Family Guides

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Rouen

Practical Information

Address 76000 (Seine-Maritime). Gros Horloge: Rue du Gros Horloge. Musée des Beaux Arts: Esplanade Marcel Duchamp; www.rouen-musees.com. Musée d’Histoire Naturelle: 198 Rue Beauvoisine. Abbatiale St-Ouen: Pl du Général de Gaulle. Cathédrale Notre-Dame: 3 Rue St-Romain; www.cathedrale-rouen.net

Train from Paris

Visitor information 25 Pl de la Cathédrale; 0232083240; www.rouentourisme.com

Open Gros Horloge: Apr–Oct: 10am–1pm & 2–7pm Tue–Sun; Nov–Mar: 2–6pm Tue–Sun. Musée des Beaux Arts: 10am–6pm Wed–Mon. Musée d’Histoire Naturelle: 2–5:30pm Tue–Sun. Abbatiale St-Ouen: 10am–12:30pm & 2–5pm Tue–Thu, Sat & Sun (till 6pm Apr–Oct). Cathédrale Notre-Dame: Apr–Oct: 2–7pm Mon, 9am–7pm Tue–Sat, 8am–6pm Sun; Nov–Mar: 8am–6pm Sun, 2–6pm Mon, 9am–noon & 2–6pm Tue–Sat

Prices Gros Horloge: €18–26; under 6s free. Musée des Beaux Arts: €10–20; EU residents under 26 free. Musée d’Histoire Naturelle: €6–12; under 18s free

Skipping the queue Buy a €10 City Pass online (www.monpassenliberte.com); it offers discounts to 200 hotels, restaurants and attractions listed on the website.

Guided tours Contact the tourist office for details.

Age range All ages

Activities Take a horse-drawn carriage to discover the historic centre of Rouen. Guided tours, 30 minutes each, are arranged by the tourist office from Jul–Aug. On summer evenings, head for the sound and light show at the Cathédrale Notre-Dame.

Allow A day

Festivals Les Hivernales des Cuivres, brass and vocal concerts (Feb–Mar). Foire St-Romain, one of the biggest fun fairs in France (mid-Oct–mid-Nov)

Good family value? Rouen makes for an affordable day out for culture and history, even if a lot in the city is not specifically oriented to kids.

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Giverny

Practical Information

Address 27620 (Eure). Fondation Claude Monet: 84 Rue Claude Monet; 0232512821; www.fondation-monet.fr. Musée des Impressionismes: 99 Rue Claude Monet; 0232519465; www.museedesimpressionnismesgiverny.com

Train from Rouen or Paris to Vernon, then shuttle bus

Visitor information 36 Rue Carnot, 27620; 0232544805; www.vernon-visite.org

Open Fondation Claude Monet & Musée des Impressionismes: Apr–Oct: daily (arrive before 10am to avoid queues)

Festival Festival Normandie Impressioniste, Impressionist theatre, light and sound shows (May–Sep)

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Dieppe

Practical Information

Address 76200 (Seine-Maritime). Église St-Jacques: Pl St-Jacques, 76200; 0235842165. Château Musée: Rue de Chastes (on the west cliff); 0235066199. L’Estran-La Cité de la Mer: 37 Rue de l’Asile Thomas; 0235069320; www.estrancitedelamer.fr

Train from Rouen and Paris

Visitor information Pont Jehan Ango, 76200; 0232144060; www.dieppetourisme.com

Open Château Musée: daily; Oct–May: closed Tue. L’Estran-La Cité de la Mer: daily

Festival Festival International de Cerfs-Volants, the biggest kite flying festival in the world (Aug)

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Le Havre

Practical Information

Address 76200 (Seine-Maritime). Musée Malraux: 2 Blvd Clémenceau, 76600; 0235196262. Abbaye de Montivilliers: Jardin de l’Abbaye, 76290; 0235309666; www.abbaye-montivilliers.fr

Train from Rouen

Visitor information 186 Blvd Clemenceau, 76600; 0232740404; www.lehavretourisme.com

Open Musée Malraux: Wed–Mon. Abbaye de Montivilliers: Apr–Sep: daily; Oct–Mar: closed Mon

Festival Les Z’estival, summer festival with music & theatre (Jul–Aug)

