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France

Things to do on a North France holiday

Northern France can often be overlooked as a great destination for a family holiday, however we’re here to change that! With plenty of the best places to have a family holiday in France located in the Hauts-de-France region you’ll be spoilt for choice. Not only are there plenty of accommodation types to suit everyone, Northern France is host to some truly great experiences and attractions for you and your family.

For the kids, every detail of visiting a new country is exciting, but when visiting France there’s something special about it being so close to home, yet so different in culture. From the ferry crossing and the sound of a new language, to buying fresh croissants from the local boulangerie every morning and even seeing the cars on the ‘wrong’ side of the road, France is a great sensory experience that excites children of all ages!

Travelling on a ferry to France with P&O Ferries means not only will you have a choice of sailings including early morning and late evening, but your journey time across the channel is only 90 minutes! We have everything you need onboard to keep the kids entertained during your 90 minute ferry crossing to France – including our new kids play areas with soft play and interactive games*.

With so many award-winning attractions and beautiful UNESCO World Heritage sites right on your doorstep, the region of Hauts-de-France is perfect for a North France holiday.

Did you know? If you travel to France by ferry with P&O Ferries, you’ll enjoy 10% off entry into Nausicaá – Europe’s biggest and most celebrated aquarium. Plus, a free audio guide! Another great reason to travel with P&O Ferries!

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Dover

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Calais

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Côte d’Opale
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Boulogne-sur-mer
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Lille
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Travel tips

Top 3 Family Destinations

Côte d’Opale

The Opal coast is a stretch of coastline located within a 30 minute drive from Calais and is home to beautiful long sandy beaches and impressive sand dunes. And where there are beaches, you can bet there’ll be some incredible water sports – from wind surfing to sand sailing the Côte d’Opale has it all.

Did you know? Calais seafront has recently undergone an impressive and exciting regeneration, you’ll find new state-of-the art sports, play and hospitality facilities all along the beach front. With new play areas, volleyball and crazy golf, and the coolest urban skatepark, you’ll find there’s a whole host of activities to keep kids of all ages entertained on a day trip to Calais.

Travel off peak and expect the beaches to not only be much quieter but your holiday could well be more cost effective. With many of the beaches open from Easter to mid-October, you can take advantage of that Spring sunshine or those late summer sunset views. Re-connect with nature and visit Authie Bay to watch the family of Seals who call this quaint beach home. Best viewed at low tide when the sand banks are revealed the area is great for seal watching, and adventurous walks with the kids.

Hauts de France Tourism

Adobestock J. Alexandre

Boulogne-sur-mer

If you’re looking for family friendly attractions near Calais, closer to home, then look no further than Boulogne. For years this wonderful seaside town, as played host to many families who return year after year for it’s quintessentially French seaside town feel, it’s no wonder it is often voted as one of the best places to visit in North France. Host to Europe’s largest and most celebrated Aquarium – Nausicaá, beautiful ancient architecture, fantastic museums and amazing seafood restaurants, Boulogne-sur-mer offers so much for the family to enjoy together.

Nausicaá will no doubt be a highlight for the whole family. Located in the heart of the Opal Coast, Nausicaá is Europe’s largest aquarium. This truly unique aquarium is one of the best Northern France attractions. A place where young and old alike can marvel at the beauty of the marine world, learn all about environmental issues and, above all, learn to love and protect the ocean. Cherish this time with the family as you discover and explore all forms of aquatic life.

Travel to France by ferry with P&O Ferries, and you’ll enjoy an exclusive 10% off entry into Nausicaá – simply show your P&O car hanger from check-in at the Nausicaá reception when you purchase your entry ticket and you’ll receive your discount.

Lille

The foodie capital of Hauts-de-France. Lille perfectly blends cuisine with culture! From impressive architecture, to foodie hotspots and museums and cultural venues, Lille is a destination not to be missed when visiting Northern France. Head to Lilles’ ‘old town’ where you’ll meander through cobbled streets showcasing the best of Lilles’ medieval history. The streets are lined with quaint cafes and coffee spots, artisan shops and locals playing chess, all against the stunning backdrop of some of Lilles’ oldest buildings dating back to the 17th century.

Look out for Europe’s largest flea market, if you’re visiting during the first weekend of September, or head to the second hand book market, open every day of the week (except Sundays). You’ll find anything from old classics in French, to modern day children’s books. This is great for any book loving families to tick off the bucket list!

If you plan to travel during the festive season, then look no further than Lille for some special family time. Enjoy rides on the festive Ferris wheel, or share some delightful treats from the Christmas market whilst you're wondering through the decorated town square and streets, Lille is magical at this time of year!

Photo by Max Zed on Unsplash

For family friendly destinations look no further than the Cote d'Opal for your North France holiday.

Dad taking photo of his children on P&O Ferries deck

Couple watching fish at Nausicaa aquarium France

Kids playing on interactive game on P&O Ferries ship

Travel Tips For A North France Holiday

Travelling to France with children couldn’t be easier with P&O Ferries, from easy check-in, to baby changing, kids entertainment and keeping little tummy’s full with our kids meal deal boxes, we’ve thought of it all! We are also proudly the only ferry company in England with accredited Changing Places on board. Changing Places toilets are larger accessible toilets supporting children and adults with profound and multiple disabilities.

The benefit of travelling by ferry to France with P&O Ferries means you can pack the car with as little or as much as you like, and you can even take your beloved pet and up to 9 passengers with you! With up to 12 sailings a day on our Dover to Calais route, Northern France is perfect for those who want a holiday but don’t want to venture too far - it’s literally a 90 minute sailing away!

Why not create your own scavenger hunt to do on the ferry with the kids or better still, download our free Deep Sea Pioneers app and all the hard work is done for you! Once downloaded, simply scan the QR codes on any of the floor vinyl’s dotted around the ship and your game can begin.

Our 90 minute ferry crossing to France will sail by with all the family friendly things to do onboard, take in those sea views and breathe in that fresh air with a walk around our deck spaces, visit our onboard World Duty Free shop for all your favourite brands at discounted prices or head to our new kids areas onboard* – home to soft play, interactive games and fun puzzles!

A holiday to North France is a great way for kids to practice learning a new language. There are plenty of apps and child friendly books that can help kids learn some basic French before you go - they may even enjoy practising their new languages skills on the locals!

For more information and the best guide to the Cote d'Opale visit the Hauts de France tourism website.

So, have we convinced you to explore Northern France? Then book direct today for the best price and no hidden fees. Come aboard this summer, we can’t wait to see you!

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