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
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
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