Best beaches
Lake Biscarosse and its lakeside beach are gorgeous and there’s a good selection of children’s parks and cycle routes [TripAdvisor member, Kent]

I thought it was brochure speak about the lake and it’s beach, but it really was excellent especially for young children. A large beach with golden sand that gently shelves into the sea, staying shallow for at least a hundred metres [TripAdvisor member, Essex].

We were blown away by the ‘lake beach’. [TripAdvisor member, Kent]

There is mile after mile of uncrowded, silver sand beaches washed by the lively Atlantic, pine forests which seemingly go on for ever. [TripAdvisor member, Plymouth]

There are fantastic surfing beaches at Biscarosse and Mimizan. Both are small but lively resorts on the Cote d’Argent and decent waves are pretty much guaranteed. There is also Hossegor, slightly further south, which is known as a fine surfing beach and which has even hosted world tour events – one siblu customer travelled all the way from Australia to take part!

Attractions and Adventure

Hiring bikes and cycling round Lake Biscarosse was really safe, easy and enjoyable, even with a 5 year old [TripAdvisor member, Languedoc]

La Reserve is a super site if you want to take in the area, we managed to get down to Spain for lunch! [TripAdvisor member, Cambridgeshire]

Dune du Pilat, near to Arcachon, is the largest sand dune in Europe. At 150m high, half a mile wide and almost two miles long, it has swallowed hotels and roads. Climb to the top of the dune to see incredible views of the sea on one side and rolling pine forest on the other.

Cities and towns

Bordeaux is filled with historic buildings, wide squares, a modern and swift tram system, and street after street of swish shops. [TripAdvisor member, Plymouth]

The Roman spa town of Dax has great shops sitting alongside the historic Roman ramparts and the bubbling spa waters. The steaming water which constantly pours from the underground spa is supposed to be a cure for a whole host of ailments [TripAdvisor member, Plymouth].

Sexy, stylish Biarritz was a magnet for the Swinging Sixties jet set and still retains its aura of elegance and elan. This is the place to see and be seen [TripAdvisor member, Plymouth].

Arcachon is a classy seaside town with good beaches and good, if pricey, restaurants, cafes and bars.

St Emilion is a heart-warming ‘ugly duckling grows up and becomes glamorous swan’ tale. In the 8th century a hermit called, Emilion dug out a cave for himself in the rock. A monastery followed. Then it blossomed into a gorgeous medieval hilltop village, surrounded by endless vineyards that produce full-bodied deep red wines.

What to eat, where to find it
The Arcachon Basin is France’s most important oyster producing region, and so you will find delicious, fresh oysters on every menu in the small villages and towns on the edge of the bay. Much of Aquitaine cuisine is based on goosefat, and foie gras, a goose-liver pate is a speciality.

Keep an eye out for meals containing ‘Périgord’, which will indicate a dish containing truffles. Any meal is best rounded off with a smooth coffee served with a small Canele, a delicious French pastry with custard centre and caramelized crust.

Bordeaux is famous for its wines, and if you have a fine palette and a few quid, go in search of a bottle of Bordeaux 2009. According to French experts, this year’s red will be the first great vintage of the 21st century, because of incredible growing conditions not seen since the 1940s.

Events

Stumbling upon the fiesta in Parentis and seeing the running of the bulls was an unexpected treat. [TripAdvisor member, Essex]

Where to stay

La Réserve, on the banks of Lac Biscarosse, has the twin benefits of a beautiful lakeside beach with golden sand and shallow waters, and its own refreshing pool complex. The parc is set among miles of pine forest, with many great cycle routes for explorers. The kids’ playgrounds are popular, and there is more than enough to keep teens busy, including a range of watersports on the lake.

The service works in much the same way as a Facebook Fan page, but with a host of bolt-ons for our holiday home Owners.

We launched sibluconnect in April 2010 to make it easier for holiday-home owners at our 14 parcs to communicate with their management teams and friends at other destinations. 

More than 2,200 owners are already using sibluconnect to post comments, read news from parcs, share photos, swap holidays and manage their holiday home services.

That’s an astonishing figure that proves that older web users (most of our Owners are 50 plus) are more than happy to chat online in the right circumstances.

Sibluconnect is the latest in a long-line of innovations we have launched that makes owning a holiday home with siblu so enjoyable for UK customers. It helps them to manage their holiday home from wherever they are, at any time, and helps us to respond to their requests really quickly.

To find out more about owning a holiday home in France, go to www.sibluexclusif.com.

Dave Bates and Nicola Thomas recommend travelling overnight, so dodging the problem of bored children during the day. Paul Robinson suggests a twist on this idea, by taking an overnight ferry crossing to St Malo, which leaves a shortish drive to many of the west coast resorts.

New technology plays an important role for many parents too, with in-car DVD players top of the list for lots of families. Paul Robinson champions a DVD player and Sat Nav combo, to make the journey a cinch for everyone. Jo Taylor, Simon Childs and Nicola Thomas agree.

Food might be the way to a man’s heart, but it’s also a way of entertaining your little ones on long drives. Will Goodridge packed himself fizzy pop and chocolate to keep alert during his drive, only to find they’d been found and gobbled up by his kids. Snacks helped to keep Simon Taylor’s girls quiet on two 12-hour drives too, and Paula Beale has even spotted the potential of food wrappers to divert little ones.

Old-fashioned bits and pieces are recommended to. Paula Beale continues her theme by recommending fiddly toys and threading beads (yes for boys too) to keep youngsters occupied, while Katharine Childs recommends wipeable travel cards and pens for doodles from Usbornes, which went down a treat with her 7 and 4 year olds …until they lost one of the pen lids!
Sarah Birch suggests the clever ruse of a bag of must-not-touch items, including an egg timer, calculator and old mobile phone to play with in the car. Another tip from Sarah is to go round the pound shops, as they have lots of good travel bits.

What other ideas you can suggest for keeping children entertained on long journeys?

The region of Côte d’Azur loves the limelight and is famous for its lively nightlife and glitzy reputation, but there are also a few publicity-shy places that are worth their salt. It has a star-studded history as the play place for rich tourists looking for a healthy winter retreat, and then for Kings, Queens and the glitterati of the early 20th century, an association that has been reinforced through the annual Cannes Film Festival, and from starts from Becks to Elton John who buy luxurious holiday homes on the coast.

