Top Things To See And Do In Provence With Kids

There are lots of great things to do with your kids in Provence. Here’s our run-down of the best things to do – where they can enjoy the climate, see the wonderful outdoors, get some exercise and enjoy some art.

1. Musée Granet

Art Gallery, Museum

Cézannes Still Life | © pixelsniper / Flickr

Many museums in France run weekly workshops for kids, where they can learn about the art and also try their hand at it too, or you can take family classes together. The Musée Granet in Aix-en-Provence showcases a lot of Cézanne’s work as it was his home town. Try to book in advance of your trip but you might also be able to get a place if there’s a cancellation at the last minute. It’s worth a phone call and good French isn’t necessarily needed all of the time (although it will, of course, depend on the topic).

Accrobranche

Accrobranche is a French national pastime where both kids and adults can climb into a harness and swing through the trees. Most large French towns will have one nearby and every site normally caters for every age. So the smaller kids – age 5+ – can climb in safety (they move from log to log without having to undo and redo their buckles from tree to tree) while the larger kids (accompanied by adults if necessary) can swing down giant zip-lines. It’s a great confidence booster, lots of fun and good exercise. Just stay away if you suffer from vertigo. And be warned, the bigger lines can get very high indeed.

Check out Indian Forest in Aix-en-Provence or Bouc-Bel-Air.

Aix en Provence or Bouc Bel Air.

2. Speedwater Park

Park

The water park at Plan de Campagne (the huge shopping area between Marseille and Aix-en-Provence) opens in the summer months. It’s a firm favourite with older kids as it has some great rides and slides with tyres and mats. It also has a shallow swimming area for smaller kids but in my opinion the rides aren’t really appropriate for them – they are too fast and little kids can often end up feeling a bit bruised.

Opening hours: 10am to 7pm. Mid June to Early September. Kids under a metre get in free.