Camping Le Pô Doré

Cross the Loire to get to the excellent old town of Saumur and the 10th-century Château de Saumur, the national tank museum/Musée des Blindés, and spectacular riding shows at Cadre Noir, the École Nationale d'Équitation/National School of Horsemanship. Vineyards including Chinon and Coteaux du Layon surround the town for tastings and tours (and souvenirs). If you're off on the trail of the vino of Chinon, take some time too for a mooch around its Château de Chinon, an 11th-century royal fortress on the banks of the Vienne. The clock tower at the château entrance is home to the Joan of Arc museum, with exhibits on the lady herself as well as on the Hundred Years War. Angers is 35 minutes' drive away and Tours 55. Or take pity on your offspring after several townie days by arranging an adventure to the Terra Botanica amusement park just outside Angers, the first plant-themed park in the world.