Camping Les Rives du Lac

Feeling crafty? This is an area known for its pretty products, and you can check them out on a trip to a stained glass workshop in Lesmont (15 minutes’ drive) or have a go yourself at one of the pottery classes in Amance (20 minutes). If you’re into your art, it’s worth heading to Essoyes (35 minutes) to see Renoir’s birthplace and learn a bit about the famed painter. If that’s not your thing, head up to the natural park’s office (five minutes) to take a ride on the little tourist train to Mesnil-Saint-Père, or pay a visit to the Forêt d'Orient golf club (10 minutes) for a round or a spa treatment (or both… you’re on hols, after all). Troyes (25 minutes) makes a good visit too – wander among the half-timbered houses and see if you can tick off all 10 churches. For those with tiddlers in tow, there are rides and shows galore to explore at Nigloland theme park (half an hour); for those seeking a day out with an altogether more grownup vibe, it’s worth remembering that this is the Champagne area, and therefore there are many options within a 45-minute drive for tours and tipples.