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 offers boundless opportunities for walks, bike rides and even more exciting activities, and our beautiful range of chateaux and villas in Burgundy mean you’ll be able to stay in accommodation that’s tailored to your family’s needs. In need of inspiration? We’ve found some of the best family-friendly activities in Burgundy that’ll ensure everyone goes home with some treasured holiday memories.
1. Make a splash at Beaune Côté Plage
Why go: If your little ones love to splash around, you should take them to Beaune Côté Plage. This sparkling new pool complex (opened in 2014) 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
Beaune Côté Plage – Burgundy
2. Commandeer your own boat with Edge Charter
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 during your stay in Burgundy. Edge Charter 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, it will be a fun family day out.
Book: Online at Edgecharter
Location: SARL Edge Charter, Lieu dit Pressures, 58500, Clamecy, France.
Edge Charter – Burgundy
3. Get your skates on at Cyber Glace
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. 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
Cyber Glace – Burgundy
4. Relive medieval castle life at Guédelon
Why go: The appeal is not obvious at first glance. Why spend a day visiting a replica of a medieval 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.
This is one of the world’s most interesting construction projects; a giant medieval 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. 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 medieval flour mill and bake bread in the period oven. Guédelon is where medieval history means fantasy and fun.
Book: Online at Guedelon
Location: D955, 89520 Treigny, France
Guédelon – Burgundy
5. See exotic animals up close at Touroparc
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 is this more modest scale, and its old-fashioned family feel, that makes it one of Burgundy’s greatest lesser-known gems. 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
Touroparc – Burgundy
6. Delve into pre-Roman history at MuséoParc Alesia
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 Alesia, capital of the Mandubiis. It’s best known as the site of the decisive Battle of Alesia in 52 BC, that 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. As you would probably expect, there’s also an exhibition featuring the world’s most famous Gaul, Astérix.
Book: No need to book just show up!
Location: MuséoParc Alésia 1, route des Trois Ormeaux BP 49 – 21150 Alise-Sainte-Reine, France
MuséoParc Alesia – Burgundy
7. Zip through the forest at AcroGivry L’Aventure en Forêt
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). 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
AcroGivry L’Aventure en Forêt – Burgundy
If you and the family are looking for some top-notch accommodation for your Burgundy break, just get in touch with 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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