France with Children

My husband and I and our two small children (ages 6 %26amp;3) will be staying in Lyon this summer for my husband%26#39;s job. We would like to travel somewhere in France that is not too far from Lyon (3 to 4 hours away) that would be a nice holiday for our family. We would like to avoid the very crowded locations. Do you have any suggestions?

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3-4 hours away encompasses a lot, especially if you take the train!

It depends on when this summer you%26#39;ll be here -- July and August are the big vacation months, as schools are out those two months -- so while we could guide you toward some less-crowded areas, there really aren%26#39;t any areas that won%26#39;t be crowded to some degree.

What do you like to do?

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At about a 45mn drive from Lyon, you%26#39;ll find a wonderful little lake: Lac d%26#39;Aiguebelette (see http://www.lac-aiguebelette.com/anglais.htm) with clean turquoise water, a real delight!

It will busy, especially at week ends but if you go later in the afternoon and stay for a picnic, it won%26#39;t be as crowded.

The only thing is I don%26#39;t think you can go sing public transports.

Always lake-related, Annecy could be a good idea with the lake and the old town. Not sure your 3 year old will enjoy walking around, though. There are trains and, mots likely, buses from Lyon to Annecy.

Hope it helps!

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Our vacation time would likely be in August. We would like to perhaps be near water. Our kids would love a beach. I keep on hearing that the beaches on southern France are very crowded in August. My husband likes to hike, so I was thinking about the Lake Annecy area. Any thoughts?

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Thank you for the reply. I was considering that area. We would likely have a car with us. Is it difficult to get around that area with a car?

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It will be very easy to go to lac d%26#39;Aiguebelette (follow signs to Chambéry, Torino, Milano, there is an exit for the lake: exit %26quot;lac d%26#39;Aigubelette%26quot;, the lake being just off the motorway) and to Annecy (follow Chambery then Geneva, exit %26quot;Annecy sud%26quot;)

Annecy is a great place to visit with beaches around the lake and hiking paths, especially on the Semnoz mountain (great views from the top, very easy hikes)

You might also want to consider taking the TGV down to Marseille (but then, you%26#39;d have to stay at least on night) As for beaches, well I suppose they will be crowded indeed, even though if you ask on the South of France forum, I%26#39;m sure you%26#39;ll get useful tips!