Chateau de Chaumont - Garden Festival
From late April to early October an innovative festival is held to celebrate nature and art. This combination is exhilarating. This festival is clearly becoming an international event. You start by descending into a mini-rain forest complete with the mist and ambiance which kids love; then you wonder from one themed garden to another, there are approximately 25 areas created by a different 'artist' Workshops enable kids to create their own mobiles or decorate pots and learn a little more about creating a garden. You can get by with basic french and great sign-language. But don't miss this great day out. There are restaurants and cafes or you can prepare a picnic.
2009 theme to be posted.
www.chaumont-jardin.com
Chateau Amboise & Clos Lucé
The grandeur of this imposing castle is visible miles on approach; the gardens and views of the Loire River and the Amboise village are magnificent A short walk away is 'Clos Lucé,' which a better attraction for kids as they can roam free and interact with the inventions of the great Leonardo Da Vinci displayed in the vast garden.
www.chateau-amboise.com
www.closdeluce.com
A la Cour du Roy François
This is a great show, albeit a little long. The story begins with young King Charles VIII who died after hitting his head in the lintel of a door in the castle, on route to see a game of ‘raquette’. The show then proceeds to recount the many years of Kings and Queens, good and bad times. I saw the show in French which can be a drag. Its not a show for little ones due to the late hour its finishes (around 11.30pm). More for over 8s. There’s plenty of music, dancing and history of course.
Show commences at 10pm in August
10.30pm June and July (there’s plenty of fireworks). See their website for program details. Tickets are €17 for grandstand and €11 picnic area
www.renaissance-amboise.com
Chateau Amboise, Amboise t: 02 47 57 14 47
Like to skate? ‘Patiner à Tours’
The local ice skating rink is always fun, particularly their themed ‘soirees’ which attract the teenage crowd. The best session time for young children is Sunday from 9.30am to midday or Sunday 3.30pm to 6pm.
Special Events:
Ice Party – 18 April
'Soirée Danses du Monde' – 28 September
'La Nuit D’Halloween' – 26 October
'Tempête de Neige' – 30 November & 28 March (skate under snowflakes)
'Noël Des Petit' – 23 December – 10 am (Santa, free hot chocolate, games on the ice)
All the above commence at 8.30pm till 11pm
27 rue de L’Elysée, Tours, off rue Grammont t: 02 47 70 86 30
Musée du Compagnonnage
Wonderful woodwork, steel sculptures and other artistic creations by guild members. These displays recount trades from the past, displaying tools and utensils from the baker to the butcher, stone cutters, blacksmiths and other professions. Quite a unique little museum.
www.musee-du-compagnonnage.inf
8 rue Nationale, Tours
Château du Mace
A wonderfully mythical chateau for kids with lots of activities (in French) but don’t let that deter you; there’s an opportunity to dress up as chevaliers and learn a few French words.
www.chateauplessismace.fr
Le Plessis-Mac, Angers
The Donjon at Loches
Quiet a journey into 11th century dungeons. The walls are some 36 metres high, no escaping here. It was later transformed into a prison and you can visit the many levels and also see the private prison of Ludovic Sforza, once duke of Milan. It might be a little 'eerie' for little ones, but boys over 6 will enjoy this adventure.
Each year (13-17 August 2008) Loches plays hosts to a week long of medieval activities. Lots of games, dancing and activities for children as well as a medieval market that been goings for hundreds of years. July and August also feature night spectacles at the chateau.
www.chateau-loches.fr
Loches
Big fish, little castles
Close to the village of Amboise is “Les Mini-Château Val de Loire”, great fun in the summer months with costumed actors roaming the grounds. Combine this attraction with a visit to ‘L’Aquarium du Val de Loire à Lussault-sur-Loire’ for a full day of fun and education. You can buy a pass for both attractions which is probably more economical than just seeing the one attraction.
www.mini-chateaux.com