An Unforgettable Spring Adventure: Our Family Trip in France
When you live in Quebec, spring can often feel long and gloomy, with melting snow and grey skies that drag on forever. This past spring, we decided to break away from that mood by visiting my mother-in-law, who recently moved from Réunion Island to southern France. Even though summer holidays would have given us more time, we took advantage of Quebec’s spring break and extended it by an extra week, making it a full two-week family trip in France. It turned out to be one of the most refreshing breaks we’ve had as a family—filled with sunshine, flowers, cultural treasures, and kid-friendly adventures.
One of the biggest advantages of travelling during spring in France is that it’s the shoulder season. Hotels are more affordable, flights are easier to book, and many places include breakfast in the rate, which helps keep costs down. While travelling with kids (and a grandmother!) always adds layers of planning, the experience was smooth thanks to well-located hotels, flexible itineraries, and some very memorable stops.
✨ Paris & Versailles: A Gentle Start to Family Trip in France
We flew from Montreal to Paris and spent our first night near the Palace of Versailles at Mgallery Le Louis Versailles Château. It was such a beautiful hotel—our breakfast buffet was generous and delicious, and the staff went above and beyond to make our stay easy. Since we were travelling with my mother-in-law, we needed separate rooms but close by, and the hotel staff kindly arranged two connecting rooms. That small gesture made a huge difference.
From there, we walked to Palace of Versailles, which is always a majestic start to any France trip. For meals around Versailles, we enjoyed King Food (15 Rue des États Généraux)—a casual spot but perfect for grabbing something quick after a long sightseeing day.
Back in Paris at the end of our trip, we stayed at Hôtel Villa Modigliani – Vacances Bleues, conveniently located for sightseeing. One highlight with the kids was taking the Bateau Parisien cruise along the Seine. We booked it through an activity platform and found significant discounts compared to booking on-site. Drifting along the river, enjoying the breeze while seeing Paris’s landmarks from the water, was magical.
In Paris, we decided against renting a car. Driving in the city can be stressful, and with kids and my mother-in-law, the metro felt too complicated. Uber turned out to be the best choice—comfortable, quick, and less tiring for everyone. For dining, we had a lovely evening at Le Jéroboam (72 Rue Didot) and tried Mille & Un as well as Osteria del Sesto in the Saint-Placide area, which were all memorable.
🦓 Zooparc de Beauval: A Kid-Friendly Highlight
One of the stops we were most excited about was Zooparc de Beauval, one of France’s most famous zoos. We stayed at Les Pagodes de Beauval, a family-friendly hotel that included both breakfast and park tickets in the package. The kids were thrilled not only by the variety of animals but also by the cable car inside the zoo, which made getting around much easier. That said, it’s still a lot of walking, and little legs do get tired—something to keep in mind if you’re planning with younger children.
Meals nearby were casual but fun: pizza at Pizza Hot and seafood at Les 3 Chemins, both simple but family-friendly choices.
🍷 Bordeaux & Arcachon: Scenic Southwest France
From Beauval, we made our way to Bordeaux, where we stayed at Novotel Bordeaux Centre in the Mériadeck area. A local friend recommended this neighbourhood, and it was indeed convenient for walking and getting around. While Bordeaux is famous for its wine tastings and the Cité du Vin wine museum, we skipped those this time—travelling with kids and a French grandmother meant our priorities leaned more toward easy walks, food, and resting. Still, the city’s atmosphere was lovely, and it’s definitely a place my husband and I would love to return to for a more adult-focused trip.
For meals in Bordeaux, we found some family-friendly gems, though nothing fancy—sometimes just grabbing a salad or light meal was enough.
Not far from Bordeaux, we spent a night in Arcachon, staying at Le B d’Arcachon by Inwood Hotels. This was one of the highlights of the trip! The Dune du Pilat, Europe’s tallest sand dune, was absolutely breathtaking and a big hit with the kids, who loved climbing and running down the slopes. For adults, the panoramic views of the ocean and pine forests are unforgettable.
Arcachon is also known for its oysters, and the streets lined with oyster bars were tempting. Prices were very reasonable, but since we were travelling in the off-season, we quickly learned that many restaurants closed earlier than what was listed on Google. One evening, our only option was the restaurant directly under our hotel. Normally, I try to avoid “hotel restaurants,” but this one surprised us with excellent service and a tasty menu—it turned out to be a pleasant discovery.
Mom, what time is dinner?
Here’s also where we experienced a little cultural shift: French dining hours. Many restaurants close in the afternoon for a break and don’t reopen until at least 7:00 p.m. This meant our kids ended up eating dinner later than usual, and naturally, going to bed later too. It was a reminder that French children grow up with a different rhythm than we’re used to in Canada!
🎢 Futuroscope: A Rainy Day That Still Shined
Our next big stop was Futuroscope, a theme park near Poitiers that blends technology, multimedia, and immersive attractions. Even though it rained during our visit, it turned out to be an amazing experience because so many of the activities are indoors. The park features 4D rides, interactive shows, and cinematic experiences that captivated both kids and adults.
We stayed at Hôtel Station Cosmos, located right inside the park. Staying onsite was extremely convenient, especially with unpredictable weather, and the themed decor gave the kids an extra thrill. Breakfast wasn’t overly varied but had a fun presentation and enough options to fuel us for a full day at the park. For food, we tried HYOGO “La Table Japonaise” and Eat Salad, which balanced quick service with family-friendly options.
🚗 Driving in France: What Families Should Know
Since we covered a lot of ground, we relied heavily on our rental car. We booked with Enterprise, which worked out well because their vehicles already had the Crit’Air vignette (environmental sticker) registered. This is important—many French cities, like Paris and Bordeaux, have restrictions for older, more polluting cars, and without the sticker, you risk fines or being barred from entering certain zones. Enterprise handled this, so we didn’t have to worry.
That said, driving in France with a minivan is not always easy. Parking lots, especially in city centers like Bordeaux, can be incredibly tight. Even my French husband, who is used to European driving, found it stressful at times. I sat beside him more than once, nervously guiding him into narrow spaces! My advice? If possible, rent a smaller car when staying in large cities.
Final Thoughts
Our two-week family trip in France gave us everything we needed: a refreshing change of scenery, cultural treasures, and plenty of kid-friendly activities. From the grandeur of Versailles to the animal-filled excitement of Beauval Zoo, from the sandy adventure of Arcachon’s dunes to the futuristic fun of Futuroscope, it was a trip that balanced family needs with memorable experiences.
While travelling with kids and extended family always means adjusting expectations, I found that spring was the perfect time—affordable, less crowded, and filled with small surprises (like finding unexpectedly delicious hotel restaurants). France has so much to offer families, and this trip reminded me that with a little flexibility, even a short family trip in France can feel like a grand adventure.
