The region has a star-studded history as the play place for rich tourists looking for a healthy winter retreat, and then for Kings, Queens and the glitterati of the early 20th century, an association that has been reinforced through the annual Cannes Film Festival, and from starts from Becks to Elton John who buy luxurious holiday homes on the coast.

the glitz…
Port Grimaud is St Tropez without the fake tan. It’s a French version of Venice, with winding streets and canals, but no-one to steal your cornetto - the French are far too civilised! See if your children are eagle-eyed enough to spot that no two houses are alike.

For a more ‘epic’ experience visit the Gorges d’Heric; it is one of the most impressive and magnificent gorges in the region. This long deep crack in the ground is wild, lush and incredible.

The glamour
St Tropez is a chic town where we can mingle with the ‘jet set’. Relax into one of the many cafés and spend an afternoon celebrity spotting, and watch your kids stare wide-eyed at the yachts.

Cannes is famed for its film festival, but you’ll also be impressed by the gorgeous sandy beaches and cafés on La Croisette; perfect for watching the world go by.

The locals whizz up and down Nice’s magnificent palm-lined ‘Promenade des Anglais’ on roller skates, but the trick to enjoying the star studded town is to take things easy and milk every last detail.

Monaco is home of the rich and famous and famed for its fabulous casino. Of course the beautiful people who hang out here have beautiful yachts, so the marina should be near to the top of your ‘to see’ list.

For something a little less glitzy, but just as much fun, make the short jaunt from Le Montourey to the seaside town of Fréjus. This is a historic port balanced on a rock plateau, and there are Roman ruins, sandy beaches and chic bars. Families in Fréjus head to the long, sandy, sheltered beach that stretches to the next town. There’s a typical Med coast holiday feel, with streets lined with ice cream parlours, souvenir shops and restaurants. The bustling town is filled with classical remnants and medieval ruins, contrasting with the modern marina of Port Fréjus.

Water way to spend a day
For a fantastic day out with the kids then you can do no better than Aqualand (check out www.aqualand.fr and click through on ‘Frejus’).  This is the biggest water park on the Cote d’Azur with slides, lagoons, spa baths as well as play areas, restaurants and bars.  You can buy tickets on parc and it’s an easy 10 minute drive (approx).

Is there more to the Coted’Azur? Post your comments and tell us about the best bits.

From the ultra-modern Le Tréport to the Mont-Saint-Michel, the Normandy coast exhibits an astonishing variety of landscapes.

Calvados
The sunny skies look down on Domaine de Litteau siblu parc, which is located in Calvados, in Basse Normandie (lower Normany). Calvados is know as the ‘milk-cart capital’ of France, and it’s a beautiful, rural region, famous for its milk, cream and cheeses, apple orchards and fishing ports, such as Port-en-Bessin, with its charming fish market.

And when in Rome… try the apple brandy that carries the region’s name, or enjoy a glass of refreshing cider. Pommeau is Normandy’s own ‘aperitif’ and is made from a mix of cider and calvados using time honoured recipes.

Angling and abbeys
Slightly further south are the gorges of the River Orne, in an area known as ‘Suisse Normande’, a must visit for lovers of mountain sports and fly fishing. Anglers will also enjoy the Etangs (ponds) of Planquery, which are home to giant trout.

The absolute must see of this part of France is Mont Saint Michel, a Gothic-style Benedictine abbey dedicated to the archangel St Michael, linked by a causeway to the coast of Normandy. Enjoy these stunning pictures of Mont St Michel from the photo-sharing website Flickr.

Normandy history
But of course, Normandy is know for its incredible history. Visit Grandcamp, Port-en-Bessin and Arromanches and the D-Day landing beach of Omaha, which offer reminders of World War II, as well as being outstanding locations for family visits. There’s a 27-hole golf course at Omaha beach, with reduced green fees and savings on coaching courses available to those staying at Domaine de Litteau.

Bayeux’s American war cemetery is a sombre memorial to the past, immaculately maintained. The medieval town boasts an incredible 11th century cathedral and the famous tapestry, which depicts William the Duke of Normandy conquering England. Bayeux is also home to a large market selling regional produce, which takes place a couple of days each week.

