1,001 chateaux to visit, now which one?
The Loire caters for kids of all ages, don’t worry you too will enjoy some of these attractions. We’ve listed some great chateaux and adventures for kids and will include some handy tips when visiting these attractions to enhance your visit. A couple of not to miss activities include: the Garden Maze at Chateau Chenonceau, cycling along the mighty Loire river, feeding the ducks in the Park Prebendes and also interacting with the inventions of Leonardo Da Vinci at Clos de Luce in Amboise.
Tip: A number of châteaux & attractions, offer a free quizz activities called “Sur la piste de l’enfant Roy”; the over 8s will particularly enjoy these activities, a full listing of participants at: www.piste-enfant-roy.com. Do ask for yours even if it is in French.
WITH KIDS
Chateau Valençay
— The interiors of the chateau are historically interesting but it's the gardens, the small farm and the 'French maze', one that demands you solve puzzles in order to exit, that the kids will enjoy the most. Valençay is a sleepy town but worthy a visit, particularly during the summer months when there are numerous spectacles at the chateau.
Open each year from 28 March until 8 November, 2009.
Les Visites aux Chandelles - 17 July until 14 August from 9.30pm. Enjoy 3,000 candles, actors and comedians roaming the grounds, concerts and magic acts. Entry 13 euros for adults.
www.chateau-valencay.fr
rue de Blois
Maison de la Magic
— Blois: Chateau Blois and the Maison De la Magie – discover the secrets of the great Robert Houdin. Any budding magician will enjoy this museum devoted to the great master. Three whole floors are dedicated to illusionary effects and hallucinations. Don’t miss the adventure on the third floor as it offers a wonderful sensory tour for kids and parents. Enjoy numerous short magic acts (cards etc) and a main show twice daily which was thoroughly entertaining for all ages.
Open from March to Sept. Closed from 12-2.00pm. However see website for opening times, it often changes. Tip: Don’t miss the roaming dinosaurs who make their appearance on the balconies on the hour.
www.maisondelamagie.fr
Blois: Village centre
Futuroscope
— Close to the town of Poitiers. This theme park is recommende3d for the over 8s, as many of the attractions are restricted by height which can be frustrating if you have little ones.
This futuristic park is a full day or two of activities; lots of great attractions with robots and technology. The hi-tech demonstrations, lasers shows, 3D cinemas and virtual reality experiences are first-class. Their new attraction sounds like a 'must'---an expedition vehicles takes you on a journey to visit and interact with prehistoric animals. You're equipped with binoculars and sensors bracelets.
There are several 'moins cher' hotels in the area and lots of family friendly restaurants. Le Cristal is the place to dine for a memorable meal and some trickery with food.
www.futuroscope.com
Les Grottes Petrifiantes de Savoinnieres
— This is fun for all ages, imagine exploring an ancient Grotto. You’ll see stalactites and stalagmites, a subterranean lake and a very long path that leads back to Tours. The guide will however be in French. Worth a visit on a hot summer’s day as the temperature below is always a cool 14 degrees. An interesting boutique shop. Best for the over 5s as the walk can be slippery. You might want to combine this with a visit to Villandry Chateau?
www.grottes-savonnieres.com
9 route des Grottes Petrifantes, Savonniere
Grottes Pétrifiantes de Savonnières
— These subterranean caves date back to 1547 and include petrifying waterfalls, draperies, stalactites and stalagmites a Gallo-Roman cemetery, petrified objects and low-reliefs produced from 19th C lithographic stones and copper matrixes and models of prehistoric animals.
In the past, the caves were used as quarries for calcereous tufa, a white stone used to build nearby castles. You can actually make your way to Tours from these caves. After your guided tour (1 hr) you can visit the interesting museum/shop where there is a vast display of the tiny figurines left for years to petrify in the mineral-rich pools. They also have a ‘cave’ to sample the local rose.
Feb-April: daily 9:30-12, then 2-4pm
May-September: Daily 9.30am – 6.30pm October daily: 9:30-12, then 2pm-6pm. Nov to Dec: Monday to Wednesday
Entry: Adults EUR 5.60, Children 4.60
www.grottes-savonnieres.com
, 61 Route des Grottes Pétrifiantes, Savonnières t: 33-247-500009
Château du Rivau
— Wonderful garden of roses, ferries and other little surprises. Ask for your “la piste de L’Enfant Roy”.
Enjoy in September (14) Pumpkin Feast and garden festivals. The best months to visit are June to September when the restaurants opens and the gardens are in full bloom.
Entry: 8 euros for adults and 6.00 for children.
www.chateaudurivau.com
Le Coudray, 37120 Lémeré t: 02 47 95 77 47
Chateau de Valmer
— More a chateau for wine tasting and garden exploring. Particularly white wines from Vouvray. The gardens are enviable in the spring and summer months. Open 1 May – 30 June weekends and public holidays 1 July – 31 August daily (closed Mondays)
10am – 7pm Photo copyright MG de Saint Venant
1 Sept – 12 Oct daily (except Mondays) 10am – 12.30 then 2pm – 6pm. Events: 4-11 May Plant sale 31 May-1 June, ‘A journey amongst plants’
Entry €8
www.chateau-de-valmer.com
Chançay Vouvray Val de Loire t: 02 47 52 93 12
Chateau de Usse - Sleeping Beauty
— This is the setting for famous 'Sleeping Beauty', a must for little girls. Sleeping beauty (well a wax figure) lays asleep awaiting her Prince. Extremely busy in the summer months and the cramped viewing conditions can make it frustrating but it is worth the visit (try to go off-peak) perhaps after 4pm.
www.chateaudusse.fr