Disneyland Paris may be the first idea that leaps to mind when you're making plans for a France vacation with the family, but that's just the tip of the entertainment iceberg. All of France is a hotbed of amusement parks, museums, animal parks, and, of course, the time-honored French tradition of ornate carousels -- all sure to please the kids in your life.
Carousel Hunting
Carousels abound in France, with scores of them in Paris alone. Once you have visited the merry-go-rounds by the Eiffel Tower and in the Tuileries Gardens, hop on the TGV bullet train and head for the south of France. While you're speeding along at hundreds of miles per hour, the kids should already be having fun. Get off at Aix-en-Provence where you can see the lions and panthers on the town's merry-go-round before renting a car or taking a bus to Arles, where the carousel has horses and teacups. Continue on to Sainte-Maries-de-la-Mer to see the carousel topped with a statue of one of the famous white horses of the Camargue. While in Sainte-Maries-de-la-Mer, take a tour boat to see the giant pink flamingos, bulls and wild white horses roaming the wetlands. Nearby ranches -- "manades" -- offer trips along the beach on gentle horses suitable for children.
Go Wild With the Animals
An hour south of Lyon, Safari de Peaugres is a wild animal park featuring animals from three continents living free. Board your safari car and travel through the African plain among zebras, rhinos and antelopes. Next, explore the North American forest exhibit where you can observe bison and bears from the safety of your vehicle. The last stop on your safari is Asian Valley, home to water buffalo, yaks and exotic banteng cattle. At La Vallee des Singes in southwestern France, visitors can get up-close and personal with hundreds of primates, including apes, lemurs, baboons, gorillas and 30 species of monkeys, all living free on 16 acres of park land.
Sweets for the Sweet
The Haribo candy company dates to the 1930s when its sweet peppermint syrup was marketed as a cure for a variety of ailments. Over time, the medicinal properties of the sweet treat were left behind, and the result was the rubbery candy we know today. A visit to the Haribo Museum in the south of France lets you see historic photos as well as hear detailed explanations of how the candy is made. The tour will leave your kids with some sweet memories and a complimentary bag of chewy, bear-shaped treats.
Wet and Wild
Nearly all of the major tourist regions of France have a water park that is open from May to October. Near the English Channel in the north of France, Aqualud tends to be a bit chilly in the outdoor section, but the indoor rides and slides are comfortably warm. In the south of France, Aqualand operates a chain of water parks. Arguably the most popular park in the chain is on the Cote d'Azur in Frejus. One of the main attractions is the "crazy race" that allows both adults and children to race one another down a water slide. A special area with age-specific rides is set aside for your little ones.
References
- Arles Office of Tourism: The Camargue
- SNCF: About TGV
- Entouriste: Aix en Provence Carousel
- Theme Park City: Amusement and Theme Parks in France
- Safari de Peaugres: Safari Car
- La Vallee des Singes
- Welcome to Arles Country: Manades
- Haribo Museum: Hours and Location
- Aqualud: Hours and Information
- Aqualand: Frejus
Resources
- Untapped Cities: The Carousels of Paris
Photo Credits
- Thinkstock/Comstock/Getty Images