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Honfleur

Practical Information

Address 14600 (Calvados). Musée Eugène Boudin: Rue de l’Homme de Bois; 0231895400; www.musees-honfleur.fr. Maisons Satie: 88 Rue Haute; 0231891111; www.musees-honfleur.fr

Train to Deauville or Le Havre, then bus 20

Visitor information Quai Lepaulmier, 14600; 0231892330; www.ot-honfleur.fr

Open Musée Eugène Boudin: closed Tue. Maisons Satie: Wed–Mon; closed Jan–mid-Feb

Festival Fête des Marins, parade of boats adorned with paper flowers (May)

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The D-Day Beaches

Practical Information

Address 14000 & 50000 (Calvados & Manche). Musée Airborne: 14 Rue Eisenhower, 50480 Ste-Mère; www.airbornemuseum.org. Musée du Débarquement: Pl du 6 Juin, 14117 Arromanches-les-Bains; www.musee-arromanches.fr. Arromanches 360: Chemin de Calvaire, 14117 Arromanches-les-Bains; www.memorial-caen.fr. Centre Juno Beach: Voie des Français-Libres, 14470 Courseulles-sur-Mer; www.junobeach.org. Mémorial Pégasus: Ave du Major Howard, 14860 Ranville; www.memorial-pegasus.org. Grand Bunker-Musée du Mur-de-l’Atlantique: Ave 6 Juin, 14150 Ouistreham; www.musee-grand-bunker.com. Batterie Merville: Pl du 9ème Bataillon, 14810 Merville Franceville; www.batterie-merville.com

Bus Verts (www.busverts.fr) links sights to both Caen (buses 1 & 3) and Bayeux (buses 70 & 74). A special daily D-Day bus runs along the coast in Jul and Aug.

Visitor information Pont St-Jean, 14400 Bayeux; 0231512828. www.bessin-normandie.com provides information about the D-Day beaches.

Open Musée Airborne and Mémorial Pégasus: closed Jan. Arromanches 360: closed Jan–mid-Feb. Musée du Débarquement, Centre Juno Beach and Grand Bunker-Musée du Mur-de-l’Atlantique: closed Jan. Batterie Merville: 15 Mar–15 Nov (book in advance)

Prices Musée Airborne €22–32; under 6s free. Musée du Débarquement: €26–36. Arromanches 360: €49; under 10s free. Centre Juno Beach: €26–36; under 8s free. Mémorial Pégasus: €22–32. Grand Bunker-Musée du Mur-de-l’Atlantique €24–34; under 6s free. Batterie Merville: €20–30; under 6s free

Skipping the queue A Normandie Pass (www.normandiememoire.com), available at the D-Day sights, offers discounts on other sights.

Guided tours Contact the tourist office for details.

Age range 7 plus

Allow At least a day

Toilets In the museums

Festival Festival d’Arromanches, a festival of classical music (Jul)

Good family value? A fantastic and moving educational experience for children, along with fun at the beaches.

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Cherbourg

Practical Information

Address 50100 (Manche).Musée de la Libération: Fort du Roule; 0233201412; www.ville-cherbourg.fr. Cité de la Mer: Gare Maritime Transatlantique; 0233202626; www.citedelamer.com. Musée d’Histoire Naturelle: 19 Rue Bonhome; 0233535161

Train from Caen

Visitor information 2 Quai Alexandre III, 50100; 0233935202; www.cherbourgtourisme.com

Open Musée de la Libération & Musée d’Histoire Naturelle: Tue–Sun. Cité de la Mer: year round (Nov–Dec closed Mon; Jan: closed three weeks)

Festivals Le Mois des Jardins, city garden tours (mid-May–mid-Jun). Festival of children’s books (late-May/early-Jun)

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Caen

Practical Information

Address 14000 (Calvados). Musée de Normandie: Esplanade du Château; 0231304760; www.musee-de-normandie.caen.fr. Musée des Beaux Arts: Esplanade du Château; 0231304770; www.mba.caen.fr. Abbaye aux Hommes: Esplanade Jean-Marie Louvel; 0231304281. Abbaye aux Dames: Pl de la Reine-Mathilde; 0231069898; www.cr-basse-normandie.fr. Mémorial de Caen: Esplanade Général Eisenhower, 14050; 0231060645; www.memorial-caen.fr

