The half-term holiday is round the corner and the summer break just a few weeks away. Where in France will you take the children? It’s certainly a top destination for good old fashioned family holidays at a price you can afford. Check out our family holiday guide, latest special offers and last minute deals through the links below.

The Dordogne, Languedoc-Rousillon and the Mediterranean are all favourite destinations – and for somewhere different, try the Auvergne or Burgundy. Most accessible for family holidays is North West France, especially Normandy and Brittany. You’ll find spacious countryside, Celtic traditions and every kind of seaside from unspoilt rocky coves to buzzing resorts with wide, sandy beaches.

For a budget alternative to a beach holiday head inland for a country house and explore a lac or plan d’eau, which cater for all ages with pedaloes, swimming, fishing and usually a stretch of lakeside sandy beach. And, of course, give most children a swimming pool in their own sun-filled back garden and they’ll play happily all day.

You might decide to rent your own villa, farmhouse, chateau in France - or join with another family or group and spread the cost of a large house.
 
An activity holiday is a great way to keep all members of the family amused and maybe learn new skills or make new friends. Theme parks are one of France’s great attractions and Disneyland Paris, Futuroscope and Parc Asterix all offer a really good day out, as do numerous water parks.

Owners at some self-catering properties can arrange activities to suit everyone, from white water rafting to golf, table tennis to horse riding, mountain biking to canoeing. All add to the mix of a family holiday to remember.