Where to Go in France This Winter

The French Alps are known for posh ski resorts, but there are other reasons for family travelers to visit France in the winter. It’s true many attractions outside of the cities are closed, but France has plenty of alluring, year-round places to visit.

The most charming of the Loire’s famous palaces, Chateau de Chenonceau and its gardens, are open every day, year-round. A lovely place to visit, Chenonceau has a fascinating story of remarkable and powerful women who have owned it, enlarged it, decorated it and preserved it throughout the centuries. Dungeons remain from the earlier chateau, but the main appeal is in its beautiful (and surprisingly livable) rooms and setting astride the river.

For milder weather and an easy-going pace, spend a few days in Sète on the south coast, near Montpelier. Located between Etang de Thau and the Mediterranean Sea, Sète is often called the “Venice of Languedoc” for the canals that add to the charm of its beautiful houses and harbor. Sète was the birthplace of Georges Brassens, who memorialized the town in song. Take a walk to the other side of Mont Saint Clair for views of Sète and the mountains.

For a glimpse of spring, head for the French Riviera, where hillsides and dooryards are abloom with yellow mimosa. From Bormes-les-Mimosas to Grasse, follow the Route du Mimosa, an 80-mile marked driving route. Although quieter in winter, the French Riviera is still active, with beach-side cafés open and sun almost guaranteed (the Riviera languishes in 300 days of sunshine a year).