Anyone know the Loire or Poitou-Charentes?

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Can anyone make suggestions of things to do/ places to go? We’re staying in between Angouleme and Bordeaux in Poitou-Charentes for a week, then Loire for a week (between Blois and Amboise). There’s 6 of us, 2 adults and 4dc aged 5-13 and I’d really appreciate suggestions everyone can enjoy, plus if there’s any absolute must-visit places? I’m starting to worry that dh and kids might get bored (!) and really need this holiday to go well after a tough year. Thanks

Well if you like chateaux you are spoilt for choice in the Loire. Ask if you want recommendations (we live there).

Château du Clos Lucé in Amboise is Leonardo da Vinci's former home and a bit of a museum to him so probably a lot that will interest your DC plus big garden with play areas. The chateau at Amboise is also worth visiting and the town itself is lovely to spend a day in.

There's also a very good zoo/wildlife park ZooParc de Beauval south of Amboise/Blois.

I love the chateau at Blois in the town centre. The Maison de la Magie opposite the chateau will probably interest your DC.

There's also 'Family Park' which has a cirque fantasia, play areas, rides etc, very near Amboise at Saint-Martin-le-Beau.

My family are from Angouleme and we holiday here a lot. I find there's not masses to do for younger kids but older ones are better catered for.

If you're looking for a day out for the kids, Futuroscope near Poitiers is good fun. If you're driving North to the Loire from Angouleme it's on the way.

Cognac is also worth a visit, there are lots of distilleries that do guided tours that the kids would also enjoy. You should also try to find somewhere that makes Pineau de Charentes which is the local drink, most places do free tastings.

Angouleme itself is very pretty and the old town is nice to have a wander around.

There's a place called Plan d'eau on the outskirts that is a lake with various water activities. There is also an indoor water park called Nautilis near by. I've also heard about an activity park called Aire de Loisirs des Brandes that has various things to do. We haven't tried it yet but will be going next week!

The Agl'eau aquatic centre in Blois is a large outdoor swimming pool with a few water slides.
Zooparc de Beauval is excellent.
Chateau de Chambord has some good activities for children, including interactive tablets which you can pick up from the front desk with lots of fun games and information about the chateau. In the grounds, there are boat and bike tours, horse drawn carriage rides and a historical equestrian display in the summer.
The Mini-Chateau Park in Amboise has most of the chateaux in the Loire in miniature, spread out and little mini cars to drive. There's also a play area, remote control boats and an inflatable playground. There are several gardens to explore and historical reenactments on some days. www.parcminichateaux.com/en
Just a little further on from Amboise, there's a decent aquarium at Lussault-Sur-Loire.