Hands-on activities in South France?
Oct 5th, 2006, 12:28 AM
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Hands-on activities in South France?
Does anyone know of interactive activities suitable for teens in the Provence and Rousillion region? My children are rather bored of museums and old buildings so would prefer to try new things.
Oct 5th, 2006, 12:48 AM
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Are the teenagers those which like water type of activites. I'm sure there are lots of places along the coast which the kids would want. Canyoning, Sea Kayaks, Diving, Swimming, Windsurf, Biking, Hiking, and many other healthy activities.
A lot of the camping installation provide a large selection of those items and most kids would spend hours keeping busy.
Click on this site.
http://www.sunfrance.com/
This gives lots of information about the Languedoc-Roussillon region. This may give you some other ideas.
What time of the year are you planned. In high season, it's fun but crowded. Off season it's cheaper but not as many places open.
The Carmargue is another thought. I've never visited there but I believe it's beautiful.
Blackduff
A lot of the camping installation provide a large selection of those items and most kids would spend hours keeping busy.
Click on this site.
http://www.sunfrance.com/
This gives lots of information about the Languedoc-Roussillon region. This may give you some other ideas.
What time of the year are you planned. In high season, it's fun but crowded. Off season it's cheaper but not as many places open.
The Carmargue is another thought. I've never visited there but I believe it's beautiful.
Blackduff
Oct 5th, 2006, 01:06 AM
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I am going to to this in Spring, but if your kinds want to try it out and see something in incredible, why don't you guys to to Millau for the day, see the bridge and go biking? The paths are beautiful and well marked (so say those I know who did this) and there are companies to rent from right there.
Oct 5th, 2006, 03:35 AM
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Here are some sites you can check out for kayaking or canoeing
Collias (near the Pont du Gard) - Kayak Vert
Kayaking on the Gardon river. You must know how to swim.
http://www.canoe-france.com/gardon
tel:04 66 22 88 78
Vallon-Pont-d’Arc (Gorges de l’Ardèche) Canoe Kayak
Kayaking and canoe trips, unaccompanied or with an instructor.
Raft trips (6 to 8 persons with an instructor)
http://www.canoe-ardeche.com
tel: 04 75 88 11 34
Horseback Riding in the Alpilles - Mouriès, chez Dédé 04 90 47 69 26
There is also a free flight bird show (eagles, falcons, hawks, etc.) from the ruins of the Château in Beaucaire in the afternoons.
How about a zoo ? you can visit the zoo in conjunction with the château.
Salon de Provence - Zoo de la Barben http://www.zoolabarben.com
Patricia
Collias (near the Pont du Gard) - Kayak Vert
Kayaking on the Gardon river. You must know how to swim.
http://www.canoe-france.com/gardon
tel:04 66 22 88 78
Vallon-Pont-d’Arc (Gorges de l’Ardèche) Canoe Kayak
Kayaking and canoe trips, unaccompanied or with an instructor.
Raft trips (6 to 8 persons with an instructor)
http://www.canoe-ardeche.com
tel: 04 75 88 11 34
Horseback Riding in the Alpilles - Mouriès, chez Dédé 04 90 47 69 26
There is also a free flight bird show (eagles, falcons, hawks, etc.) from the ruins of the Château in Beaucaire in the afternoons.
How about a zoo ? you can visit the zoo in conjunction with the château.
Salon de Provence - Zoo de la Barben http://www.zoolabarben.com
Patricia
Oct 5th, 2006, 07:49 AM
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The problem is that we're going in early December so most water actities would be ruled out I suppose? I was wondering if there are try-it-yourself kind of art and craft places or really interactive museum programmes such as the salt mine tour in Austria, which was very fun, if you have tried it before.
Oct 5th, 2006, 08:58 AM
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If the kids wore wet suits, they can utilize a lot of water sports. Certainly diving is still good in December. Windsurfing still works and Sea Kayaking is great in December.
http://www.pyreneesmediterraneanholi...es/kayakps.jpg
This photo was taken in December, so life doesn't stop just because called "Winter".
The Med is still quite warm in December but January and February starts to get a bit chilly.
Wearing wet suits makes all of the difference.
Blackduff
http://www.pyreneesmediterraneanholi...es/kayakps.jpg
This photo was taken in December, so life doesn't stop just because called "Winter".
The Med is still quite warm in December but January and February starts to get a bit chilly.
Wearing wet suits makes all of the difference.
Blackduff
Oct 6th, 2006, 11:10 PM
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Hmm
Maybe I'm getting old, but the idea of getting wet (even with a wetsuit) in December doesn't appeal much !
The weather can be quite good in December, but the water is cold.
Maybe better to stick to the dry activities.
A bit out of your way perhaps, but I found the coal mine visit in Ales very interesting.
Some winter photos :
http://www.the-languedoc-page.com/ph...-photo-067.htm
http://www.the-languedoc-page.com/ph...-photo-115.htm
http://www.the-languedoc-page.com/ph...-photo-117.htm
Peter
Maybe I'm getting old, but the idea of getting wet (even with a wetsuit) in December doesn't appeal much !
The weather can be quite good in December, but the water is cold.
Maybe better to stick to the dry activities.
A bit out of your way perhaps, but I found the coal mine visit in Ales very interesting.
Some winter photos :
http://www.the-languedoc-page.com/ph...-photo-067.htm
http://www.the-languedoc-page.com/ph...-photo-115.htm
http://www.the-languedoc-page.com/ph...-photo-117.htm
Peter
Oct 11th, 2006, 04:48 AM
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Peter might anwer your question about the salt mines but I have another suggestion.
There area lot of organizations which give horse trekking. It depends on the ability and the needs but it's all over the area.
I have had some young girls visiting and they took a small trek into the mountains nearby. I also who has taken bigger treks. He went with a group up to about 2,800 meters high. This particular trek was for three days, so there's a big variation needed.
Another thought is buy/rent some large kites for using along the beach. I seem them everywhere in the coastal region. I cannot believe that they would be expensive to buy. Kids would love this for days.
From Sete, towards to the Spanish border the beaches are sand. It's great for kiting.
Blackduff
There area lot of organizations which give horse trekking. It depends on the ability and the needs but it's all over the area.
I have had some young girls visiting and they took a small trek into the mountains nearby. I also who has taken bigger treks. He went with a group up to about 2,800 meters high. This particular trek was for three days, so there's a big variation needed.
Another thought is buy/rent some large kites for using along the beach. I seem them everywhere in the coastal region. I cannot believe that they would be expensive to buy. Kids would love this for days.
From Sete, towards to the Spanish border the beaches are sand. It's great for kiting.
Blackduff
Oct 11th, 2006, 12:17 PM
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Hi
Yes, you get a guided tour through the coal mine. Pretty safe !
It is very interesting because this particular mine has a coal strata that emerges in a cliff at ground level. It was first exploited by the monks in 1100 AD.
The visit penetrates the coal seam showing later methods of extraction.
Eventually it was abandoned, but then used for training by the local College of Mines. It has recently been privatised.
More local info at : http://www.the-languedoc-page.com
Peter
Yes, you get a guided tour through the coal mine. Pretty safe !
It is very interesting because this particular mine has a coal strata that emerges in a cliff at ground level. It was first exploited by the monks in 1100 AD.
The visit penetrates the coal seam showing later methods of extraction.
Eventually it was abandoned, but then used for training by the local College of Mines. It has recently been privatised.
More local info at : http://www.the-languedoc-page.com
Peter
