The kids will be thrilled to experience the prestigious historic site Chambord, Orléans - the city liberated by Joan of Arc - and Chartres with its world-famous cathedral. Be sure to hire the movie which tells her infamous story before you visit! Wild and as untamed as Miss Joan herself is the renowned river of the region; with many châteaux dotted along the river await discovery offering you and your family lots of surprises. So come and share in the adventure of this exceptional river. So come visit as Loire is full of historic interest, charming weather, and fascinating towns. The kids will love swimming in the clear river, visiting the Futuroscope theme park, and experiencing the French way of life.
Family Days Out in the Loire
Futuroscope is the theme park of the moving image, an exciting unique attraction that kids of all ages will enjoy!
Hire a car, pack a picnic lunch, hiking boots and the kids for the wilderness of the Pilat National Park which is near St-Etienne and combines forests of beech and fir trees with the orchards and vineyards of the picturesque Rhone Valley. To the north around Roanne are lakes and canals- perfect for water based activities of many varieties. Forez to the east offers magnificent forests and highlands with streams and waterfalls beckoning your discovery. Then it’s off to the Loire gorges in the south for a leisurely boat trip and more water sports.
Park Saint Pierre du Boeuf Park - another family fun filled day with a huge expanse of water and playground ideal for windsurfers, divers and other water sports enthusiasts.
Family cycling - The area is perfect for all levels of cycling experience with easy and quiet roads with little or few hills.
Musee d'Art Moderne - is simply perfect for art enthusiasts, offering a wealth of modern art with works by Andy Warhol, Rodin, Matisse, Leger & Ernst. Kids can bring along a coloring book and create their own masterpieces just like the famous artists of the area.
Don’t forget the longest canal-bridge in the world at Briare; built at the end of the 19th century it connects the Henri IV Canal to the Loire Lateral Canal, thus linking the Seine and the Saône.
Other attractions in the vicinity include: Planetarium de Saint-Etienne, Musee des transports urbains - a retrospective of the history of urban transport, Musee de la Mine to discover the universe of a miner on the site of the former Couriot mines and the Musee d'Art et d'Industrie for a look at the area’s industrial heritage. There’s plenty here to keep everyone busy and the kids will enjoy all of the olden day machinery
Swimming in the Loire – The Loire is the longest river in France, rising in the Massif Centrale and flowing over 1000km to the Atlantic Ocean.Her waters are clean and cooling, and you'll find several places to enjoy her vitality. Or try a traditional flat-bottomed boat about ten metres in length. Get away from it all, as you float leisurely along at the river's own pace.
Where to stay in Loire and Loire Valley
Terminus du Forez - If you are looking for a hotel with character and charm then look no further. The hotel is decorated with different styles, from Asian rooms to art deco style, from old Egyptian to European 18th century atmosphere. The hotel welcomes you to stay in one of its 66 rooms, and enjoy the beauties of the city of Saint Etienne
Tenor - Conveniently located in the heart of Saint Etienne means that you are within a short walk of the town's museums, art galleries and other cultural locations and the accommodation is comfortable and clean offering a perfect get away for the entire family.
Montbrison - This great accommodation is a renovated farm on a big forestry property in a completely peaceful countryside area within 1 hours drive from the volcanoes of the Auvergne. Perhaps this is more your family’s style!
Eating in the region
Although much of the national cuisine of the region is too rich for most children, the restaurants here are very child friendly and most happy to cater for their more delicate palettes!
When to travel
Best time to go? As there is so much water based activities to experience in the region it is best to go in the summer months between late June and September- but if you don’t mind the cooler weather, then anytime is perfect!
