Why brave the queues at The Louvre in Paris to show the kids the Mona Lisa when, in 2019, you can sit on her eyebrows in Blois? This giant reproduction on the Escalier Denis Papin was the highlight of our trip to the Loire Valley to research the 500th anniversary of Leonardo Da Vinci’s death and all things Renaissance. One of my stories was for Sawday’s Detours series, which covered this and many of the best chateaux: Fairytale alternative to Disney
As the focus was on Renaissance treasures, I didn’t get a chance to include some of the other great things we’ve done in the Loire Valley as a family, so here’s another three:
La Pagode de Chanteloup: How can a chateau just ‘disappear’? Well they can – and the evidence (or lack thereof) is found just outside Amboise, where the only remaining monument of the Chateau de Chanteloup – which was compared to Versailles in its day – is a Chinese Pagoda and a lake. It’s crazy to think the whole thing was removed after the French Revolution by the ‘Bande Noire’ (read more here) but it was. There are also traditional games, such as shove ha’penny and the like. Click here to visit the website
Zoo Le Beauval: There are pandas. And it’s all amazing (but also quite pricey – take a picnic). But do go. click here
Chateau de la Bourdaisiere: Can’t get your kids to eat vegetables? What if you showed them 650 different kinds of tomatoes each sporting a Roald-Dahl-like name, such as Magellan Burgess Purple or Caspian Pink? The walled garden at this elegant chateau is a lovely little spot, and you can eat freshly prepared tomato salad or simple pizza at the Bar a Tomates (the menu changes according to the season). Go in September and you might just be able to join in with their festival. See their website here
And if you haven’t yet booked your accommodation, then Sawdays is a good bet, which includes the enchanting Chateau de Breuil in Chedigny, where we’ve stayed a couple of times (ideal for bringing Granny and Grandpa!), and we just love. The owner Roxanna is so interesting to talk to about the history, the grounds are massive and great for exploring, and it’s really fun for kids to stay in a castle when they’re visiting them too. Check it out. The village is lovely too, and known for its roses.