Best beaches

The best value and indeed the most beautiful beach we went to was in St Aygulf – absolutely fantastic. Great early evening music and waiter service on the beach [TripAdvisor member, Waterford]

Families in Fréjus head to the long, sandy, sheltered beach that stretches to the next town.

Attractions and Adventure

For a more ‘epic’ experience visit the Gorges d’Heric; it is one of the most impressive and magnificent gorges in the region. This long deep crack in the ground is wild, lush and incredible.

For a fantastic day out with the kids then you can do no better than Aqualand (check out www.aqualand.fr and click through on ‘Frejus’).  This is the biggest water park on the Cote d’Azur with slides, lagoons, spa baths as well as play areas, restaurants and bars.  You can buy tickets on parc and it’s an easy 10 minute drive (approx).

Cities and towns

The seaside town of Fréjus is an historic port balanced on a rock plateau, and there are Roman ruins, sandy beaches and chic bars. There’s a typical Med coast holiday feel, with streets lined with ice cream parlours, souvenir shops and restaurants. The bustling town is filled with classical remnants and medieval ruins, contrasting with the modern marina of Port Fréjus.

Frejus itself is a very beautiful place to visit and we enjoyed exploring all the lovely bays and the wonderful mountains that surrounded this area [TripAdvisor member, Fife]

Port Grimaud is St Tropez without the fake tan. It’s a French version of Venice, with winding streets and canals.

St Tropez is a chic town where you can mingle with the ‘jet set’. Relax into one of the many cafés and spend an afternoon celebrity spotting, and watch your kids stare wide-eyed at the yachts.

Cannes is famed for its film festival, but you’ll also be impressed by the gorgeous sandy beaches and cafés on La Croisette; perfect for watching the world go by.

The locals whizz up and down Nice’s magnificent palm-lined ‘Promenade des Anglais’ on roller skates, but the trick to enjoying the star studded town is to take things easy and milk every last detail.

Monaco is home of the rich and famous and famed for its fabulous casino. Of course the beautiful people who hang out here have beautiful yachts, so the marina should be near to the top of your ‘to see’ list.

Food and restaurants

Frejus hosts two food festivals: the Fête du Raisin celebrates the arrival of the first grapes through the medium of wine tasting and traditional dances, and every September there is an Omelette Géante – that’s right, a giant omelette – festival. 

Port-Grimaud has an organic bio market which takes place on Mondays and Fridays. There are organic fruit and vegetables, fresh products, food bread and bio wine, plus natural beauty products.

St Tropez is known for its tans, but every Tuesday and Saturday the Place des Lices in this famous town transforms into one of the biggest markets in Provence. Stalls sell a range of products, including fish and locally sourced food. 

The pretty squares of Aix-en-Provence are transformed into a sea of colours, sounds and appetising smells as the Grand Marché sets up its stalls on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 08h to 12h30. 

Marseille’s famous fish market on the Quai des Belges is a wonderful place to wander around. The local traders use the phrase Peché le nuit, vendu le matin to describe the freshness of their goods: “Caught in the night, sold in the morning”. 

Where to stay

Le Montourey has been described as siblu’s most relaxed site ever; it’s very quiet and you can hear the birds chirping through the day. The parc is a great base for touring the region’s most famous towns, with St. Tropez, Cannes, Nice and Grasse nearby.

While the weather and Med coast are the main temptation, another draw is Languedoc’s wine producing pedigree: this is the world’s biggest wine region, covering almost 300,000 hectares and producing more wine than Australia.

Best beaches
Vias beach is separated into little sandy bays, and all the kids fish for crabs and tiddlers around the rocks, which is great fun [TripAdvisor member, Glasgow]

There’s a long stretch of beach at Cap d’Adge and free parking near to the marina. If you’re feeling brave, there’s a famous nudist beach nearby too.

Valras Plage has a long beach that gently shelves into the sea, making it ideal for swimming, sailing and sunbathing. Valras Plage harbour is home to some delightful bars and restaurants, many of which offer live music during the evening.

Explore local coastline and discover gorges and coves. La Grand Motte, Carnon and Palavas beaches are golden beaches just 10 minutes away from Lac des Reves.

Attractions and Adventure
Europark in Vias has plenty of rides for all the family, and a candy floss stall with about 50 different flavours on offer! There is also go-karting and mini golf next door. [TripAdvisor member, the Midlands]

Aqualand in Cap d’Agde has giant flumes, waterslides and a wave machine. [Top tips] get your tickets from the siblu reception so you can bypass the entrance queues and save money, and keep hold of your tickets – you can use them to buy tickets for another day at a fraction of the price [TripAdvisor member, Essex)

Captain Jackos toddler waterpark in Cap d’Agde is excellent for little kids.

Visit the historic Canal du Midi, which took 12,000 men to build. You won’t have time to explore the entire 235km, but book a boat, bicycle or horse for a fantastic day-long sightseeing activity.

Hire canoes at Roquebon, a very pretty mountain village on the River Orb, and enjoy hours of fun on the water. Top tip: you are given a waterproof pod so take your camera, suncream, towels and a picnic. [TripAdvisor member, Essex]

The Haribo sweet museum in Uzes provides a potted history of sweets, and in exchange for your entrance fee you are given tokens for the sweet-making machines found throughout. [TripAdvisor member, Tenerife]

Each year the local casino sponsors the fantastic Fete de la Saint-Pierre in Valras Plage in June, to put on free concerts, boat races and fantastic fireworks – great stuff [Jason, Siblu]
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Cities and towns
Montpellier mixes old and new beautifully, to present a fabulous array of sights, buildings, shops and a great selection of restaurants. Head to the Place de Comedie, the pink-marbled heart of the city, for an afternoon spent people watching. Explore the side streets and find boutique shops and authentic cafés and restaurants, serving tasty ‘plat du jours’.

Cap d’Agde is billed as a smaller version of St Tropez. It’s a modern bustling port which offers an impressive selection of shops, restaurants and bars. As well as indulging in eating, drinking, shopping and yacht-spotting, you could always hire a boat or go diving.

Carcassonne is a Unesco World Heritage Site and it has been described as the finest medieval fortified town in Europe. Carcassone’s castle featured in Robin Hood Prince of Thieves, there are fantastic museums of chivalry and the middle ages (one where kids can be knighted), plus lots of good walks and loads of pavement cafés when it all becomes too much!

