The French Riviera is a place that many people dream of visiting and it is the perfect destination for a family holiday with babies and children. The French have previously been a little behind some Northern European countries when it comes to services for little ones but they are quickly catching up! Baby changing facilities, high chairs, lifts, pedestrian areas to give just a few examples are much easier to find now than they were a few years ago.

If you have children under school age make the most of organising a trip outside of the UK and French school holidays. Spring and Early summer (up to the end of June), then early autumn (September to mid-October) are ideal times to visit as not only will you avoid the crowds but you can also enjoy very pleasant summer temperatures and give the real heat wave a miss.

If you like many others come to soak up the sun you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the increasing number of private beaches that now cater specially for young families. Menton, Monaco, Nice, Juan-les-pins & Cannes all boast beach areas with small play grounds ideal for the under five’s, small swimming pools, babysitters and kids clubs. La Dolce Vita in Menton even has a kid’s bathroom with a child size toilet and shower and an indoor play and rest room open during the summer months.

Private beaches are also a great idea for eating out, weather permitting, with a more informal ambiance than normal restaurants, even for the more chic addresses, and lots of space for children to move about, play in the sand or throw stones in the sea, all within eyes sight.

If you fancy a more economical solution, the public beaches are generally very well kept, but do not forget to bring along your own sun umbrella to protect the youngsters. We advice heading off to Antibes and the county’s other western, coastal towns to find sand, Monaco for a kids play area or Villeneuve Loubet, the region’s only town that has been awarded the “Station Kid” label. Most places do however organise some activities for children on the sea front during the festive season.

If you prefer to give the beach a miss, plan a trip to the one of the areas many shady parks. One of our favourites is the Parc Phoenix, just opposite Nice airport. It is a botanic garden/park with a pond that is home to ducks, geese, swans and pelicans. There are musical fountains, bird enclosures and play areas for various ages equipped with picnic tables. The indoor dome boasts a multitude of plant species, taking you on a trip to admire flora, butterflies, birds and reptiles from around the world. Plus kid’s entertainment is organised during school holidays.

For further information on travelling to this region please visit family first