Le Petit Camping de La Chagnée

It’s absolutely worth planning day trips to Puy du Fou theme park, to watch historical re-enactments with a cast of thousands, and round off the visit with a truly spectacular nightly firework display. Another family favourite is Futuroscope, packed with simulator rides and 4D adventures. Both are an hour's drive away. For time in nature you can potter down tree-shaded waterways in the marshy Marais Poitevin Regional Natural Park (an hour) in traditional flat-bottomed boats, or rent bikes to explore on waymarked trails. You might get lucky and spot cattle or horses grazing, and you’re sure to see lots of wading birds. More sedate pursuits might include a visit to Roman remains at Site gallo-romain de Sanxay (35 minutes), or a walk around the fortified walls in medieval Parthenay (15 minutes), with views of the Thouet river and old churches. This pretty town has a clutch of history museums in half-timbered buildings – and when you’ve had enough of culture, thankfully it’s got a lot of restaurants too.