Family Holidays: Loire Valley family holidays and breaks

Take the Family holiday rating 4 stars out of 5

Why

The Loire is one of the best parts of France to explore for the British family. It's relatively easy to get to, there's a great deal of historic interest, lovely weather, and interesting towns. The kids will love swimming in the clear river, visiting the Futuroscope theme park, and generally get into the French way of life.

If you have an ‘active’ family then do, also, check out our guide to family cycling holidays.

Top left: Chenonceaux
Top right: Loire Chateau

Bottom left: Aerial view
Bottom right: Lunch in the Loire Valley

When

It isn't really warm enough for a summer holiday until late June, and you wouldn't want to be there much after early September either. During those middle three months, the weather is lovely though. You get temperatures in the mid 20s, so it's warm enough to lounge in swimming pools, but not too hot that you can't explore the region without taking your own personal air conditioning unit.

How

take the car

There are several ways of getting to the Loire. The cheapest is to use the Dover to Calais ferry and then drive the six hours from there. If you take a ferry from Portsmouth to Caen, the driving time is more like two hours. We offer competitive ferry crossing fares on all routes through our partners.

take the plane

Alternatively, take a flight from London to Tours or Nantes, and drive from there. If you live further north, it's only a four hour drive from Paris, so don't rule out that option.

take the train

Finally, it's worth remembering that French trains are much more efficient than our own.

Stay

There are many villas and cottages available in the Loire Valley and they may well prove the most suitable options for your family. Other alternatives range from a stay under canvas to posh chateau hotel properties. If you are taking a self guided family cycling tour then accommodation is provided nightly, en route, mostly in two and three star hotels, providing daily breakfast and most evening meals.

Do

Futuroscope is the theme park of the moving image, with attractions that differ from those that you'd find in a US theme park.

Chateaux will interest the older children. Lots of ridiculously extravagant buildings that will impress everybody.

Swimming in the Loire – the river is clean and cooling, and you'll find several places where you can just relax and bathe in the river.

Angers – arguably the most interesting town in the area. It has a well preserved old town, with a spectacular gothic cathedral.

Eat

The Loire is well known as a gastronomic region. The food may be a little rich for some children, but you'll find the French very child friendly, and restaurants are happy to cater for fussier eaters.

Cost

The cost very much depends on the size of the villa or cottage and the season in which you travel. A two bedroom villa will be around £800 for the family in low season, but don't expect change from £6,000 for a week in a chateau. Cottages may prove a little less expensive.