Are you looking to get away from it all for the February vacations? At a time when everyone is rushing to the ski slopes, take advantage of the calm to try out new activities and spend some quality time with family and friends. Here are our trip ideas for getting away from it all!
Book a train ticket
Book a train ticket
Our favorite destinations for the winter vacations in February:
Country and sports activities in the Vendée
Located in the Vendée region, the Côte de Lumière boasts calm, charm... and plenty of sunshine! An ideal choice when the weather is often still gloomy.
Take your whole family out to catch a wave! The Glassy House features France's only artificial wave... Modular and infinitely surfable, it's suitable for all levels, from beginners to experts. It's almost like summer!
The Glassy House, Parc Commercial Oceanis, 85800 Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie.
After invigorating strolls along the beaches, treat your tribe to a storytelling horse-drawn carriage ride with Vincent from Attelage de la Vie. Aboard, you'll discover the legends of the Vendée as well as the local bocage.
L'Attelage de la vie, Chemin du Quart du Matelot, 85270 Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez.
Access: Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie > Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez by TER train.
A citybreak in Paris
Why not take the whole family to Paris for a day of museums and sightseeing? Winter is the ideal season to discover Paris museums with your children.
You can also take advantage of the cooler weather to take shelter in the magnificent covered passageways, such as the chic Galerie Vivienne, near the Palais Royal, for one of the best old-fashioned hot chocolates in Paris. Other visit ideas include the Auteuil greenhouses, where you can get away from it all while staying warm, or on the Grands Boulevards, the Musée Grévin and a visit to Rex Studios: a playful mini-museum dedicated to cinema.
If you're looking for something a little different in Paris, enter the illuminated halls of the Atelier des Lumières. If your children aren't always fans of museums, this highly immersive museum, with artworks projected onto a large screen, should be a hit with everyone!
And finally, for a bit of shopping, take a trip to the Samaritaine, the architectural gem on rue de Rivoli, which has reopened its doors after 16 years of renovation. Fashion, gourmet food, lifestyle... Over 600 brands await you under the legendary glass roof. There's also a 3,000m2 beauty area, the largest in Europe, a spa and a beauty studio! Head to the 5th floor for the restaurants, cafés and tearooms, with a total of 10 eateries offering the very best in French cuisine.
On a Breton island, for a refreshing dose of iodine
For a change of scenery for the whole family, there's nothing like Brittany, and why not take a trip to an island? Even in February, Brittany has plenty of sunny days in store. And the sea air will always be there!
- Île aux Moines and Île d'Arz, in the Gulf of Morbihan
Easily accessible by boat from the Vannes region, these two islands are well worth a visit. Ile aux Moines, in the shape of a cross, is the larger of the two, and boasts flower-filled lanes and charming fishermen's cottages. The smaller, wilder Île d'Arz will delight walkers with its stunning coastal path. Bring a raincoat and rent a bike to discover them all!
>> Book your train ticket to Vannes
- Bréhat Island, opposite Paimpol, Côtes d'Armor
Separated from the mainland by a narrow inlet, and nicknamed the Island of Flowers, Bréhat is just ten minutes by boat from the Pointe de l'Arcouest in Paimpol. A change of scenery is guaranteed in this little corner of paradise, where a micro-climate prevails, and where charming houses and wild coves follow one another...
- The well-named Belle-île, a stone's throw from the Quiberon peninsula
In summer and winter alike, Belle-île is a destination of unique atmosphere and scenery, with tranquil beaches and spectacular cliffs, colorful harbors and lush green countryside. It's the largest of the Breton islands. Don't miss the most beautiful viewpoints: the great lighthouse, the rocks of the Apothicairerie grotto, the panorama from Port-Coton or Port-Goulphar.
In a fisherman's cottage in Marseille
Do you know the history of Marseille's cabanons? True little corners of paradise, cabanons are part of the Marseille landscape. Often located in the heart of the calanques, they benefit from the seaside and the tranquility of the area outside the tourist season.
So why not treat yourself to a little stay by the water, even in the middle of winter? Even if it's too cold for a swim, there's nothing more exotic than waking up facing the sea and being able to stroll along the paths without the summer heat, towards the most beautiful calanques: En Vau, Sormiou, Morgiou...
Don't leave Marseille without a trip to the Vieux-Port, where you can take the little train to the top of Notre-Dame de la Garde, for a panoramic view of the whole city. Try to pass by the port in the morning, when the fishermen come back to sell their fish at the auctions - the atmosphere is really great, especially with the younger ones!
And if you like street art, the Panier district is a great place to take a stroll, with its frescoes, graffiti and collages. It's a great way to discover this emblematic district in a fun way.
Discover the Dordogne castles
Do you love medieval castles, and do your children too? Even in winter, many of the Dordogne's tourist sites remain open.
Castelnaud, a journey back to the Middle Ages
Perched on a rocky outcrop overlooking the Dordogne River, Castelnaud-la-Chapelle castle is a museum of warfare in the Middle Ages, with a collection of armor that children will love. During the winter vacations, it offers a guided tour entitled "A bas les idées reçues!
In the Middle Ages, was boiling oil a weapon of mass destruction? Was dirt an art of living, and was daily life all shades of black and grey? Above all, the Middle Ages represent 1,000 years of history. This indoor tour will dust off our imaginations and clear up what we think we know!
Les Eyzies, the prehistory capital
For prehistory fans, visit Les Eyzies de Tayac, the "prehistory capital of the world", in the heart of the Vézère valley, not far from Sarlat. The village offers an incredible series of caves and prehistoric sites, set against an impressive backdrop of cliffs.
Les Milandes, Josephine Baker's château
A highlight of the Dordogne, the Château des Milandes, long home to Joséphine Baker, is open to visitors and hosts a wide range of events. The site is stunning, with a large park boasting wonderful panoramic views over the Dordogne valley and open-air birds of prey shows!
