Cheap family holidays to France

France has remained a huge family favourite for British holidaymakers for decades for a cheap family holiday.  And despite everything ‘Brexit’, its popularity shows no signs diminishing.

And so if you are looking for a cheap family holiday to France in 2020, where will your budget stretch to the best?  France for Families is here to give you some good insider tips on the best locations.

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Cheap family holidays to Brittany

Brittany can offer a good cheap holiday choice for family holidays, being a relatively easy hop across the channel from Plymouth and Portsmouth.  Check out Condor Ferries for a cheaper ferry option, or try the Portsmouth Caen day ferry with Brittany Ferries for a cheaper cross channel ferry crossing (cheaper than an overnight Portsmouth – St Malo for example).

This beautiful region –  similar to Cornwall but without the traffic – offers gorgeous beaches, plates of sumptuous seafood, cider and the famous Breton Crepe.

VISIT: The Carnac stones are a vast set of 3,000 prehistoric standing stones, some arranged more than 6,000 years ago. Start at the Maison des Mégalithes and book a guided tour in English.

Visit Concarneau for it’s fascinating walled city and Quimper for a medieval city in the heart of Brittany.

FOOD AND DRINK: Whenever you have a crepe, sip some Breton cider – a perfect combination.

BEACH: Enjoy the pink granite coves of north Brittany or head to the pretty little inlets and sandy beaches of south Brittany.

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Cheap family holidays to the Vendée & Charente Maritime

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The west coast of France is famous for miles upon miles of wide sandy beaches, perfect if you are looking for a cheap family holiday to France. What could be simpler than enjoying days lazing at the beach, allowing the children to play in the water and build sandcastles to their hearts delight.

This area suits older children particularly well – the Vendee and parts of the Charente Coast offering some good wave action – perfect for a spot of surfing or body-boarding.

VISIT: Le Puy du Fou is a theme park with a difference – and highly recommended. This spectacular medieval experience is set in the heart of an ancient forest. Stay for the evening show – an open-air performance of Vikings at war involving 850 people.

Hit La Route de Sel (the Salt Road) and paddle through Sallertaine’s ancient salt marshes by canoe. There are plenty of canoe hire shops lining the route.

FOOD AND DRINK: Seafood again is extremely popular here. Enjoy a seafood platter on the seafront at St Jean de Monts. Plus there are many local wines to try. In the Charante enjoy a ‘Pineau’ as an aperitif and enjoy a Cognac as a digestif. Both local to the region. Locals claim the best oysters in the whole of France are served at the Mord’Eau bar in Port du Bec, near Beauvoir-sur-Mer.

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South east of France – Languedoc-Roussillon

Often overlooked for the more popular Cote d’Azur, the Lanugedoc is a diverse area with warm sandy beaches on the Med. It is the world’s single biggest wine-producing region.  If you want to enjoy the Med, but you are working to a budget, then this area can offer a cheaper family holiday to France than it’s more expensive neighbour.

SEE & DO: Featuring many Robin Hood films, Carcassonne is a wonderful walled city where you can stroll through the fortifications and enjoy a meal in one of the many restaurants within the walls.

Aqualand in Cap D’Agde offers a brilliant family day out, with waterslides and pools to suit all age ranges while Narbonne’s Natural Park is home to a varied fauna and flora, including many species of birds.

FOOD AND DRINK: Red wines using Carignan, Cinsault and Grenache grapes area a speciality here. Head to Sete for an authentic seafood meal or the seaside village of Marseillan Plage is perfect for an evening alfresco meal overlooking the sea.

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Gironde/Gastony/Pyrénées

This relatively unknown and undiscovered part of France can offer a great value holiday for families.  With the emphasis on outdoor activity and relaxation in the great outdoors, you can find lots to occupy a family with walking, hiking, cycling or just relaxing next to a pool.  It’s a great place to drive to, then park the car for two weeks and relax in peace and quiet. No need to spend a fortune whilst your there, making it a good option for a cheap family holiday to France.

VISIT: Visit one of the many lakes in the area for swimming or watersports. Visit the mountain-top observatory at Pic du Midi to see one of France’s most powerful telescopes and amazing views.

FOOD AND DRINK: Enjoy the wine in Saint Emilion – one of the most attractive of the Bordeaux wine villages with countless wine cellars, or share cocktails by the sea at Le Surf in Hourtin.  Local delicacy Floc is a wine liqueur that is fortified with armagnac brandy – perfect before dinner.

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