For the kids?

Hi,

We are off to the Loire next week with our two kids, aged 3 and 2 and am looking for ideas to occupy them while we are there.

I recall going to a river beach when I was younger but cant remember where this is.... anybody know please?

Also does anyone have any ideas for low cost or free activities for the family? I%26#39;m spending a crucifying amount of money on petrol so would like to keep spends low as possible.

I have been to France many times in the past but never with my two kids! So any ideas would be very welcome!

Cheers

Michelle

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Where are you staying?

One reocmmendation - avoid this place like the plague

http://www.mini-chateaux.com/

I don%26#39;t think I%26#39;ve ever made a recommendation like this on the boards, but we visited it in July, after seeing it listed here. It was tatty, it was over priced, there was a display advertised and all the French kids were given medieval costumes while ours were just ignored.

There is a beach type place with a camp site in Amboise.

If you do want to visit a Chateau, can I recommend Clos Luce in Amboise. In the gardens there are lots of child (and childlike adult) friendly big toys. There are ducks and flowers and fountains and boats you can take out on (a very small lake). I can%26#39;t remember the entrance fee, but it wasn%26#39;t as expensive as most of the others.

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Thanks for the advice... Having had a quick look at the site the prices are even more expensive than the real deal chateaux! 12E for Adult and 8E for kids.... Chenenceax is 10E for an adult and kids go free so for the price of a visit to the mini place we could do two full sized chateaux! So I can safely say we wont be going there!

My daughter is right into %26quot;princess castles%26quot; at the moment so am tempted to haul them off to a chateau at some point while we are there.

I%26#39;m staying at Muides Sur Loire, just east of Blois. In the past when I have visited the Loire we have stayed in Mesland and Onzain. I have %26quot;done%26quot; France many times as kid we used to spend a full month in france travelling around. This is the first time that hubby has actually spent any length of time in France as unfortunately he has only ever driven straight through to Germany so not seen much!

Michelle

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Chenonceau is lovely, our kids (8, 12, 16) preferred the gardens, in particular running in and out of the fountain....

There is also a nice maze in the wooded area.

By the car park, there is a river/canal that is part of the estate and has the boldest ducks. Its lovely for a picnic but beware..... I%26#39;m sure your kids would love this place.

I%26#39;d forgotten about kids going free - ours our heading towards the adult stage.

Stick to the supermarkets for petrol, DO NOT get petrol on the motorway unless your tank is so empty you%26#39;re running on gas!!

Have a great time.

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Hey Michelle, we stayed in Chateau des Marais campsite in July, just down the road from Muides - is this where you are staying??

Its a lovely campsite. Well run and the facilities are excellent.

There is a nice Super U in Mer, get your petrol there.

The grounds of Chambord Chateau are nice to walk in and are free as well. The kids didn%26#39;t really appreciate the chateau.

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Yes we are! It looked fab for the kids thats why I chose it! Was a very last minute idea to book up. I%26#39;m really looking forward to it.

Having a couple of days in Picardy and normandy and then heading to the Loire for a few days.

Just hope the traffic around dover settles down, sounds pretty hectic with the trouble in the tunnel this evening.

Cant wait to be let loose in the supermarket and buy all goodies like sirop, brioche, crepes and the usual munchies! So need to save as much as possible on day trips so I have more money to waste on yummie food!

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Where are you staying in Picardy and Normandy?

We usually stay in Drancourt in Picardy and Houlgate in Normandy.

Both are very child friendly. There is an excellent restaurant in Drancourt.

We loved Auchan in Blois, south of the river. The Carrefour wasn%26#39;t in such a nice area.

But the Super U in Mer is good for everyday stuff.

Hopefully the Dover issue will resolve, but its not looking good according to Sky News currently. The great thing about Dover is the frequency of the ferries (we end up in France each year via Dublin, Holyhead, London, Dover, Calais)

The pool in the Loire campsite is excellent. And the playgrounds are great.

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Hi, Have just read over this post and noticed someone saying that they stayed at le chateaux des maries (think I%26#39;ve spelt it wrong!) We have booked for next June, but am a bit worried because I can%26#39; find a single review on the internet, this is the first one that has mentioned it. Can you tell me some more about it? we are in a tent with Eurocamp for 10 days, is there things to do outside the site, thank you very much

Dawn

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Hi Dawn,

Chateau des Marais, near Blois.

The camp site itself is fabulous. Lots to do. The swimming is great. But regards food, there are only two restaurants, one very adult and the other a takeaway which we didn%26#39;t like.

As mentioned previously the Chateaux in the area are fab. The Chambord Demesne is pretty close and great for walks.

Clos Luce in Amboise is a very child friendly chateau.

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