Such a thing in France as this? Some holiday cottages grouped together with pool and playground and restaurants in reach?

[Wafflethewonderdoggy]

I really want my 3 dds to have a successful holiday with their dad, my ex. He struggles to know where to take them and it’s not always easy. In the summer they will be 9, 12 and 16.

two of the dds have said they’d rather not fly.
dd9 likes to be able to go off safely by herself and make friends and that will make it easier (and more peaceful!) for xh and my older ones.

so some communal areas with playground, pool etc where she can play safely in sight of them would be great. Xh doesn’t really enjoy getting in and swimming with her much.

he is happy to splash the cash and would be nice if he didn’t have to cook every night so somewhere with an on-site eatery or close to restaurants would be great.

in the UK we’ve done similar type things on a farm where there’s a small number of cottages.

has anyone been to anything similar in France? What would I search for online?

Alternatively maybe a European center parks type thing? The big girls would love a hot tub. Trying to think of things that will get them really excited to go

I’d suggest a Eurocamp, Yelloh, Canvas Holidays style place. You often get largish sites with mobile homes, swimming pools and restaurants on site. Lots to choose from in Brittany or a ferry with a short drive. Lots of children around for the youngest to make friends with.
Somewhere like Domaine des Ormes, Duinrell (Netherlands) or a European centre parks (the one in Netherlands near Belgium - sorry can’t remember its name would probably suit all of them as there’s places to go nearby as well if they want to go out.

Would they try a campsite? The Yelloh Campsites are super and you can go for the better mobiles with dishwashers and en suites. They are safe for kids to wander around and there are usually other kids to hang around with if they like plus pools and play areas. Then you have your deck for hanging out on. They were brilliant when my dc were young.

Have a look at Domaine de Sevenier- drivable or train Avignon and hire a car.
Lots of French and Dutch families and quite a few British. We went for many years. Lots to do in the area as well.

www.domaine-sevenier.uk/

https://www.brittany-ferries.co.uk/holidays/chalets/france

We book a similar holiday via Brittany Ferries.
I can pm a code for money off if you want.

www.Centerparcs.eu
www.summerfrance.co.uk
Location de vacances à la mer ou au ski en France et Europe | Pierre et Vacances
www.interhomes.co.uk

Domaine de Peyrecaty in the Dordogne might fit the bill if they’re still running (I can’t get the link to work and admittedly haven’t been there for 12 years…)

Domaine de Peyrecaty

Pierre et vacances villages?

Came on to suggest p&v

we stayed here, about an hour from Bordeaux airport. Nice forested area.
They have another one on the ocean nearby.

https://www.pierreetvacances.com/fr-fr/fp_LCD_location-maeva-home-residence-lacanau-les-pins

https://loire-gites.com/
we stayed at Vhant D’oiseaux a few years ago. It’s run by a lovely English couple. There’s a mixture of gites (ie cottages) and camping on the site . They organise some social events. Its in the Loire valley with castles, tank museum etc near by.

I used to have Eurocamp holidays growing up in France! They were great and I have a lot of fond memories. The caravans were nice and there was always something to do. I enjoyed the kids clubs and the pools! Not sure if Eurocamp is any good now as it has been over ten years since I last went on holiday to one.

Try also Belambra clubs, or google "villages de vacances" with the name of the area you fancy

Try the Sandaya campsites. Their accommodation can be really nice, and includes luxuries such as air conditioning, en suite bathrooms and dishwashers. The sites are great with pools and restaurants as well as sporting facilities.

Thanks all
I should’ve said, before the split we did a number of years at eurocamp type places (La Garangeoire was our fave), both in a tent and in a lodge.
my worry would be that I had all the get up and go and was the one that went to the pool etc with them, he is very hands off. So a campsite might work… but I was picturing something smaller and quieter but with a few other families staying so that it’s all quite close together

Tell him to check Airbnb and Gites de France, I'm sure I've seen places where people have built a few gites in the garden and share their pool with them....

something like this?

Huttopia is very upmarket Eurocamp in France. Normally had natural swimming and plenty of forests near small towns that are easily accessible

I'm following this thread for holiday ideas, but OP, for God's sake, stop doing wife work for him, you're not married to him any more! It's not your responsibility to research and organise his holidays with your kids! Focus your efforts on yourself and your children. Ultimately if they have a shit time with him, it's sad for them but it's his problem not yours. You can't protect them from the fact that he's a shit father, I'm afraid.

kon tiki st tropez

good activities for older teens as well.

You’re organising your Ex’s holidays 😂

Huge numbers to choose from - big and small. A good starting point is Pierre et Vacances

We went here last year & it was perfect for our three children. https://www.lafermeducayla.com/

This fits the bill
https://www.imagineroussillon.com/

But I’m afraid I’m with @AnotherEmma I get it’s awful to think of your kids being unhappy but you can’t manage everything to make sure their shit did gives them a good holiday

Domaine de sevenier would be perfect for this. All our children were wondering around on their own from a fairly young age ( although not at the pool on their own when young!). Couple of small playgrounds. A few activities synchronised as archery etc and more activities for younger ones. Very chilled!