Attitudes to Children

Holidays by Destination Europe France General Attitudes to Children 

It is rare for French children to be excluded from anywhere. Perhaps as a result, they have generally learnt what is expected of them in places like restaurants, though there are exceptions. Your offspring will notice that local peers on holiday are generally allowed to stay up to all hours so long as they don't interfere with adult activities. It is possible to work along similar lines but allowing for British children's likely behaviour. Either go for less formal spots, or outdoor options, or enforce an afternoon rest so that if they too want to stay up late, they won't implode into bad temper when they do.

Play

Play areas are fairly common in even small towns and larger villages though perhaps not surprisingly, less so in tourist areas. They are also found in bigger tourist resorts, particularly at the seaside where there may also be all kinds of games arcades and fun fairs, depending on how up or down market the area is.

Baby Changing Facilities

Pretty much non-existent except on motorways and for example in big, recently modernised museums. On motorways between mid July and the end of August there are around two Relais Bebe per motorway, sponsored for example by Nestle, with a free eating and changing area. Details are given in the booklets available at tollbooths (or see Getting Around, below).

Buggies

You see plenty of these about but it really depends where you are going to be staying whether one will be useful or not. In older towns cobbles and narrow pavements make them difficult.

Breastfeeding

The French have one of the Europe's lowest rates for breastfeeding, largely because of concerns about its effect on the figure. This means that the smarter the place, the less likely it is you will encounter it. Traditional places might throw up a rather conservative reaction. The only places you should be sure it is OK is in more hippy, alternative establishments.

Babysitting

The French do have a slightly different approach to childcare from the British so it would be wise to meet any potential babysitter before committing. Hotels may be able to suggest someone. Baby listening is occasionally found in hotels in family resorts.

Baby Stuff

Disposable nappies (couches a jeter) are available principally in supermarkets/out of town hypermarkets, as well as some pharmacies. Training pants are less widely distributed. Brands include Peaudouce, Pampers and Huggies. Supermarket prices in 2000 were for example Huggies (74 Midi F66) and Peaudouce (32 Maxi Plus F94) Pull Up Huggies (15 large F39).

Babyfoods (largely Biodina and Nestle) almost all contain added salt and sugar. Formulas are reported much richer than those used in the UK.