Villatent at Le Coin Tranquille

There's no lack of lakeside spots for your leisure time in the nearby area, with the nearest being the lovely Lac de Paladru (15 minutes' drive), a scenic backdrop for relaxing sunbathing on Plage de Montferrat beach or for taking to the water at Base Nautique Foxagliss, where a range of self-powered craft are available for hire. A similar range of facilities is on hand at Lac d'Aiguebelette (25 minutes), reportedly one of the area’s warmer natural lakes. Both these spots are dwarfed by Lac du Bourget (30 minutes), one of the biggest in all of France. For history and heritage, stick local and get to grips with the architecture of Château de Virieu (20 minutes) or drive an hour westwards to Lyon, where treasures like the Musée des Beaux-Arts, cathedral and Place des Terreaux can be combined with indulgent meals in the city that almost all agree is France's foodie capital. If the kids are a bit lukewarm about wild swimming in lakes or city sightseeing, perhaps Walibi Rhône-Alpes theme park (20 minutes) will be a better fit with its waterpark, coasters and miniature railway ride.