Arromanches is a beautiful seafront town that played a huge part in the D-day landings as an artificial port, remnants of which are still visible. The 360o cinema perched on the cliffs above Arromanches depicts Normandy as it is now and was during the war.

For those who want to delve deeper into Normandy’s past there are many tours based on famous events, including D-Day, the Battle of Normandy, and from the story of Easy Company, highlighted in the Band of Brothers books and TV programme.

Is there more you can add? Don’t hesitate to leave a comment.

It used to be said that Languedoc was a well-guarded secret for the French, but the secret has been busted and the region is now one of the most popular holiday destinations in France.

If the weather and Med coast are the main temptation, another draw is Languedoc’s wine producing pedigree: this is the world’s biggest wine region, covering almost 300,000 hectares and producing more wine than Australia.

There are three siblu parcs in the area: La Carabasse, Lac des Reves and Les Sables du Midi.

For many people travelling to Languedoc, Montpellier will be the first port of call. The city mixes old and new beautifully, to present a fabulous array of sights, building, shops and a great selection of restaurants.

Most recommendations advise that you head to the Place de Comedie, the pink-marbled heart of the city, for an afternoon spent people watching,  but I prefer exploring the side streets where there is much more to see — the tram system means getting around is a joy.

For some flora and fauna, try the Jardin des Plantes, which is the oldest botanical gardens in France. Some of the plants here are apparently the great, great, offshoots of the originals that were planted in 1563!

Montpellier feels thoroughly modern, so at the other end of the spectrum is Carcassone, further along the coast. Carcassonne is a Unesco World Heritage Site and it has been described as the finest medieval fortified town in Europe. Carcassone’s castle featured in Robin Hood Prince of Thieves, there are fantastic museums (one where children can be knighted), plus lots of good walks and loads of pavement cafés when it all becomes too much!

As you travel through Languedoc you are likely to criss-cross the historic Canal du Midi, which took 12,000 men to build. You won’t have time to explore the entire 235km, but book a boat, bicycle or horse for a fantastic day-long activity. 

The canal ends its journey in the port town of Sète, which made a name for itself by producing pickled fish originally. The canal is lined by shops and restaurants, and there are great views of the Italian-style houses and some of the fastest sailboats in the world.

I can recommend a drive to St Guilhem-le-Desert (30mins north of Montpellier), a World Heritage Site which has been designated a ‘Plus Beaux Villages’, one of the most beautiful villages in France. There are Bronze Age gorges and caves packed with art and craft shops and hidden houses, yet despite the awards and beauty, St Guilhelm has remained refreshingly modest, resisting all attempts to sell-out and go into showbiz.

On the way back stop off at Pont du Diablo, and huge bridge which spans a gorgeous lake. If you don’t mind climbing down the steep path, the chance to swim in the lake is really worth taking. If you get chatting, ask someone about the legend behind the bridge - a great tale, involving two abbeys, the devil and a dog.

There are plenty of lively towns to keep families entertained in Languedoc. Cap d’Agde is billed by the locals as a smaller version of St Tropez. It’s a modern bustling port which offers an impressive selection of shops, restaurants and bars. As well as indulging in eating, drinking, shopping and yacht-spotting, you could always hire a boat or go diving. To stop you feeling yacht-envy - some of the boats here are the size of small villages - turn your back on the port, and focus on choosing some homemade ice cream. There are some great beaches nearby and you will be hard pressed to keep children away from ‘Toonsland’ and the famous ‘Aqualand’ with its giant flumes, waterslides and wave machine. If you’re feeling brave, there’s a famous nudist beach nearby too.

La Carabasse is on the edge of Vias sur Plage, which is a bustling seaside stretch, but venture further and you will find the Vias Old Town, which is all tiny squares  and cobbled streets, and a twice weekly market that is packed with fresh produce, including oysters and mussels.

For a French-style kiss-me-quick enjoyment there’s Valras Plage, which has a long beach that gently shelves into the sea, making it ideal for swimming, sailing and sunbathing – not to mention the French national sport; lounging on a shady café terrace watching the world go by.

