DA VINCI CODE

Da Vinci Code addicts can explore the mystery of Mary Magdalene’s remains at La Basilique Sainte-Marie-Madeleine (+33-4-94-59-84-59) in Ste-Maximin-La-Sainte-Baume, while no museum in Provence is more child-friendly than Marseille’s Préau des Accoules (+33-4-91-91-52-06), a children’s museum where tots to teens can learn about artists and create their own masterpieces in workshops.

GLASSBLOWING

Finally, fit in a free visit to a working glass-blowing factory where the sight of guys in shorts and sandals blowing on molten glass down the end of long metal pipes is entertainment for all ages. Cristallerie des Papes (+33-4-90-20-32-52) in Fontaine-de-Vaucluse and Verrerie de Biot (+33-4-93-65-03-00) turn red-hot molten blobs into glassware of surprising beauty and complexity. You may even find a souvenir worth taking home.

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BACKGROUND

• Six Riviera hotels for all tastes

• Instant weekend: Villefranche

• Summer 2007: St Tropez

• Provence’s best kept secret

• The toytown that is Monaco

Related Links

• A budget travel guide to Tuscany

• Le crunch: dining in France on a budget

CAMPSITES

Campsites are an obvious choice for families on a budget. Many come equipped with everything from baby pools and face painting to chalets for those that don’t fancy sleeping in a tent.

My favourites include the oleander-strewn Parc des Monges (+33-4-93-60-91-71) in Auribeau-sur-Siagne; Camping La Presqu’île de Giens (+33-4-94-58-22-86) on the striking Giens peninsula and Camping L’International (+33-4-92-83-66-67) near adventure-sports mecca, the Verdon Canyon.

CHEAP BEDS

If you want a French Riviera hotel beside the sea without the extortionate price tag that usually comes with it, head to Hôtel Le Florian (+33-4-93-39-24-82) minutes from Cannes’ golden beaches or Hôtel de la Darse (+33-4-93-01-72-54) overlooking Villefranche-sur-Mer’s famous Port de la Darse.

Meanwhile, families looking to combine cost-effectiveness with pine-forested charm will love Les Résidences du Colombier (+33-4-77-56-66-09) near Fréjus; 1000-acred Domaine de Roquerousse (+33-4-90-59-50-11) near Salon-de-Provence and eco-friendly Orion Bed & Breakfast (+33-4-93-24-87-51) in Saint-Paul-de-Vence.

THE AUTHOR

Louise Simpson is lead author of Frommer’s Provence & the Côte d’Azur With Your Family – available for £12.99 at www.amazon.co.uk and leading book stores. For further information on free events in Europe, visit www.whatsonwhen.com

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