Train from Paris

Visitor information Pl St Pierre, 14000; 0231271414; www.caen-tourisme.fr

Open Musée de Normandie: Nov–May: Wed–Mon; Jun–Oct: daily. Musée des Beaux Arts: Wed–Mon. Abbaye aux Hommes: 9:30am, 11am, 2:30pm & 4pm Mon–Fri. Abbaye aux Dames: 2:30–4pm daily. Mémorial de Caen: Feb–Oct: daily; mid-Nov–Dec: Tue–Sun

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St-Pierre-sur-Dives

Practical Information

Address 14170 (Calvados). Château de Vendeuvre: Route de Falaise; 0231409383; www.vendeuvre.com

Train TER from Caen

Visitor information Rue St-Benoît, 14170; 0231209790; www.mairie-saint-pierre-sur-dives.fr

Open Château de Vendeuvre: Apr pm & May–Sep: daily; Oct: Sun; Nov: school hols pm

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Falaise

Practical Information

Address 14700 (Calvados). Château Guillaume-le-Conquérant: Rue de la Roche; 0231416144. Musée André Lemaitre: Blvd de la Liberation; www.musee-andre-lemaitre.fr. Musée des Automates: Blvd de la Liberation; 0231900243; www.automates-avenue.fr. Chapelle St-Vigor: 14700 St-Martin-de-Mieux

Bus 35 from Caen

Visitor information Blvd de la Libération, 14700; 0231901726; www.falaise-tourisme.com

Open Château Guillaume-le-Conquérant: mid-Feb–Dec: daily. Musée André Lemaitre: closed late-Jan–early-Feb. Musée des Automates: Apr–Sep: daily; Oct–Mar: weekends. Chapelle St-Vigor: late-Jul–mid-Sep: 2:30–6pm daily closed Mon

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Mont-St-Michel

Practical Information

Address 50170 (Manche). Abbaye de Mont-St-Michel: Mont-St-Michel; mont-saint-michel.monuments-nationaux.fr

Train from Paris, then a Keolis Emeraude bus (www.destination-montsaintmichel.com) that meets TGVs from Paris in Rennes or Dol-de-Bretagne. There are also two buses (No. 17) a day from St-Malo to Pontorson, as well as a direct shuttle between Pontorson and Mont-St-Michel. A new bridge connecting the Mont to the mainland is due in 2014. A train-bike transport scheme has been set up between Granville and St-Malo called Ligne Baie (www.lignebaie.fr). It offers day passes and discounts.

Visitor information Blvd de l’Avancée, at the entrance to the Mont, 50170; 0233601430; www.ot-montsaintmichel.com

Open Abbaye de Mont-St-Michel: May–Aug: 9am–7pm; Sep–Apr: 9:30am–6pm; Jul & Aug: evening visits with sound and light effects from 7–11:30pm. Ticket desks close an hour before closing time.

Prices Day or night tours: €18–28; under 18s and EU members under 26 free. Combined day and night tickets (used the same day): €28–38. Night tours only Jul–Aug.

Skipping the queue The Mont can be crowded in Jul–Aug. Pick up abbey tickets from the tourist office to avoid the queue.

Guided tours There are 75-min guided tours available in English and French year round within the abbey; ring ahead for timings. Multilingual audio guides are also available at an extra charge.

Age range 5 or 6 plus; the abbey’s steep steps and crowds can be daunting for young kids.

Allow At least a day

Cafés Many on or near the Mont, but expensive

Toilets Inside the abbey

Festival Fête de St-Michel (Sep)

Good family value? Mont-St-Michel is not only an architectural masterpiece, but many kids love it because it reminds them of Harry Potter’s Hogwarts.

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Granville

Practical Information

Address 50400 (Manche). Musée du Vieux Granville: 2 Rue Lecarpentier. Musée d’Art Moderne Richard Anacréon: Pl de l’Isthme; www.ville-granville.fr. Musée et Jardin Christian Dior: Prom du Plat-Gousset; www.musee-dior-granville.com

Train from Pontorson, Cherbourg or Argentan.