As well as providing safe haven to boats of all shapes and sizes, Valras Plage harbour is also home to some delightful bars and restaurants, many of which offer live music during the evening. And if you prefer a handful of chips to a plate of frites, the casino offers poker, roulette and blackjack as well as regular cabaret spectaculars throughout the season.

The region also has a terrific food pedigree, best experienced through a cooking course booked through one of the parcs. You can read about my own cooking lessons here.

This sprawling region accommodates most tastes. There is the city of Bordeaux, which is one of the most chic in France. Explore further and you’ll find a rugged region made up of medieval towns, vineyards, huge pine forests, and those long beaches.

Siblu’s La Réserve holiday parc mirrors this contrast – it’s a large parc with lots of facilities that make holidaying a cinch, but it’s located in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by secluded forest and on the edge of the shimmering Lac Biscarosse.

A dune with a view
One of the most famous attractions of the region is a sand dune. Doesn’t sound impressive? Well it’s Dune du Pyla, Europe’s largest sand dune at 105m high and nearly 3km long, and responsible for swallowing up roads, signs and even a hotel.

Getting to the top is a real challenge, made slightly easier if you choose the 190 steps instead of the pure sand route. But reach the summit and the view really is ‘summit’ – stunning sea to one side, the dune in its entirety to another, and a horizon filled with rolling pine forest to east. These pictures from Flickr do the dune justice.

We Lac it a lot
Lac Biscarosse is a haven to water sports enthusiasts, with water skiing, wake boarding, surfing and kite surfing all available. The lake is also idea if you have young children. Bag yourself a spot on the beach and when the mood takes, you can wade into the calm waters, which remain shallow for a long stretch so it is safe for youngsters.

Everybody’s surfing
If you fancy your skills on a surf board it’s a short drive to either Biscarosse or Mimizan beaches. Both are small but lively resorts on the Cote d’Argent, and Mimizan in particular has a bustling surfers’ buzz to it. There is also Hossegor, slightly further south, which is known as a fine surfing beach and which has even hosted world tour events – one siblu customer travelled all the way from Australia to take part! For more specialist information, take a look at this guide from travel writer Alf Alderson to surfing in south west France.

Favourite towns
Bordeaux is best known for its wine, producing a staggering 44 million or so cases per year. But it offers more than just wine, it’s a great place for your children to practice their photography. Here are three places that like to pose for the camera: the ‘Quartier Saint-Eloi’; the ‘Pont de Pierre’, which ranks high in the top ten of attractive bridges; and the ‘Maison du Vin’, a beautiful 18th century building offering wine tasting.

Once you’ve explored Bordeaux’s glamorous mix of old architecture with tasteful new developments, it’s time to shop, and Rue Sainte-Catherine is, at 1.2kms, the longest shopping street in Europe.

I recommend you start at the Place de la Comedie, where the most upmarket shops are, and work your way down the street — and the price tags — while making regular stops at the many cafes.

Arcachon, to the north of La Réserve, is an up-market town overlooked by a long bay with many chic boutiques and fantastic restaurants serving exquisite seafood. Local specialities, which you must check out, are the dustbin-sized Landais pastis sponge and the Bordelais, which is a tasty caramelised pastry.

St Emilion is a heart-warming ‘ugly duckling grows up and becomes glamorous swan’ tale. In the 8th century a hermit called, Emilion dug out a cave for himself in the rock. A monastery followed. Then it blossomed into a gorgeous medieval hilltop village.

The village is surrounded by endless vineyards that produce full-bodied deep red wines, handy for keeping the 50 or so local wine shops well-stocked. Bizarrely, the cobbles on every street are English, which might explain why they’re the most uneven you’ll ever walk on in France, and that’s without even sampling the wine! Don’t miss the Église Monolithe, as this is one church that children might actually enjoy visiting, because it’s underground and carved out of the limestone. It dates from the 9th century and is Europe’s largest subterranean church. The lowest level is a maze of pillars and ironwork that support the structure above.

