Definitive guide for a fun, budget family holiday in France this Easter.
Ahh, Bonjour mon petite champignons! Are you feeling the need to escape this Easter for a well-earned break? Require fantastic wine, food, culture and family friendly accommodation whilst keeping to a budget? Look no further - our list of wallet-happy university rooms will have you shouting OUI! before you can stop yourself!
Reims
To get the ball rolling, start with the north-eastern city of Reims. Situated in the Champagne-Ardenne region, it is packed full with amazing places to explore. If culture is your thang, then the Gothic Notre Dame Cathedral is simply breathtaking or have an absolute blast with one of Reims’ many vineyard tours and Champagne tastings. Plenty of natural parks with bicycle hire will keep the kids happy, and hopefully ensure they have a good night’s sleep too.
Our accomodation recommendation:
Comfortable studios and apartments located in the city centre. Close to transport and all amenities. Access to parking and free Wi-fi.
Paris
Where do you start?
There is genuinely so much you can do as a family in this city. Take the children to visit the flower and pet market at the Ile de la Cité, climb to the top of the Sacré Coeur and take in views of the cityscape, enjoy a boat ride on the Seine or spoil them rotten at the Jardin du Luxembourg. The Parc de la Villette is great for children of all ages, the Jardin de Tuileries is good for older ones and animal lovers will enjoy the zoo at the Jardin de Plantes. A trip to the Père Lachaise Cemetery will keep even the most cynical teenager intrigued. This famous graveyard is home to some of the most notorious artists, novelists, playwrites and singers such as Oscar Wilde, Edith Piath, Georges Bizet and Jim Morrison to name but a few of the cemetery’s vast list of A list inhabitants. Oh, and of course, The Eiffel Tower, The Louvre, the Moulin Rouge, Versailles, Disney Land …. And for as little as 50€ - 116€ for a night, one of the world’s most beautiful and iconic cities can be yours to enjoy during the Easter holidays.
Our accommodation recommendation:
The University Residence Lanteri offers comfortable rooms with a warm welcome and the calm, quite environment immediately makes you feel at ease. The centre of Paris is only 15 minutes away from the residence by the train RER B.
Mâcon
Found on the river Saône, this delightful town provides lively markets, great shopping and gorgeous countryside, including lakes you can wakeboard and water ski on. For those seeking culture, the Mâcon Cathedral and Museum of Fine Arts are easily located in the town centre. The parks are famed for their beauty and the city has won the coveted 4 Flowers award in the horticultural competition, Entente Florale Europe.
Our accommodation recommendation:
Offering self-catering accommodation conveniently located near the city centre. Warm and friendly setting. Easy access to parking and transport. Free Wi-Fi.
Montpellier
Medieval streets bursting with fabulous shops, cafés, restaurants, a maze theme park, white water sports, an aquarium and of course, wine tours guarantees your family is unlikely to become bored. Montpellier is the 8th largest city in France and being situated in the south, the average temperature in April is between 13°C – 18°C, ensuring Montpellier is an ideal destination for the Easter holidays.
Our accommodation recommendation:
Comfortable studios and apartments in a young and dynamic setting. Parking facilities, bike storage, easy access to transport and free Wi-fi.
Perpignan
Found in one of the southern most points of France, Perpignan celebrates both the French and Catalan cultures. This delightful town, brimming with a blend of pastel coloured buildings scattered among rambling alleys bursting with shops, cafés and bars also boasts the Palais des Rois de Majorque, a palace once inhabited by the kings of Mallorca. The Musée de Préhistoire de Tautavel is dedicated to prehistoric cave findings from the nearby cliffs including a human skull estimated to be over 450,000 years old. Water babies will have fun splashing in the sea at Canet Plage and at the huge lake at Villeneuve de la Raho.
Our accommodation recommendation:
Apartment with city views which can accommodate 2 adults and 2 children. The apartment features two single beds and a sofa bed, a private bathroom with bathtub and toilet, a kitchenette with a refrigerator, microwave, cooking utensils, hot plates, a flat screen TV, desk and wardrobe.
We hope that this guide has provided you with a few ideas of how you and your family can escape to a French city for a few days at Easter on a budget.
Au Revoir!
