Le Pré de l'Air

This part of France does theme parks particularly well – the history-themed rides, live shows and generally fabulous fairground folly of Le Puy du Fou (15 minutes' drive) is an absolute must-see. The plant-themed Terra Botanica (an hour and 10 minutes) is also on the radar if you venture up north towards Angers – this educational outfit is home to more than a quarter of a million plants, so even the most green-fingered of visitors are bound to come away knowing something new… It's easy to put all that theory into practice and get out plant-hunting afterwards. Head to Les Epesses (15 minutes) for a way-marked loop around the loveliest bits of the Sèvre Nantaise river. There is also a riding stables within 10 minutes' drive of base where you can saddle up for cross-country canters. Up for some low-key times after all that action? Spending an hour or so at Les Moulins du Terrier Marteau (15 minutes) watching the slowly-turning sails and learning about making flour the traditional way is pretty sure to be grist to your mill. There's also a laidback municipal pool just down the road in central Pouzauges.