Dax is a warm and peaceful spa town with hot springs that bubble at a constant 64ºc. You are encouraged to cover yourself in mud - a sight your children will find hilarious! Before leaving, stretch your legs along the banks of the River Adou or in the colourful public gardens, where you’ll see lots of other families having a stroll. You should probably also wash off that mud.

What else can you add? Tell us what you like most about Aquitaine.

Which is a shame, because the Vendée is one of the most fantastic family holiday destinations in France. There are beautiful wild beaches as well as very civilised towns with excellent shopping and restaurants. The region also boasts more 3* and 4* holiday parcs than any other part of France - there are two fantastic siblu parcs, Le Bois Masson and Le Bois Dormant.

So, this is the siblu guide to things to see and do in the Vendée. I’ve covered cycling, the best towns at the magnificent Puy du Fou, but please don’t hesitate to add your comments.

The region is nestled between Brittany and Charente Maritime, and is known for its 140kms of big sandy beaches, sunshine and surf.

The beaches in the Vendée are truly stunning and will ruin you for any others, as you’ll forever be comparing them and finding others are ‘just not quite up to the Vendée standard’.

Cycle friendly Vendee
There has been lots of recent work to make the Vendée a cycle-friendly destination, so now there are 475 miles of cycle paths along the coast, with many picturesque routes.

I can recommend the ride around the woods and seaside at St Jean de Monts (you can swap your bikes for a flat boat at one point). If hiring a bike is too much hard work, then hire a Rosalie, a canopy covered pedal car with steering wheel and break lever. It sounds silly, but you see lots in the main town of St Jean de Monts.

Continuing the theme, the Velo Rail is a wheeled platform that runs on disused rail tracks – it’s a unique way to see the region.

Favourite towns
St Jean-de-Monts, the nearest town to Le Bois Masson and Le Bois Dormant, has a beautiful sandy beach, which the locals consider one of the most stunning in France. There is also a market everyday in the town centre, at which you can buy the most wonderful fresh seafood, fruit and vegetables, and even a butcher who smokes his own quail. Close to Le Bois Masson is a vineyard outlet where you can get award winning Muscadet at very low prices.

Les Sables d’Olonne is the smartest resort on the coast. The long beach, bustling seafront and chic shops have earned Les Sables d’Olonne the nickname ‘mini Nice’. The beach is the main centre of activity but you should also take some time to visit the food markets. The central market hall is open seven mornings a week in summer and there’s a fish market on the quay that serves up the day’s catch from 3.30pm.

Plush Ile de Noirmutier, which is linked to the coast by a three-mile tidal causeway that is only passable at low tide, offers excellent individual shops, vibrant restaurants, wonderful ancient houses and a 12th century abbey. It’s like visiting a tropical island, but it does get too busy on a Sunday. Your children can also enjoy a taste of the past with the old-fashioned bathing huts or they can relax on the unspoilt beaches (Bois de La Chaize is the prettiest), clamber around the ruins of the 7th century monastery or get wet at the Oceanile waterpark.

The small warm island of L’Ile d’Yeu simply exudes charm from its whitewashed villages and welcoming beaches. Bikes are the best way to explore and if you resist the temptation to stop, swim, dive or take photos you could cover the whole island in an afternoon! If you want to admire some of the man- made sights, there is the Grand Phare lighthouse or the ruins of Vieux Chateau fortress.

St Gilles-Croix-de-Vie is famed for its fresh sardines. The vintage ‘sardines millésimées’ are supposed to be laid down like fine wine! For children with short attention spans, there is a tiny museum called the Maison du Pêcheur, which used to be a fisherman’s cottage.

Apremont, which is 30mins drive from Les Bois, is a pretty village with a medieval castle, a large lake and a sandy beach. You can hire pedalos, flat-bottomed boats and canoes to paddle leisurely around the lake. Once you’ve worked up an appetite you can justify trying out the bar and restaurant which have stunning views over the lake.

Theme parcs
The outstanding attraction of the region is Puy du Fou, a medieval theme park where you can relive 2,000 years of French history.

It is made up of ‘villages’ that represent a different era, and there is a 600 seat Roman stadium which hosts Gladiator and Viking shows. Throughout the day there are performances of falconry, jousting, magic and music.