Bus from Mont-St-Michel

Visitor information 4 Cours Jonville, 50400; 0233913003; www.ville-granville.fr

Open Musée du Vieux Granville: Oct–Mar: Wed & Sat–Sun pm; Apr–Sep: closed Tue; closed Jan. Musée d’Art Moderne Richard Anacréon: Jun–Sep: closed Mon; mid-Feb–May & Oct–Nov: closed am; closed Dec–mid-Feb. Musée et Jardin Christian Dior: mid-May–late Sep: daily; Oct–mid-May: Sat & Sun pm, school hols

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Coutances

Practical Information

Address 50200 (Manche). Cathédrale Notre-Dame: 1 Rue du Puits Notre Dame; 0233450041. Jardin des Plantes: Rue Quesnel-Morinière; 0233190810. Musée Quesnel Morinière: 2 Rue Quesnal-Morinière; 0233070788

Train from Pontorson, Granville and Caen

Visitor information Pl Georges Leclerc, 50200; 0233190810; www.tourisme-coutances.fr

Open Jardin des Plantes: daily. Musée Quesnel Morinière: closed Sun am & Tue

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Villedieu-les-Poêles

Practical Information

Address 50800 (Manche). Musée de la Poeslerie & Maison de la Dentellière: 25 Rue du Général Huard & Musée du Meuble Normand: 9 Rue du Reculé; www.museesvilledieu.sitew.com. La Fonderie des Cloches Cornille-Havard: Rue du Pont-Chignon; www.cornille-havard.com

Train from Granville or Argentan

Visitor information 8 Pl des Costils, 50800; 0233610569; www.ot-villedieu.fr

Open Musée de la Poêlerie, Maison de la Dentellière & Musée du Meuble Normand: Jul–Aug: Tue–Sat. La Fonderie des Cloches Cornille-Havard: mid-Feb–11 Nov: Tue–Sat; mid-Jul–Aug: daily

Festival Festival du Film d’Animation (late Feb–early Mar)

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Mortain

Practical Information

Address 50140 (Manche). Église de St-Evroult: Grande Rue; 0233591974

Train from Granville to Vire, then bus 120

Visitor information Rue du Bourglopin, 50140; 0233591974; www.mortain-tourisme.fr

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Rennes

Practical Information

Address 35000 (Ille-et-Vilaine). Musée des Beaux Arts: 20 Quai Emile Zola; www.mbar.org. Cathédrale St-Pierre: Rue de la Monnaie; 0299784880. Musée de Bretagne & L’Espace des Sciences: 10 Cours des Alliés; www.musee-bretagne.fr. Parlement de Bretagne: Rue Nationale; 0299671166

Train from Paris

Visitor information 11 Rue St-Yves, 35000; 0299671111; www.tourisme-rennes.com

Open Musée des Beaux Arts: 10am–6pm Tue, 10am–noon & 2–6pm Wed–Sun, closed hols. Musée de Bretagne & L’Espace des Sciences: Sep–Jun: noon–9pm Tue, noon–7pm Wed–Fri and 2–7pm Sat & Sun; Jul–Aug: 1–7pm Tue–Fri, 2–7pm Sat & Sun; closed hols. Parlement de Bretagne: book a guided tour

Prices Musée des Beaux Arts: €10–20; under 18s free. Musée de Bretagne & L’Espace des Sciences: €29–39; under 8s free. Parlement de Bretagne: €22–33; under 7s free

Skipping the queue Rennes Metropole City Pass – check tourist office website for details

Guided tours Reserve on the tourist office website.

Age range 5 plus

Activities See Rennes from the Canal d’Ille-et-Rance and the Vilaine river on an electric canal boat (www.urbavag.com).

Allow A day

Champs Libres 900 m (800 yards)

Musée des Beaux Arts 500 m (450 yards)

Good family value? Rennes can be fun, but the place has much more to offer teenagers than younger kids.

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Forêt de Brocéliande

Practical Information

Address 35380 (Ille-et-Vilaine). Château de Comper: 56430 Concoret; 0297227996; www.centre-arthurien-broceliande.com

Bus from Rennes to Paimpont. It is essential to hire a car to get around.

Visitor information 1 place Judicaël, 35380 Paimpont; 0299078423; www.tourisme-brocliande.com. 1 Pl Abbé Gillard, 56430 Tréhorenteuc; 0297930512; broceliande.valsansretour.com

Open Château de Comper: late-Mar–Jun & Sep–Oct: Thu–Mon; Jul & Aug: Thu–Tue

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Dinan

Practical Information

Address 22100 (Côtes-d’Armour). Musée du Château: Rue du Château; 0296394520. Musée du Rail: Pl du 11 Novembre 1918; www.museedurail-dinan.com.

