Family: Loire Castles for Kids

Four days of chateaux designed to hold children's attention, alternating indoor visits with time outdoors. Chambord offers an equestrian show and boat and bike hire in a park as large as central Paris; Cheverny combines a Tintin exhibition with the daily feeding of its hundred-strong hunting pack, a favourite with younger visitors. The ZooParc de Beauval, with its giant pandas and equatorial dome, provides the animal break; Chenonceau pairs a hedge maze with its gallery spanning the Cher, and Amboise gives access to the Clos Luce and Leonardo da Vinci's machines rebuilt at full size. Beauval needs a full day and should be booked online. Pair one chateau in the morning with an outdoor activity in the afternoon to avoid overload.