Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
France – Honfleur – Saint-Malo – Carnac – Ile de Re– Montignac – Arcachon – Biarritz – Carcassonne – Les Baux-de-Provence
100% customisable for you
Bags packed, passports at the ready and excitement levels officially sky-high; today's the day you and the family are off to France.
Head to the airport, whizz through security and bundle the little ones onto the plane for the one-and-a-half-hour flight to Paris, just enough time to crack open a travel game and master a few French phrases.
When you touch down, pick up your hire car and hit the road for the two-and-a-half-hour drive to Barneville-la-Bertran, a sleepy neighbouring town of Honfleur – your home for the next two nights.
The rest of the day is all yours to ease into holiday mode. Let the youngsters burn off any leftover energy with a countryside wander, or slow things right down with a lazy afternoon by the pool. When hunger strikes, make your way to a local restaurant serving hearty Norman fare and spend the evening chit-chatting about the adventures ahead.
Rise and shine early this morning, then set off with your local guide to explore Honfleur, affectionately nicknamed the ‘City of Painters’, whose picturesque streets once served as the muse for works by Monet and Boudin.
As you weave through a labyrinth of cobbled lanes, your guide will tell you all about local life in this charming Normandy harbour town, from its seafaring traditions to the best place to pick up a wedge of creamy Camembert (that’s lunch sorted). Between the fishing port and Sainte-Catherine Church, you’ll pass plenty of indie art studios and galleries, where Honfleur’s creative spirit shines through every canvas, sculpture and handcrafted keepsake.
Suitably wowed, return to the hotel for a power nap before heading out for a seafood supper. Save room for a slice of tarte Normande, a traditional apple tart served with cream – likely to be a big hit with the youngsters.
Set your sights on Saint-Malo this morning and embark on the three-hour drive west.
Forget service stations and motorway cafés; today's pit stop is in a league of its own. We’ve secured you tickets to Mont-Saint-Michel, a remarkable medieval island commune rising from the tidal flats like something dreamed up from a fairy tale. Climb the winding lanes uphill to the abbey, where Gothic spires tower overhead and grinning gargoyles watch over every twist and turn. Challenge the youngsters to see who can spot the funniest (or creepiest) one – consider it the first family game of the trip...
When you arrive in Saint-Malo, settle into your cosy guesthouse; home for the next two nights. And after a jam-packed day, bypass any dinner deliberations with a restaurant recommendation from our local Concierge – just tell them what the children are craving.
Fuel up with a hearty breakfast this morning – you've got quite the adventure ahead.
It’s all aboard a traditional sailing boat, charting a course around the bay of Mont-Saint-Michel, past sweeping tidal flats and sandy islets.
Before long, the youngsters will be learning the ropes (pun very much intended), with your skipper guiding them through a few classic boating manoeuvres. And with this newfound nautical prowess under their belts, they can help point the bow back towards Saint-Malo.
Back on dry land, delve into Saint-Malo's past, from Vauban's coastal defences and Solidor Tower to the Memorial 39-45, where former bunkers tell the story of the city’s resilience. Round the day off at the Sculptured Rocks of Rotheneuf, a beach strewn with hundreds of granite carvings depicting the legends of corsairs and pirates. Just don’t be surprised if talk soon turns to buried gold and long-lost loot...
Buckle in this morning for the easy, breezy two-and-a-half-hour drive to Carnac, set on Brittany’s southern shores. As the rolling countryside gives way to sleepy villages and sparkling stretches of coastline, roll the windows down, tune into our destination-specific playlist and let the family singalong commence.
When you arrive, check in to your oceanfront cottage, your home away from home for the next two nights. And after a few action-packed days, the rest of the afternoon is all yours to slow the pace. Slip into sandals, arm the little ones with buckets and spades, then wander down to the beach, in search of iridescent shells and tiny crabs skittering across the rock pools.
Come evening, settle into a local creperie and tuck into a traditional Breton galette (a savoury buckwheat pancake filled with regional ingredients). Afterwards, enjoy front-row seats to the sunset over Quiberon Bay, casting everything in a golden glow. Ice cream, anyone?
