Champagne is known as one of the most famous wine regions in France, making it a desired destination for many travellers. It may come as a surprise, but it is also a great family destination in France.
OK, so the kids might not be old enough to really appreciate (or even legally drink) a glass of Champagne’s most celebrated product. But that doesn’t mean the region is off-limits when it comes to a family holiday in France, it’s actually quite the opposite!
There are loads of things to do in Champagne that make it the ideal place for a family holiday. Plus, with the great amenities and extras at our luxury villas in Champagne, travelling with kids of any age is a breeze. Travelling with children can be a challenge, you have a lot more to consider and will want to make sure that the kids are entertained throughout your trip. To make sure nobody gets bored, we’ve put together a list of some of the best kids’ activities in Champagne for an unforgettable family trip to France– where will you start?
1. Ride rollercoasters at Nigloland
Why go: With almost 40 attractions to choose from, you’ll certainly get a full day of entertainment from this theme park in France. There are so many rides on offer, so there is something for everyone at Nigloland. More traditional coasters such as Alpine Blitz and Mine Train, which careen around corners at high speeds, should satiate any thrill-seeking families visiting Champagne.
Then there are gentler delights which are more suitable for younger families looking for a fun day out in Champagne. The King of Mississippi is a traditional steamboat that chugs around a lake and the Enchanted River lets you drift in a gilded carriage through attractive gardens. Kids will love the impressive animatronics features of the Dinosaur Adventure and the African Cruise.
As with many theme parks, there are also a host of shows and several places to eat, so you never need to leave Nigloland during a day out. Nigloland has so many activities for kids, so you don’t want to miss out.
Location: 40 Rue de la Vallée du Landion 10200 Dolancourt France
Book: Online at Nigloland
2. Climb trees and battle your friends at Couleurs Adventure Park
Why go: Couleurs Adventure Park offers two different ways to get your fix of thrills – kids will jump at the chance to join in with both. Their high ropes course involves crossing rope bridges and riding zip lines between the trees of the Argonne Forest; don’t look down as you step onto its swinging log and precarious passes. There are different course types to suit various age groups, so the whole family can get involved.
For older kids aged eight and up, there is also paintballing. They can have a go at harmless warfare, ducking into ditches and sniping the enemy. There’s even a child-friendly course and extra padding for the younger soldiers. Both activities encourage team-building and make for a memorable family outing in France.
Location: Route Départementale 3, 51800 Sainte-Menehould, France
Book: Call 03 26 92 05 10 or online Couleurs Adventure Park.
3. Visit a family-friendly vineyard at Champagne Mercier
Why go: If you want a vineyard experience that will be fun for the whole family, head to Champagne Mercier. Tours here include a ride on a small train, which chugs through the 18-kilometre-long stone cellars of the estate. It’s a spectacular sight that will enrapture little ones, making it a great activity for kids in Champagne.
Before you board the train, you’ll watch a video about the company and take a lift down to the underground. Look out for the giant wine cask, which is decorated with an ornately carved barrel end. The constantly engaging presentation of the story of wine makes this one of the best family trips in Champagne.
Location: Champagne Mercier 78, avenue de Champagne 51200 Epernay
Book: Online Champagne Mercier
4. Try water sports at Lac du Der Fun Centre
Why go: One of the best things to do with kids in Champagne is taking a fun-filled day trip to Lac du Der Fun Centre. With easy access and still waters, Lac du Der is an ideal place for your little one’s first experience with sailing or canoeing. The Fun Centre offers several different types of water sports, and includes both equipment hire and, should you want them, private lessons.
The more sedate options for water-based fun are kayaking and paddle boarding, which are ideal activities for younger children. If you have older kids, you can up the speed and exhilaration with windsurfing and catamaran sailing. Children will relish the thrill of developing a new skill over the course of an afternoon so it’s the perfect activity for active families visiting France.
Location: Maison du Lac, Station nautique, 51290 Giffaumont-Champaubert, France
Book: Call 06 59 30 86 97 or email contactfuncenter@gmail.com
5. Let youngsters run wild at Royal Kids
Why go: A kids activity in Champagne that will certainly keep the little ones entertained is the wonderful play park at Royal Kids. The soft play area of this indoor adventure centre gives adults the chance to sit back and unwind as their children are immersed in play and activities. The advantage of Royal Kids is the whopping variety of their playground; children can choose between ball pools, rope bridges, slides and giant building blocks, while the surrounding netting ensures their safety as they explore.