Sète has built up on the banks of the Canal du Midi, and its streets are lined by shops and restaurants. There are great views of the Italian-style houses and some of the fastest sailboats in the world.

St Guilhem-le-Desert is a World Heritage Site which has been designated a ‘Plus Beaux Villages’, one of the most beautiful villages in France. There are Bronze Age gorges and caves packed with art and craft shops and hidden houses, yet despite the awards and beauty, St Guilhem has remained refreshingly modest. On the way back stop off at Pont du Diablo, and huge bridge which spans a gorgeous lake. If you don’t mind climbing down the steep path, the chance to swim in the lake is really worth taking.

Vias sur Plage is a bustling seaside stretch, and venture further and you will find Vias Old Town, which is all tiny squares and cobbled streets, where there is a twice weekly market packed with fresh produce, including oysters and mussels.

Food and restaurants
Le Pescadou in Vias was our favourite – fantastic fish & sea-food [TripAdvisor member, Glasgow]

I tried snails at Vieux Logis in Vias Old Town, and they were very good, and very garlicy [TripAdvisor member, Warrington]

El Duende in Pérols serves great value local food and a gipsy band plays live music at weekends, creating a great atmosphere [Amandine Daniaud, Lac des Reves]

Stalls around Montpellier’s Les Arceaux organic market are packed with fragrant cheeses, regional wines and local specialities like Camargue sausages and Collioure anchovies and the Place de la Comédie, Montpellier’s best-place to people watch, bursts at the seams every morning with organic fruit, honey, herbs and olive oil.

Take a late-night stroll through the regional markets in the ancient town of Sete, just 20 miles from Le Lac des Reves. The food market takes place in the Place du Galion aux Quilles every Thursday from July 5 until August 30, and is open from 16h to midnight.

The famous indoor market at Narbonne provides an assault on your senses – there are sacks of aromatic spices combining with the strong smells of freshly caught fish, the waft of cheeses and the odours from many stoves, griddles and pans as traders cook their wares. Les Halles de Narbonne has become an institution, and is a must-see on any Destination Cooking holiday. The market opens daily from 6h to 13h.

For another fantastic covered market, try the popular Les Halles de Nimes which opens everyday between 0630 and 1300. Stalls trade local delights including fresh vegetables, succulent olives, and garlic – the cornerstone of many a south-coast meal. There are even freshly snuffled truffles available for those planning a luxurious meal.

Special events
Sand sculpture festival on Cap d’Agde’s Plage de Rochelongue. [May 2010]

Cap d’Agde stages its stunning Soirées Pyrotechniques in July – five nights of fireworks displays that locals say are on a par with any across the world. [July 2010]

Nimes’ Le Feria de la Petanque is a five-day celebration of petanque which features a knock out tournament for teams from across the world, plus performances and entertainment. [July 2010]

Carcassone hosts more than 70 free concerts, many at incredible venues, as part of its Festival de Bastide through July. [July 2010]

Where to stay
La Carabasse in Vias is a huge holiday parc with a fab pool area and slides that are brill for children. The location is great, with beaches shops and restaurants in walking distance and the kids will love the energetic and engrossing clubs.

Lac des Reves is a truly relaxing family site close to the Mediterranean coast and Montpellier. There is a highly rated pool and large sandy beaches nearby.

Sables du Midi is a small parc with a relaxing pool and terrace, on the outskirts of the popular seaside resort of Valras Plage

Vendee beaches
The beaches in the Vendée, along the Côte de Lumiere (’coast of light’) are truly stunning and will ruin you for any others, as you’ll forever be comparing them and finding alternative are ‘just not quite up to the Vendée standard’.

The popular plage at St Jean de Monts is a favourite because of its space, fine soft sand and safe waters. It’s inevitable that your children will head off and play, so there are a series of tall poles topped with shapes along the beach, which kids can use to find their way back to you.

Parking close by can be a trial during the peak season, but the Vendée has miles of easily manageable cycle paths that wind that run through the resort and along the beach

The Vendee is blessed with many great beaches, so if you can drag yourself away from St Jean de Monts, it should be to stand out resorts. Les Sables d’Olonne is the most chic destination in the Vendée and if you want a break from the sunbathing, there are many top-class shops.

If you take the crossing from the mainland to the Ile de Noirmutier, you’ll more picturesque beaches. The best is Bois de La Chaize, which has its own bathing huts that gives the beach an old-world aura.

The area of Sion Sur L’Ocean has a rare thing for a Vendée beach – cliffs. The rocky outcrops create lots of sandy inlets to explore and rock pools where crabs hideout.

• You say
  St Jean-de-Monts has a beautiful sandy beach, which locals consider one of the most beautiful in France. It’s immense, really clean and great to swim off [TripAdvisor member, Coventry]. There is a watersports area where you can hire sand yachts, catamarans, canoes and windsurfers. If you are a fan, then St Jean de Monts beach is perfect [TripAdvisor member, England]
• The beaches are amazing — Plage les Salins has really easy parking at any time of day, loads of space and is a really safe beach with dunes at the back [TripAdvisor member, Somerset]
• Les Sables d’Olonne has a marvellous beach [TripAdvisor member, Cambridgeshire]
• Sion Sur L’Ocean beach was very popular with my boys as it had rock pools and so we all went crabbing, which was great. It also has little coves which were very private [TripAdvisor member, Bristol]

Vendee Attractions and Adventure
Puy du Fou is a medieval theme park where you can relive 2,000 years of French history through smoky, live spectaculars. It is made up of ‘villages’ that represent a different era, and there is a 600 seat Roman stadium which hosts Gladiator and Viking shows. Throughout the day there are performances of falconry, jousting, magic and music.

The parc has several main shows, including a battle of the keep, a Viking bombardment from the sea, chariot racing, gladiator parades and combat in a replica amphitheatre, birds of prey and the swashbuckling musketeers.

In the evenings, the park explodes back into life when a thousand local volunteer actors stage a historical sound and music extravaganza called Cinéscénie, which relives the history of the Vendée. Book your tickets in advance, as every show gets sold out in the summer.