Train/Bus from Rennes or St-Malo

Visitor information 9 Rue du Château, 22100; 0296876976; www.dinan-tourisme.com

Open Musée du Château: Jun–Sep: daily; Oct–mid-Nov & Easter–May: pm only; closed mid-Nov–Easter. Musée du Rail: Jun–mid-Sep: pm & some school hols.

Festival Recontre Internationale de Harpe Celtique (Jul)

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St-Malo

Practical Information

Address 35400 (Ille-et-Vilaine). Musée d’Histoire de St-Malo: Pl Chateaubriand; www.ville-saint-malo.fr. Musée du Long Cours Cap-Hornier: Rue du Dick; www.ville-saint-malo.fr. Demeure de Corsaire: 5 Rue d’Asfeld; www.demeure-de-corsaire.com. Musée Jacques Cartier: Rue David MacDonald Stewart; 0299409773

Train from Rennes

Visitor information Esplanade St-Vincent, 35400; 0825135200, www.saint-malo-tourisme.fr

Open Musée d’Histoire de St-Malo & Musée du Long-Cours Cap-Hornier: Apr–Sep: daily; Oct–Mar: closed Mon. Demeure du Corsaire: guided tours only; Tue–Sun pm; Jul, Aug & school hols: daily; closed Dec & Jan. Musée Jacques Cartier: Jul–Aug: daily; Jun & Sep: Mon–Sat; Oct–May: Mon–Sat pm only

Festival Route du Rock, music festival (Feb & Aug)

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Océanopolis, Brest

Practical Information

Address 29200 (Finistère). Port de Plaisance du Moulin Blanc; 0298344040; www.oceanopolis.com

Train from Rennes to Brest, then bus 15

Visitor information 8 Ave Georges Clemenceau, 29200; 0298442496; www.brestetvous.fr

Open mid-Jan–mid-Apr & late-Aug–Sep: 10am–5pm Tue–Sun; mid-Apr–mid-Jul: 10am–6pm daily; mid-Jul–late-Aug: 9am–7pm daily; Oct–Dec: 10am–5pm Tue–Sun; school hols: 10am–6pm; closed 25 Dec & 1–18 Jan. Last admn: 1 hour before closing

Prices €59–69; under-3s free. There are discounts for families with three or more children.

Skipping the queue Buy tickets online at the Brest tourist office or from any large FNAC, Géant Casino, Carrefour, Auchan, Leclerc or Virgin with a France Billets or Ticketnet counter. Arrive early to beat summer crowds.

Age range All ages

Activities Save used tickets for discounts on boat tours.

Allow 4–5 hours

Café Inside Océanopolis

Toilets In every pavilion

Festivals Jour de la St-Patrick, with Breton and Irish musicians in Brest (Mar). Les Jeudis du Port, huge Thursday night street parties along the Quai de la Douane (mid-Jul & Aug)

Good family value? A fascinating and educational day out for people of all ages filled with hands-on activities that should keep even the youngest tot amused.

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Roscoff and the Pays du Léon

Practical Information

Address 29680 (Finistère). Maison des Johnnies et de l’Oignon Rosé: 48 Rue Brizeux, 28680; 0298612548. Jardin Exotique de Roscoff: Roc’h Hievec, 29682; 0298612919; www.jardinexotiqueroscoff.com. Église Notre-Dame-de-Croaz-Batz: 10 Rue Albert de Mun, 29680

Train from Paris to Morlaix, then bus or local train

Visitor information Quai d’Auxerre, 29680; 0298612283; www.roscoff-tourisme.com

Open Maison des Johnnies et de l’Oignon Rosé: mid-Jun–mid-Sep: 11am, 3pm & 5pm; Mon, Tue & Fri, 3pm & 5pm Wed; mid-Sep–mid-Jun: 3pm Mon, Tue, Thu & Fri. Jardin Exotique de Roscoff: Mar–Nov: daily (Mar & Nov: pm)

Festival Festival Place aux Mômes, child-oriented events every Wed evening (Jul–Aug)

