Holidaying in Languedoc with children

Languedoc-Roussillon

School's back for most British kids now but if you are planning a half-term holiday to Languedoc, or looking ahead to next Easter and summer, you may be looking for child-friendly day trip ideas. Gites and villas in France make for the perfect family getaway but to stop younger family members getting bored, it is a good idea to select a few day trips which are guaranteed to entertain kids and adults alike. The Languedoc region is a diverse area with a great range of attractions for kids, offering everything from child-friendly castle tours to huge water slides.

La Bouscarasse and Aqualand Water Parks

For younger children it is hard to beat La Bouscarasse. Smaller than most waterparks in France, it's aimed at small children and has a much more relaxing vibe than the considerably larger Aqualand parks. La Bouscarasse has plenty of shallow areas for toddlers and little ones and has an inflatable ring river for slightly older children. Aqualand is at the other end of the scale and has three separate parks in the region. The biggest (and most popular) are those at Cap d'Agde and St Cyprien. Boasting numerous pools, plenty of facilities and lots of enormous water slides and other water fun, the Aqualand parks are great for families with older children.

Montpelier Zoo

The impressive Montpelier Zoo is home to thousands of animals and plants. The zoo boasts an amazing Sierre Amazonienne which is an exciting modern attraction set out over seven climate zones and featuring regular 'tropical storms'. The zoo is a must for any families visiting Languedoc. There is plenty to entertain all ages and several play areas for kids. There are also pleasant walks in and around the zoo and well-maintained picnic areas.

Carcassonne

Carcassonne is home to the famous 'La Cite' castle, said to have been the inspiration for the iconic Disney castle. A true fairytale castle, kids and adults alike will be enchanted by this medieval attraction, the best-kept castle of its age in the whole world. The castle is home to rows of charming shops, restaurants and attractions, including a wonderful traditional toy shop selling quality wooden toys. At high season, horse drawn carriages are available and a miniature train offers short leisure trips too. If you are planning a family holiday in one of the many gites or villas in France, Languedoc is one of the most popular regions for families. As well as a host of family-friendly attractions, it enjoys some of the best countryside and beaches in the country.