Family things to do in the Loire?

[MaryMotherOfCheeses]

I've been bogged down in the Rough Guide and it's all chateaux, vineyards, churches, etc.

Which is great, we're up for a bit of that!

But what about for DS aged 7?

What were the best bits on your holidays there?

And is it easy to hire bikes?

This zoo is in the Loire, I think:
www.zoobeauval.com/

Which area of the Loire are you going to?

Thanks puffling, that looks interesting.

Don't know yet what part of the Loire we're going to - I haven't booked it yet. Would you recommend somewhere?

I've seen Tours / Chinon / Loches mentioned a lot on the websites I'm looking on. These the right places?

Googling further and looking on here, maybe there's not much for kids. And many of the cottages seem to be in the middle of absolute nowhere.

Would we be better going to Vendee? Is it further to drive, from say St Malo?

I loved the Loire, chateaux, wine etc. but for children you're right, might be better heading west or to Brittany. The Ile de Re is lovely off coast of La Rochelle.

We were in the Loire last year at a great campsite. The main downside for me was the weather - no better than the UK when we were there. had much better weather in the Vendee the following week.

There are lots of cycle paths, etc and it is quite flat so easy for little ones. There are some chateaus which are more child-friendly and little train rides, etc you can do. My kids preferred to hang out at the swimming pool mostly, though!

Not the zoo! I still have nightmares about that. If your holiday is anything like ours when we were kids... booze tasting (parents not kids), visiting lots of chateaux and going to nice food markets.

We did Loire last year with a 2 year old, 5 year old and a 13 year old. We struggled because the weather was rubbish but we also found it incredibly difficult to find places to eat in the evening which welcomed children and had a child friendly menu. That was a bit of a surprise to me because when i was a kid we went to France most years!!. My children enjoyed 1) The mushroom caves (there are several), 2) Chateau Villandry (because of the gardens), 3) Market day at Bourgeil and also at Loches. 4) visiting the wine caves and bottling factory at Voudray (my 5 year old was fascinated watching the bottles whizz around and get filled). There is also an kind of outdoor play camp (bouncy castle, sandpits, swings etc) near the river in voudray. 5) the troglodyte village at rochemenier. 6) The 'sleeping beauty castle/chateau (can't remember the name but it is widely advertised ) which has a little exhibit on sleeping beauty which my 2 year old loved.

We went to the Loire with a 4 year old and 1 year old and there wasn't that much for the dc's to do (weather was pretty crap). We were near Chinon

I would recommend going a bit further south - La Rochelle has more to do and there is a better chance of decent weather

This one@
www.chenonceau.com/media/gb/index_gb.php

or Blois?

Chenonceau looks stunning doesn't it.

Thanks Jules, as well, some good ideas there but mushroom caves with mushroom hating DS made me giggle.

Hmm. On the whole though, it's not sounding right for us.

Am off to look at Vendee more.

Sensible choice. In all honesty I would not recommend Loire with v young children. Our holiday was v stressful and we will not be going back (Tuscany already booked), if we had hot weather we might have muddled through as we had a fabulous cottage with a lovely pool but bad wether plus the complete lack of child friendly activities nearly resulted in divorce!!

Vendee is okay insummer but weather is COMPLETELY unreliable.With French holidays,. I think the only thing is to book a comfortable,good quality gite so that you can stay in if necessary due to bad weather without being uncomfortable. Helps tooif there is a working tv with some watchable channels for same reason.

I personally findFrench eatingouttoo slow with any age children. Creperies are finebut restaurantrs take too longtoserve and still allow smoking despite the new legislation.

Had a week in Loire last summer and weather was poor. Found little for kids to do - they did visit a kangaroo park one afternoon - but we were with family so they hung out with cousins and were happy with that. We were near Angers.

If weather is important you need to get to bottom half of France I think - we had a week in Charente Maritime (near Royan) a few years ago and it was lovely, good beaches and more geared up for kids generally. Longer drive is the disadvantage.

Futuroscope is great for a day out and a trip up to Paris for another. Chenonceau is a must, you can hire a little boat and paddle in splendor. That's 3 days sorted .

We always go further south to the southern Alps - long drive but worth it imo - where the weather is generally good (2 poor days out of 14 last year in July). We have walks in mountains (well picnics with a stroll), play in the parks, swim in the lake, various organised activities "Jungle Adventure" type - which are a bit old for my boys. not too much culture - the odd chateau. Eating out is fine - but it is usually simple menu / pizza stuff.

Google Lac Serre Poncon.

i love the Loire, but am saving it for later.

La Rochelle Aquarium is really good.

La Rochelle is great, if you are looking for a family holiday I would really, really recommend Ile D'Oleron.

We have been there every year since I was born (22 now!) and have had a great time. Weather is normally good too.

Have lived in Angers in Loire and there are a few things to do - the Kangaroo gardens just south of Angers are great. As is La Fleche zoo or Doue La Fontaine zoo. But Oleron would give you the beach, along with La Rochelle, a little train ride through the forest to the beach etc.

If you would like more info on Oleron I can be emailed anytime: clairemichelle23 at hotmail dot co dot uk.

This is really helpful thanks.

We're aiming for May half term. Even though I love beaches in any weather, I don't think I want to base a holiday around them. We're only going for a week so don't want to drive too far south.

So today, I've decided Loire.

Tomorrow though.... erm....

Is it easy to hire bikes in the Loire? It's mostly flat isn't it? DS is 7 so that could keep us entertained for a day.

Bike riding in Loire is fantastic and completely kitted out for it. Both sides of the Loire have cycle paths and you can cross over at any of the bridges (one is foresty while the other sides has most villages and is open (at least between Saumur and Angers)

Kangaroo gardens are great, the chateuax in Angers is pretty good for an hour or two. Pignerolles is a big park with lots of kids toys and trails to follow through the woods. As mentioned above the Fleche zoo really is fantastic- the sealion show was great and the three kids I took adored seeing the polar bears. - Enclosures are also a good size (I hate going and seeing them all cramped up)

I don't know if you enjoy it but there are also plenty of places to hire a canoe or Kayak if you felt up for that!

Food wise - the cafe right at the top next to the castle in Saumur is great value for a snack at lunch (beefburger baguettes are lovely) In Challonnes - Sur-Loire is the best crepiere in the region (on the main sqaure opposite the bank, blue and white facade) Centre of Angers the Plavce De Railement has the Restaurant De Theatre - this is lovely, a bit pricey but really, really good food and great service.

Plenty of swimming pools about too if you enjoy swimming.

Hope this helps

Claire

Oh and "Holly Park" is in between Angers and Saumur- it's a small theme park for kids under 11. Didn';t get round to visiting but heard good reports.