Best Pierre & Vacances Holiday Villages for fun family escapes in France and Spain

If you’re looking for all-year-round sunshine, the Pierre et Vacances Holiday Village Fuerteventura Origo Mare should be high up on your wishlist. While flights to the Canary Islands can be pricey, this Spanish village is praised by Mumsnet users for its stunning volcanic surroundings, impressive pool facilities and proximity to beautiful beaches. 

Accommodation is compact yet comfortable, with a choice of room sizes ranging from studios to three-bedroom apartments. Each villa has its own private terrace and air conditioning. It’s worth mentioning that the footpaths can be a little uneven, so this village may be less suitable for families with pushchairs. 

With a choice of dining arrangements (including bed and breakfast, half board and all-inclusive), you can take your pick from restaurants serving regional and a la carte cuisine, as well as fast food spots and entertaining show cooking buffets.

There's an impressive aquatic area with a wave pool, slides and a water playground. There are also plenty of facilities to keep children of all ages entertained - whether that’s burning off excess energy at the outdoor playground and multi-sports area, or challenging the family to a game of tennis or crazy golf. If you fancy exploring outside the village, simply jump on the free shuttle bus to the sandy beaches or Cotilllo and Corralejo where you can try water sports like surfing and wakeboarding.

Thanks to the three age-appropriate kids' clubs for children aged four to 12 years, parents can also get some much-needed relaxation, leaving the kids free to make new friends and enjoy a jam-packed agenda of activities, games and sports.

Nearest airport: Fuerteventura Airport (18 miles)

Nearest town: El Cotillo resort centre (11 miles)

Nearest beach: El Hierro Beach (0.7 miles)

Around two hours from Paris, Pierre et Vacances Normandy Garden Village is a great choice for families seeking a quiet location within easy reach of the capital. It's set on a 29-acre plot with beautiful gardens surrounding a lake (although note that some guests feel that parts of the village are a little dated). Just six miles from the beautiful beaches of Villers-sur-Mer, it’s one of the more budget-friendly Pierre et Vacances villages when considering the cost of flights and transfers. 

Choose from cottage-style houses or apartments (each with a large terrace or patio), or book a duplex house if you're travelling in a large group. They sleep up to eight people across two floors.   

When it comes to dining, take your pick from self-catering, bed and breakfast, half board or full board basis. The family-friendly O’Garden restaurant offers relaxing views across the swimming pool and gardens, while the kid’s menu caters for the pickiest of eaters.

You will be spoiled for choice when it comes to swimming, with three pools including the ‘Beach’ outdoor pool, the indoor ‘Amazon’ pool with hot tubs and a lazy river, and the heated outdoor ‘Lagoon’. The latter is only open during the French school holidays, however, so you may want to check the dates before you travel. 

Children will love the indoor play area, the 9-hole mini golf course and the multi-sports area. Should you wish to visit the relaxation area, hammam and hot tub, Normandy Garden also offers fun-filled kids' clubs for children and teens, including activities like treasure hunts, discos and dance classes.

Nearest airport: Deauville - Normandie Airport (8 miles)

Nearest town: Branville (1 mile) 

Nearest beach: Villers-sur-Mer Beach (4 miles)

With a peaceful location in the Monts d'Ardèche natural park and a warm and sunny climate, this charming French village has plenty to offer guests of all ages. Proudly earning Green Key eco-credentials, this village makes a great choice for families wanting to explore the natural beauty of the Ardèche gorges and nearby Chauvet caves. 

Depending on the size of your family, you can choose between studios, apartments and houses (sleeping up to eight guests), each with a terrace or balcony to enjoy the evening views. 

While it’s possible to self-cater or simply choose a bed and breakfast basis, it may be easier to opt for a half-board or full-board package given its quiet location.

With a family-friendly atmosphere, you’ll find everything from regional dishes and themed buffets to takeaway pizzas at partner restaurant, Le Boissy, and there's even a menu tailored to younger appetites. 

There are five outdoor pools to choose from. Younger guests will love splashing in the calm shallow paddling pools, while older children and adults will be drawn to large family pool and tubing lazy river. 

