France

Here’s how we spent a super memorable, gorgeous Autumn day in Paris with our two children, aged 6 and 4.

We booked a French Center Parcs mostly because it was a lot cheaper - and chicer - than the UK version, and because it conveniently put Paris and Disney within easy reach. What we didn’t expect was just how incredible it would be. It felt less like a budget compromise and more like a hidden gem — somewhere between a scaled-down Kinderhotel and a surprisingly chic Soho Farmhouse, with bikes, Land of Legends adventure playgrounds, a farm and more activities than we could have ever fitted in! Here’s our full review and everything you need to know…

After the Ile de Re, our next stop on our French roadtrip this summer was the Dordogne! I actually didn’t know anything about this region, we booked it solely for @leparadisdordogne campsite which had been recommended as a special spot and it broke up our journey to Annecy. It ended up being better than we ever could have hoped for! This region is stunning, I’d say it feels like the Cotswolds of France in the countryside with charming stone villages, the river to kayak on and lots of chateaus. Here’s a mini guide;

Ahh the Ile de Re. My husband and I first discovered this little piece of paradise on the west coast of France back in 2015 and have been back 4 times since! Dubbed the French Hamptons, an island attached by a bridge near La Rochelle, it’s where lots of Parisians have holiday homes. You’ll find miles and miles of car free cycle routes through vineyards, the prettiest shuttered towns in hues of green & blue {there are a set number of paint colours that habitants are required to use}, pine backed sandy beaches, oyster farms, daily markets and salt farms. It’s bigger than you expect! This was our second trip there with children, fifth in total and here’s a mini guide if you’re looking to go;

A Daytrip to the Ile de Porquerolles {and one of Europe’s best beaches Plage de Notre Dame} from Le Lavandou in the South of France.

I first discovered Le Lavandou from a very kind follower who shared it with us as a place we’d probably love to visit and she certainly wasn’t wrong. It’s a bit of a cheaper way to visit the south of France away from the glitz of St Tropez and the likes but with so many incredible beaches within easy reach. It ticked pretty much all of our holiday boxes!

We booked Disneyland Paris quite last minute when we had 2 nights spare at the end of our European road trip. We convinced my parents to fly out to join us & surprise the kids and it made for the most magical, fun couple of days we’ll remember forever!!