Bourgogne-Franche-Comté is France's great dual-heritage region — the grand cru vineyards and Romanesque abbeys of Burgundy in the west, and the forested Jura mountains, Comté dairies, and UNESCO-listed Vauban citadel of Franche-Comté in the east. From the medieval ramparts of Beaune and the ducal palace of Dijon to the cascading waterfalls and ski resorts of the Jura plateau, the region delivers extraordinary depth for travellers willing to look beyond the Eiffel Tower.
Family activities
Engaging experiences for travellers of every age.
Citadelle de Besançon — Full Family Day
Besançon's UNESCO Vauban citadel contains a full zoological garden with primates, birds, and mammals; an insectarium with 100+ species including giant insects; an aquarium; a noctarium (nocturnal animals); and the Museum of Resistance and Deportation. A single ticket covers everything. The views over the Doubs river loop from the ramparts are spectacular.
Duration: Full day (5–6 hours)
Price: Adults €13 (~$14), children 8–17 €9.50 (~$10), children 4–7 €5.80 (~$6), under 4 free. Family pass (2 adults + unlimited children) €38 (~$41)
Dino-Zoo, Étalans
Eighty life-size dinosaur sculptures — from tiny Compsognathus to full-scale T-Rex — distributed along a 2.5 km nature trail through the Doubs forest. Combined with a live animal zone. The most viscerally exciting attraction in the region for young children obsessed with prehistory. Restaurant and snack bar on site.
Duration: 3–4 hours
Price: Adults €17.50 (~$19), children 3–17 €14 (~$15), under 3 free
Parc de l'Auxois, Arnay-sous-Vitteaux
A 40-hectare animal and leisure park between Dijon and Auxerre with 500 animals of 90 species — lions, giraffes, zebras, brown bears, pelicans, and meerkats — combined with fairground rides, playgrounds, and a water area open in summer. The ideal family day out in central Burgundy, particularly well-suited to ages 3–12.
Duration: Full day (5–6 hours)
Price: Adults €22 (~$24), children 3–12 €15 (~$16), under 3 free
Touroparc Zoo and Aquatic Park, Romanèche-Thorins
A large combined zoo and amusement park at the southern end of the region near Mâcon. Over 140 animal species, a 1900s carousel, monorail, and baby river ride. From July to August an aquatic park opens with three water slides and a 36-game splash pad. One of the best value family theme parks in Burgundy.
Duration: Full day
Price: Adults €22–€26.50 (seasonal, ~$24–$29), children 3–12 €16–€22 (~$17–$24), family pass (2+2) €73.50–€89 (~$80–$97), under 3 free
Cascades du Hérisson Waterfall Walk
A 7.4 km trail through the Jura forest past seven spectacular waterfalls, including the 65 m Éventail and 60 m Grand Saut. The lower section to the Éventail (2 km from the Cascades du Hérisson car park) is accessible to younger children. In autumn the forest turns vivid gold; in spring the water volume is at its most dramatic. One of the great free family days in the region.
Duration: 3–4 hours (full circuit)
Price: Free (parking fee may apply at trailhead)
Lac de Chalain Beach Day
The most beautiful natural lake in the Jura, with turquoise-clear water and three sandy beaches supervised by lifeguards in July–August. The paddling area at Bellecin beach is ideal for young children. A prehistoric UNESCO lakeside village (UNESCO World Heritage) is visible from the shore. Kayak and paddleboard hire available at the lakeside centre.
Duration: Full day
Price: Parking €5–€8 (~$5.50–$9); beach entry free
Dijon Owl Trail (La Chouette)
A self-guided city treasure hunt following 22 bronze owl markers embedded in Dijon's pavements and walls. The trail leads families through the medieval centre, past the Ducal Palace, the covered market, and the famous stone owl (chouette) on Notre-Dame church. Children collect the markers while adults discover the ducal capital's finest streets. Entirely free after buying the guide.
Duration: 2 hours
Price: Trail guide €4 (~$4.35) from Dijon Tourist Office, 11 Rue des Forges, 21000 Dijon
Morvan Lake Swimming at Lac des Settons
The Morvan Regional Natural Park's most popular lake, ringed by pine forest with a sandy family beach, lifeguard coverage in July–August, and a floating AquaPark (June–September) for children over 5. The 15 km lake circuit is ideal for family cycling. Mountain bike hire available at Montsauche-les-Settons village (€20/day).