In the evenings, the park explodes into life when a thousand local volunteer actors stage a historical sound and music extravaganza. Make sure you book your tickets in advance, as every show gets sold out in the summer.

Puy du Fou is essentially a series of noisy, smoky, live spectaculars dedicated to violence through the ages. In one afternoon, you can take in a Roman circus, a Viking longboat and a 19th century town.

It’s a fantastic day out for children, young and old, and you’ll find it hard to tear them away from the shows.

The slope is open from 8 July to 8 August, and means you can follow a day by the beach with a session on the piste.

Two twisting synthetic toboggan runs will accompany the giant dry-ski slope, providing plenty of fun for families. Three hours of skiing costs from just 8€ per person, with skis, shoes and poles included.

Domaine de Kerlann is one of the most popular holiday parcs in southern Brittany, and is packed with facilities. There is a large water complex, free children’s clubs for different ages and a variety of sports on offer. 

Away from the piste and the parc, southern Brittany’s coastline has white-sand beaches, serene harbours and craggy coves, plus there are frequent picnic spots and coastal paths with stunning views.

So why not swap your flip flops for skis, and sunglasses for ski goggles on an exceptional summer holiday.

The siblu Summer Sale runs from 8 to 22 June and features siblu parcs in regions including Normandy, the Vendée and the Côte d’Azur.

We are selling the last of our capacity for the summer, so if you can be flexible on your departure date and destination, there are some really good late deals.

For example, La Pignade siblu parc in Charente Maritime has its own horse-riding school where pupils can trek through the nearby La Coubre forest to the golden sands of Plage du Galon d’Or. A seven-night August holiday at La Pignade starts from only £805 for a top of the range three-bedroom holiday home when booked during the Summer Sale, saving £428. Price includes Dover to Calais ferries and is based on 1 August departure.

Domaine de Kerlann, one of the largest and best-equipped holiday parcs in southern Brittany, is opening a 65m dry-ski slope and two toboggan runs from 8 July to 8 August. During the Summer Sale a seven-night holiday starts from just £749 for a large three-bedroom holiday home, departing 1 August; a saving of £392. Return Dover to Calais ferry crossings are included.

Even Cote d’Azur sunshine holidays are included in siblu’s Summer Sale. A seven night break at Le Montourey holiday parc on the outskirts of Frejus, a favourite beachside resort for French families, starts from just £749 for a three-bedroom holiday home from 8 August, saving an incredible £518. This price includes return Dover to Calais ferries.

Families can snap up some incredible bargains at a wide selection of siblu parcs. To see the full list of parcs and dates, go to the siblu website.

You can save even more money by buying the siblu EuroVouchers to use for spends on the parcs. Each EuroVoucher has an exchange rate of 1.25€, better than any other provider, and can be used in on-parc bars, restaurants, shops, and with selected activity providers.

Domaine de Kerlann is one of the most popular holiday parcs in southern Brittany. The parc has indoor and outdoor pools, a large splashzone for youngsters, free children’s clubs, restaurants and bars, plus nearby watersports, making it ideal for all the family. Domaine de Kerlann is on the outskirts of Pont Aven, a mecca for artists interested in the pretty scenery, which originally inspired Gauguin.

Skiing, not a sport immediately associated with mountain-less Brittany, is coming to the region for one month from July 8, in the form of a 65m long dry-ski slope and toboggan course at Domaine de Kerlann. The slopes are perfect for all ages and standards, and great fun after a day spent sunning yourself by the beach. Two hours skiing costs just 6€ per person.

Brittany’s coastline has white-sand beaches, serene harbours and craggy coves, plus there are frequent picnic spots and coastal paths with stunning views. Two of the best beaches are at Port Manech and Rospico, which are blessed with golden sands, rock pools to explore, and are rarely crowded.

The ancient standing stones of Carnac are France’s version of Stonehenge. There are more than 2000 standing stones, some in excess of 20m high, stretching for two miles in perfect alignment. It’s an impressive sight, but trying to explain to enquiring young minds how they got there is a challenge.