Are your little ones still beaming after their last sailing expedition? Well, today’s bound to be another highlight.
Grab your sunglasses (and don’t forget the camera) then make your way to the harbour to cruise across the enchanting Gulf of Morbihan aboard a private vessel. And if luck’s on your side, you might even spot a pod of playful dolphins surfing the bow wave, bound to spark plenty of excited squeals from the youngsters.
Drop anchor at the islands of Houat, Hoedic and Belle-Ile, where you can flop on the sand, paddle in crystal-clear waters or stretch your legs with a stroll along the coastal trails, before hopping back aboard for the return journey to Carnac this afternoon.
Round off the day salt-speckled and ruddy-cheeked at a local bistro, where seafood and crispy frites are a match made in heaven.
Gear up this morning for the four-hour journey south to Ile de Re, following the glittering Vendee coastline, before crossing the bridge linking the islet to the mainland. When you arrive, hand over your bags and herd the excitable youngsters straight to your villa, your tranquil retreat for the next two nights.
The best way to discover this dreamy island? By bicycle, of course. Over the next couple of days, weave your way through sleepy villages, rolling vineyards and shimmering salt marshes, before catching your breath at the picture-perfect ports of Saint-Martin-de-Re and La Flotte, where fishing boats haul in the day’s catch.
And if the youngsters’ still have some energy left in the tank, climb the Phare des Baleines lighthouse for sweeping views across the Atlantic.
All that pedalling is bound to work up some mighty appetites, so each evening, seek out somewhere local for dinner and discover what this corner of France has on the menu.
Enjoy a quintessentially French breakfast this morning – we’re talking buttery croissants, a velvety cafe au lait and a babyccino for the little ones.
Then embark on the four-hour drive east to Montignac, located in the rural heart of the Perigord Noir region. The views along the way are all classic country charm, where rolling hills and honey-hued villages provide the perfect backdrop for family selfies (prime material for the holiday album).
When you arrive, check in to your peaceful guesthouse, where you’ll be staying for the next two nights. And after a long day on the road, soak up the seriously cosy vibes with a gentle stroll through the nearby woodland, or simply curl up by the fireplace.
Come dinner time, grown-ups can sample the region’s famous Bergerac wines and there’s plenty of fruit juices to go around for the youngsters.
The name of the game today? Descending below ground to explore prehistoric caves filled with ancient wonders. Begin at the Lascaux Caves, where torchlit passageways reveal herds of horses, bison and deer galloping across the walls – all remarkably preserved paintings dating back around 17,000 years.
Next, venture into Rouffignac Cave, where prehistoric engravings of mammoths, woolly rhinoceroses and bison offer a fascinating glimpse into life during the Ice Age. Imaginations are bound to run wild, so parents, brace yourselves for a whole host of questions fired your way from your young explorers on the drive home...
Fancy some fresh air after all that subterranean exploring? Lace up your best walking shoes for a stroll through the surrounding holm oak forests before heading to the medieval town of Sarlat-la-Caneda. Follow the cobbled lanes into the market square, where stalls are piled high with sweet figs, crunchy walnuts and earthy truffles. Time to dig in.
Another day, another road trip. This morning, it’s a three-hour drive west to Arcachon, winding through countryside villages and dense pine forests. Then, with your eyes scanning the horizon, it’s officially game on for who can spot the azure waters of the Atlantic Ocean first – the winner rides shotgun tomorrow...
Check in for two nights at your oceanfront hotel, then lather on the sun cream for a stroll along the shore. Queue the youngsters making a beeline for the sea while parents watch on from sun loungers, perhaps with a glass of rosé to celebrate your arrival?
Head down to the harbour this morning, where a traditional pinnace (a flat-bottomed wooden boat) is waiting to whisk you away. With your private skipper at the helm and the sea breeze doing its bit, settle into a sunny spot on deck as you glide across Arcachon Bay.
Drift past the iconic Cabanes Tchanquees, two stilted huts standing high above the tidal flats that once served as lookout posts for local fishermen, before skimming around Bird Island, where it’s all eyes to the skies for soaring herons, egrets and spoonbills. Finally, pull up to the sweeping D’Arguin sandbank, where the mighty Dune of Pilat rises from the shoreline in all its glory; Europe's tallest sand dune.
