Camping Le Petit Trianon

The icing on the royal cake here for the kids will doubtless be the fab theme park of Futuroscope, reachable in half an hour's drive. Further afield (but probably classed as easily reachable too by over-excited kids) is the famed ZooParc de Beauval, an hour and 15 minutes away at Saint-Aignan. After days at those two, it's time to introduce little learners to French history and culture. Your many options for doing so include the cardinal city of Richelieu, 35 minutes away; the 15th-century Château d'Azay-le-Ferron (45 minutes) and the spectacular royal fortress of the Château de Chinon just under an hour's drive from the site. The Château des Ormes is 15 minutes away. All tastes should definitely have a day among the feathered species at the medieval town of Chauvigny 45 minutes' away, where birds of prey displays are held during summer in Les Géants du Ciel: if you're around in the sunny months, this is a must-see.