Summer is over! Or at least it seems that way for all the kids whose summer holidays have been brought to an abrupt end and who have now, sometimes unwillingly, returned to days of structured, uniform learning. Whilst, in the UK, the start of autumn term seemed to precipitate the beginning of an inevitable downward spiral towards short days and freezing-cold mornings, here in the French Alps we seem to have a longer Summer/Autumn before the snow suddenly brings indisputable Winter. Here are a few ways to make the most of September sunshine (or at least amuse the kids between classes…)
Now, France is obviously a large country, so some of these ideas will be more practical for some people than others. However, with the near-ubiquity of motor-driven vehicles and somewhat-comprehensive public travel networks, nothing is impossible!
Head south, spend the weekend swimming on the French Riviera. September is one of the warmest months for the Mediterranean sea, with temperatures typically sitting comfortably above 20°C. Accommodation prices can drop pretty significantly after the Grand Vacances have finished in August, so it can be a good time for a late summer break.
Visit a non-boring museum. If there’s one thing I know about kids, it is that they like dinosaurs and space (possibly not in that order). In lieu of there being a Museum about Space Dinosaurs (there is a dinosaur exhibit at the Hong Kong Space Museum, but that’s not really relevant), why not try Toulouse’s Cité de l’Espace and/or the Musée des Dinosaures in Mèze near Montpellier. The former has a large number of outdoor exhibits, including a real spacecraft, whilst the latter is built on the site of a genuine dinosaur-egg discovery and features gardens filled with to-scale models of all your favourite prehistoric creatures.
Go to a theme park. France has some of the world’s best and most inventive amusement parks, allowing you a day out filled with thrills, spills and general ride-induced excitement. There is, of course, Disneyland Paris (or Euro Disney as it was once known) which has something for everyone, children and adults alike. Otherwise, Poitiers’ Futuroscope is a multimedia-based land of adventure with many indoor cinema-based attractions but also more “traditional” rides like Destination Mars; a space-themed rollercoaster.
Visit a local football match. September is a great time to take in some professional sport, especially as the weather is generally a bit more clement. Also, both men’s and women’s games are largely played on the weekend, making them easier for family outings.
And if your weekend amusements are not sufficient to ease the back to school blues, why not try slipping a few classic treats into your kids’ lunchboxes. Maybe something in the region of a Breakaway, a Penguin, an Animal Bar or a little carton of Ribena…
