Regions to Explore with Kids
Bordeaux:
The area in the south west of France is great for family holidays. On the coast you have miles of sandy beach, great for body boarding and surfing, and our Siblu villages are brilliantly situated in the heart of the rural countryside.
The area of Bordeaux is of course famous for its wine and a fascinating place to visit with the children would be St Emillion, located on the outskirts of this city. This tiny town is like something out of the Middle Ages, with beautiful buildings and old cobbled streets to explore. Every other shop is a wine shop, with interesting underground areas, great for exploring and buying wine.
If you like cheese with your wine then head to Paille et Riplaille festival held in the region of Nouvelle-Aquitaine, near Bordeaux, which is held at the end of August. Many winegrowers are present at the festival promoting their local products and there are lots of picnic tables, food, and wine markets and tastings which are organised throughout the event.
Loire Valley:
As well as castles and rivers to explore whilst on your family camping holiday in the Loire, this area is famous for its vineyards and great tasting wines, such as the Sauvignon, Sancerre and Pouilly-Fume.
At the beginning of September, head to Vignes Vins Randos in the heart of the Loire Valley vineyards. There is a small festival at this time; you can join in with over 18 walks that are organised in the vineyards of Anjou, the Loire Valley and Touraine by Val de Loire, and discover wine-making know-how, taste amazing local delicacies and of course all types of regional wines. Also, there will be cooking demonstrations and events for children.
Champagne
The Route du Champagne is as glamourous as it sounds. The official route starts in Reims, which is the capital of Champagne. It then goes south to Epernay, which is also considered to be the capital of Champagne because it houses most of the producers. After this, you can visit Châlons-en-Champagne, Épernay again, Sézanne and finally Troyes. Each year there is a festival at the end of July where thousands of champagne enthusiasts drive the route (or part of the route – it’s around 500 km long), going through the most beautiful villages and towns in the Champagne region.
If you are holidaying with children in this region, then you can visit the famous Moet & Chandon company in Epernay, with visits to the cellars and tasting sessions. Children under the age of 10 are free, teenagers are around 13 euros (at time of writing) and adult prices vary depending which tour you wish to do. The children will enjoy looking at the ‘caves’ below ground and learning about the process of making this famous drink.
If you are travelling down to the south of France, then build at stop in the Champagne region into your journey, perhaps planning an overnight stop at Troyes, which is a beautiful little city with a medieval centre.
Occitanie
France’s largest wine region - the Occitanie, produces wines in the three major wine-producing regions of southern France – the Languedoc, Roussillon and the south east of France, all along the mediterranean coast. 33% of all French wine is produced in this area!
Famous wines from this region include Faugeres, Corbieres, Saint Chinan and Mivervois wines plus ‘cotes du Roussillon’ wines.
Siblu have lots of holiday parks in this area that are perfect for getting out and about and visiting wineries, that are known to form part of the Languedoc-Roussillon wine trail.
