French February school holidays span 4 rolling weeks — spreading demand but pushing prices up on the central 2 weeks. Here's how to optimise departure by zone.
Les Karellis (Savoie): 100% family car-free resort, 6-day pass €195, apartment from €380/week for 4. Free baby zone.
Ax-les-Thermes (Pyrenees): 80 km of slopes, 6-day pass €189, thermal baths open.
Saint-Lary (Pyrenees): 100 km of slopes, village feel, 6-day pass €224. Great for beginners.
Marrakech: 22°C average, riad 3* €45/night with breakfast. Flight Paris-Marrakech from €149 return. Watch for cold nights (5°C).
Canaries (Fuerteventura): 21°C throughout, 12h sun/day. All-inclusive stay from €549/person/week.
Egypt (Hurghada, Marsa Alam): 25°C, Red Sea at 22°C, world-class diving. 8 days all-in from €649.
London: British Museum, Tower, London Eye. Flight from €79 or Eurostar from €78. Avoid UK mid-term (Feb 16-20).
Rome: Colosseum, Vatican, Capitoline. Flight from €89, 3* hotel €95/night. Weather 12–15°C.
Berlin: free museums for under-18s, Pergamon, Wall. 3* hotel €85, 24h transport €9.90.
If you're not bound by school holidays, leave the week of March 3–9: ski resorts empty, better snow (March = more sun), prices drop 40–60%.
Same logic for sun destinations: leave the 1st week of February (before Zone A) to save 25–30% on all-inclusive.
Zone A: Feb 7–23. Zone B: Feb 21 – Mar 9. Zone C: Feb 14 – Mar 2.
Canaries (21°C), Marrakech (22°C), Egypt Red Sea (25°C) are the 3 most reliable weather-and-budget wise.
Les Karellis, Ax-les-Thermes or Andorra (30% cheaper than the Alps).