The south of France with children Amanda Vickers, Chester, writes My husband and I wish to take our three children to the south of France on the Eurostar. This will be our first time abroad with the children and so, to make life a little easier, we are thinking of staying in a holiday complex, tending to the luxurious, with activities for the children. I am also very interested in Roman history and we would be prepared to hire a car in order to travel to sites. We would be most grateful for any suggestions. Anthony Peregrine, France expert, replies Tending very much to the luxurious is the Château les Carrasses (0845 686 8067; lescarrasses.com), a converted 19th-century wine domain isolated among rocks, vines and forest outside Capestang, between Béziers and Narbonne in Languedoc. Into the château itself, and its many outbuildings, have been slotted apartments and suites of 21st-century sumptuousness. The place feels like a proper little village, and wooded grounds boast an infinity pool, tennis and volleyball courts, boules pitch and a BBQ area. Day-trips might slake the parents" thirst for Roman history: Nîmes is 90 minutes away, Arles barely farther. A seven-night stay in June for accommodation sleeping six to eight costs €351/£300 per night, in July and August, €428/£365 per night. Alternatively, in Provence, at Grimaud, Les Restanques holiday village (0870 026 7145; pv-holidays.com) sprawls across seven acres of wooded hillside with unbeatable views of the bay of St Tropez. It's a little, six-acre wonder world of low-rise villas and apartments, much greenery, pool and sporting facilities, and kids" clubs for from three to 17 year-olds. The Roman elements of Fréjus are just around the corner, Eze a little farther. A three-bedroom villa sleeping six to eight, where none of the family has to bed down in the lounge, is from €3,620/£3,100 for a week in July. Should neither of these suit you, try La Pousterle de Sabran (0033 466 790403; la-pousterle-de-sabran.com), a family-run set-up near Bagnols-sur-Cèze in the Gard département. Facilities may not be quite as rich and varied as in the other two, but there's plenty to do (cycling, pool, boules, disco evenings) and it's ever so handy for the Pont-du-Gard. A deluxe chalet terrace and private garden starts at €1,268/£1,085 for a week from mid-July to mid-August. About Anthony Peregrine One of the most knowledgeable writers on France, Anthony has lived near Montpellier for many years.