towns in the South of France, Bandol has some incredible beaches. Plage Centrale, one of Bandol’s beaches, is very kid-friendly with its trampoline and watersports like kayaking and paddleboarding. There’s also Bendor Island, a small carless island accessible via a short ferry ride from Bandol. The island features activities like tennis and hiking. There is also the Museum of Advertising, various art galleries, and more to explore on Bendor Island. If you’re a dog lover, there’s a dog beach located right across from Bendor Island, too!
Menton
A 40-minute drive from Nice Airport, Menton is known for its sunny weather. Because of its lovely weather, Menton has numerous citrus groves and exotic gardens. But there is so much more to explore in Menton — including their two town beaches, their beautiful architecture, and the colorful and playful fruit sculptures located around town. One highlight of Menton is their annual Fête du Citron (citrus festival). Since 1895, this festival celebrates Menton’s vibrant citrus fruit production. The festival includes parades, light & sound shows, local artists selling their wares, local cuisine, and so much more.
Cassis
Cassis is a small fishing village in the South of France. This beautiful town looks like it came out of a storybook, featuring breathtaking cliffs reaching out to the Mediterranean Sea, cute outdoor cafes, and a charming port/harbor. There are numerous waterfront restaurants offering fresh fish, a local market, gorgeous French Riviera beaches, and the famous Calanques National Park. Plage De La Grande Mer is a popular family beach in Cassis, featuring a beachfront restaurant, areas of the water reserved exclusively for swimmers, windsurfing equipment and kayaks for rent, and a unique carousel.
Villefranche-sur-Mer
This coastal village features the bay and beach of Villefranche, which is one of the deepest natural harbors in the Mediterranean Sea. It’s a great spot for kids to swim and snorkel. The town also has an Old Town, that’s quite fun to walk around in. Plus it has the Rue Obscure or Dark Street, a spooky passageway under the town’s harbor dating back to the year 1290. There are other cool historical sites in Villefranche-sur-Mer, like the Saint Elme Citadel (a 16th century stone fortress), the 18th century Baroque-style St. Michel Church, and the Roman-style St. Pierre Chapel.
Nice
One of the more popular locations in the South of France, Nice has a lot of family-friendly activities. If you visit during the warmer months, their pebbly beaches are great spots for relaxing and enjoying the natural views. But aside from beaches, there’s a lot to explore in Nice. You can rent bikes, skateboards, or rollerblades and take a ride along the beautiful Promenade des Anglais, for instance. You can also roam the Old Town, which is sure to have something of interest for everyone — from their decorative architecture to their fresh market in Cours Saleya.
For little kids, Nice’s parks are a must-visit. One of the parks, located right next to the Old Town, has an aquatic theme and features large wooden sculptures of marine life like whales and dolphins, as well as a pirate ship, which kids can play on. If you have a sweet tooth, check out the free tour of the confectionary shop Confiserie Florian, located by the Port. There are also various art galleries, cafes, and more that are sure to delight everyone in your family.
Cannes
Famous for its annual film festival, Cannes is a beautiful location for a seaside getaway with kids. Explore the coastline of Cannes with a boat trip or take a helicopter tour of the town. If you want to relax on the beach, the gorgeous beaches in Cannes feature watersports (canoeing, kayaking, diving, paddleboarding, snorkeling, etc.), sailing, and beach clubs. You can go horseback riding, visit museums and galleries, go karting, bowling, and more in the town of Cannes! Plus, there’s the fun activity of Geocatching. It’s basically a treasure hunt using the GPS feature on your mobile device — a great way to explore a new place!
Monaco
While not technically in France, Monaco is a lovely location along the French Riviera. Visit Hercule Harbor, Monaco’s only deep-water port and see the remarkable boats, ships, and yachts. If your little ones like animals, Monaco has the Oceanographic Museum and the Zoological Gardens to explore. If you or your kids are into cars, there’s an impressive collection of private cars owned by automobile enthusiast Prince Rainier III that you can visit. It includes about 100 models — ranging from vintage cars to race cars. And if you need a place to cool down during the hot months, the Rainier III Outdoor Swimming Stadium has an open-air pool right on the harbor. But if you happen to visit during the winter, the pool is converted to an ice skating rink.
We hope these suggestions are helpful to you in planning your perfect vacation to the South of France. Bon Voyage!
