fun things to do with kids in  france    
  Travel for Kids
france
   
     
    Cote D'Azur
  Nice
Il Ste Marguerite
  Island of Sainte Marguerite (Cannes) – Take a short boat trip from the Port of Cannes to the Island of Sainte Marguerite (Ile Ste-Marguerite). In the 18th century, the island had an infamous fort that was a prison and home to "the man in the iron mask." The island has good swimming and a nice climb up to old fort, Fort de l'Ile, on the hill. This is a perfect picnic spot.
    Musée International de la Parfumerie (Grasse) – Inside this perfume museum, you can see perfume bottles dating back to the Romans and don't miss Marie Antoinette's cosmetics case. Also tour "parfumeries," in Grasse, small perfume factories to learn about how perfume is made (perfume is for sale too). Fragonard, Molinard and Galimard are three popular parfumeries.
    Biot – This charming town is famous for it's handblown glass. Go to a glassworks to watch the artisans, melting, shaping, and blowing glassware. Take home a souvenir of bubbles in the finished glassware.
Renoir's House (Cagnes-sur-Mer) – Visit Renoir's studio, "Les Collettes," much as it was when he painted there, surrounded by his family. Here he painted some of his most famous paintings, such as The bathers, and scenes, such as Washerwomen at Cagnes, and The farm at Les Collettes.
Musee Picasso (Antibes) – The Picasso Museum has not only painting, sculpture and pottery by Picasso, but works by Miro. Picasso worked in the Chateau Grimaldi, and the chateau is now a wonderful setting for the museum.
Baou St. Jennet (St. Jennet) – Climb up this towering pile of rock above the town of St. Jennet. This is a day hike that younger kids can do, and along the way there are wonderful views to the sea. You'll also want to pack a picnic lunch.
kids books france
     
Picasso and the Girl with a Ponytail  

Shy Sylvette, a teenager with a long blond ponytail, becomes a model for Picasso. He paints tons of pictures of her, makes sculptures (which don't look at all like her), and eventually Sylvette becomes a painter herself. (Picture book)

 

     
Painting with Picasso
Julie Merberg, Suzanne Bober

Picasso's paintings in poems and rhymes, a delight for little ones. Paintings of a boy on a donkey, a mother and baby, Picasso himself. "And here is the artist who's captured it all – the faces, the places, the girl on the ball." (Board book)

 

 
Painting with Picasso
     
When Pigasso met Mootisse  

Irresistible, hilarious story of Pigasso and Mootisse, based on the true story of Picasso and Matisse. When both artists criticize each other's paintings, things really get out of hand. Fabulous illustrations, bursting with color and fun. (Picture book)

 

     
Pierre Auguste Renoir
Mike Venezia

Mini-biography of Renoir, the Impressionist "painter of happiness." Renoir made chalk drawings on the floor of his father's shop; his outdoor scenes of people having fun were revolutionary at the time; Renoir liked to paint his children. (Picture book)

 

 
Pierre Auguste Renoir
     
Sharing with Renoir  
Sharing with Renoir
Julie Merberg, Suzanne Bober

"A baby bounces on mother's knee …" Toddlers can touch Renoir's glowing paintings of family life – a girl holding her cat, children playing the piano, sisters sharing secrets. (Board book)

 

(More children's books on other France pages)
travel for kids | france | cote d'azur