Like most parents, come the summer holidays I start to get a niggling feeling of panic. How will I possibly keep my daughter occupied during the long days and weeks ahead? Luckily the French Riviera offers some fabulous activities for our children, whether they are budding artists, tennis fans or have fancy dance moves. Here are six of the best places to send your kids for fun summer activities on the Côte d’Azur. (UPDATED: May 2025)
1La Petite Académie, Antibes
A long time favourite of my daughter, La Petite Académie has chosen the theme of A Travel Diary for its summer 2025 art classes to celebrate the art and joy of travel. Children from 4 to 10 years-old can choose either painting or sculpture to create their masterpiece, with each half day dedicated to different artists such as Eugene Delacroix, Titouan Lamazou or Marion Lesage to name but a few.
When: From 30 June to 29 August with half days from 9am to midday or 2-5pm and full days from 9am-5pm.
Cost: 45€ for a half day and 79€ for a full day. Discounts are available on 5 day bookings.
Visit https://www.lapetiteacademie.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Programme-stage-enfants-WEB-ete-2024-Antibes-1.pdf
Teenagers from 11-17 years-old haven’t been left out. They can try their hand at many varied artistic techniques during half-day sessions (from 2-5pm, cost 55€ per half day or 150€ for 3 half days).
For more information, please visit: https://www.lapetiteacademie.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Stage-Ados-ANTIBES-Ete-2024_compressed.pdf
2Culture Danse, Valbonne
For those kids who find it difficult to choose and are happiest sampling different activities, Culture Dance located in Valbonne is the perfect place for them. A typical day would see them trying out some Modern Jazz dance, before embarking on a creative activity such as making jewelry, painting or decorating their own T-shirts. They will also get a chance to try their hand at baking, and let off some steam during outdoor sport sessions.
When: Weekly from 7 July to 29 August 2025, from 9am-5pm for children aged 4-10 years-old.
Cost: 180€ per week (including lunch and afternoon snack) for non-residents of the area. Local families get a discount.
For more information, please visit https://www.culture-danse.fr/cd-prog._stages_danse_multi-activites_2023-2024_a5.pdf
3Le Musée Bonnard, Le Cannet
If you haven’t already done so, take your little ones to the Musée Bonnard, a small museum in Le Cannet, just on the outskirts of Cannes, which showcases the works of one of my favourite impressionist painters, Pierre Bonnard. An intimate calm setting encourages visitors to linger and admire Bonnard’s works of art. During the summer, the Museum offers children aged 6-12 years old the opportunity to develop their artistic skills over two or three half days.
When: The art classes run from 10am-12pm from 8 July to 21 August 2025 but prior booking is required.
Cost: 15€ for 3 half days or 10€ for 2 half days.
For more information, please visit: https://museebonnard.fr/index.php/fr/votre-visite/48-preparez-votre-visite
4Nautipolis, Valbonne Sophia Antipolis
Summer is the perfect time to teach your kids to swim or improve their swimming. Of all the indoor pools I have seen, I couldn’t imagine a better set up than Nautipolis. They run classes all through the school year but during the summer, offer weekly group swimming lessons for beginners, intermediate and confident swimmers. Water safety is their top priority and the teachers will ensure your children leave with increased confidence.
When: From 9am to 9.45am or 10am to 10.45am from 7 July to 22 August 2025.
Cost: 107€ for 5 days.
For parents wishing to enjoy guilt-free, child-free time, Nautipolis also runs full days of fun multi-activities from 8.30am to 5pm.
Cost: 340€ per week (including meals)
For more information, please visit: https://nautipolis.fr/actualite-3477-stages-vacances-ete.html
5Mouratoglou Tennis Academy, Biot
The Tennis Academy was founded in 1996 by Patrick Mouratoglou, who was Serena William’s coach from 2012-2022 and also trained Stefanos Tsitsipas among others. Originally located in Montreuil, near Paris, the Academy relocated to the French Riviera in 2016. And it now offers an impressive 12 hectare infrastructure near Biot. If you happen to have one toddler and one very keen teenager, don’t worry. It caters to all ages and all levels, from baby tennis (for 3 year-olds and over) to intensive training camps. And it also offers combined language/tennis camps as well as golf/tennis options.
When: The Summer Camps run from 30 July to 29 August 2025.
For more information, please visit: https://www.mouratoglou.com/fr/stages-jeunes-tennis/
6Hotel Belles Rives, Antibes-Juan-les-Pins
Finally, for those who prefer a beachside atmosphere in an idyllic setting, where better to take your children for swimming or waterskiing/wake boarding lessons than the iconic Hotel Belles Rives? You might even see me there as I am toying with the idea of putting my 6 year-old daughter on water-skis for the first time this summer.
The Belles Rives Waterskiing Club offers group or private lessons for 6-18 year-olds but if your 3 year-old is super keen, they are happy to do an introductory lesson. The Club, founded by Marc Grilli in 1989, is open from April to November. If you happen to be nearby on 14 July, don’t miss the Waterskiing Show due to take place on Bastille Day, France’s National Day.
When: Group classes run from 7-11, 14-18 July and 4-8 August 2025, from 9.30am to 12.45pm.
Cost: 525€ per week
When: Private lessons run from 15 July to 2 August 2025, from 1pm-4pm
Cost: 475€ per week
For more information, please visit: https://www.grilli-skiclub.com/page/837056-stages-jeunes
And for those interested in swimming lessons only, you can book one for 53€ (30 minutes) or purchase a 10 lessons package for 460€
Please visit: https://www.bellesrives.com/media/original/642eb91b68b25/cours-natation-ski-nautique-avril-2024.pdf
