A family weekend in May around the châteaux of the Loire
What if you took advantage of these long weekends to discover or rediscover the Châteaux of the Loire as a family?
The Châteaux of the Loire stretch between Anjou and Touraine, just two hours from Paris: perfect for a long weekend with the family! May is the ideal month to visit the best-known châteaux in peace and quiet, before the summer tourist rush. I'd advise you to take your little ones with you at this time of year, to protect them from the crowds. As well as the best-known châteaux, such as Chambord, Azay-le-Rideau and Cheverny, the region is full of lesser-known but equally admirable châteaux, beautifully situated in the hollow of a wood or on the banks of the Loire.
Familytrip advises you to visit the grandiose Château de Chambord, created by François 1st: a must-see! Your children will be fascinated by its many towers and its magical double-helix staircase. The château offers a range of fun activities to help your little builders discover all its mysteries, including storytelling and heritage shows, and enigma books for parents to solve together. I recommend that you hire bicycles for a pleasant ride in the surrounding woods.
Familytrip invites you not to miss the château of Azay-le-Rideau, in the heart of Touraine: situated on a small island in the middle of the Indre river, its romantic architecture will win you over! The magnificent English-style gardens are perfect for a family outing. I recommend a visit with a guide, as your children will be able to relive the castle's past through a host of anecdotes!
Familytrip's favourite is Château de Chenonceaux, a real fairytale castle that's always a big hit with youngsters! The castle's gardens hide some great surprises that will delight your children: a donkey park, a flower garden or a green maze where they can play at getting lost before finding you again!
Familytrip accompanies you on the route of the Loire castles by offering 28 accommodations specially adapted for your family weekend.
A May family weekend in the Baie de Somme
Did you know that the Baie de Somme is ideal for a totally natural family getaway just a stone's throw from Paris?
If you want to avoid long, congested journeys for your children, I'd recommend heading north for a short trip to this wonderful estuary, where you'll discover breathtaking scenery and totally unspoilt flora and fauna. It's hard to believe that such a paradise exists just a 2-hour drive from Paris! And yet this little green enclave is so easy to get to, by car, train or plane.
Familytrip suggests taking the whole family to the Parc du Marquenterre Nature Reserve, located right in the heart of the bay. There are discovery trails, accessible with pushchairs, specially designed for your curious little ones, as well as some great exhibitions, designed for your older children (aged 8 and over)! In this beautiful nature reserve, you'll discover magnificent migratory birds and wide-open spaces untouched by pollution. What's more, the Baie de Somme is home to a totally unexpected animal that will delight young and old alike: seals! If your children have a green thumb, Familytrip recommends a family expedition to the Valloire gardens, also located in the heart of the Bay of the Somme: an opportunity for the whole family to discover 5 extraordinary gardens! Your little gardeners will take part in a range of fun workshops focusing on the 5 senses, the herbarium and the little insects that are so useful in our gardens.
Familytrip's favourite is two original modes of transport: the boat that crosses the Bay of the Somme and the steam train that links Saint Valéry sur Somme and Le Crotoy. A ride on either is sure to delight your children!
Familytrip welcomes you to the Baie de Somme in 100% natural family accommodation!
A May family weekend in Normandy
How would you like to spend a weekend of peace and relaxation with your family?
Perfect for long hours of rest with your family, Normandy offers a host of charming and peaceful landscapes. Less than an hour from Paris, you can discover the landscapes of Giverny, immortalised by the Impressionist painters. You can follow in their footsteps, from Giverny to Rouen, via Dieppe or Le Havre: a real voyage of discovery through landscapes that invite contemplation, and an artistic movement that is easily accessible to your pre-teens and teenagers!
For a trip imbued with serenity, Familytrip also recommends the Norman abbeys route. Normandy is dotted with small churches and abbeys, the most famous of which, the Abbey of Mont Saint Michel, will make a lasting impression on your children! Here you can enjoy family visits, adapted to a young audience: riddles, objects to find, models to build, for a fun approach to the monument!
Familytrip recommends a family holiday near the Bayeux Tapestry Museum. This wonderful tapestry retraces the conquests of William the Conqueror, like a real medieval comic strip! A colouring-in area makes the tapestry accessible to the youngest visitors. Admission is free for children under 10.
A little over two hours from Paris, Normandy welcomes you to the D-Day landing sites: places steeped in history. Familytrip recommends a visit to the Caen Memorial: a truly memorable experience, providing a better understanding of the Second World War, suitable for children aged 10 and over. And don't forget: there's a nursery for children under 10 at the entrance to the museum.
Familytrip's favourite destination is the charming seaside resort of Houlgate, on the Côte Fleurie: everything you need for a peaceful family holiday! Houlgate offers magnificent architecture, superb beaches, great peace and quiet, and plenty of family activities: workshops specially set up for children during school holiday periods, golf, cinema or Casino.
Familytrip suggests a selection of peaceful accommodation for a family break in the heart of Normandy!