There’s a wide variety of on-site entertainment too, from scenic horse riding sessions to a fun skate park. If the weather does take a turn for the worse - fear not - the indoor bowling alley and cinema have got you covered. Thanks to the children’s clubs for children aged 3 months to 15 years and the chilled teen hangout Le SpOt, you may even get the chance to put your feet up and soak up your surroundings. 

Nearest airport: Nice airport (10 miles) 

Nearest town: Grospierres (1.5 miles)

Nearest beach: Miami Platja beach (3.5 miles)

A popular Spanish village, Mumsnet users and guests praise the spacious air-conditioned apartments at Terrazas Costa del Sol, each with a terrace or balcony offering stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea and the rock of Gibraltar. 

This peaceful Pierre & Vacances village may be quieter than some, but it's ideally placed for guests who want to soak up the sunshine, with the nearby sandy beach, La Cala de la Sardina just a five-minute drive away.

With a choice of half-board or bed and breakfast options, the Don Cabanne restaurant serves international cuisine, while the Chiringuito Dos Mares bar is a convenient choice for picking up ice creams and cocktails to enjoy around the pool.

The pools are a little less ‘child-focused’ than some Pierre & Vacances villages, so while there are two generously sized pools and paddling pools, you won’t find slides and lazy rivers like at some of the French resorts. Guests also report that sun loungers are really limited - so you can expect to join a queue early in the morning if you want to bag the best spot by the pool. 

During the day, the kids' clubs offer age-appropriate activities for children aged four to 11 years, including sports, creative workshops, dancing and singing. Children will also love having access to the outdoor play area, football pitch and table tennis.

Nearest airport: Gibraltar airport (16 miles)

Nearest town: Manilva (8 miles)

Nearest beach: Gobernador beach (2 miles)

If you don’t want to fly, the Pierre & Vacances Belle Dunne village makes a convenient choice, located just 90 minutes from Calais and the Eurotunnel terminal, and around two hours Paris. At the gateway to the Bay of Somme, this French village is full of character and there's lots to explore on foot - with the sea and beautiful sand dunes right on your doorstep.

Accommodation ranges from one-bedroom studios to apartments and houses - the latter are ideal for bigger families. Many also offer impressive views across the lake - so you can expect a visit from a family of ducks during your stay. 

With a choice of breakfast, half board or full board food packages, you can enjoy a range of local cuisine on the large outdoor terrace at the L'Onagre restaurant.

The recently refurbished AquaClub de Belle Dunne sits at the heart of this village, with its wave pool, multi-lane slide, hot tub and paddling pools appealing to guests of all ages. There's also a heated indoor pool, however this is reserved specifically for guests staying in accommodation in the Maisons de la Plage district.

Guests can make the most of the wide range of activities at Belle Dunne - from the wellness centre for adults to the outdoor play area, tennis courts and even weekly fireworks during the summer season. Children between three and 11 will love the themed activities on offer at the kids' clubs, while teenagers can head to Le SpOt to play table football, PlayStation rallies and hang out with new friends. 

Nearest airport: Le Touquet Airport (13 miles) 

Nearest town: Fort-Mahon-Plage (0.7 miles)

Nearest beach: South Beach (2 miles)

Situated on a hill near the Bonmont Golf Course in the Costa Dorada, Pierre et Vacances Bonavista de Bonmont boasts an enviable location - surrounded by beautiful beaches, mountains and the renowned Montsant and El Priorat wine region.

The Mediterranean-style air-conditioned apartments​​ make a comfortable base for families and sleep up to eight people. While there’s no all-inclusive option, families can choose to self cater or opt for a B&B or half-board meal basis. with meals taken at the El Olivo restaurant which offers excellent views of the pool from the shaded outdoor terrace.  

There are several pools at Bonavista de Bonmont, including paddling pools for children, lazy rivers and even hydromassage beds to help relax at the end of a fun-filled day. If your kids are seeking more adrenaline-fueled activities however, PortAventura and Ferrari Land theme parks are just 20 minutes away. The former is home to Shambhala, Europe’s highest rollercoaster. 

Back at the village, children can compete with new friends at basketball, petanque and table tennis, or enjoy a wide range of sports, creative and fun activities tailored to their age at the free summer clubs for children aged 4-11. 

Nearest airport: Reus Airport (14 miles) 

Nearest town: Miami Platja (3 miles) 

Nearest beach: Miami Platja beach (3 miles)