we are hoping to travel to the Burgundy region this October half term, October 24th - 31st with our 4yr old. This is a part of France we have not been to. We will be traveling via the Eurotunnel and looking to stopover between the tunnel and Burgundy. People have mentioned places previously but they are older travellers without children. Once in Burgundy we would like to possibly stay in a central location and travel around of stay in 2 to 3 places but not sure......We would like to visit wineries and places of interest and of course things to keep our boy occupied. I know it's a big ask but does anyone have any suggestions or travelled this region with a youngster???Looking forward for your replies.
Posted by
victoria, Canada
11507 posts
Well its pretty obvious to me if you are arriving in Paris via the Eurostar you could easily enjoy a few days there with your child. Paris is filled with great parks( Luxembourg Gardens as a great playground area ) and a pond to float boats on ( you can rent one and a stick to push them around) .
Most kids enjoy the cruise down the river.
Invalids Army Musuem has tons of swords, battle axes , suits of armour etc to interest a little boy.
No where you take a 4 yr old is going to interest him all day long.. kids are kids no matter where they are.. they like to picnic.. they like to play in water and in parks. Museums are sometimes tolerated for short visits.. if the parents are skilled enough to make them interesting( yes.. I hold parents accountable for it.... my kids were about same age when we started taking them to museums .. starting with at home..of course. )
If you are renting a car and driving to Burgundy look at taking your lad to these two places.
Guedelon Castle - this is a fascinating project. They are building a medieval castle from scratch using only methods and materials that were era available. The "builders" dress in costumes of the day.. I took my daughter there when she was 11.. that was almost 8 years ago.. they are still building.. due to be done in another 10 years I think.. anyways google for it.
Provins- World Heritage site.. old ramparts .. old town.. sort of living museum. They do jousting shows etc during season.. the Birds of Prey show was pretty good.. eagles, horses.. etc..
Posted by
L'Occitanie, France
10176 posts
Having raised a couple children whose grandparents lived in Burgundy, I think Pat's hit the biggies. A good place in your situation is a village called Montreal with a fascinating church at the top of this walled village perched on a hill. There is one B&B/inn/tea room run by English ex-pats who raised a couple of kids there.
http://www.maisoncremeanglaise.com/
It's between Avallon, Dijon, and the Morvan Regional Park, and not far from Vezelay. Avallon has a costume museum. There are the grottes d'Arcy with the cave paintings, but four may be a little young for a cave.
Dijon may have more to hold your child's attention with some of the objects at the Celtic museum and parks and may be a good place to base yourselves, too.
Posted by
838 posts
You might also be interested in the Alesia Museoparc. They have demonstrations of battle techniques for the Romans and the Gauls (we went to both) and a great museum. My boys loved it (they're teenagers) but I think younger kids would like it too. Here's the link:
Posted by
OP
Chesterfield
3 posts
Thank-you. You have given me some ideas.
Posted by
US Pacific Northwest
10344 posts
I don't think 4 year olds should drink burgundy.
Maybe chardonnay watered down.
Posted by
OP
Chesterfield
3 posts
Ha ha Kent....