Looking for recommendations in France and Italy for things to do, places to see, where to stay, with school age kids in France (mostly southern France/Provence) and Italy in August for 12 days.
Would you fly between cities, train, rent a car or campervan?
Rent a campervan/rv
1%
Rent a car
33%
Fly
0%
Train
66%
Add poll option...
24 Votes

Get out in the country, explore the towns and villages, Bomarzo, Italy- The Sacro Bosco, stop at any church, you will see great architecture and art work, Ostica Antica, look up World Heritage Sites in areas you plan to visit, Southern France - some great prehistoric cave painting sites, Carcassonne (fortified city whose history goes back centuries)

Personally I enjoyed driving around Italy and France. The roads and hwys are awesome. Plus you get to go off the beaten path and travel at your own pace Google maps is spot on for navigation

https://www.golanguedoc.com/.../best-places-for-children..., do a google search for italy for kids, rent some bikes and do some touring by bike, tow paths along the Canal du Midi woud be great
GOLANGUEDOC.COM
Go Languedoc - 10 best kids activities South France

First recommendation would be to do one or the other. Not both. Personally, France would be the best bet. Fly to Lyon, rent a car, drive down to the Drôme (2.5 hours) and rent a gite (still very reasonable). Use it as a base and discover the region... Valence, Nyons, Avignon, etc - stunning places, all reasonable. And take the time to enjoy the rosé wine, the scenery, the smell of lavender in the air, the canyons with crystal clear water where you can bathe and walk... Italy will still be there when you decide to go next year.

Thanks everyone for the recommendations. Is time of year a factor at all? I know that August is very hot (we can't go any other time) and that this is holiday time in France and Italy. The kids really want to go to the beach, any places that are not overly busy?

South of France and Italy are very hot in August - but the Drome and Provence are a bit cooler because of the mountain effect. if you want to be even cooler, temperature wise, of course, maybe consider Brittany and Vendée, moving down to the coast. The Atlantic region is beautiful and a bit cooler - and has amazing beacher.

should read "beaches"

We went to the beach in Nice. They charge quite a bit for chairs and umbrellas at the beach clubs, but the beach is very rocky and not very comfortable to throw a blanket or towel on. Coming from the Canadian west coast I thought it wouldn't be an issue, but it was. A beach not far from Nice is called Beauliu Sur Mer (I think) and it was sandy and lovely. Lots of yachts off shore. We took the bus and went to Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild in the morning - incredible gardens and historical sight, and the Beaulieu Sur Mer in the afternoon. Great day.
Nice also has an amazing free water park that is walking distance to the ocean shore. Lovely park, lots of places to sit and many restaurants in the area. Great for all ages.
It really does get hot in the summer there.
Enjoy your vacation!