Villatent at Camping Le Petit Trianon

Family-friendly days out aren't hard to come by in this region, but there's one destination that's known for being unmissable. Futuroscope (30 minutes' drive), a 60-hectare theme park, is undoubtedly one of the must-sees of this part of France, with a whole array of futuristic multimedia rides and attractions to explore. And if staying here makes it easy to fast-forward through time in high-tech settings, it also opens up possibilities of stepping into the past at some of the many castles in the area. Almost all architectural tastes are catered for here, whether you're after rugged hilltop ruins like those at Château d'Angles-sur-l'Anglin or luxurious Loire abodes like Château d'Azay-le-Rideau (55 minutes). If you want to blow off steam, Ingrandes (five minutes) has a large public sports ground, as well as potential for joining scenic footpaths along the Vienne river. For pedalling, there's Chauvigny Rail Bike (40 minutes), where visitors can head out on self-powered explores along an old railway line. Finally, to work out your taste buds, head to Châtellerault (15 minutes) and its regular weekly market and try Poitou-Charentes specialities.