Camping la Mignardière

If you’re looking for fuss-free entertainment for the tinies, pop into reception to pick up details of the reduced entry fee for the amusement park over the road – hours of fun await over here, with pony rides, trampolines, miniature golf, a summer toboggan run some of the fun features that await. A little further away is the Lac des Bretonnières park, where a watersports centre runs windsurfing and sailing lessons, and there are walking trails and fishing spots around the lake edge. A 10-minute trot takes you to a riding centre for pony and horse riding lessons and countryside jaunts, or you could paddle off on a canoe trip on the Loire or the Cher river from a rental centre 15 minutes away. Other sporting endeavours nearby include the golf course 10 minutes away, the indoor karting track five minutes away and the bike routes that run along the banks of the Loire. You can't possibly leave this area without visiting at least one/some of the famed châteaux that are strewn around the Loire Valley. Take a deep breath and consider the formal gardens of Villandry, the turrets of Azay-le-Rideau, the medieval family tours at Langeais, the crumbling pile that is Chinon or the mind-bending Chenonceau, which actually straddles the river. All are very much worth your time, and you’ll not have to expend too much effort to get there as they’re all within a 45-minute drive. For city wanderings, start in Tours to visit the cathedral, botanic gardens and fine arts museum and poke around for foodie pickings in the covered markets. A little further along the Loire are the medieval centres of Amboise and Blois (with yet more châteaux) and Saumur, a particular fave for fans of sparkling wine.