mmm - something to consider with small [and not so small kids] is the weather. How usd is your family to high temperatures? July in Provence can be lovely but it can also be very hot. if I were travelling there [or to the Dordogne that time of year] especially with kids I would want a pool available. Does the property that you are considering have one?

you could certainly combine Provence with Paris and/or with the Dordogne; Paris has all the sights [many in truth with limited attractions for younger kids] the Dordogne has loads to do for families and IMHO would be a better choice.

anyway, who says you can't go to France without seeing Paris? of course you can, if that's what you want to do!

I doubt if your kids will all love Paris or benefit from the visit, though DH might. I'd focus on the great idea which is a homeswap in rural france. This means focus on the house, is there a pool or a river nearby, can you hire canoes or bikes, is there a church, bar, restaurant, shopping nearby?

If you do insist on stopping off in Paris then realise that you will be tired after the flight and ratty. So I would do it at the end of the trip and try to focus on just a few things, Eifel Tower, boat trip on the seine, visit the gardens that sort of thing so that you all take back the best rather than just looking at world standard art when you want to be outside etc.

Thank you so much for the wonderful advice Annhig! Yes, they have a pool, which would be a big treat for the kids after a day of sightseeing.

I think we should spend some time exploring Paris because I don't know when/if we will get back to France.

I'm not sure why bilboburgler thinks your kids won't enjoy Paris. Mine absolutely loved it and looked forward to visiting it every summer at the end of our stay in the Dordogne. But anyway, I would look for a place in the Dordogne, preferably one with a swimming pool, as it's HOT in July. There's more to do there than in Provence for kids. And you can visit Paris on the way to or from the exchange, if you choose to.

Thanks Bilbo. I really relied on this board's advice when planning our trip to Spain and we had a GREAT time. I am most appreciative for the help now as well!

StC, my thoughts were general at 6 or 9 did I want to see a big hot city or a pool in the garden? The Pool!

Thanks StCirq. The Dordogne seems like a great location for families, so I appreciate the affirmation.

of course go to Paris if you want to, but don't have too many expectations that there will be loads of child-centred activities, though as st. cirq says, they may enjoy what there is there. specific things that our [slightly older] kids liked in Paris were the eiffel tower, Notre Dame, the food, a trip on the seine. the jardins due Luxembourg are also a fun place to run about, as are the gardens at Versailles. 2-3 days will probably be enough though.

i agree with St. Cirq that putting it at the end of the trip when you have got your France "legs" is a good idea; OTOH you might do it first as the excitement of being in Paris might carry you through some initial tiredness and then yo could relax in the south. [or southwest].

how long can you do your exchange for? if just a week you could start off in Paris, then go to the dordogne for a few days, and end in Provence. if it has to be a fortnight, then that's a bigger problem.

When we were brats we liked http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gorges_du_Tarn though last year we had a great time in the Dordogne

We would have a max of 2 weeks.

Ten days in the Dordogne (including travel to and from), five days in Paris.

So let me ask this...

How does the area of Provence near Aix-en-Provence rank compared to Dordogne? We have a home exchange from a nice family in that area, and I am very tempted to accept it!

Here's the Dordogne:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mksfca/sets/72157623164797649/
Some of the pictures were taken while canoeing for a day on the Dordogne River.

Someone else might be able to show you the Provence.

Wow, just wow. Thank you for posting!

I think most kids could love Paris,, if mom and dad do a bit of homework, and if they build in time for parks and ice cream. I took my dd when she was 11, and my son at 14, and I first visited there myself at 9 or 10.

I also agree kids do like pools, lakes , rivers, beaches and relaxing. A mix makes good sense.

Since most airlines seem to offer cheaper flights into bigger city centers it makes sense to fly into and out of Nice or Paris. And I am not sure if going at end of trip is a good idea or not,, there is the novelty factor of starting in Paris when kids are a bit fresh and then relaxing the rest of the holiday.. so I can't decide. I do know if you plan on taking trains south( be it Provence or Dordogne) that tickets purchased sooner rather then later are cheaper.

Hi again,

there is a current TR from someone who took her kids to Paris which may help with your planning - here's the link:

http://www.fodors.com/community/europe/herding-three-children-through-paris.cfm

you could of course do the house exchange this time and leave the Dordogne til the next!

Thanks to all for the ideas, and practical advice. I have a friend who took her kids to Provence last year for a homestay and loved it, so chances are we will accept the offer.

have a great trip, or2!

Some nice things for kids in the Provence:
* many small towns have bull runs in the summer - - they fence off the entire center of the town for the running; the towns are kind of buzzing all day, and then the bulls run up and down within inches of you behind barricades or sitting on stone walls - - definitely worth seeking out;
* the coastal beaches at Ste. Marie de la Mers and le Grau de Roi are very pleasant, vibrant, colorful places;
* check out all the market days near where you are staying; even in small towns, market days will keep them enchanted, you will pick up some great fresh tasties, and the kids will find some happy knick-knacks or fashion accessories;
* consider especially market day in Arles, which is fab (dovetail with a visit to the Arena) - - and towns like Arles where there might also be days where people wear traditional costumes and have a parade - - this is all Googlable, but you have to really Google thorough to find things, especially the small-town festivals;
* no brainers: Les Baux; the ramparts that go for kilometers around Aigue Mortes; Pont du Gard (consider also the canoe/kayak rides that start upstream from the Pont du Gard and let you glide downstream and pick you up underneath)

great advice, thank you for the specifics dfourh!

Your kids might also enjoy "Taureaux piscines" events (literally "bull pools"); they are sort of spoofs on bullfighting but don't involve violence, just bulls inside huge pools. And the Camargue is endlessly fascinating: gaucho cowboy types, flamingos, sand wine, ride paddies, and the beautiful Aigues-Mortes.
And the castle in Terascon with the falcons.

It's nowhere near as kid-friendly a region as the Dorgogne, but your kids will happily never know that.