Family holidays in france

This year for the third year in a row I have taken a couple of weeks in Royan with my little ones. They just love it, and always look forwards to going back to this picturesque seaside town in the French Atlantic coast.

Royan is a very good place to be with your children. The beaches are clean and child safe, there are plenty of things to do and see, even on a rainy day. To top it off, the seafood there is fantastic and now even my little ones prefer to go out eating seafood than to go to a McDonalds!

Although we have been three years in a row, we always find something new. The first year when the children were younger they enjoyed the “beach crèches”, now that they are older they just enjoy swimming in the sea or trying their first efforts at surfing.

Royan has a very long past as a seaside resort. It was one of the very first resorts in France to arise through the newly discovered trend for sea-bathing at the start of the 20th century. It became incredibly fashionable, and prosperous visitors from Paris set up home for the summer in here.  At the time, the view of a family group dining on the seashore with maids waiting around the table was quite common and several very attractive Belle Epoque houses were constructed during this period. Unfortunately much of this was destroyed during the Second War.  Still nowadays Royan is still a very charming seaside resort. 

1. Visit the Jardins du Monde

The Jardins du Monde is a beautiful park in Royan. You can read more about it here

5 av des Fleurs de la Paix

17204 Royan

Open from 10am to 6pm everyday.

Telephone 0546380099

17570 Les Mathes

One of the best zoos in France and Europe, the Palmyre zoo is easily accessible from Royan by car or by bus.

1570 Route de la Fouasse

17570 Les Mathes

Enjoy a hike in a quad bike with no need for a driving permit.  Children from 10 years onwards can have their own quad bike to ride in sand tracks or through the forest.

Aerodrome de Royan-Medis

Voie Joseph de Lelée

17600 Médis

Telephone: 0546068600

This is one of my favourite places in Royan, the place where I started my parachuting adventures.  Even though children are not allowed to go parachuting, (minimum age is 15 years old) my little ones just enjoy spending the day here watching the colourful parachutes in the air, wandering around the aeroplanes and enjoying a sandwich and ice cream in the little bar. 

If you are adventurous enough you and your children can see Royan and the Cote de Beaute (the beauty coast) from the air.  Prices start at 90 euros for two people.

One of the best ways to go around Royan is by bike. If you cannot travel with your bikes you can always rent a bicycle in several places. Rental prices are very affordable and you can get all sort of bikes, from very small ones with helping wheels, to racing bikes and family bikes.

My little ones enjoyed going along the seafront in their bikes. There are bicycle tracks in most of Royan which makes it easy and safe to go around cycling.

Embarquement Quai de Gosport

70 Front de Mer

17200 Royan

On the port of Royan you will find several cruises all adapted to different needs.  For example, there is a cruise to the Cordouan lighthouse  (the last inhabited lighthouse in France) and there is a tour of the estuary.  There are also fishing tours, night tours, etc.

If you are planning to go on a cruise, expect to spend at least 12euros for each person. 

 7.  Mini Golf

Square de la Tremuille

Pontaillac

If your little ones are already passionate about golfing, the mini golf the Pontaillac is the perfect place to end up a busy day.  Open until midnight, the mini golf has 18 holes especially adapted for young children.  Prices range from €6 for adults and €4 for children until 12 years old. 

8.  Beach Clubs

There are several beach clubs along the coast.  Designed for children as young as 3 years old these beach clubs are a mom’s saver!  You can leave your children here a couple of hours or the whole day.  The prices vary according to the length of time that you book in.  You can buy a couple of hours, a day pass, a week or even a month.

The beach clubs are registered under the beach club French federation and they are open July and August.  It is the perfect place to leave your children (open from 9:15am to 7pm) to play, learn to swim and entertain themselves while at the beach supervised by professionals.