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Paimpol

Practical Information

Address 22500 (Côtes-d’Armour). L’Abbaye Maritime de Beauport: Chemin de l’Abbaye; 0296551858; www.abbaye-beauport.com. Musée de la Mer: Rue de Labenne; 0296220219; www.museemerpaimpol.com. Musée du Costume Breton: Rue Raymond Pellier

Train from Brest or Rennes to St-Brieuc, then bus to Paimpol. TER (regional train) from Guingamp to Paimpol

Visitor information Pl de la République, 22500; 0296208316; www.paimpol-goelo.com

Open L’Abbaye Maritime de Beauport: daily. Musée de la Mer: mid-Apr–mid-Jun & 1–15 Sep: daily pm; mid-Jun–Aug: daily. Musée du Costume Breton: early Jul–Aug: Tue–Sun; Sep: Tue–Sun pm

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Douarnenez

Practical Information

Address 29100 (Finistère).Port-Musée: Pl de l’Enfer; 0298926520; www.port-musee.org. Penn Sardin: 7 Rue Le Breton; www.pennsardin.com. Biscuiterie de Douarnenez: 93 Ave de la Gare; 0298743944

Train from Rennes and Vannes to Quimper, then bus

Visitor information 1 Rue du Docteur Mével, 29172; 0298921335; www.douarnenez-tourisme.com

Open Port-Musée: Feb, Mar, Sep, Oct & school hols: Tue–Sun; Jul & Aug: daily. Penn Sardin: closed Tue & Sun. Biscuiterie de Douarnenez: 15 Jun–15 Sep: Wed & Fri

Festivals Carnaval des Gras, the weekend before Mardi Gras (Mar). Grande Fête des Bateaux, a huge gathering of boats, music and fun, once every two years (Jul). Festival du Cinéma (Aug)

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Standing Stones of Carnac

Practical Information

Address 56342 (Morbihan). Alignements de Kerzerho: D781, en route to Erdevan. Musée de Préhistoire: 10 Pl de la Chapelle, 56342 Carnac; www.museedecarnac.com. Alignements de Carnac: Maison des Mégalithes (interpretive centre), 56342 Le Ménec; www.carnac.monuments-nationaux.fr. Mégalithes de Locmariaquer: Route de Kerlogonan, 56740 Locmariaquer; 0297573759. Gavrinis: Larmor-Baden dock, 56432; 0297571938. Petit-Mont: 56432 Arzon; 0603959078

Train from Rennes to Auray, then TIM bus 1 to Carnac. To go to Locmariaquer, change from TIM bus 1 to 1 bis at the Chat Noir stop in St-Philibert. For Gavrinis, take TIM bus 1 to Auray, then bus 6 to Larmor-Baden, then boat. For Petit-Mont, take bus 7 from Vannes to Arzon, then walk

Visitor information 74 Ave des Druides, Carnac-Plage, 56432; 0297521352; www.ot-carnac.fr. For the megalithic sites, see tinyurl.com/3bwsj3n

Open Alignements de Kerzerho: year round. Musée de Préhistoire: Apr–Jun & Sep: 10am–12:30pm & 2–6pm (Oct–Mar: till 5pm) Wed–Mon; Jul & Aug: 10am–6pm daily; closed most of Jan. Alignements de Carnac: May & Jun: 9am–6pm; Jul–Aug: 9:30am–7:30pm; Sep–Apr: 10–5pm. Petit-Mont: Apr–Jun & Sep: 2:30–6pm: Thu–Tue; Jul–Aug: 11am–6:30pm: daily. Mégalithes de Locmariaquer: May–Jun: 10am–6pm (Jul–Aug: till 7pm), Sep–Apr: 10am–12:30pm & 2–5:15pm. Gavrinis: Apr, Jun–Sep: 9:30am–12:30pm, 1:30–6:30pm daily (until 7pm Jul–Aug); May: 1:30–6:30pm Mon–Fri, 9:30am–12:30pm, 1:30–6:30pm Sat & Sun. Mar & Oct: 1:30–5pm Thu–Tue (book ahead)

Prices Alignements de Carnac: €12–22; under 18s free. Musée de Préhistoire: €15–25. Petit-Mont: €18–28; under 8s free. Mégalithes de Locmariaquer: €11–21; under 18s free. Gavrinis: €37–47 (boat trip & guided tour); under 8s free

