Cruise to the Frioul archipelago
If you’re a family that likes nature, then head to the Vieux-Port. Here, you’ll be spoilt for choice. Hop on a completely different type of transport from the train to cross the sea to the Frioul archipelago, located in the Calanques National Park. The more adventurous among you can make the crossing by sailboat. With the wind in your sails, you’ll quickly reach the Frioul archipelago and Château d’If, just 2 km from Marseille. Hopefully, you don’t suffer from seasickness! Step onto the terra firma of Frioul, known as the archipelago of flowers and birds. Here, nature is queen and has adapted to be able to withstand strong winds and extreme conditions, creating a unique haven of biodiversity recognised by the Natura 2000 network. Some of the species growing here can’t be found anywhere else! You and your children can discover 350 species of plants, including the ‘astragale de Marseille’ (a species of milkvetch), ‘lys des sables’ (sea daffodil) and ‘fumeterre de Munby’ (a fumewort). Consider packing a pair of binoculars in your bag so you can observe the sea birds: peregrine falcons, gulls, common shags and Cory's shearwaters. If creatures of the sea, rather than the air, are more your thing, then this is still the place for you. Put on your goggles and snorkel then dive in among the seahorses, corals and pretty grouper.
If you fancy a bit of history and culture, don’t miss the Château d’If on one of the islands of the archipelago. Throughout the summer, interactive tours are conducted for families. It’s up to your kids to solve the mysteries and puzzles of the fortress. Let the trainee detectives loose!
Explore the calanques
One thing not to be missed in the region are the calanques (rocky inlets). Numerous walks wind along the coastline that will appeal to both seasoned hikers and beginners. If you’re a family group, choose less steep and shorter trails, and take the opportunity to go down to the shore for a swim or picnic at the prettiest spots along the hike. The most accessible stretch runs from the Callelongue calanque to the Marseilleveyre one. Leave from Callelongue, not far from Marseille, for a walk that takes around an hour and a half. In summer, the bus journey to the starting point takes 40 minutes or so. With the children, take path GR98 and enjoy the view of the Riou archipelago as you walk along. Once you’ve reached Marseilleveyre, dive into the turquoise water then enjoy a meal or a light snack on the beach. The return journey is via the same path.
Hunt for puzzles in Avignon
If your kids like puzzles and mysteries, they’ll love Avignon. Which is handy, because our trains stop there! As soon as you arrive, head for the tourist office to exchange your travel receipt for a game kit. It costs just EUR 12 for this tour of the town with a difference, which will occupy your little ones for a good half-day. The game involves around 20 puzzles to solve, ten neighbourhoods to visit and two different games. One requires you to unmask the guilty party in a nefarious plot, the other lets you join the Dark Brotherhood of Avignon. Now all you have to do is wander round the town’s picturesque spots to find the clues, solve the puzzles and, most importantly, discover Avignon in a different light as a family.
Avignon Festival
If you happen to go to Avignon in July, then check out the programme for the Avignon Festival. It’s one of the largest international festivals of theatre and the performing arts. Throughout the town, more than 30 venues, the most famous of which is the Avignon open-air theatre, welcome a never-ending stream of artists putting on high-flying performances. Choose your favourite shows to attend with your children: there are plays by Molière, shows especially for young audiences, dance recitals, animated film showings and more. Once you’ve put together your programme, take your whole family to see these unique performances, which only take place once a year.
OK Corral amusement park
All aboard! We will soon be arriving in the Far West. When taking the train from Switzerland with your children, you didn’t think you’d end up in America, did you? Or, at least, at the OK Corral – an amusement park located between Marseille and Avignon that opened in 1966, making it one of the oldest such parks in France! Shows and rides perfectly recreate (almost) the days of the gold rush. Put on your best cowboy boots and head for Texas and the Mysteries of the West (which are also the names of rides!).
Beyond the traditional beaches and gastronomic odysseys, the south of France has much more to offer than just white sand and turquoise sea. Take your children and explore the region from every angle: cultural, natural, unique. If you’re still looking for ideas for things to do, visit any tourist office, which will have plenty of recommendations for you.