Loire Valley Family  Holidays

Loire Castles, Fortresses and Country Mansions

Let’s face it, we all love a castle and whatever your taste in chateaux, the Loire Valley delivers in abundance. The whole family will enjoy the Renaissance splendour of Chambord and Chenonceau; you can get feisty at the medieval fortresses of Chinon and Angers; and, most Royal of them all, the Royal Chateau of Blois, home to seven kings of France. Many offer audio guides, activity sheets and themed trails for children, especially in Anjou and the Touraine – the areas around Tours and Angers – where a wide range of tourist attractions have signed up to a special initiative to welcome families.

Let off Steam in a Desirable Plot

And where the rich and famous of the Middle Ages and Renaissance built their sumptuous homes, so they laid out parks for hunting and gardens to stroll in. Today the green spaces of the Loire welcome families with play equipment, picnic areas and some subtle education into the bargain. Villandry, for instance, is internationally renowned for its stunning formal gardens where younger visitors have their own information panels and activities. Explore the ideas behind Leonardo da Vinci’s extraordinary inventions in the park surrounding the Château du Clos Lucé near Amboise in the Loire, and have fun amongst the innovative show gardens of the annual International Garden Festival, held every year from late April to mid-October at the Domaine de Chaumont-sur-Loire.

Dancing Horses, White Tigers and Giant Pandas

With their distinctive all-black uniform, the Cadre Noir horsemen of Saumur are renowned for their magical displays of classical riding. The whole family can tour the stables, learn about their history and watch a training session in progress. And meet different horse breeds on a tour of the Haras du Lion d’Angers, part of the National Stud network. Like your animals a bit edgier? Then don’t miss the white lions and tigers of the enchanting Zooparc de Beauval near Saint-Aignan in the Loire, which is also home to koalas, manatees and the only pair of giant pandas in France.

Loire Theme Parks and Heritage Visits

A must-visit family attraction in the Loire is the Puy du Fou theme park, south of the Loire near Cholet. The non-stop action includes minstrels and gladiators, Vikings and medieval warfare on a grand scale. Huge fun for all ages. Bring classroom history to life by following in the footsteps of Joan of Arc at Orleans, Blois and Loches, and visiting the tombs of English kings Richard the Lionheart and Henry II at Fontevraud Abbey near Saumur. And for a theme park with a difference, try Terra Botanica near Angers, the first one that’s devoted to plants.

Safe cycling for all ages

Enjoy effortless family cycling along the Loire à Vélo trail that runs from the outskirts of Nevers to the Atlantic Coast, passing through two regions, six departments and one Regional Nature park. The ten-year project was completed in 2012, passing through the Pays de la Loire and Loire Valley regions, as well as the Loire-Anjou-Touraine Regional Nature Park. Take your own bikes or hire on the spot to enjoy level, riverside paths without worrying about traffic, and explore numerous marked loops leading to heritage sites and other attractions.

Every Town Tells a Story

Every town in this region has its own special atmosphere, but the area is dotted with smaller communities that are just perfect for family excursions in the Loire. Take a short drive north to the valley of the Loir to visit Vendôme with its ancient canals and fabulous floral displays, as well as nearby Troô, a troglodyte village built into the side of a cliff where people still live in cave houses. Or head south of Tours along the Indre valley to Loches, a gem of a town with water meadows, lofty ramparts and a hilltop complex of royal buildings.

Also worth a visit

Futuroscope in Poitou-Charente is one of France’s most popular theme parks and tops our own list of favourite attractions! At only two hours driving distance from Loire Valley, it is well worth planning  a visit. We don’t think there’s anything like Futuroscope – the park features interactive experiences on giant Imax screens, as well as thrilling rides.

Loire Valley Food & Drink

The region’s food is fresh, approachable and family-friendly.

Local specialities to try:

• Rillettes & rillons (slow-cooked pork)

• Goat’s cheeses like Sainte-Maure-de-Touraine

• River fish, asparagus and seasonal produce

• Tarte Tatin (said to originate nearby)

For the grown-ups

The Loire is famed for its light, elegant wines — Muscadet, Chinon, Bourgueil, Vouvray and Sancerre. Many producers welcome families, and some sparkling wine cellars near Saumur (Ackerman, Bouvet-Ladubay) include child-friendly museums and tours.

Weather & Best Time to Visit

The Loire Valley enjoys a temperate climate influenced by the Atlantic.

• Best time: May–June and September — warm, green and less busy

• Summer (July–August): Hotter and lively, ideal for cycling and swimming

• Spring & autumn: Cooler evenings, perfect sightseeing temperatures

Practical Tips for Travelling with Family

Babies & Toddlers

• Choose accommodation with gardens and space to nap

• Flat paths make buggies easy in towns and parks

• Zoos, gardens and short castle visits work best

Teens & Tweens

• Cycling, kayaking, Puy du Fou and Futuroscope are big hits

• Castles with stories, battles and interactive elements hold attention

• Encourage them to help plan routes or activities

Seniors

• Excellent road network and short driving distances

• Plenty of benches, cafés and gentle walking routes

• River cruises and garden visits are ideal

Travelling with Pets

• Many gîtes and campsites are pet-friendly

• Dogs welcome on cycling routes and in many gardens

• Check château rules — grounds often allow pets even if interiors don’t

Why Families Love the Loire Valley

The Loire Valley isn’t about rushing from sight to sight. It’s about space, stories and shared experiences — cycling together, exploring castles, picnicking by the river and discovering France at a gentle pace.

A destination that truly works for babies, teens, parents and grandparents alike, it’s easy to see why families return again and again.

Further ideas from: The Loire Valley and www.paysdelaloire.co.uk