Camping Les Côtes de Saintonge

Get a feel for this part of France by starting hols in Royan and La Palmyre, both within 15 minutes’ drive of base. La Palmyre is perhaps more obviously kid-friendly, as it’s home to Youpi-land amusement park and a zoo, but Royan has plenty to entertain the family too with the Planet Exotica botanical garden and zoo, boat tours, a casino, a market and a handful of museums on hand. If horseback explores are more appealing, canter along to one of the nearby riding schools to sign up for riding lessons, excursions and other activities – there’s even one less than five minutes away where laser tag gets a new look (hint: it’s a horsey one). Anyone who’s been drawn to this may also like to make an evening of it at Zagal Cabaret, an equestrian art and performance show 10 minutes from the site. Trip to France not complete without a tour of a château (or châteaux)? Start with Château Fort de Saint Jean d’Angle, half an hour away, where dressing up and playing along is all part of the experience, then wander further afield for tours of the 11th-century Château de Crazannes and the treasure hunt and escape rooms at Château des Énigmes (torn down and transported brick by brick from eight kilometres away), both 50 minutes from base.