Be aware: Puy du Fou is based around its shows, so trying to get round all of them in one day can prove too much. It’s best to pick three that you really want to see, and then fill in any extra time as you can.

There has been lots of recent work to make the Vendée a cycle-friendly destination. Now there are 475 miles of cycle paths along the coast, with many picturesque routes.

Ride around the woods and seaside at St Jean de Monts (you can swap your bikes for a flat boat at one point). If hiring a bike is too much hard work, then hire a Rosalie, a canopy covered pedal car with steering wheel and break lever. It sounds silly, but you see lots in the main town of St Jean de Monts.

While not quite cycling, Velo Rail is a wheeled platform that runs on a 10km disused rail tracks – it’s a unique way to cross through some beautiful countryside and to see the region. Be aware: the Velo rail must be booked in advance, and costs around 11€ per hour.

The Marais-Poitevin, to the south of the region, is a reclaimed marshland criss-crossed by canals and rivers, and so is best explored by bike or by boat, which can include flat-bottomed barques, dinghies and canoes.

You say

• Le Grand Parc du Puy du Fou is an excellent day out for the whole family. If you have children of primary school age (plus early teens) it really is a bit of a must see as it covers the majority of UK Key stage 2 History and delivers it in a fabulous way. Slick, professional and good technology means that Vikings/Romans and Medieval battles come to life in front of you. [TripAdvisor member, Wales]
• Biking around the Vendee was fantastic — fairly flat but miles and miles of cycle paths (once you find them). We cycled almost every day and thoroughly enjoyed it. [TripAdvisor member Carlisle] St Jean de Monts is dotted with small forests with lovely sandy cycle tracks through them, which made for really nice bike rides [TripAdvisor member, England]
• We spent five hours having great fun climbing and sliding down zip wires at Arbre Adventure, a tree adventure parc in St Jean de Monts [TripAdvisor member, England]

Cities and towns
Les Sables d’Olonne is the smartest resort on the coast. The long beach, bustling seafront and chic shops have earned Les Sables d’Olonne the nickname ‘mini Nice’. Though the beach is the main centre of activity you should also take some time to visit the food markets. The central market hall is open seven mornings a week in summer and there’s a fish market on the quay that serves up the day’s catch from 3.30pm. There is also a motor museum, which will keep everyone entertained.

Plush Ile de Noirmutier, which is linked to the coast by a three-mile tidal causeway that is only passable at low tide, offers excellent individual shops, vibrant restaurants, wonderful ancient houses and a 12th century abbey. It’s like visiting a tropical island (which gets especially busy on Sundays).

The small warm island of L’Ile d’Yeu simply exudes charm from its whitewashed villages and welcoming beaches. Bikes are the best way to explore and if you resist the temptation to stop, swim, dive or take photos you could cover the whole island in an afternoon! If you want to admire some of the man- made sights, there is the Grand Phare lighthouse or the ruins of Vieux Chateau fortress.

Apremont is a pretty village with a medieval castle, a large lake and a sandy beach. You can hire pedalos, flat-bottomed boats and canoes to paddle leisurely around the lake. Once you’ve worked up an appetite you can justify trying out the bar and restaurant which have stunning views over the lake.

You say

• St Jean de Monts is nice, with markets and a lovely promenade at the beach [TripAdvisor member, UK]
• Head into St Gilles Croix De Vie for an evening meal and a visit to the famous roundabaout (the kids will love it) [TripAdvisor member, Solihull]. Every evening there is a market until 6pm and the shops stay open until 7:30pm – a great atmosphere [TripAdvisor member, Somerset]

What to eat, where to find it
St Jean-de-Monts, has a market everyday in the town centre, at which you can buy the most wonderful fresh seafood, fruit and vegetables, and there’s even a butcher who smokes his own quail. Close to Le Bois Masson is a vineyard outlet where you can get award winning Muscadet at very low prices.

Les Sables d’Olonne central market hall is open seven mornings a week in summer and there’s a fish market on the quay that serves up the day’s catch from 3.30pm.

St Gilles-Croix-de-Vie is famed for its fresh sardines. The vintage ‘sardines millésimées’ are supposed to be laid down like fine wine! For children with short attention spans, there is a tiny museum called the Maison du Pêcheur, which used to be a fisherman’s cottage.

Travelling to the Vendee
Nantes and La Rochelle airports are both served by a variety of routes from the UK and Ireland, and there is a regular shuttle bus that runs from Nantes to St Jean de Monts.

Driving to the Vendee from most ferry ports is a cinch. From Cherbourg or Caen, take the toll free A84 to Rennes and then finish the journey on the N137 and E03. This is a toll free route and only takes around 4 hours, which should be considered when you are weighing up the costs of the various ferry routes.

Driving from Calais, take the A16 to Rouen and then join the A28, which takes you most of the way, as far as Le Mans. Then join the A11 before picking up the local roads. The Calais route will take around 7 hours, and you’ll pay around 45€ in toll charges.

All of the usual road regulations apply, and in France it is also compulsory to have a warning triangle and high visibility vest. If you don’t have these, you can face on the spot fines.

Climate in the Vendee
Vendee is one of the sunniest places in France and summer temperatures are regularly in the comfortable 20s, and rainfall levels very low. Early autumn can see lots of great weather too, although it’s often less certain than the summer months.

Where to stay
Le Bois Dormant is an ultra relaxing four-star holiday parc which is great for families with small children, who will love the pool and spend their nights playing football until the sun finally sets.

Just over the road is Le Bois Masson, which is a bigger and busier four-star holiday parc, with indoor and outdoor pools, its own health and wellbeing spa and a lively bar and restaurant.

It’s a World Heritage Site with many small villages and towns which have grown around the larger châteaux over the years, so there is plenty to discover and enjoy.

Attractions and Adventure
The Loire River is the longest river in France and there are many beautiful views, picnic spots and walks along its banks.

• All the best chateaux are within a 25 minute drive, and most chateaux have things that will interest kids, such as mazes, play areas, bike/boat hire [TripAdvisor member, Somerset]. Blois is 15 minutes (horse and carriage around town a must); Chenonceau (built as a bridge across the Loire) and Chambord (the largest chateau in the Loire, and one of the most recognisable in France) about 25 minutes — both absolutely stunning.
• Amboise chateau is a hidden gem. It looks old and dilapidated from outside but appearances are deceptive — the roof garden is breathtaking. The town of Amboise is a must, beautiful and traditional [TripAdvisor member, London].

