Provence: 5 kid-friendly hotels to spend spring in the sun

Validated by aesthetes: Hôtel du Couvent

This former monastery taken over and revamped by serial entrepreneur Valéry Grego (behind Le Pigalle in Paris and Les Roches Rouges in Saint-Raphaël) is the favorite refuge of cool kids in Nice. If the interior design by the Festen studio plays the leading role in the beauty of this old lady aged four centuries, the experience is just as well put together, especially for children. Because while parents take it easy in the thermal baths in the ancient Rome-style basement or extend their aperitif at the tavern perched between the tree-lined terraces and the vegetable garden, the toddlers are spoiled for choice when it comes to activities.

And this, thanks to the “Children of the Couvent” component, a program of activities which includes courses at the bakery with the head baker Geffrey Marx, visits to the Ferme Notre-Dame in Touët-sur-Var whose 2000m2 of cultivation and 250 chickens exclusively supply the kitchens of the hotel. Unless you prefer to focus on the Convent’s herbalism and learn how to make a herbal infusion with Grégory Unrien, expert in the discipline, cooking classes or watercolor workshops. All this, without counting on the readings and workshops possible in the Convent Documentation Center.

1 Rue Honoré Ugo, 06300 Nice. À starting from 300 euros per night. Reservation surwww.hotelducouvent.com

Validé par les BridgertonÂ: Château de Fonscolombe

Vines and a beautiful castle: the getaway is meant to be princely. Three centuries of history set the tone for this residence with 50 rooms and suites very close to Aix-en-Provence. The deckchairs in its large swimming pool, the massages in the spa, the yoga classes and its Michelin-starred table at the Orangerie make the grown-ups get excited, while the kids plan their days on the twelve-hectare park, its 20-metre zip line, its swings, its donkeys, its family picnics.

Before ending your day spent frolicking, a detour to the kids club is obligatory, to read or listen to the evening fables told by the story box Mon Petit MorpheÌ e. Full nights of sleep in store.

Rte de Saint-Canadet, 13610 Le Puy-Sainte-Réparade. From xxx €. 2lcollection.com/fr/chateau-de-fonscolombe.html

Validated by athletes: Terre Blanche

A mini-resort reserved for 2-12 year olds within the hotel itself, this is true luxury for parents. This little piece of Provencal paradise located a stone’s throw from Grassse, known to be a golfer’s landmark as the discipline infuses the area with its two courses (Le Riou, Le Château) could well also be that of children.

From 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., little ones are invited to the “Children’s Kingdom†, a kids club uniquely designed for their beautiful eyes, with a heated swimming pool, outdoor games, creative workshops, junior yoga sessions, treasure hunts in the middle of the forest, introductions to golf and lunch obviously shared with friends.

3100 Route de Bagnols-en-Forêt. 83440 Tourrettes. From 460 euros including breakfasts and full board for children, based on 4 people (2 adults and 2 children) and access to the kids club. www.terre-blanche.com/

Validated by bon vivants: The People Marseille

If the concept of youth hostel still carries an outdated image, The People franchise has managed to free itself from the reputation attributed to them. His Marseille pied-à-terre is proof of this. This finely decorated town house obviously offers “dormitory” rooms to share, the very essence of a hostel, but also offers privacy to small families in search of salty air with rooms of four to eight beds which are suitable for play, equipped with bathrooms private. A stay for a small budget, which leaves room for the great Marseille reverie: hikes in the Calanques (think ofréserver vos créneaux), stroll at Le Panier, aperitif at Goudes, and bouillabaisse at Fonfon.

7 Rue Jean-Marc Cathala, 13002 Marseille. À from 109€ https://www.thepeoplehostel.com/fr/destinations/marseille

Validated by adventurers: The Grands Cépages cabins

At the Grands CeÌ pages estate, less than thirty minutes by car from Avignon, 27 cabins are scattered over 40 hectares between the lake and the Châteauneuf-du-Pape vineyard. The day begins with a breakfast placed at the foot of the room before continuing to the rhythm of nature: cycling in the vineyards, fishing, hiking in the Provençal Colorado, horse-drawn carriage rides, swimming in the Sorgue.

On site, you can play laps in the swimming pool, pétanque, board games, private Nordic baths and, above all, room service and its wine fondues and planchas. An escape that little budding Robinsons will talk to you about for a long time.

2061, chemin des Pompes 84700 Sorgues. AÌ€ from 200 euros per night. cabanesdesgrandscepages.com