Provence with Kids: What to Do as a Family

Le Mas des Prépresses is built for families: a large enclosed garden, a pool, bikes, and room for everyone — from the toddler splashing in the shallow end to the fifteen-year-old who wants a treetop course.

It's our favourite kind of guest. Here's how to keep young and old busy, day after day, without ever hearing "I'm bored."

At the Mas, everyone breathes

Before you even head out, the property is a playground: a pool, a leafy garden to run and play in, bikes on free access, a barbecue for summer evenings and big tables for family gatherings. Many families spend a whole day without leaving — and that's exactly the point. The ideal base for a holiday with the tribe, where everyone finds their own rhythm.

Nature & swimming

The region is full of places to cool off. You swim in the Gardon at the foot of the Pont du Gard (pebbles, clear water, and the finest swimming backdrop there is); on the sandy beaches of Le Grau-du-Roi and l'Espiguette; or you go to watch pink flamingos at the Pont de Gau bird park in the Camargue, along easy wooden boardwalks that take a pushchair.

Thrills & the outdoors

For older kids and teens who need to burn energy, there's plenty:

• Treetop adventure parks: Escatte Aventure near Nîmes, and King Loisirs in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence — the latter adds paintball and laser tag for teens.
• Go-karting: tracks for adults and children, with baby-karts from age 3 for the little ones.
• Canoeing on the Gardon from Collias: a calm paddle between the cliffs, family-friendly (from age 6–7 depending on the operator).
• Off-road scooters in the Alpilles with E-trott Aventura, in Saint-Rémy.

For the full active side — hiking, mountain biking, via ferrata, cycling — see our outdoor & sport guide.

Farms, traditions & discoveries

For the curious, ideas abound:

• Le Vieux Mas, near Beaucaire: a living farm that recreates rural life in 1900, with animals, craft demonstrations and shows. A treat for ages 3–12, and right next to the property.
• an escape game in Beaucaire, perfect for older kids and teens on a scorching day.
• the water jousting and abrivados of Beaucaire in summer — spectacular and free.
• the Nîmes Arena in gladiator mode, and the interactive Musée de la Romanité.
• the Bambouseraie d'Anduze bamboo park and its little train; the Seaquarium at Le Grau-du-Roi.
• a ride on horseback or in a manade in the Camargue, to meet the gardians and the bulls.

Rainy days

It happens, even in Provence. Smart fallbacks: the Musée de la Romanité in Nîmes (interactive and dry), the Seaquarium at Le Grau-du-Roi, the Beaucaire escape game, or a covered castle like the Château du Roi René in Tarascon.

Practical tips

Le Mas is 10 minutes from Beaucaire and Tarascon, 25 from the Pont du Gard, 40 from the Camargue beaches. A car is useful for ranging about. Shopping is done at the market or in the shops of Beaucaire. For toddlers, bring the right gear: most ancient and natural sites suit an all-terrain pushchair rather than a lightweight stroller.