Educational farms

in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur

Today, we’re whisking you off to discover educational farms in Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, the ideal activity for a family weekend. From meeting animals and discovering rural life to reconnecting deeply with nature and the countryside, educational farms are amazing sources of social bonding!

The educational farms of Provence

There are many educational farms in Provence, and it’s the case for La Ferme du Roy d’Espagne, in Marseille. It allows you to discover animals and walk around the estate’s gardens: how to work the soil with gardening, composting, DIY activities, caring for animals, and even cookery! In Marseille too, we recommend you visit the Ferme Pédagogique de la Tour des Pins. Located near a magnificent bastide built in the middle of the 19th century, it once belonged to the famous Montgolfier brothers. Over the 12 hectares which make up the estate, there is the beautiful bastide and its grounds, an organic farm, and the educational farm where they produce excellent cheese and yogurt. The chef of the mythical Intercontinental Hotel opposite the Vieux-Port integrates these local products into his recipes. The Ferme Provençale du Parc de Figuerolles, created in 1989 on the lands of the former De Verville estate, offers many animal-linked activities and is careful to raise the awareness of young children about the protection of nature and its many riches. As the farm is located right in the middle of the Parc de Figuerolles, you will also be able to visit the surrounding area on a nature hike. In the village of Simiane-la-Rotonde, the educational farm of the same name welcomes you every Wednesday, on prior appointment, to discover its cows, sheep, ponies, goats, donkeys, and chickens on the Domaine des Marres. The site also offers “private” visits, with a keeper so that you can get near the animals. Near Avignon, Le Tipi offers you a discovery of its urban farm, its plant nursery, a huge forest perfect for walks, beehives, a chicken run, a ceramics workshop, a herb farm, and a canteen which will delight those of you who love fresh products! For adults, and to complement all the tastings, we advise you to choose one of the delicious Provencal beers, to be drunk with moderation, of course! If you are in the vicinity of Mont-Ventoux, La Petite Ferme de Villes-sur-Auzon opens its doors to the public at the foot of the mountain so that you can see its goats, sheep, cows, and ducks up near in calm surroundings which are ideal for a relaxing moment with the family.

The educational farms of Southern French Alpes

The Alpes-de-Haute-Provence also has educational farms to visit. You can see the charming Elevage du Bel’ Ane, where you can stroke the donkeys, play with baby donkeys and brush them, and also walk around the parks near the farm. A 5000-m² educational itinerary for adults and children will help you to learn more about rural life. In the Hautes-Alpes, you can stop off at La Maison des Bêtes à Laine, in Cervières, and discover how a herd of sheep lives, the job of breeder and shepherd, and taste the breeders’ products. You can also visit the Ferme des Jassines, in Moydans, at the foot of the Montagne du Risou. This warm, friendly place welcomes you to its gîte right through the year beside the river, on over 140 hectares of natural land. On the programme: discovering goat and horse breeding and tasting cheese products made on the spot and for sale. Finally, located between the Écrins National Park and the Queyras National Park and close to the ski resort of Risoul, the farms of the hamlet of Fournet invite you to discover the rural life of yesteryear. Take a walk in the middle of the farms, taking the time to appreciate the buildings, and discover the typical rural habitat of yesteryear, organized around the main fountain and the bread oven. A visit to the hamlet of Fournet, preferably on foot or by bicycle, is highly recommended to fully immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the mountain.

Educational farms on the French Riviera

Passing through the Côte d’Azur at the weekend? Take some time to discover the educational farms in the region. Stop off at the Eco Ferme Départementale de La Barre, in Toulon, and make the most of this 2-hectare green lung in the middle of the town where you can visit the 18th-century bastide and its 4 large areas: the farm, the garden of discoveries, the gardens of freedom and the gardens to grow. The perfect opportunity for the littles to discover the rural world without leaving the town. Near Nice, the Graine de Fermiers farm welcomes you and teaches you the three pillars which make up this place: to favour socialisation in a group, to accompany accountability and autonomy, and encourage the discovery of the rural, agricultural and natural world. The farm visit includes a discovery of the animals, lively discussion for adults, and also manual and expression activities for children. They can even organize children’s birthday parties for you on the farm. Near Saint-Cézaire-sur-Siagne, near Grasse, the Chèvrerie du Bois d’Amont invites you to its educational farm on the world of animals (horses, goats, and donkeys), to understand the mechanisms of their behaviour, their food, their morphology, and how they reproduce. You will also discover the different stages of milking and making cheese, as well as the goat farmer’s work all year round, with production, maintaining the pens, and marketing their products. For visitors, tastings of hot milk and cheese, walks with the goats and ponies are all on the menu! A bit higher up, you can launch into the discovery of the Ferme Pédagogique des Blacouas, in La Roque Esclapon. Recently renovated, the farm opens its doors to the public and helps you to discover the animals which live in this charming place. With a passion for the farm world, the owners take great care to maintain a highly satisfactory level of comfort and quality of life for their boarders. Games and activities are organized on the spot every Wednesday to combine fun and games!