Best place for a family vacation in the south of France

The French Riviera – Golfe Juan

Family vacations. For my money, Golfe Juan is the best all-round town to stay at on the French Riviera, particularly if you have small children. Many of the coastal towns are just a little too busy and a little too “drinking culture” oriented. This is of course fine if that’s what you are looking for, but Golfe Juan is a little different. Sure, there are bars and cafés serving alcohol all day long and unlike the USA they are quite prepared to sell a drink to a teenager.

Golfe Juan has a nice, relatively un-crowded public beach with a large parking lot right next to it. During the season there are lifeguards on duty throughout the day and the bay keeps things relatively wave free except during the occasional summer storm. The beach is sandy, kept extremely clean and the water is shallow for at least 50 yards out to sea, allowing plenty of room for kids to swim and play without getting too far out of their depth. Further along the beach are a selection of inexpensive private beaches giving more privacy and comfort although there are several shops on the front selling beach furniture.

In the other direction, away from the private beaches is a beautiful marina with enough ridiculously expensive boats to satisfy most people’s curiosity. There are also several companies renting out boats from a few meters long to ninety-foot-long pleasure palaces. Bring lots of money if you intend hiring one of these though. Unless you are dripping in money, these are probably best shared with several other families and some of them can sleep twenty or so people in comfort.

Right next to the marina is a small fish vendor’s hut which allows local fishermen to sell their early-morning catches to the public. Kids will be fascinated to see piles of freshly caught mackerel staring dead eyed out from the display, and the vendor will happily gut and clean the fish for you there and then. Of course, cooking it may be a problem, because barbeques are illegal on the beach, but if you have rented a self catering apartment, Bon Apetit!

All along the sea front is an impressive array of restaurants, cafés and bars serving food, snacks and drinks all day long. The quality here is very high but compared to the USA, very expensive at the moment. No all inclusive vacations here I am afraid and during the holiday season - absolutely jam packed with people.

The most attractive thing about Golfe Juan for a family vacation is the beach. Not too wide and rarely so busy that you can’t keep an eye on the children. There are a few rules to follow. It is not unusual for women to go topless on French beaches, so it’s a good idea not to stare. (I’m talking to you, boys!) Generally, French children tend to be quieter and more well-behaved than their American counterparts, and there are some lessons to be learned. That doesn’t stop them having a good time.

The town behind the beachfront has all the amenities needed, just remember the shops shut here a lot earlier than in the USA. You will not find a grocery store open at eleven o’ clock at night, and many of the restaurants stop serving fairly early. But that’s OK, because you’ll be up at seven for a cup of coffee on the front anyway.