My Week In

Chateau de Langeais — Particularly interesting for its working drawbridge and wax museum and of course history. Built in the 10th century originally as a Fortress it was then expanded by Richard 1 of England. After its destruction it was rebuilt by King Louis XI in 1461.

Don't miss the life-like characters in the wax museum staging a re-enactment of the marriage between Charles VIII and Anne of Brittany and also the dungeon. During the summer months actors roam the grounds in medieval costumes and play scenes from ‘La Mode au Moyen’.
www.chateau-de-langeais.com

Chateau du Clos Lucé - Leonardo de Vinci's last resting place — Leonardo da Vinci was invited by Francois 1st to live in France and continue his work during some turbulent times. Why go? You can interact with many of Leonardo's early inventions, visit his bedrooms and visit his tomb in the chateau just 10 minutes from the Clos Lucé. The gardens are wonderful and children can not only play but take something very special away with them, the creations of Leonardo da Vinci.
www.vinci-closluce.com

Musee 'Aux Anciens Commerces' - Saumur — Go back in time and discover shops and other merchants in rural France from from 1850s to 1950s. Shopfronts, products, goods and interiors of barbers, bakers and of course cafes. There are numerous shows in the summer and a chance for kids to dress up.

Each visit lasts 1 1/2 hours. Open daily in July and August 10am-5pm. Feb-March only 2pm till 6pm.
April,Sept and Oct 10am-12 then 2pm-6pm
Closed Mondays (except in summer)

Entry: Adults 6.50 and children to 16 4.50 euros. Free under 6.
Ecuries Foullon-Quartier de Soulanger, Doue-La-Fontaine

Troglodytes des Goupillieres — Perhaps combine this attraction with something else in the area such as the Zoo in La Fleche or the Chateau in Saumur. It's an interesting insight into how French live/lived in these Troglodytes, many of which were created by mining the 'tuffeau' stone which left great holes in the cliffs. The stones were used to build the chateaux and other famous buildings in France and the UK.
www.troglodytedesgoupillieres.fr

The Circus comes to town - September Tours — Every year around the end of September the circus arrives with a lot of fanfare. Lions, Tigers, elephants clowns and magical acts, a very tradition approach to circus act. Tickets at FNAC.
Parc des Expositions Tours, ave Jacques Duclos

Fancy a sucette — If you are in the 'Loches' area drop into an atelier and watch a craftsman make lollipops from ancient recipes we're told. Not doubt still an awful lot of sugar.

Open Monday to Friday from April to September. Closed weekends and public holidays.
www.confiseriehallard.fr
62 bis, ave Aristide Briand Loches

Jewel of the Loire-Chenonceau — After your visit around this grand chateau plan to lunch in the grounds either at the family friendly cafeteria or the upmarket ‘L’Orangerie’ to ensure a table on the terrace perhaps book ahead and sit back and enjoy views of these magnificent French gardens.

Don’t miss the 16th century farm and the Kid's playground. For the under 12s, they now have audio by way of groovy iPods. Tip: Enjoy the garden maze on your left as it is often missed in the excitement to get to the chateau.
www.chenonceau.com
Village Chenonceau

Chateau Chambord — Spend a full day (or two) exploring the grounds of this magnificent castle and its 365 rooms. There’s an array of cafes and specialty shops in the grounds as well as elegant terrace dining. You can hire bikes, go for a paddle in the moat or perhaps a gallop around the chateau just like the royalty! Spectacular!

The night spectacle is every night in July and August and Friday and Saturday in September.
www.chambord.org