Hello- we (family of 4, kids are 6 and 9yo) will be traveling to France in April over spring break. We have 9, maybe 10 nights to play with. So far we are planning 4 nights in Paris, and ending with 2 nights at Disneyland Paris. For the 3 other nights, we'd like to go somewhere else, and I'm having a hard time pinning down where! We enjoy balancing a big city visit (Pairs, in this case) with smaller towns where we can incorporate some outdoor activities. Otherwise we enjoy beautiful places, yummy food/wine, and historical sights (in kid-friendly doses!). My 9yo has gotten into WWII history and I think would enjoy visiting the D-Day sights, so I've considered Normandy, but the Loire Valley and Alsace regions also look lovely and not too far from Paris. Open to other ideas as well. For those who have been to France with their kids, what have they enjoyed?

If we did go to Normandy, what would be the best route to take? Perhaps 2 nights in Bayeux plus 1 night somewhere else (Honfleur or Mont Saint Michel?)? The crowd situation at MSM makes me nervous and I think we would only go there if we could stay overnight.

For the record, we will be coming from elsewhere in Europe so jetlag won't be an issue if it makes sense to visit whatever desitination we choose first and then go to Paris, and we open to train or renting a car for those 3 nights. In theory, we could even fly into another airport to start, we just need to fly out of Paris at the end.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

I hope the wine is in moderation for the kids as well as the history.

I'd say no to the Loire Valley with kids. Most folks are going for chateau tours. How many do you want to go to? How many will interest the kids?

Since you have a child maybe interested in WWII, the D-Day Invasion is a great place to start. Tons of kid-friendly activities and fun places to see.

The big question will be how you plan on getting around. We traveled by car. By car, you can stay wherever you want. Staying on a farm would be more fun than in a hotel in a city.

Three days is a very quick trip. But it can be done.

My favorite spots where I took my kids were the Museum of the Atlantic Wall in Ouistreham (in a former German command post), Arromanches to see the remains of the mulberries, Pointe du Hoc, and the American cemetery in Colleville-sur-mer. Although it is fictional, you might want to watch the movie The Longest Day, which is a series of anecdotes about D-Day. While you are in Normandy, some time should be spent in villages so your kids can get a glimpse of village life. Beuvron-en-Auge is a super highlight of Normandy.

There are a couple of sites for kids that I feel I should mention. Chateau Parc de Clères is an animal park. So if your kids like animals, it is a really nice experience that we don't have in the US. The other place is Chateau de Vendeuvre, which has a surprise water garden. Maybe it's best to not even tell them it's a surprise.... both are considered follies of a different era.

With all that, I didn't fool with MSM.

A totally different idea would be visiting the Dordogne area. You can combine some outdoor fun: canoeing and exploring the caves with yummy meals and visits to castles.

Interest in warfare.

I might avoid WW1 or 2, but up to you. There is a concentration camp in Alsace they could visit. Not sure of age limit but most older teens come out crying.

Perhaps focus on ancient warfare and religious bigotry. Carcassonne and the Cathar castles to the south are s real buzz for those who like mass torture.

I am here as a Frenchman (inhabitant in Paris) and father of 2 children aged 8 and 12 to give you some ideas.

Alsace or the Dordogne are very nice regions, but it takes about 5 hours by car to get there from Paris.. given the number of days you have planned it seems difficult to me.

Normandy is a safe value. The castles of La.Loire also with children. The Châteaux de Chenonceau and Chambord alone will amaze your children!

In the same region is the Beauval animal park, one of the most beautiful in France!

Otherwise don't forget to 2h road from Paris to visit the north of France. Lille is a very beautiful city and has a very different atmosphere of Paris.

Otherwise not far from 2 hours of betting there is Champagne, (reims, erpernay) if it is at the end of your stay you will be in addition close to Disneyland.

Don't forget the proximity of Paris, Fontainebleau, Saint Germain en Laye, Versailles... and why not Brittany?

Visit Rennes, it's in the south of Normandy and 3 hours from Paris by car. You will see that in France in 150 miles you completely change the world of gastronomy, architecture, landscapes and even French accent!!

Enjoy your stay with us welcome!!

I too think the Dordogne is too far for a quick trip. We went to the Beauval animal park after too many castles and very much enjoyed the animals. One of the top zoos we have visited along with San Diego and Sydney. Three nights gives you two days so the Loire valley would work. Just about a two hour drive from Paris if my memory serves me. Could also do quick trip to Provence as Avignon is about a 2 and a half hour train ride from Paris. Really lots of options.

If you are driving from Paris, I would recommend one night in the Loire Valley, one night in Normandy and one night in a place like Amiens (heading back towards Paris).