I’ve been travelling to the Loire Valley at least once a year (often times 2-3 times) for over 14 years now and in the last 2 years with a kid in tow, (we lost 2 years with Covid) I’ve been exploring all the exciting activities there are for children.
Getting there: Paris CDG to Loire Valley
A 2 hour TGV ride directly from Paris CDG airport, you’d have to get a car/taxi into the city of Tours. My in-laws live in a village in the suburbs which is another 20mins by car from the train station. Otherwise, pick up a car rental directly from Paris CDG and drive about 3 hours to get to the Loire Valley.
We have a loyalty programme with Sixt (not sponsored although I wish they would give us an upgrade in vehicle everytime we book!) and really happy so far, they also rent booster seats that in pretty clean and good condition.
Visiting the Loire Valley with kids is a great idea because it’s a region that has plenty of activities for everyone.
The Loire Valley in France is rich in history and natural beauty, and is home to France’s largest number of castles, many in the UNESCO list and inspired fairy tales. The region used to be the playground for royalty where they’d come out to relax and go hunting and in the city Amboise, there’s a mini-chateau park; miniatures built to scale of the original castles (my son for scale), including Le Chateau d’Ussé that is castle of the fairy tale princess Sleeping Beauty.
The Loire Valley is filled with nature, medieval stories and sets in the backdrop of centuries old castles, and offers a variety of activities that are perfect for kids. Summer is a perfect time to discover the area as there are plenty of shows, night theatre and tours for the kids who are into knights, dragons and castles.
Here are some family-friendly activities you can enjoy in the Loire Valley:
- Château Visits:
- Explore the stunning castles (châteaux) such as Château de Chambord, Chateau Villandry known for its beautiful gardens, and Château de Chenonceau spanning the river Cher in the Loire Valley. Many of these castles have gardens and grounds where children can run around.
- Bike Rides:
- The Loire Valley has excellent bike paths, especially along the Loire River. Renting bikes as a family can be a fun way to explore the scenic countryside. We haven’t yet done this with our 4 year old, but it’s on the list when he’s older and can ride a bike!
- Puy du Fou:
- This historical theme park offers spectacular shows and attractions, including medieval knights, Vikings, and more. Summer time always has plenty of activities and even night shows with the late sunset (1030pm onwards). We haven’t yet done this either as we haven’t been brave enough to extend bed time so late.
- ZooParc de Beauval:
- One of the best zoos in France and top 5 in Europe, it features a large variety of animals and is open all year round. There are themed accommodations next to the zoo, if you’re making the trek just for the zoo.
- Sailing and Canoeing:
- Enjoy a day on the water by renting a small boat on the Loire River. It’s a great way to appreciate the beautiful landscapes and a wonderful activity in the summer. If you have older kids who are good swimmings, canoeing is a great option.
- Adventure Parks and the Lake:
- Close by the village of my in-laws 20 minutes from Tours Centre, there is a lake and forest that offers tree climbing, zip lines, and other outdoor activities. There are many of these in the Loire Valley.
- Farm Visits:
- Many farms in the Loire Valley welcome families for tours and activities like cheese-making or fruit picking. The region is famous for their goat cheese, St Maure de Tourraine and we visited a goat cheese farm near my in-laws La Bernassiere.
- Caves and Castles Tour:
- Explore the troglodyte caves and historic sites in the area. Wine maker Fred Bourillon’s caves are worth a visit (by appointment) There’s plenty of art works in the cave and you can do wine tastings on site while the children run amok safely. A glass for your sanity is the way to cope with long summers.
- Historical Reenactments:
- The French celebrate their history and culture and what better way for the kids to learn about the country and region than through theatre and shows. The programmes are often in French, but check the tourism office in Tours Centre for the line up of summer events in the Loire Valley area. If you have a car, consider driving to the next towns for activities.
- Futurscope 20 minutes from Poitiers:
- This theme park is science, adventures and a water park all rolled into one. Kids under 5 enter for free.
- The Natural History Museum in Tours city centre is worth a visit, but perhaps more fun for older kids (5 and above). It’s filled with taxidermy animals and exhibitions are on a much smaller scale than the London History Museum. The Loire Valley was a hunting ground for kings, so expect to see plenty of wild animals, birds and reptiles in the collection.
- Maison de la Magie (House of Magic) in Blois was my son’s first brush with going to the theatre – a 30 minutes magic show and he absolutely loved it (also lunch in the cafe across the Magic house, at intervals you’ll see mechanical dragon heads coming out the windows.) Some parts of the visit is dark and scary for young kids, so just a heads up. If you decide to visit Blois, we highly recommend the Relais & Chateau Fleur de Loire. From here you can also see hot air balloons taking off into the sky, a beautiful sundowners view to enjoy.
One of our favourite park is Château Miniature
This park features 45 miniature versions of famous landmarks and châteaux from the Loire Valley, showcasing the rich architectural diversity. There are play areas to drive cars as well as a sand pit. There’s plenty of parking outside the park.
