In short
For a successful family weekend, choose a destination within 2 to 3 hours and one main activity a day. From Paris: the Loire Valley and the ZooParc de Beauval, Normandy, Futuroscope or Disneyland Paris. Further afield in France: Marseille, Annecy or Saint-Malo. In Europe, London (free museums), Lisbon, Barcelona and Berlin are the easiest with kids. With teenagers, go for London, Barcelona or Amsterdam.
Contents
A successful family weekend comes down to a nearby destination, one main activity a day and time to breathe. Here are 20 family weekend ideas in France and Europe, sorted by travel time and children’s ages, with what you need to know to choose well.
With Guidly and its kids mode (ages 3–8), every monument becomes a story told at the little ones’ level, while parents listen to the full version.
How to choose a family weekend
- Travel time: beyond 3 hours for a two-day weekend, tiredness wins. The train is the most comfortable option with young children.
- Children’s ages: under 6, favour nature, animals and parks; from 6 to 12, castles, interactive museums and theme parks; with teenagers, big cities and sporty activities.
- One main activity a day: a zoo, a castle or a museum in the morning, then a park or a beach in the afternoon.
- Central accommodation: so you can head back for a break in the middle of the day.
Family weekends near Paris (under 2 hours)
1. The Loire Valley and the ZooParc de Beauval
The ideal two-day combo: the ZooParc de Beauval in Saint-Aignan, one of the most beautiful zoos in the world with its giant pandas, then a château the next day. Chambord and its double-helix staircase fascinate children, and the Clos Lucé in Amboise displays full-size models of Leonardo da Vinci’s machines. Blois is about 1h30 from Paris by train.
2. Normandy: cliffs and beaches
Étretat and its cliffs, Honfleur and its harbour, or the D-Day beaches with teenagers: Normandy works in every season. Rouen is about 1h10 from Paris by train.
3. Disneyland Paris
The great classic, 40 minutes from Paris on the RER A. Two days let you see both parks without rushing. Go on a weekday outside school holidays to avoid long queues.
4. Parc Astérix
More affordable and more thrill-oriented than Disneyland, it is especially popular with 8 to 14-year-olds. A shuttle links the park to Paris-Charles de Gaulle airport.
5. Futuroscope
In Poitiers, about 1h40 from Paris by TGV. Sensory attractions, night-time shows and an on-site hotel: an ideal all-in-one weekend with 6 to 14-year-olds.
6. Fontainebleau and its forest
The château, one of the largest in France, then bouldering on the forest’s sandstone rocks, suitable from age 4. About 40 minutes by train from Gare de Lyon. More ideas: weekend trips from Paris.
Family weekends elsewhere in France
7. Marseille
The Old Port, the lanes of Le Panier, Notre-Dame de la Garde, a boat trip to the Frioul islands and a swim in the Calanques: Marseille mixes city and sea in two days. Our itinerary: Marseille in 2 days.
8. Annecy
One of the cleanest lakes in Europe, an old town on the water, flat cycle paths around the lake and supervised beaches in summer. A very gentle destination with young children.
9. Saint-Malo and the Emerald Coast
The ramparts, the Grand Aquarium and spectacular tides, with Mont-Saint-Michel less than an hour’s drive away.
10. Lyon
Parc de la Tête d’Or and its free zoo, the Museum of Cinema and Miniatures, the traboules of Old Lyon and the city’s famous bouchons. About 2 hours from Paris by TGV.
11. Puy du Fou
In the Vendée, its spectacular historical shows impress children from age 6. Allow two days and stay on site.
12. Southern Brittany
The Carnac standing stones, the Gulf of Morbihan by boat and the beaches of Quiberon: nature, history and legends at a child’s level.
Family weekends in Europe
13. London
The easiest European capital for families: most big museums are free, starting with the Natural History Museum and its dinosaurs and the Science Museum. Add Hyde Park, the Changing of the Guard and a boat on the Thames. Our guides: London in 3 days and free things to do in London.