Château Chaumont-sur-Loire is the closest to Dugny, and is famed for its stunning gardens, which are both recreational and interactive. The gardens are created in the shape of a tree, with each branch themed in a different way. From April to October the gardeners are on-hand to pass on their expert knowledge to visitors through a series of shows.

On a smaller scale, the Châteaux de la Loire en Miniature (20km from Domaine de Dugny) features mini-versions of the 44 most prestigious Châteaux of the Loire. Along the one mile walk there are bonsai trees, 10,000 figurines and miniature railways. Tickets cost around 12.75 euros for an adult.

• Don’t miss Kayaking down the Loire with Loire Kayaks (just outside Blois). They take you 6k down river and you kayak back in your own time (take a picnic and make a day of it – fabulous!) [TripAdvisor member, Somerset].
• Fantasy Forest (climbing/paintballing for kids) is a good bargaining tool for kids when you want to visit chateaux, but it is a bit expensive [TripAdvisor member, Somerset].
• The region is lovely for cycling, with flat roads little villages to find. [TripAdvisor member, Ireland].
• Don’t miss a trip to Beauval Zoo it was a fantastic day out well worth the money. [TripAdvisor member, Scotland]. Beauval is home to over 4,000 animals and the zoo has been described as one of the world’s 15 best! It has the largest elephant plain in France, an African Savannah with over 80 animals, one of the biggest sea-lion swimming pools in Europe and rare animals including white lions and white tigers.
• Look out for leaflets for Lulu park, which is full of bouncy castles, slides, swings, trampolines and much more [TripAdvisor member, Scotland].
• If you plan to go fishing in the pool at Domaine de Dugny, there’s a good head of small fish with some big carp and sturgeon as well. The biggest I had was a 22lb mirror carp but I did hear of a 25lb mirror coming out just before we left [TripAdvisor member, Essex].

The troglodytes at Saumur are small stone dwellings, some of which were used by prehistoric man, but many that have been carved out to use as cellars and storage rooms. On a much larger scale, there is the La Ville Souterraine, an underground city created by artists.

Food, restaurants and markets

• We found a restaurant called Hotel du Pont in the village of Molineuf, and we sat by the river and threw bread to the fish. The food was excellent and a very reasonable price. [TripAdvisor member, Ireland]

The market in Amboise is one of the biggest in the region. The Friday market has 30 to 70 traders and sells food and regional delicacies. On Sunday morning, there 150 to 200 stalls selling even more varieties of local wine, cheese, meat, fruit, vegetables, honey, fish, oysters and a whole variety of locally produced extras.

Tours is known as the city of 30 street markets. There is an excellent covered food market on Place des Halles, with additional produce on the square outside on Wednesday and Saturday mornings. There’s a gourmet market that takes place on the first Friday of every month, from 4pm to 10pm, and the Foire à l’Ail et au Basilic, a garlic & basil fair, at Sainte Anne at the end of July.

Where to stay
Domaine de Dugny is an outstanding 4-star holiday parc with a popular kids clubs and a highly praised pool complex. The parc is relaxing and tranquil for parents, and close to many of the region’s best attractions. If you need any pointers, the team know the area intimately. There’s also a small lake on parc that’s good for boating and fishing – there are some big beasts in there!

The region is a Gallic mirror of Cornwall, and even has its own Côte de Cornouaille which offers lots for young families who love the seaside, food and history.

Brittany does food very well, and the many ‘gastronomic’ specialities are worth taking the time to try.

Best beaches

There are fascinating places to explore along the coast with white-sand beaches, serene harbours, craggy coves and a strong Celtic culture.

There are quaint fishing villages and typical seaside resorts, plus frequent picnic spots and obscured inlets to discover. There are also many great viewpoints, where you can admire stunning views of craggy outcrops, blue-shuttered houses and the ever-changing Atlantic.

Carnac, which is 50km from the parc, is worth a day trip for its great beaches, including La Grande Plage, which is south-facing and sandy, and has a calm sea that is perfect for families, ideal for bathing and popular for water sports such as sailing. Le Men is a wilder beach and during low tide visitors can walk out to an island for picnics. St Colomban has warm shallow waters that are perfect for young children, and plenty of rock pools to explore at low tide. Even better, the parking at all beaches is free.

The fishing port of Trevignon has a lovely, huge beach with lots of smaller bays. It is stunning, and seldom feels packed. You can also wander along the coastal path to Raguenez, which has its own large sandy beach and rock pools. Raguenez Island can also be reached on foot at low tide. Along the coastal path there are many sandy coves to explore too.

The golden sands of Port-Manech, a pretty harbour town, are rarely crowded and there are plenty of rocks pools for children. A wide variety of water sports can be booked during the high season.

La Baule, in the far south east of Brittany, is perhaps France’s most famous beach, and is often referred to as la plus belle plage d’Europe for its incredible standards. Machines are regularly used to sieve the sand and remove rubbish during the night, leaving the white sand glistening for the following day. The beach is south facing and sheltered, and lined with luxury hotels and a swanky thalassotherapy centre.

You say:

 We did a beach trip to Trevignon, which was lovely, huge beach area with lots of smaller bays. [TripAdvisor member, UK]. The beach at Trevignon is stunning, and was almost deserted when we were there. [TripAdvisor member, Wigan]

Rospico is a small sheltered bay where the sea laps gently on the sand and rock pools beckon, the beach is unspoilt and perfect for families. It is an idyllic, safe and welcoming hideaway, ideal for spending a lazy day on the beach. [TripAdvisor member, Plymouth]

The village of Port-Manech can be reached after a drive through lush cool forest, after which you will discover a strip of beach with a sentry line of white beach huts. [TripAdvisor member, Plymouth]

Attractions and Adventure

Carnac is the site of France’s version of Stonehenge and is an ancient mystery. More than 3000 standing stones, some more than 20m high, were erected more than 6,000 years ago in lines that stretch for more than 2 miles in perfect alignment. Local myth has it that the stones are a legion of Roman soldier turned into rocks by the magician Merlin.