Duration: Half day to full day
Price: Free (parking €4–€6/day ~$4.35–$6.50); paddleboard hire €15/hour (~$16)
Hôtel-Dieu de Beaune
Beaune's 15th-century hospice with its extraordinary polychrome glazed tile roof — the most photographed building in Burgundy. Children are captivated by the medieval ward rooms (the Grand Salle still has its original curtained patients' beds) and the grotesque detail of Rogier van der Weyden's Last Judgement altarpiece in the chapel. An excellent introduction to medieval life.
Duration: 1.5 hours
Price: Adults €8.50 (~$9.30), teenagers 12–17 €7 (~$7.70), under 12 free
Canal de Bourgogne Family Cycling
The flat Canal de Bourgogne towpath runs between Dijon and Auxerre through lock-keeper cottages, vineyards, and stone villages. The Pouilly-en-Auxois to Dijon section (30 km) is popular with families and completely traffic-free. Hire bikes from Velo Liberte near Dijon-Ville station or in Beaune. Child seats, trailers, and e-bikes available at most hire points.
Duration: Half day to full day
Price: Bike hire €15–€20/day (~$16–$22); towpath free to use
Family-friendly hotels
Accommodation designed with families in mind.
Hôtel Novotel Dijon Sud
Reliable family hotel with outdoor pool, spacious family rooms, and children's play area. Located south of Dijon with easy motorway access for day trips to Beaune, Parc de l'Auxois, and the wine route. Children under 16 stay free in parents' room.
Where: Dijon
Camping Val de Bonnal
Award-winning 4-star camping on the Ognon river in Haute-Saône with mobile home rentals, two pools, a water slide, riverside beach, and cycle hire. One of the best-equipped family campsites in the region. Address: 70190 Bonnal.
Where: Bonnal, Haute-Saône
Hôtel Mercure Besançon Parc Micaud
Well-positioned hotel beside the Parc Micaud and Doubs river, a 15-minute walk from the Citadelle. Family rooms available; park playground immediately outside. Good base for Citadelle, Dino-Zoo, and Jura day trips. Address: 3 avenue Édouard Droz, 25000 Besançon.
Where: Besançon
Huttopia Étang de Fouché
Eco-camping in woodland beside a 40-hectare private lake in northern Burgundy. Canvas tents and wooden lodges available. Lake swimming, kayaking, and nature programmes for children. Address: Lac de Fouché, 89480 Poilly-sur-Serein.
Where: Poilly-sur-Serein, Yonne
Château de Vault-de-Lugny
A genuine 16th-century moated château in Burgundy with spacious suites, mature gardens, a pool, and home-cooked breakfasts. Children welcome; family suites available. An unforgettable luxury base for the Morvan and Vézelay. Address: 11 Rue du Château, 89200 Vault-de-Lugny.
Where: Vault-de-Lugny, Yonne
Dining with kids
Eating out as a family.
Ask for le menu enfant at every brasserie — it is almost always available for €8–€12 even when not displayed on the menu
Crêperies are the universal family dining fallback: galettes (savoury buckwheat crêpes) and sweet crêpes are affordable, relaxed, and loved by children of all ages
Les Halles de Dijon covered market (Place François Rude, open Tues/Thurs/Fri mornings, all day Saturday) is ideal for assembling a family picnic: Comté, Époisses, baguette, charcuterie, and seasonal fruit
Supermarkets (Leclerc, Carrefour) have excellent rôtisserie counters with whole chickens, quiche, and prepared salads — a quick, affordable family meal in a gîte
Always request une carafe d'eau (free tap water) for children at restaurants — it avoids €3–€4 soft drink charges and is always available by law
Boulangeries open from 7:00–7:30am: pain au chocolat (€1.20–€1.80) and croissants make an outstanding budget family breakfast that children love
Saucisse de Montbéliard (smoked pork sausage from the Doubs) is excellent and universally child-friendly — grill at a gîte or buy cooked at a market stall
Children generally eat for free at French hotel breakfast buffets under age 12 — confirm the age limit when booking
Family travel tips
Practical advice for stress-free family trips.
Build downtime into every day — over-scheduled kids melt down faster than tired adults.
Carry snacks, water, and a small first-aid kit at all times.
Many attractions offer discounted family tickets — ask at the ticket window.