French Riviera with Kids: Best Family Activities
With kids on the French Riviera, mix gentle beaches in Cannes, a boat to Île Sainte-Marguerite, the aquarium at Monaco's Oceanographic Museum, the animals at Parc Phoenix in Nice and the free play areas of the Promenade du Paillon. Older children can snorkel or join a guided kayak tour. Most of it works without a car, thanks to the coastal train.
The Riviera is a surprisingly easy place to travel with children. The distances are short, the trains follow the coast and there's a beach at nearly every stop. The trick is to do one thing a day, keep it near the water, and stop before anyone melts down. Here are the activities we'd build a family trip around, starting from Cannes and heading east.
Cannes: beaches that suit small children
Cannes has 13 public beaches, according to the regional tourism board, so you don't need to pay for a beach club. Two are especially practical for families.
Plage du Palais des Festivals has fine sand and a gentle slope into the water, which makes it easy for younger children. It's close to the town center and has toilets and showers. It does get busy in summer, so go early.
The public beaches of Boulevard du Midi, west of the Old Port, are described by the local tourism board as family beaches and less crowded than those on La Croisette. Snack stands line the road just above the sand, which saves you from packing every meal.
Lifeguard cover varies by beach and by season. Before you settle in, look for a staffed lifeguard station and check the flag. For a full list, read our guide to the best beaches in Cannes.
Île Sainte-Marguerite: an island with a real mystery
This is our top pick for school-age kids. Boats leave from the Old Port in Cannes, and three companies serve the island: Riviera Lines, Horizon and Trans Côte d'Azur. The crossing is short, about 15 minutes according to one operator. Our guide on getting to the Lérins Islands explains how it works.
Once there, the story does the work for you. The Fort Royal is where the Man in the Iron Mask was held, and children can see his cell. The City of Cannes says the museum is free year-round for visitors under 18. From June to September it's open daily from 10am to 5:45pm, with last entry 30 minutes before closing. It's closed on Mondays from October to May.
Older kids who swim well can bring a mask and look for the underwater eco-museum: six sculptures about 2 meters tall, off the south shore, in 3 to 5 meters of water, roughly 100 meters from land. The City of Cannes says access is free and a mask and snorkel are enough. Stay within your child's ability, and keep in mind that this is open water. Pack water and food, since supplies on the island are limited. Our article on what to see on Île Sainte-Marguerite has more ideas.
Monaco: the Oceanographic Museum
If you do one paid attraction, make it this one. Trains from Nice reach Monaco in about 20 minutes, and the museum says it takes roughly 2 hours to visit. The highlights for kids include the shark lagoon and the outdoor sea turtle area. On weekends and during school vacations, the museum runs small-group sessions called Seaside Animals around a tank that recreates a local ecosystem.
The museum's practical page lists €13 for ages 4 to 17 and free admission under 4, with adults at €20.50. It's open every day except December 25 and the Formula 1 Grand Prix weekend, from 10am to 6pm in winter, until 7pm in spring and September, and from 9:30am to 8pm in July and August. One thing to know: Monaco's tourist board says the Mediterranean section of the aquariums, including the jellyfish, is closed for about two years from September 1, 2026. Check the museum's site before you go, as prices and programs do change.
From Monaco station, the museum is about a 20-minute walk using the Fontvieille exit, or you can take city bus 1 or 2 to Monaco-Ville.
Nice: a day that costs almost nothing
Promenade du Paillon. This 14.5-hectare park in central Nice is free. Its 3,000-square-meter water mirror has 128 jets, and the play structures include wooden sea creatures and a zip line for kids. There are public toilets and a changing table, and strollers get around easily. The water mirror runs from 9am to 10pm from April to September and until 8pm the rest of the year.
Castle Hill. The Parc de la Colline du Château is also free, with a play area for ages 2 to 6 and a rope climbing structure for ages 6 and up. It opens at 8:30am and closes at 8pm from April to September, or 6pm in winter. Climb early in summer and bring water.
Parc Phoenix. This botanical and animal park is across from the airport at 405 Promenade des Anglais. Children under 12 get in free, up to three per paying adult. Expect a lake with about a hundred birds, including black swans, along with crocodiles, iguanas, lemurs and free playgrounds. The vast Diamant Vert greenhouse is good for a rainy day. Picnics and strollers are welcome. From April to September 2027 it's open from 9:30am to 7:30pm, with the ticket office closing an hour earlier. The treetop course costs extra.
Matisse Museum. Traveling with a young art fan? Entry is free for under-18s at this museum in Cimiez, which is closed on Tuesdays. More in our guide to Nice's best museums.
A note on Marineland
Older guides and websites still recommend Marineland in Antibes. It closed permanently on January 5, 2025, so don't plan a day around it.
Kayaking with kids
A guided kayak tour can be a great day for a family with confident swimmers. On our tours, children share a kayak with an adult, there's a child rate up to age 13, and everyone wears a life jacket. Everyone taking part must be able to swim. Each tour lasts 4 hours, including swim stops, which is a long time for a very young child, so be realistic. We haven't published a fixed minimum age, so contact us about your child before you book.
Beaulieu-sur-Mer is the route we'd suggest first, thanks to its sheltered bay and often calm sea. The Lérins Islands route suits kids who are curious about the Fort Royal and happy with a 30-minute paddle across the channel. At Cap d'Antibes, the cliff jumps are always optional and supervised, which tends to appeal to teenagers. Our kayak tour comparison sets out the differences.
Tips for traveling with children
- Beat the heat. In July and August, plan outdoor sightseeing for the morning and late afternoon, and keep the middle of the day for shade or a museum.
- Wear water shoes. Nice's beaches are pebbly, and small feet feel it.
- Use the train. The coastal line links Cannes, Antibes, Nice and Monaco, and it avoids summer parking.
If you're staying further west, see our dedicated article on Fréjus with kids.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the best age for the French Riviera with kids?
Beaches and parks work at any age. Ages 6 and up usually get more from the island fort and the aquarium, while teenagers tend to enjoy snorkeling and kayaking.
Is Marineland in Antibes open?
No. Marineland closed permanently on January 5, 2025.
Which Riviera attractions are free for children?
The Promenade du Paillon and Castle Hill are free for everyone. Parc Phoenix is free under 12, and the Fort Royal museum and the Matisse Museum are free under 18. Admission rules can change, so check the official sites.
Do you need a car for a family trip?
Not for the activities in this article. The coastal train links the main towns, and buses and trams cover the rest, though a stroller makes some stations and steep lanes harder.
Can young children go kayaking with Azurkay?
Children share a kayak with an adult and must be able to swim. There's no published minimum age, so write to us first. The tour lasts 4 hours, which is long for very young children.
Kayaking with Azurkay
For a family day near Cannes, our 4-hour Lérins Islands kayak tour leaves from the Palm Beach public parking lot, with a state-certified instructor and 16 people maximum. For calmer water, look at the Beaulieu-sur-Mer tour, where the exact meeting point is sent before the outing. Both cost €75 per adult and €65 per child up to age 13, with gear included.
