While its most famous export might be off-limits for the little ones, Burgundy still has loads to offer families who want to explore the region together. The landscape and countryside offer boundless opportunities for walks, bike rides and even more exciting activities, and our beautiful range of chateaux and villas in Burgundy means you’ll be able to stay in accommodation that’s tailored to your family’s needs. In need of inspiration for family activities in Burgundy? We’ve found some of the best family-friendly activities in the region that’ll ensure everyone goes home with some treasured holiday memories.
Why Go: If your little ones love to splash around, one of the best things to do in Burgundy is take them to Beaune Côté Plage. This sparkling new pool complex comprises four natural-filtered (chemical-free) swimming pools, with fun water slides, diving boards, an over-water rope swing and an aquatic (poolside) climbing wall.
These swimming areas are surrounded by 14,000 square metres of grassy beaches, which are perfect for sunbathing or playing ball games, and there’s a beach football pitch for more competitive family games. With good facilities throughout the park, including a little café with drinks, snacks, ice creams and hot food, you can easily spend a whole day here, especially when the summer sun is out.
Book: No need to book just show up!
Location: Avenue André Boisseaux Montagny-Lès-Beaune, Bourgogne, France
Why Go: Have you ever heard of a péniche? Just think of a cross between a narrow canal boat and a modern Thames barge. Now, imagine that you and your family could have your own péniche and enjoy one of the best things to do in Burgundy together as you cruise around the region.
Edge Charter is a Burgundy-based company that allows you to book private cruises aboard a péniche, with voyages lasting up to a week – though we recommend the private one-day cruise on the river Yonne and the Canal de Nivernais. This itinerary begins in Auxerre with a typically regional on-board breakfast (coffee and croissants), followed by a leisurely morning river cruise.
The barge moors in the riverside village of Vaux for lunch, before continuing afterwards. Or, if you prefer, pick an alternative afternoon activity, such as mountain biking through the vineyards. Whatever you choose, this is one of the best Burgundy things to do with your kids.
Book: Online at Edgecharter
Location: SARL Edge Charter, Lieu dit Pressures, 58500, Clamecy, France.
Why Go: When it comes to family activities, few things are more fun for kids than skating effortless figures of eight around adults who have fallen flat on their faces. Luckily for them, it’s a scenario that is played out day after day at Cyber Glace, one of Burgundy’s biggest all-year-round ice rinks. This is one of the best things to do in Burgundy with kids on days when the weather isn’t great, as it’ll keep everyone entertained whilst also keeping you all dry!
Open every day of the year, a visit to Cyber Glace includes skate rental and as much time on the ice as you think you can handle (in one-hour blocks), all to the sound of pumping French pop music! If you want to avoid being embarrassed by the kids on your outing to the rink or want to aid them in taking their skating skills to the next level, there are private lessons available from an expert team of ice-dwelling gurus.
Book: No need to book just show up!
Location: 4, Rue de Londres 89470 Moneteau, France
Why Go: The appeal isn’t obvious at first glance. Why spend a day visiting a replica of a mediaeval castle when there are dozens of very real, and very beautiful, historic châteaux spread throughout Burgundy? It’s a reasonable question… though one that, the moment Guédelon comes into view, is soon forgotten.
Guédelon is one of the world’s most interesting construction projects; a giant mediaeval castle being built today, using only the techniques and materials available in the 13th century. What’s more, it’s one of the area’s most family-friendly activities and therefore one of the best things to do in Burgundy with kids.
Kids and adults alike can watch the craftsmen and women at work, help to decorate the castle walls with mural paintings, assist the miller in the mediaeval flour mill and bake bread in the old-fashioned oven. Guédelon is where mediaeval history means fantasy and fun, and it’s a great place to visit with kids of any age.
Book: Online at Guedelon
Location: D955, 89520 Treigny, France
Why Go: Although billed as a ‘zoo and attraction park’, Touroparc isn’t trying to compete with those mega city zoos found across Europe. This is a small zoo, surrounded by a smattering of other attractions. Yet it’s this more modest scale, and its old-fashioned family feel, that makes it one of the region’s greatest lesser-known gems, home to some of the best things to see in Burgundy, France.
The zoo itself only covers an area of 10 acres, but it is home to more than 700 animals from 140 different species. The big draws are the larger mammals – Asian elephants, white Bengal tigers, giraffes, hippos, chimpanzees – but other ever-popular critters include the red pandas, the macaws and the servals (African wild cats). Outside of the zoo, a water slide park, a fairground and a sky train ride mean that, despite its small size, you can easily find yourself spending a day here.
Book: Online at Touroparc
Location: Maison Blanche Romanèche –Thorins, France
Why Go: For some family fun with an educational element, take your kids along to the MuséoParc Alesia. An enormous project site covering more than 7,000 hectares, this park tells the story of the ancient city of Alesia, the capital of the Mandubiis. It’s best known as the site of the decisive Battle of Alesia in 52 BC, which marked the defeat of the Gauls by Julius Caesar and ushered in Roman rule over Gaul (modern-day France, and some surrounding areas).
This park tells the story of the battle and the fate of the town through tours, museum exhibitions, archaeological sites and historical re-enactments, so it’s one of the best things to do in Burgundy for families if you want to get your kids interested in the country’s history. As you would probably expect, there’s also an exhibition featuring the world’s most famous Gaul, Astérix, which is great for parents who remember the cartoon!
Book: No need to book just show up!
Location: MuséoParc Alésia 1, route des Trois Ormeaux BP 49 – 21150 Alise-Sainte-Reine, France
Why Go: Drive just five minutes down the road from the small town of Givry and you’ll find yourself at one of Burgundy’s most exciting forest experiences, aptly entitled L’Aventure en Forêt (Adventure Forest). The park is home to a total of 24 tree-based obstacle courses, with more than 200 aerial games and 20 zip wires (including two giant runs of 250 metres).
A trip here is one of the best Burgundy things to do if you want to spend a day outdoors getting active with your family. With a variety of difficulties, there’s something for children aged from three to ‘dad’, so the whole family can get involved in the treetop adventure. When it’s finally time to come down, you’ll find food stands and shaded picnic tables at your service.
Book: No need to book just show up!
Location: Route de Granges, 71640 Givry
If you and the family are looking for some top-notch villas in Burgundy, just get in touch with our concierge team. They can help you book and even suggest some places to stay if you know what you’re looking for (or even if you’ve just got a rough idea). Discover even more great things to do around Burgundy on our blog. As well as a whole bunch of great content for your family holiday.
Looking for a full list of villas to rent this year? Check out our villa holidays page here.
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