Aux Portes des Monts d’Aubrac

This is a prime spot for those who enjoy a bit – or an awful lot – of outdoor activity. Aux Portes partners with a company that organises all the outdoorsy-type stuff you could hope to do, and it provides guidance for all levels of experience and ability under the supervision of qualified instructors. The area is networked by more than 700 kilometres of waymarked hiking trails, so best pack some sturdy footwear, and if you're a snowsports aficionado then you'll be chuffed to learn that the area has 200 kilometres of cross-country skiing and snowshoeing trails. Clamber around the area's rock formations with climbing, potholing and canyoning excursions, or tour the Lot valley in a canoe or a kayak; test your resolve in the trees with a high ropes course, tour the land on a road bike, or tackle rockier terrain on a mountain bike. Just talk to the friendly team about what you're thinking of and they'll happily help you out. For a little rest from such active antics, the area has more than 7,000 kilometres' worth of rivers and 38 lakes to fish in and the medieval Château de Calmont d'Olt is less than 10 minutes' drive away for tours, family-friendly challenges, archery demos and an excellent range of activities where your budding knights can check out the costumes and have a go at some of the relevant skills (slingshots and the like).