Oceanopolis, on the outskirts of Brest, is a high-tech sea-life centre containing Europe’s largest marine aquarium. It contains polar, tropical and temperate zones dedicated to a huge amount of sealife. The tropical zone is the most impressive and has species including sharks and large sea turtles, which you can see at close quarter from walk through tanks. The polar is the smallest zone but has some fascinating exhibits such as a recreated penguin habitat and a pack of ice seals, and impressive giant crabs. There’s also an atmospheric movie shot from of a research ship crossing a polar ice flow. Be aware: pick your visiting times wisely. It does get busy and seeing the exhibits can be a battle for smaller children. An early morning start is advised.

Odet Loisir is an adventure park just outside of Quimper. Kids will love the zip slides, treetop nets and mazes, losing themselves in a great day of entertainment.

You say:

We went to the zoo at Pont Scroff, this is sooo worth a visit. It’s hilly, but once you reach the top it gives you excellent views of the animals and allows you to feel quite close. [TripAdvisor member, Midlands]

Odet Loisir, near Quimper, is a play park with bouncy castles, rope slides, river traverses and various other climbing and mechanical rides that have been long since been banned by over zealous health and safety in the UK. [TripAdvisor member, Belfast]

Oceanopolis, in Brest, is a huge ocean discovery park with 50 aquariums in polar, temperate and tropical zones. Loved it – possibly one of the best aquariums I have been to. [TripAdvisor member, Jersey]. One word: brilliant [TripAdvisor member, UK]

Cities and towns

The medieval town of Concarneau is one of the most photographed places in Brittany and the third largest fishing port in France. The island of ‘Ville Close’ in the harbour gets most of the attention and you can also enjoy the huge markets which take place on Monday and Fridays, or the fishing museum which tells the story of the town. The narrow streets of Ville Close are packed with tourist shops, boutiques and creperies.

Quimper, on the banks of the river Odet, is Brittany’s oldest city. Head for the medieval quarter where you’ll find charming cobbled streets, pretty boulevards and a slow pace of life. The artist Gaugin fell in love with Pont Aven, which is the town closest to Domaine de Kerlann. It’s a small port packed with crêperies and art galleries, pretty stone bridges, riverside glades and the watermills. Every shop requires a viewing: there are intriguing gift boutiques, galleries displaying original artworks inspired by the area, cafes and restaurants aplenty. As you walk through the town you can catch glimpse of the good looking mansions on the surrounding hills. Walk through the town and you’ll discover the Bois d’Amour, wooded gardens which have long provided inspiration to romantics.

You say :

Pont-Aven, a haven for artists and art-lovers, packed with shops selling original paintings and sculptures in a wide range of styles. [TripAdvisor member, Plymouth]

What to eat, where to find it

Many towns have weekly farmers markets brimming with fresh goods that you can cook and enjoy in your holiday home. Bénodet market is a lively, traditional Breton market, open every Monday from 9h – 13.30h in Place du Meneyer. If you travel to the town, take a free afternoon visit to the François Garrec biscuit factory, which is also the place to discover traditionally made crepes and Breton cakes. Bénodet also has its own local brewery (a revived art in the region), which sells refreshing Breton beer and is open to visits on Fridays in the summer.

The market in Quimper takes place every Wednesday, Friday (when the stalls are displaying gorgeous organic produce) and Saturday.

You say :

Moulin de Rosmadecin Pont Aven has one Michelin star – you must go and try the “tasting” menu for 58€. TripAdvisor member, Belfast]

A Brittany stay is incomplete with sampling the incredible food, such as local delicacies of salty oysters, savoury galettes and oozing sweet crepes. Le Talisman is the best creperie in Pont Aven [TripAdvisor member, Donaghadee]

Special events

Lorient, in Brittany, hosts a massive showcase of Celtic arts every August. Over 250 events are performed to 300,000 visitors, on stage, in the street or under tents. There’s a diverse collection of artists and musicians and headline events including Pipe Band and Bagpipe Championships, instrument master-classes and dance competitions (August 2010).

The Festival de Cornouaille in Quimper has concerts, street parades and musicians bring the town to life through July. There’s a wonderful mix of music and dance, with plenty of free events (July 2010).

Travelling to Brittany

There are regular low-cost flights to Nantes and the tiny airport at Dinard, which are both served by the major car hire companies.

The proximity of Pont Aven to the ferry ports makes driving to Brittany a breeze from most locations. The trip is less than 2 hours from Roscoff, and especially easy once you pick up the main N165 toward Quimper. Caen and Cherbourg require longer drives, of around 4 hours, but again the route is relatively straightforward, with most of the journey taking place on the A84 towards Rennes, and then on the N24 toward Lorient. The final leg of the journey can be completed on the N165, taking you to Pont Aven. The 7-hour drive from Calais includes a long stretch on the A16 to toward Rouen and Le Havre, before picking up the A28, then the A29 and the A13 toward Caen, when you join the A84. The drive from Calais is the only journey that includes toll charges, which will cost around 25€. All of the usual road regulations apply, and in France it is also compulsory to have a warning triangle and high visibility vest. If you don’t have these, you can face on the spot fines.

The Climate in Brittany

During the summer months Brittany is generally a few degrees warmer and drier than the south of England, but its weather is marked by changeability. While temperatures will often move into the 20s during July and August, sunny days can be interspersed with cloud and rain, which is why the region is so green and woody.

Where to stay

Kids love Domaine de Kerlann, a four-star holiday parc on the outskirts of charming Pont Aven. The indoor and outdoor pools prove popular and there are plenty of activities to keep everyone entertained. And best of all, the nearby beaches are stunning.

Pierres Couchees is a short walk from a great beach, with gentle surf that makes it ideal for little ones. This welcoming parc is in a lovely, relaxing location, surrounded by woods of oak trees where you can even see red squirrels.

Anything to add? PLease give us your comments

Charente Maritime is the Atlantic coast region that can live up to the tag of having its own micro-climate. Thanks to a clash of weather systems from the Mediterranean and Scandinavia, it is the second sunniest region of France and normally enjoys warm (but not stiflingly hot) summers, and there isn’t much rainfall.

Charente Martime beaches
For much of the D25 coastal road from La Palmyre to Ronce-les-Bains you are faced by a forest of pines that hide the fantastic beaches beyond. But pull off at one of the many tiny tracks leading into the forest, and you’ll soon discover that trees give way to dunes, which lead onto fabulous golden beaches of the Côte Sauvage, great fun for families on their siblu holiday.

