Traveling to Europe with kids is sometimes a challenge, but always a thrill. The language change, the new scenery and the cultural offerings result in a true vacation feeling, allowing you to escape everyday life and feel totally immersed in your surroundings.
One classic family favorite is France, offering a huge range of options, from city breaks in the world-famous capital to relaxing countryside getaways in Provence. Whether you’re a family full of culture vultures or prefer to spend your vacation next to the pool, there’s something for you.
Wherever and whenever you decide to visit, make sure you leave plenty of time for simply enjoying the national cuisine. France is famous for its food, with dishes including tarte tatin, bouillabaisse, escargot and flavourful pastries – even fussy eaters won’t be able to resist.
Ready to tuck in? In this short guide, we share three must-do foodie activities for families
visiting France.
FAMILY COOKING CLASS
If the idea of trying new foods is exciting, but you’re apprehensive about getting your little ones to sit down in a restaurant for long enough for you to enjoy them, a more practical approach may be needed. A family cooking class is a great way to allow kids to get a little messy and really get to know these famous French dishes.
Plus, once you know how to cook them, you can recreate the memories of your holiday at home. Make sure you book a class in English, unless you’re lucky enough to speak fluent French.
If this is on your activity wish list, but you’re not sure where to find one, a big city like Paris is almost certainly the place to go.
FRESH, WARM PASTRIES
Almost nothing compares to the taste of a freshly baked pain au chocolat or croissant, straight from the local bakery. Extra points if you can memorize enough French to order it without reverting to English – a great challenge for slightly older children.
Almost every town will have a bakery, although they might be in the local supermarket in some cases. Getting there early and eating your pastries whilst walking in the cool morning air makes getting up early with your kids all worth it.
FAMILY-FRIENDLY WALKING TOURS
Walking tours are a fantastic way to see any location. They often offer unrivaled value for money, access to local knowledge, and remove the need to carefully plan an itinerary. However, they’re not typically suited to kids with bundles of energy, and little patience for
historical facts.
That’s where a family-friendly walking food tour comes in. Popular in cities, particularly in Paris, the whole group can set about traveling between delicious foodie destinations, picking up snacks at each spot along the way. Your kids will be so busy enjoying the food they won’t notice that they’re on an educational trip, whilst parents can zone in (or out) as they choose.
Make sure to check if your tour is family-friendly before you book, to avoid any concern about enthusiastic children in fancy restaurants. Plus, your guide will be well-used to tailoring their dialogue to younger ears.
RAISE YOUR KIDS AS GOURMET GLOBETROTTERS
Indulging in the food of the locations you visit isn’t just fun – it’s educational too. Teach your kids how to appreciate different cultures, and learn new skills together to connect and make memories as a family on your next vacation.
