Cap Ferret, France perfect for children

WE ARE TRAVELLING WITH A SEVEN AND FIVE-YEAR-OLD TO EUROPE IN SEPTEMBER. WE PLAN TO VISIT PARIS, MY PARENTS IN THE DORDOGNE REGION AND LONDON.

WE HAVE THREE NIGHTS BEFORE LONDON AND WOULD LIKE ADVICE ON WHETHER THE CHILDREN ARE MORE LIKELY TO ENJOY A COASTAL SPOT LIKE SAN SEBASTIAN OR SOMEWHERE IN BRITAIN SUCH AS CORNWALL, SCOTLAND OR IRELAND. ANY SUGGESTIONS?

A. JONES, DEAKIN

Assuming this three nights is to be sandwiched between Dordogne and London, it would be sensible to keep travel time to a minimum. While San Sebastian, Cornwall, Scotland and Ireland are all fine choices, with the time you have in hand they're not practical. On France's Atlantic coast and close to the Dordogne, one place I like a lot is Cap Ferret, a narrow peninsula of sand dunes and forest that forms the western arm of the gorgeous Bassin d'Arcachon, about an hour's drive south of Bordeaux.

Cap Ferret offers a choice of surf beaches and the calm waters of the basin, the local cuisine is based on seafood and influenced by the nearby Basque region, the town of Arcachon has a lively market and it's chic but relaxed since the area has long been a barefoot chill zone for wealthy French. The marina is the second largest in France, you can take boat trips across the bay, and La Coccinelle is the oldest park in Europe dedicated to children and domesticated animals. Together with its surroundings, Arcachon has more than enough to keep you occupied for three nights.

Arcachon is linked with Paris via high speed TGV services, while the nearest airport, Bordeaux-Merignac, is a 45-minute drive.