There are more than 100 beaches which can be explored during your holiday, but several are within easy reach of the seaside resort of La Palmyre. These include La Palmyre beach, La Coubre and the bay at Bonne Anse.

La Palmyre is a beautiful beach and the most exposed, so the waves are at their biggest here. If you want to join the water sports fans who favour this section, there are plenty of surf schools giving lessons and hiring equipment.

La Coubre beach, which is the most sheltered and popular with families, is also home to one of France’s most powerful lighthouses. The red and white beacon is 60m high and has a range of more than 50km. Those who have the energy can climb 300 spiralling stairs to the top, where they will be rewarded with incredible views of the coast and forest.

Bonne Anse beach is a favourite too, with clear waters and a large sweep of golden sand, plus lots of bars and restaurants nearby.

Be aware: although there is a huge amount of space on the beaches of Charente Maritime, the roads leading to them get busy in July and August. So plan your journey in advance if a parking spot close to the beach is an absolute must, an early start is often recommended. 

TripAdvisor members say:
“The beaches at La Palmyre are perfect, with long golden sands, excellent waves, and the walk from the car park is not too far. Watch out for the naturist sections!” [TripAdvisor member, Bucks]

“La Palmyre beach is lovely and safe at low tide, with waves and deeper sea at other times. It’s super clean sand and there’s plenty of space for cricket — fun for all.” [TripAdvisor member, Bristol]

“The Cote Sauvage itself is worth seeing and is great for surfing and body boarding but it can get a little rough (sauvage by name, savage by nature!).” [TripAdvisor member, Portsmouth]

St Palais sur Mer is a lovely little resort with good shopping, eating and fantastic, West Country style sandy beach with rock pools down sides. [TripAdvisor message, Essex]

Attractions and Adventure
Futuroscope, near to Poitiers, is the second most popular theme park in France. It has massive Imax cinemas that show interactive films that appear above your head, below your feet and all around to give a sense of flying, racing and rushing across incredible landscapes or through the seas. You’ll meet dinosaurs, experience space and even be scooped up by giant robot hands that spin you round to a rock-and-roll rhythm. And if all that sounds too energetic, there are many more sedate activities when you need a breather.

Be aware: driving to Futuroscope from the coast will take a couple of hours, which means you a visit turns into a long day. So if you are worried about exhausted kids, then consider leaving out the popular light show at the end of the day. For all its technical brilliance, you have to pay extra, it doesn’t start until late evening, and the kids – especially younger ones – could find it tricky to follow and won’t love it as much as the rides and 3d films.

La Palmyre zoo is one of the biggest in Europe with 1,600 animals from across the world. It has a healthy conservation programme and runs breeding programmes for endangered species, but your children will be much more interested by how close they can get to many of the animals.

The zoo is quite large and open, so allow plenty of time to explore, but it’s well laid out and you’ll have see most of the enclosures several times.

There are stalls selling snacks which you can feed to the animals, getting you really near to elephants, giraffes and zebras. Your children will also love watching the polar bears swimming through their glass-walled tank, the parrot and sealion shows, the baby monkeys, and the extrovert meercats who love to play up to an audience.

Charente Maritime is bike country and there are miles of accessible routes for all abilities. Take to two wheels through the La Coubre forest, along the Cote Sauvage, to explore the islands of Île de Re, Île d’Oléron and Île d’Aix and the marshland of Marais Poitevin. Bikes can also be a great way of navigating the cities and old towns dotted throughout the countryside. 

And as an alternative to two wheels, try the horse riding schools at La Pignade and Les Charmettes. There are rides that take you through forests and as far as the coast.

TripAdvisor members say
“The Zoo is La Palmyre is a must, one of the biggest in Europe! It’s the best I’ve ever been to, much better than any I’ve visited in the UK. Being able to feed the giraffes is awesome and the platform that puts you at their head height is a stroke of genius, my son loved it.” (Top tip] save Euros by buying tickets at your siblu parc reception). [TripAdvisor members in Essex, Kent, Portsmouth and Bucks]

“This is bike country. Just behind the beach at La Palmyre is a long stretch of pine forest which is great for exploring by bike. The area is very flat and there are paths all along the coast, so cycling is easy, and very safe” [TripAdvisor member, Sussex]

“Futuroscope is an amazing mixture of exciting rides, informative and interactive displays and first class facilities set in the most beautiful surroundings.” [TripAdvisor member, Plymouth] “Don’t expect a typical theme park though. This is about audio, video and simulator experiences and is much more educational. Not to miss: Dances with robots, Future is wild and Dynamic Vienne.” [TripAdvisor member, London]

Cities and towns
La Rochelle is a pretty coastal town that is dominated by its historic port. Le Vieux Port has two stately towers guarding the entrance from the sea and is the biggest yachting centre on France’s Atlantic coast. To get a good view over the city, climb the 15th century Tour de la Lanterne, where your children can spot antique graffiti left by prisoners from the 17th-19th century.

The town is small enough to explore on foot and well-equipped for keeping the whole family entertained. There are great shops, lots of restaurants, beaches and a huge aquarium with more than 10,000 animals and 20 types of shark. The tanks in the aquarium have transparent tunnels running through them, so you can see the sealife swimming around you.

The main streets have plenty of shopping and you can explore the side streets to find boutique shops. On Saturdays there is a vibrant market which brings an energetic buzz to the town.

Opinion is divided on the town of Cognac. Some people say it is only worth visiting for the drink, others think the town itself is very pretty and worth a look. If you are in the region, we can recommend the Hennessy Cognac Visit.

The ancient town of Saintes has an amphitheatre here that is nearly as big as the Coliseum in Rome and dates from around the 1st century. The Arch of Germanicus makes a striking entrance to the town, and looks like the little sister of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.

Your children to relive the ‘Famous Five’ adventures, by exploring the islands offshore from La Rochelle. The Ile de Ré and the Ile d’Oléron are linked to the mainland by bridge. The Ile d‘Oléron is great for surfing, and children will love scrambling around some of the ruined windmills or race down the sand dunes and there are excellent beaches at Vert Bois and Grande Plage.

The Marais-Poitevin, in the north of the region, is a reclaimed marshland criss-crossed by canals and rivers, and so is best explored by boat, which can include flat-bottomed barques, dinghies and canoes.