14. Lisbon
The Oceanário, one of Europe’s largest aquariums, tram 28, the viewpoints and Belém Tower: Lisbon is explored at a gentle pace. Our guides: Lisbon in 3 days, Belém and Alfama.
15. Barcelona
Barceloneta beach, Park Güell, the aquarium and the CosmoCaixa science museum: Barcelona balances culture and relaxation perfectly. Our itinerary: Barcelona in 3 days.
16. Berlin
Big parks, the German Museum of Technology and its locomotives, the zoo and aquarium, and the vast Tempelhofer Feld, a former airport where you can cycle on the runways. Our itinerary: Berlin in 3 days.
17. Rome
Open-air history: the Colosseum and the Forum (free for under-18s), fountains to throw a coin into, gelato on every corner and the Villa Borghese gardens. Our itinerary: Rome in 3 or 4 days.
18. Amsterdam
The canals by boat, the NEMO science museum and the Vondelpark: a flat city, perfect for cycling with slightly older children. Our itinerary: Amsterdam in 1 day.
Weekends with teenagers
19. London for teens
The Warner Bros. Studio Tour – The Making of Harry Potter, north of London, Camden Market and its punk neighbourhood, and the street art of Shoreditch: London is probably the best destination for a weekend with teenagers.
20. Barcelona or Amsterdam
Barcelona for the beach, street food and Gaudí’s architecture; Amsterdam for cycling, canals and a free-spirited atmosphere. Two cities where teenagers feel they are travelling “like grown-ups”.
A car-free day out near Paris with kids
- Versailles: the château and gardens, by RER C. Rent bikes or a rowing boat on the Grand Canal.
- Chantilly: the château, the Great Stables and equestrian shows, about 25 minutes by train from Gare du Nord.
- Provins: a UNESCO-listed medieval town with ramparts and knights’ shows in season. About 1h30 by train.
- Auvers-sur-Oise: in the footsteps of Van Gogh.
Guidly’s kids mode
Travelling as a family means finding the right balance between what interests adults and what captivates children. With Guidly’s kids mode (ages 3–8), audio tours are created in simple language, with stories at their level and no school-lesson tone. Children can also ask their own questions out loud: “Why does the castle have towers?”, “Who lived here?”. Guidly works everywhere, from the Loire châteaux to the lanes of Lisbon, thanks to a database of 9 million places.
FAQ
Where should we go for a family weekend?
Within 2 hours of Paris: the Loire Valley and the ZooParc de Beauval, Normandy, Futuroscope, Disneyland Paris or Fontainebleau. Further afield in France: Marseille, Annecy or Saint-Malo. In Europe, London, Lisbon, Barcelona and Berlin are the easiest capitals with children.
Paris or London: which city is better for a short family break?
Both work very well. London has the advantage of its big free museums (Natural History Museum, Science Museum) and huge parks. Paris has more gardens with playgrounds, the Cité des Sciences and easy day trips (Versailles, Disneyland). On a tight budget, London costs more for accommodation but much less for museum entry.
Where should we go for a weekend with teenagers?
London (the Harry Potter studio tour, Camden, Shoreditch), Barcelona (beach, Gaudí, street food) and Amsterdam (cycling, canals) are teenagers’ favourites. In France, Parc Astérix, Futuroscope or an active weekend in Annecy work very well.
How do you plan a family weekend without tiring the kids?
Stick to one main activity a day, group visits by neighbourhood, plan a midday break and alternate visits with time outdoors. A flexible plan always works better than a packed schedule.
Can you have a family weekend without a car?
Yes. Disneyland, Versailles, Fontainebleau, Chantilly, Rouen, Blois, Lyon and London are easy to reach by train from Paris, and Europe’s big cities are easy to explore by public transport.
How much does a family weekend cost?
It mostly depends on accommodation and activities. To keep costs down: travel outside school holidays, book trains early, choose a place with a kitchen, and favour free museums (plenty in London) or outdoor activities.
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