Our tips for booking your VACAF Holiday Village!
This year you've decided to use your VACAF vouchers for your next family holiday. Making the decision is all well and good, but then you have to find the accommodation of your dreams, and that's precisely where our tourism specialists have decided to come in with this little article. There are almost 4,000 destinations approved by the Caisse d'Allocation Familiale in France. Yes, in France and only in France. Remember that there is no CAF accommodation outside France.
Among these 4,000 VACAF accommodation options, the CAF has made sure that there is something for everyone: camping (in a mobile home or tent via a pitch), hotel, hotel club and VACAF holiday village, there is something for every taste and every budget! On this page we've compiled a list of the best VACAF holiday villages in France, so you can compare them and book them online in just a few clicks.
To help you choose, we've decided to write this article like a little white paper or booking guide. It's a bit of an academic approach to the problem, which isn't a problem at all, but it will help you book the VACAF Holiday Village of your dreams with complete peace of mind. We'll come back to the definition of what a holiday village is, taking care to see if the fact that it is CAF-approved has an impact. Basically, is there a difference? We will then look at the main regions in which our holiday villages are located. Often, when you choose this type of accommodation, it's because you're looking for activities. Finally, we'll look at the activities on offer in our vacaf holiday villages.
What is a VACAF holiday village?
What is a holiday village? In fact it's a type of holiday accommodation that offers accommodation grouped together on the same site. So far it looks a lot like a campsite, especially as the accommodation can be flats, chalets or mobile homes. The difference with a hotel is that you don't stay in a room, and the difference with a campsite is that there are no pitches for tents, for example. So we define a holiday village more by what it is not: a hotel or a campsite. Is it a tourist residence? Well, no. The difference here is in the services you will find on site. Basically, in a tourist residence there are few or no facilities for children and adults, whereas in a holiday village there are plenty. We'll come back to this point in the last part of this article. Bear in mind that holiday villages are generally considered to be an alternative to hotels and campsites.
Is there a difference between a holiday village and a VACAF holiday village? The simple answer is NO! There is no difference apart from the fact that they are approved by the Caisse d'Allocation Familiale. How do holiday villages obtain approval? First of all, they have to apply for it, and then the CAF Commission has to approve the application. Validation by the Caisse d'Allocation Familiale depends on a number of criteria to ensure that the beneficiaries will have a great holiday with their children.
Big regions where to find VACAF holiday villages
Holiday villages can be found in rural areas or by the sea. As far as holiday villages in the countryside are concerned, they allow children to enjoy the fresh country air, make great cultural discoveries and all this without breaking the bank. In fact, this type of holiday village is very often less expensive than seaside villages. If you know that your children really like the sea, you can opt for a VACAF lakeside holiday village. This is a great alternative for making the most of water games or water activities without paying too much. There are not many VACAF holiday villages in the mountains, but we have selected a number in the Alps, Savoie and the Pyrenees.
As far as seaside destinations are concerned, we have them on all coasts: the Azure, Charente, Atlantic, Landes... there's something for everyone. Going on holiday by the beach is guaranteed to keep your children happy! But it's often more expensive, even if you have a good amount of VACAF aid at the time of booking.
What services are provided in VACAF holiday villages?
One of the criteria for obtaining CAF approval is the presence of a children's club. So you already know that you will have activity leaders to look after your children. In addition to the clubs, you will often find a swimming pool or a larger aquatic area with a pool, wave pool, slide, etc. Finally, and more generally, you will find on-site facilities such as a sports ground, children's play area, restaurant, fitness room, etc.
Activities may include cookery classes, excursions, outdoor activities, themed evenings, etc. All these services are offered to varying degrees. All these services vary from one establishment to another and even from one period to another. We advise you to read the detailed descriptions we provide for each establishment, as well as the customer reviews, to make sure you find the services you and your children have been dreaming of!