Domaine de l'Étang

Château de Brissac first, most likely: this 11th-century château was once the tallest in all France, and is the tallest in the Loire Valley even in these modern times (seven storeys high, should you be wondering). It's still owned by the Cossé-Brissac family, who open it for public tours and the annual Val de Loire festival in its smashingly swish gilt theatre (yes, they have their own theatre…). Fans of enviable old piles should also take the 50-minute trip east to Fontevraud Abbey, the 11th-century monastery where Henry 2, Eleanor of Aquitaine and Richard the Lionheart were buried (as the kids will no doubt be able to tell you, but surely they'll love you to test their knowledge when there). The abbey's now a UNESCO World Heritage Site; check out the Centre Culturel de l'Ouest at the entrance too. Other spectacular old destinations nearby include Angers, 25 minutes' drive away, and Saumur within 35. And if les enfants are now revolting at all these cultural days? Entice them along to the theme park of Puy du Fou (55 minutes' drive): it may be history-themed, but even the most reluctant small sort will have an absolute hoot.