Back in Arcachon this evening, seek out a local shellfish seller and discover why this town has earned such a stellar reputation for their oysters.
Stock up the snack stash and crank up the tunes – today’s road trip takes you two hours south to Biarritz, where you’ll settle into your guesthouse for the next two nights.
The rest of the day is yours to spend as you please. Perhaps amble down to the beach, where little architects can perfect their sandcastle masterpieces while grown-ups enjoy some well-deserved R&R.
Then it’s back to your room for a heavenly out-in-the-sun-all-day nap before heading out this evening in search of a family-friendly tapas bar. With plenty of little plates to mix, match and share, even the fussiest eaters are bound to find a favourite dish.
Ready to give surfing a whirl? Make your way over to Cote des Basques, one of Biarritz’s legendary beaches, where gentle, rolling waves make it the go-to spot for a family surf lesson. With an expert instructor leading the way, expect plenty of laughs, a few wobbles and lots of brilliant ‘did you see that?’ moments as everyone has a go at riding the swell. And of course, brace yourself for one family member to nail it and spend the rest of the day acting like they’re about to go pro...
If the morning’s surf antics have left the whole family buzzing, channel that energy in to the one-hour climb to the Col des Trois Croix. And when little legs start to tire, there are plenty of picnic spots dotted along the route. At the top, you’ll find the Col’s three iconic crosses, Basque tombs dating back to the seventeenth century and panoramic mountain views that make every puff and pant worthwhile.
Game packs at the ready and a competitive game of ‘I Spy’ in full swing, embark on the four-hour drive east to Carcassonne, the medieval jewel of southern France.
When you arrive, check in for one night at your hotel in the centre of the city. Then head out to explore its UNESCO-listed citadel where lofty turrets, fortified walls and Romanesque architecture are sure to fuel imaginations with tales of knights, dragons and daring sieges...
Follow the maze of winding streets to a traditional restaurant, where cassoulet is likely to feature on the menu. This slow-cooked specialty combines white beans with duck confit and is best enjoyed with a crisp baguette to soak up every last drop of the rich sauce. Consider it another French classic ticked off the foodie bucket list.
Your journey continues today with a two-and-a-half-hour drive to Les Baux-de-Provence, a hilltop village set in the rural heart of southern France. When you arrive, check in to your charming guesthouse – your home away from home for the final two nights of your trip.
The rest of the afternoon calls for muddy boots and rosy cheeks. Amble around the rolling countryside, where the youngsters can make a few four-legged friends at the nearby farms, home to sheep, goats and cows.
This evening, settle into a local restaurant for a home-cooked dinner showcasing the very best seasonal produce Provence has to offer.
Any budding art aficionados in the family? They’re in for a real treat today.
Step inside the Carrieres des Lumieres, a spectacular immersive art experience, housed within a former stone quarry on the outskirts of Les Baux-de-Provence. As the lights dim, the colossal quarry walls burst into life with dazzling projections of masterpieces by artistic greats including Van Gogh, Cezanne and Gauguin, all perfectly choreographed to an atmospheric soundtrack. Let the oohing and aahing commence...
Still raring to go? We can also arrange a visit to a local organic olive grove, complete with a tasting of its finest oils.
And for your last night, leave dinner plans in the hands of our local Concierge, who’ll know just the spot for a celebratory final meal.
Time flies when you’re having fun and, sadly, it’s time to say au revoir to France.
Gear up for the one-hour drive to Marseille Provence Airport, where you’ll return your trusty hire car and squeeze in a spot of last-minute souvenir shopping before checking in for your flight home.
You’ll spend around two hours in the air, plenty of time to start the all-important conversation with your young explorers – where to next on the travel bucket list?
Everything in this itinerary is entirely customisable, down to the smallest details. Here are some more suggestions of what could be included
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
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Our team of destination experts will get to know you and your unique requirements for your holiday
We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities
All of our holidays include little extras designed to make a big difference to your trip, from checking you in for your flights to our network of local Concierges