A disco room and mini sports fields add extra distractions into the mix, in case any of your little scallywags start showing signs of boredom. Best of all, the play area is entirely indoors, so when the rain prevents your family from having fun in the forests of Champagne, you can find a child-friendly refuge here.
Location: 93 Rue de Verdun, 62100 Calais, France
Book: No Need to Book Just Show up!
6. Fall through the air at Terraltitude Adventure Park
Why go: Your kids can get their kicks at this exciting adventure park, which will get the adrenaline pumping in both young and old daredevils. Kids aged ten and over can try a bungee jump, while there are a range of other thrilling experiences suited to younger children visiting Champagne.
There’s the FantastiCable, a kilometre-long zip line which has participants hanging in a harness, facing forwards as they plunge over a river at speeds of 130 kilometres per hour, it’s an essential experience for any active families visiting Champagne.
You can also jump without wires onto a crash mat or complete one of the age-appropriate high ropes courses. Although the thrills here might seem dangerous, the expert teams and secure harnesses mean that children are as safe as can be despite the heart-pounding nature of these activities. Completing the courses will bring you closer together and leave you with fond memories of your family holiday in Champagne.
Location: Rue J Baptiste Clément, 08170 Fumay, France
Book: Call +33 (0) 3 24 57 57 59
7. Inspect vintage cars of Musée Automobiles Reims Champagne
Why go: From the moment they first get their little mitts on those ubiquitous pullback toy cars, children seem to develop an attachment to vehicles. If your little one has a soft spot for cars, the Reims Automobile Museum will be their idea of heaven. Over 200 lovingly preserved models from throughout the 20th century make up this collection, which also includes a selection of curious pedal cars.
Another popular exhibit includes around 5,000 different models of miniature cars from different eras. The atmosphere of the museum is enhanced by details such as period advertising on the walls and the occasional costumed employee. There are so many old, quirky and beautiful motors to see that kids will have a hard time choosing their favourite model.
It’s one of the more unique things to do in Champagne and is a perfect activity for kids. They will love perusing the miniature models and can even pick up their favourite in the museum shop. It’s a great way to spend a day out in Champagne as a family and is certainly worth checking out.
Location: 84 Avenue Georges Clemenceau, 51100 Reims, France
Book: Call +33 3 26 82 83 84
8. Take a Family Friendly Cruise on the Marne River
Why go: One of the best ways to spend a scenic family day out in Champagne is to cruise along the Marne River. The river is an estuary of the River Seine and runs through the gorgeous landscapes of the Champagne region in France. Many of these cruises are suitable for families and are a great way to go sightseeing in Champagne, the thrill of a boat ride is certain to be an enjoyable activity for kids while on your travels.
On a family tour of the Marne River, you can see beautiful landscapes like vine-covered hills and historic villages. It’s a very relaxing activity in Champagne and is a nice way to unwind after so many adrenaline-filled days. It gives you some quality time to spend together and the kids will love getting out on the water.
Location: Bateau Champagne Vallée, 245 quai de Marne, 51480 Cumieres
Book: Online at Tourisme Hautvillers
Overall there are so many wonderful activities for kids in Champagne that make it a great destination for a family holiday in France. Children will marvel at the wonders of Nigloland and Couleurs Adventure Park, which offer fun experiences that will be fun for the whole family. There are also opportunities for more relaxed family days out in Champagne, like a trip to Musée Automobiles Reims Champagne and Champagne Mercier.
Inspired yet? If you think Champagne looks like the perfect place for you and the kids to go on holiday, why not talk to our concierge service? They can find you a great place to stay no matter how old the kids are (or how many you’re taking!) – just let them know what you’re looking for and they’ll do the legwork for you. Need a bit more inspiration? Our blog is full of great pieces to get you looking forward to your next break, so why not scroll through more kids’ activities in France or read our authentic guide to local Champagne?
Looking for a full list of villas to rent this year? Check out our villa holidays page here.
I was really struggling to decide what tops my current fantasy summer destinations, but this really helped me a lot in deciding where to go & make memories.