TripAdvisor members say:
“La Rochelle’s cultural and architectural heritage recalls the sea, and the quaysides of the Old Harbour are dramatic. La Rochelle was a wonderful town to stroll around and see the sights.”  [TripAdvisor member, Manchester]

Food and restaurants
France is famed for its ‘gastronomy’, and Charente Maritime is famous for its Marenne-Oléron oysters.

The fantastic Central Market of Royan is open every morning for traders with a huge diversity of seasonal products. The fish market is hugely impressive, selling all sorts of catches, although crawfish is one of the stars, along with the Marenne Oyster.

Also keep an eye out for products from the land, including the mouth-watering Charente melon, Blayais asparaguses, which are white or violet and at their best between March and mid May, or even kiwi fruit — France is the second largest European producer!

La Rochelle market is another great all rounder, with avenues of fruit, veg, meats and fish. When you’ve tired of searching the stalls there are fantastic bars and restaurants on the edge — try the grey shrimps which are called “boucs” — especially tasty when they are cooked in a buttered frying pan and flambéed with cognac.

TripAdvisor members say
“La Palymre has lots of good restaurants especially down by the marina [TripAdvisor member, Southampton]. Le Golfy, right on the marina, has lovely food and friendly staff” [TripAdvisor member, Munster]

Special events
Violon sur les Sables is an extraordinary free-to-watch classical music concert that takes place over three nights at the end of July, on the beach at Royan, and features many world renowned musicians and orchestras. For the best spot on the sand set off early, take your picnic and spend the day relaxing in the sun, preparing for the evening’s stunning sound and light extravaganza.

The Cavalcade which takes place in the coastal town of La Rochelle brings two days of fanfare, parades and music to the streets every summer. The flamboyant celebration reels in the crowds with brass bands, family entertainment and a party vibe. A highlight is the night parade, where floats twinkle with hundreds of tiny fairy lights and Miss Rochelle makes an appearance. June 2010.

For a fantastic street festival mark a place in your diary for Coupe de Chauffre in Cognac. Street entertainers take over the town’s cobbled streets during the two-day event and swarms of stilt walkers, jugglers, clowns, musicians, dancers, acrobats and puppeteers, dazzle the crowds and guarantee laughs. September 2010.

Travelling to Charente Maritime
There are regular low-cost flights to the small airport at La Rochelle, which is served by the major car hire companies.

Driving to Charente Maritime from any of the north coasts ports is easy, but don’t underestimate the distance and the time it takes. Most of the trips take place on autoroutes or dual carriageways, but don’t be tempted to speed to make up time as there are police and speed cameras to catch you.

Driving from Calais, take the A16 to Rouen and the A84 down to Nantes, or the N138 to Le Mans and onto Tours before taking the A10 to Poitiers and Saintes. Remember that many of France’s main roads charge a toll (peage) which you can pay by card or cash at the booths. From Calais to Charente Maritime will cost about 45€ with a travel time approaching 8 hours.

From Cherbourg or Caen, take the A84 to Rennes and then the A83/E03 to La Rochelle. As you’re avoiding many of the main routes, tolls will be under 10€ and the journey time is around 6 hours.

All of the usual road regulations apply, and in France it is also compulsory to have a warning triangle and high visibility vest. If you don’t have these, you can face on the spot fines.

Where to stay
Les Charmettes has a giant swimming pool complex with slides and waterfalls that the kids will love. The entertainment at night is fantastic and a favourite for all.

La Pignade is a compact parc that packs lots in, including a horse riding school, a masseuse and nature trails. The heated pool has a retractable roof, which makes it popular at all times.

Bonne Anse Plage is a hub of activity, with a great pool and slides, a climbing wall, and cycle paths that snake off to the local beaches.

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Futuroscope is the second most visited theme parc in France (after Euro Disney) and yet, it seems to me, most British families know nothing about it.

The parc is unlike anything I’m aware of in the UK; essentially it uses Imax cinema technology to show films that put you at the heart of incredible events and bring to life amazing experiences.

There are more than 30 attractions to explore, with several that are brand new for 2010.

Hurricane on the Bayou – New for 2010
Hurricane on the Bayou is a thrilling story and a musical celebration of New Orleans that teaches about the importance of preserving wetlands and ecosystems.

The gigantic images on the 9,700-ft² dome screen take viewers deep into the Louisiana heartland. When the Mississippi was diverted, New Orleans was able to spread out into new zones, but doing so has resulted in massive coastal erosion. The damage to its bayous and wetlands, once natural hurricane defences, has been such that New Orleans finds itself at increasing risk from cyclones, as witnessed by the devastating effect of Hurricane Katrina.

Brush with Genius – New for 2010
This is a moving journey to the sources of the Van Gogh’s inspiration for his work. Images on the 6,500ft² screen give viewers a new perspective on his art, and makes the film an original sensory experience.

Arthur, the 4D Adventure
Arthur, the 4D Adventure from Luc Besson (director of The Fifth Element, Leon, and The Big Blue) takes the audience into the make-believe world of the Minimoys. The full array of image technologies (3D modelling, large-format IMAX 3D images, motion simulator and physical effects in the theatre) and the creative flair seen in the Minimoys world thrust visitors on a roller coaster ride of excitement and thrills.

The Future is Wild – New version 2009
Darwin’s theory of evolution throws light on how species evolved in the past, and is the inspiration for Futuroscope’s imaginative look into the future. Our visitors climb aboard expedition vehicles for an interactive augmented-reality adventure, where, kitted out with camera-binoculars and sensor bracelets, they will meet and interact with animals that could be roaming the planet millions of years from now.

Cosmic Collisions – New for 2009
This spectacular, immersive and instructive show from the American Museum of Natural History, narrated by Robert Redford, takes visitors on a breathtaking journey through time and space to witness the cosmic smashes that shape the universe. The scientific images shown on the dome screen were taken by NASA satellites and modelled to simulate cosmic phenomena in 3D.

Fly Me to the Moon, new in 2009
Be a fly on the wall inside the first moon shuttle in Fly Me to the Moon and live an incredible adventure with three stowaways.

Stay at Les Charmettes, La Pignade and Bonne Anse Plage for best access to Futuroscope.