Family vacations: sea and culture tips

Partir en vacances en famille reste une priorité pour la plupart des Français: selon le baromètre Europ Assistance / Ipsos, 77% des Français sont encore enthousiastes à l’idée de partir. Many prefer the sea (62%), which has an impact on the number of people visiting the coast and the need to book early to find good deals.

Combining sea and culture satisfies young and old alike: swimming, nature and seaside entertainment are complemented by visits to museums, monuments or urban stopovers. Here’s concrete advice, recent figures (Pavillon Bleu 2025, Pass Culture, Paris Museum Pass, transport) and itinerary ideas to organize family vacations that are serene and economical.

Why combine sea and culture as a family

Combining beach and cultural discoveries balances relaxation and learning. Children enjoy nautical activities and educational events at approved sites, while visits to museums or monuments stimulate curiosity and offer shared moments outside of swimming.

The « sea + culture » formula

is a great way to combine culture and the sea

The « sea + culture » formula also reduces the pressure of the beach alone: after a morning at the water’s edge, an afternoon visit (to a museum, historic village or exhibition) makes it easier to manage the family’s schedule and avoid the hottest or busiest hours.

Finally, combining leisure and heritage can be economical if you take advantage of free admission (many museums in France are free for under-18s and EU citizens under 26) and pass formulas (Paris Museum Pass for an urban stopover).

Choosing safe, sustainable beaches: the Blue Flag

For family vacations, opt for beaches with the Pavillon Bleu label: in 2025 France had 492 sites with the label (388 beaches + 104 ports). The label indicates not only good water quality and beaches that are often supervised, but also local actions in favor of sustainable management.

The Blue Flag press release stresses the importance of environmental education with priorities such as « Waste management, sanitation, protection of biodiversity… », recalls Ghislain Fenouil, head of the label. These events are ideal for raising children’s awareness during the vacations.

The Blue Flag also has an international reach (nearly 5,200 beaches, ports and boats have been awarded the label worldwide), making it a reliable criterion for choosing family beaches, even abroad. In France, Occitanie (120 sites) and Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur (119 sites) offer a significant concentration of « sea + nature + quality » sites.

Budget and reservations: tips for saving

Purchasing power has a strong influence on vacation choices: according to Europ Assistance / Ipsos, the average budget announced for summer 2024 was around €2,102 per household, and 86, 90% of French people say that inflation is changing their travel choices. These figures explain the strong demand for value-for-money offers.

To cut the bill, book early: 65% of French people take advantage of the best prices by booking early. This applies to accommodation, trains, and even tickets for museums or activities. Planning ahead and comparing often leads to promotional rates and greater availability on popular beaches.

Consider all-inclusive packages and subsidies: vacation villages, approved campsites (VACAF, VVF), kids’ clubs and solidarity offers (Parents Vacances) are economical and practical solutions. Also check VACAF assistance if your household is eligible.

Smart transport and journeys for families

The train is often the best compromise between comfort and cost: the SNCF offers « Junior & Cie » services for accompanying children and Avantage/Famille cards with discounts for young people (for example, reductions of around 30% depending on age and operator). Combined with other cards (carte Famille Nombreuse), these discounts can significantly lighten the transport budget.

Book train tickets in advance to obtain lower fares and ensure side-by-side seating. Think about night trains or early/late evening trips to optimize time on site and reduce the cost of a night’s hotel.

Don’t forget to book your train tickets in advance

Don’t forget local options: coastal shuttles, self-service bikes and combined « train + bus » transport can make it easier to get between beach and cultural sites without multiplying the expense and stress of parking in high season.

Sea + culture itineraries: ideas and examples

On the Catalan coast, Argelès-sur-Mer and Collioure offer a fine balance: family-friendly beaches, water sports activities and villages rich in heritage, museums and local festivals. These destinations allow you to alternate bathing and discovering without long daily commutes.

Mont-Saint-Michel is an example of a great « sea + monument » success story: a UNESCO site (listed in 1979) and active heritage management in the bay, it combines coastal discovery with a visit to an exceptional monument. Plan your visit outside peak times, for greater family comfort.

Please note: this is a free service

For an urban stopover, the Paris Museum Pass (formulas 2/4/6 days: €85, €105, €125) makes it easy to visit many museums without queues, and becomes profitable from the 4th/6th visit. Combine a cultural stopover with a nearby seaside holiday (Normandy, Baie de Somme, etc.) to multiply your experiences.

Young people and the Culture Pass: what’s changing for families

The Culture Pass reform that came into force on March 1, 2025 has modified the individual amounts: the credit for 18-year-olds drops from €300 to €150 (possible bonus of +€50 depending on resources/disability), 17-year-olds benefit from €50, and the individual credit for 15- and 16-year-olds is abolished, although access to free offers is retained.

As Laurence Tison-Vuillaume stated, « We’re refocusing efforts on those who need it most », which changes things a little for families wishing to combine vacations and cultural outings with teenagers. In some cases, it will be necessary to look for other local aids, or give preference to free offers/for those under 18.

Faced with these changes, get informed beforehand: check official pass websites, look for free offers for under-18s, and explore alternatives (family discounts, reduced-price guided tours, local entertainment) to maintain a rich cultural calendar during your vacations.

Practical tips for serene enjoyment

For safe bathing, give preference to Blue Flag beaches: they often provide information on supervised bathing, adapted equipment and educational activities for children. These elements facilitate peace of mind for parents.

Avoid crowded days and weekends whenever possible: going at the beginning or end of the season, or planning cultural visits in the morning or late afternoon, allows you to escape the queues and better enjoy the sites. Book accommodation and tickets (train, museums) in advance to benefit from the best rates.

Finally, think of the little practical gestures: first-aid kit, games for the beach, local apps to find out about museum times and children’s activities, as well as consulting labels and passes before departure. These precautions simplify organization and enrich the collective experience.

Combining sea and culture for a family vacation is both accessible and enriching with a little forethought: choosing labeled beaches, booking in advance, using aids and passes, and choosing age-appropriate itineraries.

Relying on labels (Pavillon Bleu), transport tools and cultural formulas, you can build memorable, responsible and economical holidays. Happy family vacations, between swimming and discoveries!