Brittany is dotted with pretty villages and fishing towns, but if you have to visit one, make it Concarneau. The small island old-town is a short ferry ride from the coast and is perfect for a family visit. One afternoon is just enough time to tour the medieval ramparts, explore the pretty cobbled streets, marvel at the chocolate and biscuit shops, and explore the tourist boutiques.

French food is famous across the world, and Brittany has its own menu that is much loved in France. Local delicacies include salty oysters, savoury galettes and sweet crepes. Many towns have weekly farmers markets brimming with fresh goods, and the François Garrec biscuit factory in Benodet is the place to discover traditionally made crepes and Breton cakes.

There are incredible savings on Brittany holidays with Siblu. Seven-night stays from 29 July, in a two-bedroom holiday home suitable for up to six people, start from just £899. This is a saving of £248 on the brochure price, and includes Dover to Calais ferries. 

Families can also exchange their pounds for Siblu’s new EuroVouchers, which give a great exchange rate of 1.25€ and can be used in Domaine de Kerlann’s shop, bar and restaurant.

Last year La Pignade — our holiday parc in Ronce-les-Bains, in the sunshine department of Charente Maritime — launched an equestrian centre (Caliper Ronçois) with pony and horse riding tours through the picturesque La Coubre forest, and along the Plage du Galon d’Or.

The tours have quickly become a favourite of siblu customers and locals too, which is a sure sign of their popularity. These aren’t just short jaunts around a local field: they include night treks through the forest and day-long hiking expeditions to explore a wide range of scenery and spot local wildlife.

Looking through these pictures from La Pignade, you get a sense of just how picturesque the tours are. La Coubre forest was planted in the 17th century to stabilise the region’s sand dunes, and the many pines now shelter a red squirrels, goats, deer, boar and foxes, and incredibly rich and varied vegetation.

One of the most popular elements of La Pignade’s riding school is the half-day training course for children and adults, which combines riding and horse care to give a broader view of what goes into looking after horses.

Of course, the ponies and horses get their free time too. They are resident at La Pignade and stay in the parc’s own slice of La Coubre forest, where they can be visited when they’re not taking part in tours and care courses.

This is a great way to learn to ride, in relaxed, scenic surroundings. There are beginner and advanced lessons from 17€, with pony walks from 5€, coastal hikes from 50€ and full-day horse care courses from 40€.

So, fill up your car with goodies, book yourself a ferry crossing (see the money saving tips below), buy yourself a book of the best BBQ recipes and head to France! Use the ideas below to save even more, and post your own great ideas too.

Free accommodation upgrades in Brittany: Bigger is better, and there are free holiday home upgrades available at Domaine de Kerlann in southern Brittany.

The parc has indoor and outdoor pools and a splashzone for kids, and is close to white-sand beaches, countless craggy coves and serene seaside villages. So after a long day exploring, the extra space of a top-of-the-range holiday home is welcome for families who want to stretch out and relax.

A seven-night stay in the biggest three-bedroom holiday homes starts from £679 for the week departing 3 July, including a £196 booking discount and saving £77 on the  accommodation upgrade.

Beat the Euro exchange: Convert your pounds into siblu’s new Euro Voucher and you can beat the low exchange rates on the high street.

We pay 1.25€ for every pound, so change £200 and you’ll receive 250€ in vouchers, compared to around 215€ from the Post Office and travel agents. There are no charges to buy or return vouchers, and unused vouchers are changed back at the same rate.

The Euro Voucher can be used at restaurants, bars, shops and with activity providers at 11 siblu holiday parcs across France.

Sail away for less money: Travel in comfort, avoid baggage restrictions and make lengthy check-in times a thing of the past by travelling to France by ferry.

The easiest way to save on many routes is to book your crossing with your accommodation provider, who can pass on exclusive ferry rates. Siblu, for example, is offering Brittany Ferries’ weekend Poole to Cherbourg return routes in July and August from just £192, saving £108 on brochure prices and cheaper than the same crossing booked directly with the operator.

Fares are even cheaper if you can travel midweek. We offer return Poole to Cherbourg crossings with Brittany Ferries from just £156, saving £72.