A cousinade — the French tradition of gathering every branch of the family, down to the most distant cousins — is far more than a simple family meal. It is the moment when three generations come together, when distant cousins finally put a face to a name, when the children run off together as if they had always known one another. But organising a family reunion for 50 people is also a logistical challenge: finding a venue big enough, sorting out the accommodation, coordinating arrivals, planning activities for every age. Here is how to pull it off without the stress.

Challenge no. 1: finding a venue that sleeps everyone

It is the central question of any family reunion. With 50 people, you exceed the capacity of most standard holiday cottages (usually 15–20 beds). The usual workarounds — booking several cottages miles apart, mixing campsites and B&Bs — split the group up and complicate everything.

The ideal? An exclusive-use venue with accommodation on site. A place where everyone sleeps under the same roofs, with no other guests, and where the shared spaces (pool, terraces, kitchen) are yours alone for the whole weekend.

That is exactly the idea behind La Pousterle de Sabran: a village of 18 cottages (chalets and apartments) that is entirely yours for the family gathering. 50 people? The cottages sleep up to 46 in proper beds, topped up with extra beds — or tents for the more adventurous.

The ideal schedule for a family reunion weekend

Friday evening: the reunion

The first arrivals settle in; the last cars pull up as night falls. Plan a simple welcome drink — boards of charcuterie, local cheese, a few bottles already open — so that everyone reconnects naturally, without ceremony. No need for a programme: conversations pick up where they left off.

Saturday: the big day

Sunday: the farewell brunch

A generous, relaxed brunch, staggered departures, and the promise to meet again next year. It is often on the Sunday morning, over coffee on the grass, that the best memories are made.

Budget: how much does a family reunion for 50 cost?

The crux of the matter. Here is a realistic estimate for a full weekend:

The secret? Sharing the costs fairly. Set up an online kitty as soon as the reunion is announced. Suggest a price per household (adjusted for the number of children) rather than per person — it is fairer and avoids arguments.

10 activities that always work

  1. The giant family tree — Print a blank tree in A0. Each branch of the family brings its photos and fills in the names. Guaranteed success with the older generation.
  2. The family quiz — ‘Who was born in 1987?’, ‘Which cousin went round the world?’ — hilarious in teams.
  3. The pétanque tournament — A classic, but it works. The children referee, the adults play, the elders commentate.
  4. The multi-generational treasure hunt — Mixed teams (one elder plus a few youngsters). Riddles about the family’s history.
  5. The cooking workshop — Each branch makes ‘Grandma’s recipe’. Everyone gets a taste.
  6. The memory wall — A board where everyone pins up an old photo or a note. It goes home with the next organiser.
  7. The big swim — If the venue has a pool, it becomes the natural afternoon meeting point.
  8. Family karaoke — Bluetooth speaker + wireless mic = an unforgettable evening.
  9. The group walk — Explore the village or the estate. Suitable for everyone, with plenty of breaks.
  10. The time capsule — Each family writes a message to be opened at the next reunion.

Mistakes to avoid

Why Provence is ideal for a family reunion

The south of France in general, and the Gard in particular, offer the perfect setting for family gatherings: sunshine, generous outdoor space, convivial food, and that culture of the long, shared table that is part of Provence’s DNA. When everyone is together at an exclusive-use venue with a pool, terraces and views over the vineyards, even the teenagers put down their phones.

A family reunion has worked when the children ask ‘when’s the next one?’ before they have even left.

La Pousterle de Sabran: a village for your family

La Pousterle de Sabran was designed to host exactly this kind of gathering. The whole village of cottages is reserved for you alone: you are at home. The 18 cottages (wooden chalets, stone apartments) house families and couples in their own independent spaces, while everyone shares the pool, the hammam, the bar-restaurant and the generous communal terraces.

Just 30 minutes from Avignon TGV station and 20 minutes from Uzès, La Pousterle is easy to reach for families travelling from all over France — and beyond. And the setting — garrigue, olive trees, views over the vineyards — creates a timeless bubble, ideal for coming together again.

Further reading