Accommodation in France which is great for kids (non-camping)

[krib]

Hi, any suggestions please? Preferably in south of France , but not fussy! Stuff for the kids to do is more important than location!

What kind of budget are you on?

Cap Esterel is fantabulous. It's a holiday village (properly built villas) with pool complex, clubs and plenty of activities.

Thanks scienceteacher. Budget isn't really a problem, as long as the kids will be happy and we get a few hour's break now & again! Is Cap Esterel in St Raphael? What's the area like?

Yes - it is a beautiful area with the sea on one side and the Esterel forest on the other. The holiday village itself is very sanitised - a French town square without the dog poo. I've never been to Centreparcs, but it is probably similar, with more focus on the outdoors.

The idea is that you pretty much stay in the village, but town is close enough if you want to go there (you can escape while the kids are in an activity).

If you've got toddlers then I've seen \link{http://www.toddlerholiday.com/index.php\this} recommended several times.

Cap Esterel is a Pierre et Vacances village - we were there for Easter this year. It is good, but I wouldn't dare go in high season, it must be scarily busy.

It's quite near St Raphael. Very touristy area. Ok beaches, good hills. Reasonable food.

The other big Centerparcs type chain in France is Vacances Villages France.

It's 11 years since we were there, NQC. I've often wondered how it panned out over time. I'm glad you enjoyed it. I thought it was fab - despite being pregnant and only able to eat pizza, and having to climb the steps to get back to our villa.

Would you recommend it to others?

FWIW, when we were there, it was in the 6 weeks of the school holidays (I was a teacher at the time), and took a 4.5 and a 2.5 year old with us. We didn't notice any problem with crowds - plenty of space at the pool, in the restaurants and in the clubs. We didn't venture beyond St Rafael on the roads, which are undoubtably nightmarish in high season.

I would recommend it, I think. There's a lot for bigger kids to do. The food in the restaurants isn't great, compared to other French food (particularly Paris food, where we were, the week before we went to Cap Esterel), but it's better than most English restaurant food, I think.

It was about 60% full when we were there, and felt fine, not overstuffed. But in the heat of the summer, it would be very hot, so everyone would want windows open, and the pool and restaurants would be too full, I think.

welcome cottages do nice houses in France!

Look at www.gites-de-france.fr (in english).