We (mom, dad, 2 boys) are making stops in Dordogne (caves!) , Loire and Dinan for a few days each. Can anyone recommend family friendly lodging for $200 (or less)? Also, which cave(s) are best to see?
I just made reservations at the Henri IV Residence in Paris for the end of the trip.
thanks!
In the Loire, I'd set aside some time for the medieval show at Chambord. They have jousting and horse-riding tricks. Your boys might really love it. And you can rent a boat there and row around the chateau. Also, watching the feeding of the hunting dogs at Cheverny would be a highlight for 10-year-olds. Just be aware that they changed the time for the feedings--the dogs at the kennel are now feed daily at 11:30.
I doubt that you will find many accommodations for four people for $200. With two kids, I might focus on apartments with kitchens so that I could save on meals. It's not a lot of fun to have 10-year-olds squirming at a table while you eat for two-hours in a French restaurant.
I don't know the lifestyle to which you are accustomed, but I don't think you should find it hard to stay within your price range. It depends, of course, on what you're looking for.
Take a look at La Villa de Consuls in Sarlat-le-Caneda for your stay in the Dordogne. Near caves and I think you can rent a small apartment within your price range. If you can be in Sarlat on a Wednesday or a Saturday, the Old Town becomes a marketplace, with performers scattered throughout. My grand daughters (9 and 12 at the time) were big fans.
A much plainer place which our grand daughters enjoyed was La Chevalerie, outside of Amboise (and therefore near several chateaux). It has a swing set, duck pond and a donkey named Pamplemousse (Grapefruit), who absolutely captivated our girls. We still think he was hee-hawing "goodbye" when we drove away. Little English spoken, but we had no real problems communicating with gestures and a few words of each others' languages.
Both of these are listed by RS in his book on France.
You might want to consider visiting Chaumont-sur-Loire. They have a garden festival which includes lots of spaces done up by different landscape artists. Kids won't like them all but will find some fascinating (adults likewise). When we were there, they had a small ravine that was rigged to fill up with mist every few minutes. Our girls could have stayed there all day. I can't say they'll repeat that, but look for it just in case.
Outside of Amboise RS recommends a B&B called La Chevalerie. My family and I stayed there in 2015 and we are booked for another 2 nights this June. 110 euros per night gets you 2 of the 4 rooms. The house is divided in 2 so our 2 rooms with a kitchen counter n between felt more like an apartment. I really loved the place. Farm animals, swing set, very relaxing vibe. It's not for everyone, but I hope to visit it as much as possible.
Matt
Terrific suggestions. I booked the Sarlat location and am trying to find the Amboise guest house. Will definitely follow-up on the activities. Thanks!
Terrific suggestions. I booked the Sarlat location and am trying to find the Amboise guest house. Will definitely follow-up on the activities. Thanks!
Bluelucy, to reach La Chevalerie by phone (if you're calling from the U.S.) dial 011 33 2 47 57 83 64. Or their email is [email protected] (both in RS France book).
Remember they do not speak English (but do speak French and German). I usually compose a simple request including number of people and dates, then use an on-line translator and send it off in French as an email. You 'll have to re-translate it when they reply but it's easy.
By the way, it's out in the country, maybe a little hard to find, although we had no problem using just a paper map.
I hope Pamplemousse is still there for your boys to make friends with. Matt didn't mention him, so...
Pamplemouse?!?! Is that the donkey's name? I have several pictures with the donkey.
Yes, Google translate for these interactions work great. Nearby town of Blere is straight out every French movie set. I had a 15 minute conversation with everyone in the bakery about parking meters, of which I only understood about 6 words.
Also, below is the link to an episode of join us in France that featured our trip to the Loire and Dordogne in 2015.
http://joinusinfrance.com/trip-report-loire-valley-and-dordogne/
Matt
Bob,
I've just now read your original post. I'm not sure how I missed it when I wrote basically the same thing as you.
You have made my day with pamplemouse. I'm also very excited that another family had as much fun there as we did.
Matt
Lascaux II and Font De Gaume. Lascaux first for the educational value and then Font de gaume to see the real thing (which is very faded). While in Les Eyzies visit the Prehistory museum. Of course with everything to do in the Dordogne it should be a home run for ten year old boys. Add in a canoe trip (much like a day at the beach and swimming) and a visit to Castelnaud.....That's a great trip with kids.
Matt, I'm equally excited. It's nice to know that another family liked La Chevalerie as much as ours did - and especially that Pamplemousse is still there.
And Richard, I second the recommendation for Castlenaud. bluelucy, you should look up Castlenaud. It's got displays of all sorts of medieval war machines, as well as being a real castle. I thought the rock-throwing thingys were all called catapults, but that's not true at all. Can't see how your boys wouldn't love it there.
Bob, I will provide a pamplemouse update when I stay there in June. Can't wait.
That's great Matt. My whole family will enjoy hearing about him.
We'll be in Brittany this time, so not close enough for a visit to our mutual friend. Enjoy.
Bob,
Pamplemousse is doing fine and La Chevalerie is as charming as ever. We had another successful 2 night stay. My kids love that place!
Matt
Regarding caves, we visited Grotte de Rouffignac. It's one where you take train down to the bottom. The paintings are monochrome but they are the originals and not reproductions.
Matt,
I'm glad you had a nice time. And everyone here will be thrilled to hear that Pamplemousse is doing fine.
Thanks for the update.
They might also like the Roque Saint-Christophe caves. This is a cave-city built into a hillside, overlooking a river. The purpose was for defense, considerably against the vikings.
Ed
