Does anyone know central France? Can you recommend any good places to go?

[docket]

Hi

We are going to France in August. It's a bit of a round trip - starting in Annecy and then on to the Ardeche (north of Nimes). We've then got 5 days to get back to Calais. We'd like to go through the centre of the country but have absolutely no idea what it's like or where to go. If you've got any tips I'd be really grateful. We've got to young DCs (2 and 3).

TIA!

docket

bump!

We went to the Somme Valley last year - they had a great train there that went quite a long way - it was brilliant - really well done and my 3 yr old DS loved it - the beach at Somme is beautiful too - thought it would be a sad place to go but it was anything but and I know you can get some brilliant holiday lets round there.

There is also a really cheap but good amusement park not too far away - sort of like Thorpe Parke for little ones.

The area called the Berry is about as central as you can get. It's a pretty lost place. If you want the depths of rural France, i guess this must be about it, though i've heard the Lozere, further south is remote too. The main town in Bourges. Not sure it's what you'd want for a 5 day trip though. But Tours - Blois - Orleans aren't far away and you could see the chateaux of the Loire valley (if that's doable with your dc).

You could always head towards the centre via Monet's garden at Giverny. I haven't been - would love to but know people who have. Should be quite a treat if you're into that kind of thing.