Perfect town in France

[Dec13girl]

Looking for a picturesque historical small or medium sized French town/village, fairly easily accessible from the UK, where we could stay with our 3.5 and 1.5 year olds next Spring. We'd like to be able to push the push chair into town without needing to drive (so pavements are a must), and a selection of good authentic restaurants with outdoor (courtyard) seating where we could park the push chair and have relaxed early evening meals (and not have to worry about noise because we are outside). Self catering accommodation would be best I think, although we'd consider a hotel. Does such a place exist? Any recommendations would be very much appreciated!!

Annecy is beautiful. Can't recommend a specific accommodation though

La Rochelle (although maybe too big)? There's an aquarium too for a rainy day activity, our DD loved it and she was about 2 and a half when we went.

Sarlat in the Dordogne is beautiful and in Spring probably wouldn't be overrun with tourists. You can fly to Bergerac, Bordeaux or Limoges and pick up a car. Or we drive down from St Malo and t takes 8 - 9 hours with the stops, mainly motorway so an easy if long drive. A lovely area to explore, plenty of gites to choose from.

Rouen.

2nd trotters suggestion. Lovely lovely place.

Are you driving? I would second Annecy, but that's quite a drive. Much easier by Eurostar/TGV train than car.
I've always loved Honfleur in Normandy. It's quite small, but beautiful. You can drive to nearby beaches - Deauville/Trouville etc. All very accessible by ferry from Portsmouth.
There are so many lovely places in France - just really depends on how far into France you want to go.
I'd probably opt for a Chambres d'hotes rather than hotel, but best to find the location first and then see what is available for accommodation.

Ooh yes, agree with Sarlat too! Flyers bag definitely.
Also have a look at the towns in Brittany like Vannes and Rennes. Beautiful medieval towns.

I third trotters suggestion - overnight ferry to St. Malo means waking up to breakfast in France and we do the travel in 8 hours including 20 minute leg stretch and 45 minute picnic lunch.
We love it.
Have a look at St. Avit for some lovely cabins.

I live near Vannes, although we have a gite we're in a village about ten minutes away from Vannes itself so probably not what you're looking for, but I'm happy to help with any advice on the area around here, or send you the "things to do" sheets we have for our guests if this area looks interesting

Honfleur on the Normandy coast. Beautiful place.

Vannes is lovely - superb market, great restaurants.

Thank you everyone, this is super helpful, I can't wait to have a look at these towns. Which websites do you recommend to research and book gites in France?

Lannion in Brittany in lovely, not too far from the ferry, close to a beautiful coastline, very French.

All of the towns mentioned are beautiful, although for an easy journey I would go to St Malo and get the ferry directly there. There is also Dinan nearby which is lovely. It's not too far from Mont St Michel either, although I'm not sure I'd venture there with small children and a buggy!

La Rochelle is excellent for children with the parks and aquarium.

If you want really small and cute try St Martin on the Ile de Re. Its impossible perfection doesn't come cheap but it's v close to La Rochelle. Lots of cycle/pram paths. Honfleur and Le Touquet also nice (esp the former), Montpelier likely to be warmest but you'd have to fly. Airbnb is your friend for all of these.

The best selection of gites is Gites de France - they have a website in English too. We tend to book our gites with Brittany Ferries though as we get it as a package with the ferry crossings. I think there is also Chez Nous.

Saumur is often forgotten and worth a visit.

I tend to use airbnb these days in France and have found some lovely places

Agree with pp, Dinan is beautiful - would have been a recommendation from me if it were not built on a large hill. Wait until children are older/no buggies before going there. Well worth visiting one day though.

Thanks everyone, I can't wait!

Some great suggestions. I'd add Aigues Mortes to the list.

Biarritz is perfect for what you want