France Says No to Adults-Only Hotels: The Child-Free Vacation Debate

Absolute silence by the pool, no sudden splashes, no children running between tables during breakfast. This is the promise of "adults only" or "child-free" hotels , establishments that elsewhere—Italy and Spain in particular—have found a loyal following, but in France are sparking heated political and social debate.

The controversy was sparked by Socialist Senator Laurence Rossignol , former Minister of Family Affairs, who called for a law banning facilities exclusively for adults. "We cannot organize our society by separating children from ourselves, the way some facilities do with dogs," she declared. According to Rossignol, this model ends up "legitimizing intolerance" and conveying the idea that children are not welcome.

Adults-only hotels: tourism fad or discrimination?

The French government is no stranger to taking a stand. Commissioner for Children Sarah El Haïry previously launched the Family Choice Award , a prize that encourages hotels and restaurants to stand out for their family-friendly approach. "We cannot allow the idea to spread that children are unwelcome on a restaurant terrace," she reiterated.

Yet, looking at the numbers, the phenomenon in France remains marginal: adults-only hotels represent just 3-5% of the tourist offering , as confirmed by the UMIH (Union of Hotels and Resorts). "They're extremely rare," explains Véronique Siegel, president of the union's hotel section. She warns: "If they were declared illegal, customers would simply choose other European destinations."

And this is where the comparison with other countries becomes interesting. In Spain , especially in the Balearic Islands and the Canary Islands , adults-only hotels are not only accepted, but also advertised as a premium option. International chains now include them in their catalogs as if they were a natural part of their offerings.

In Italy , however, despite little political fanfare, there are several child-free establishments on Lake Garda, in Tuscany, and in Sardinia , chosen primarily by couples seeking relaxation. No one has thought of banning them; on the contrary, they are seen as a niche that enriches the overall tourist offering.

Why do some people choose to go on holiday without children?

Choosing an adults-only resort isn't a sign of misanthropy toward children . Vincent Lagarde , a professor at the University of Limoges, emphasizes this: "Many guests are parents, teachers, or people who work with children. They're simply looking for a break from the daily grind."

The main reasons are three:

• the need for rest from a year marked by noise and running,
• time as a couple or with friends , without interruptions,
• the perception of luxury associated with exclusive and quiet places.

Anthropologist Jean-Didier Urbain places it within a broader trend: "There's a growing desire for comfort, slowness, and private space. Vacations serve precisely to suspend social obligations, and adults-only vacations fit this pattern."

The French case, however, goes beyond tourism. With a declining birth rate and President Emmanuel Macron speaking of "demographic rearmament," the issue takes on symbolic weight: banning adults-only events would affirm that children must remain at the center of public life.

But the thorniest question remains: is it about protecting children's rights or limiting the freedom of travelers?