Family vacations: beaches, cities and nature at smart prices

Taking a family vacation without breaking the bank requires a little organization and choices tailored to everyone’s needs. Between quality-labeled beaches, towns on a human scale and wide-open natural spaces, France offers economical and varied options to suit all tastes.

Recent figures show dynamic French tourism: 2024 was a record year with almost 100 million visitors and 71 billion euros in international revenue, with tourism accounting for around 8% of GDP. This performance is accompanied by objectives for 2030 focused on competitiveness and sustainability.

Choosing the destination: beach, city or nature?

The coast remains the top preference for families (44%), followed by the countryside (28%) and the city (24%), according to the Atout France 2025 barometer. For a good compromise between activities and budget, the Atlantic coasts (Vendée, Charente-Maritime, Landes) and Brittany remain sure values, often rich in beaches and free outdoor offers.

Medium-sized port towns like La Rochelle offer an interesting mix: children’s facilities (Aquarium, bike paths), nearby beaches and urban services without the cost of large metropolises. Lake or mountain destinations are also worth considering for nature activities that are often free of charge, such as hiking or lake bathing.

The choice of destination can also be based on useful labels: the Pavillon Bleu 2025 has 492 beaches and harbors labeled (Occitanie in the lead with 120 sites), and the Famille Plus label guarantees child-friendly facilities. These benchmarks help to select safe beaches and quality family offers.

Smart camping and accommodation

Camping remains a highly economical and popular option: around 141 million overnight stays were recorded in 2023 for the sector. Bare » pitches (tent/caravan) will see strong demand in 2024-2025, reflecting a search for savings. As Nicolas Dayot (FNHPA) pointed out, « Bare pitches are in high demand, a sign that holidaymakers are looking to control their budgets. »

Rates vary widely according to period and standing: in the off-season a bare pitch can cost €20 to €30/night, while a mobile home for 6 people ranges from €400 to €900 a week, depending on the season. At the height of the summer (early August), some mobile homes for 6 people can reach €700 to €900 a week.

Rental between individuals has also grown strongly (+14% of nights sold in early 2025), making seasonal rental an attractive option for families looking for good value for money and the possibility of cooking to cut expenses.

Transportation and discounts for families

Transportation represents a significant part of the vacation budget; families can reduce the bill by combining several schemes. The « Familles nombreuses » card offers SNCF discounts of 30% (from 3 children) up to 75% (6+ children), and the Carte Avantage (€49) allows -30% on TGV/Intercités and discounts for accompanying children.

Thinking train rather than plane can make sense, even if French airport traffic has picked up (≈ 205.8 million passengers in 2024). For regular journeys, these cards and advance booking can make real savings, especially if the family travels to several regions during the stay.

Finally, don’t forget the aids and means of payment dedicated to vacations: vacation vouchers (ANCV) remain massively used with around 4.88 million beneficiaries in 2023 and are accepted at over 133,000 points. Combining cards, vacation vouchers and platform offers can significantly reduce the overall bill.

Free activities and good local deals

Faced with rising prices, many families have cut back on paid restaurants and outings in favor of free activities such as swimming, hiking, biking or parks. In 2025, we’re seeing a rise in low-cost practices: budget accommodation, home exchanges and free leisure activities are in demand.

Destinations with the Famille Plus label often offer free or supervised entertainment and facilities for children, helping to limit spending on site. Consult local tourist offices to spot free or reduced-price workshops and tours.

Plan days out with the family

Planning « à la carte » days (beach in the morning, picnic area in the afternoon, bike ride in the evening) reduces costs and increases family satisfaction. Small coastal towns or villages around lakes often offer a good balance between services and reasonable rates.

When to go: seasonality and date strategy

Seasonality has a big influence on price. Going in July rather than August, or favoring June and September, often results in significantly lower accommodation and activity rates. Le Figaro and other analyses confirm that these date adjustments frequently reduce the total budget.

If you can avoid the August peaks, you’ll benefit from lower prices and less crowding on beaches and tourist sites. Campsites in the off-season frequently offer pitches at €20-30/night, making them a very economical option for mobile families.

For families with smaller children, a pitch at a campsite is a good option

For families with strict school constraints, try to book early and take advantage of last-minute offers on private rental platforms, which saw a marked increase in supply in 2025.

Labels, safety and quality for families

Choosing labeled beaches and structures simplifies life for parents: the Pavillon Bleu 2025 identifies 492 beaches and marinas with water quality and welcome criteria. For families, it’s a useful benchmark for finding safe, clean bathing areas.

The Famille Plus label, known by around 43% of families, guarantees adapted services (equipment, entertainment, safety) for children. Relying on these labels reduces the risk of unpleasant surprises and makes it easier to organize family days out.

Finally, it’s a good idea to take a look at the policy we’re pursuing

Finally, public policy aims at competitiveness and decarbonization of the tourism sector, with a target of €100 billion in international revenues by 2030. These guidelines encourage more sustainable offerings that often consume fewer resources, an asset for responsible and economical family vacations.

Finally, public policy aims to promote the competitiveness and decarbonization of the tourism sector, with a view to achieving international revenue targets

In summary, family holidays at smart prices are based on informed choices: well-chosen destinations (coastline, nature, medium-sized towns), economical accommodation (camping, mobile homes, private rentals), seasonality and use of aid and discount cards. These levers make it possible to reconcile a controlled budget with quality experiences.

As Nathalie Delattre (Atout France) sums up, « The good first-half results … confirm the strength of tourism in France. » By combining these trends and best practices, every family can build a vacation that’s enjoyable, safe and truly smartly priced.