Skipping the queue Pick up a Megalithic Pass: pay full price for one of the five sites (Gavrinis, Locmariaquer, Carnac, Petit-Mont or Musée de Préhistoire) and save money on other sites

Guided tours Compulsory from Apr–Sep at the Alignements de Carnac

Age range 4 plus

Allow An hour for Carnac and a day for all the megalithic sites

Café Near the Maison des Mégalithes car park

Toilets In Maison des Mégalithes, Carnac

Good family value? Kids have an affinity for dolmens and beautiful sandy beaches. Prices are kind, too.

< Practical Information: Brittany

Vannes

Practical Information

Address 56000 (Morbihan). Musée de Préhistoire et d’Archéologie: 2 Rue Noé; 0297425980; www.mairie-vannes.fr. Musée des Beaux Arts: Pl St-Pierre; 0297016300; www.mairie-vannes.fr. Aquarium du Golfe: 21 Rue Daniel Girard; www.aquarium-du-golfe.com. Jardin des Papillons: Rue Daniel Girard; www.jardinauxpapillons.com

Train from Rennes.

Bus from Carnac

Visitor information Quai Tabarly, 56000; 0297472434; www.tourisme-vannes.com

Open Musée de Préhistoire et d’Archéologie: Jun–Sep: daily. Musée des Beaux Arts: Jun–Sep: daily; Oct–May: daily pm. Aquarium du Golfe: daily (Oct–Mar pm only, except during school hols). Jardin des Papillons: Apr & Sep: pm, May–Aug: daily

Festival Fêtes Historiques de Vannes, parades and street theatre relive various periods of Vannes’ history (Jul).

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Lorient

Practical Information

Address 56100 (Morbihan). La Cité de la Voile Eric Tabarly: Base de Sous-Marins, 56323 Keroman; www.citevoile-tabarly.com. La Flore, Base de Sous-Marins, Rue Roland Morillot, 56100 Lorient; 0297655287; www.la-flore.fr

Train from Paris, Vannes and Nantes

Visitor information Maison de la Mer, Quai de Rohan, 56100; 0297847800; www.lorient-tourisme.fr

Open La Cité de la Voile Eric Tabarly & La Flore: daily during school hols, closed Mon other times & Jan

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Pont-Aven

Practical Information

Address 29930 (Finistère). Musée des Beaux Arts: Pl de l’Hôtel-de-Ville; 0298061443; www.museepontaven.fr. Chapelle de Trémalo: Bois d'amour, Pont-Aven

Train from Rennes or Vannes to Quimper, then bus

Visitor information 5 Pl Hôtel de Ville, 29930; 0298060470; www.pontaven.com

Open Musée des Beaux Arts: closed until 2015. Chapelle de Trémalo: 10am–5pm daily.

Festival Festival des fleurs d’Ajonc, procession celebrating the Queen’s arrival (Aug)

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Quimper

Practical Information

Address 29000 (Finistère). Musée des Beaux Arts: 40 Pl St-Corentin; www.mbad.fr. Musée Départemental Breton: 1 Rue du Roi-Gradlon; www.museedepartementalbreton.fr. H.B. Henriot: Rue Haute; www.hb-henriot.com

Train from Paris, Rennes & Vannes

Visitor information Pl de la Résistance, 29000; 0298530405; www.quimper-tourisme.com

Open Musée des Beaux Arts: timings vary, check before visit. Musée Départemental Breton: daily; Oct–May: closed Sun am & Mon. H.B. Henriot: tours in English and French (book in advance)

< Practical Information: The Loire Valley

Les Machines de l’Île, Nantes

Practical Information

Address 44000 (Loire-Atlantique). Les Chantiers, Blvd Léon Bureau, 44200 Nantes; 0810121225; www.lesmachines-nantes.fr

Train from Paris to Nantes, then Tramway 1

Open timings vary; check website for details

Prices €29–39; under 4s free. Le Grand Eléphant: €29–39; under 4s free (buy tickets at the entrance). Carrousel: €27–37

Skipping the queue Go on a weekday, when it is less crowded and all the workers will be busy in the workshops. Select rides can be booked online (check website for details)

Guided tours No

Age range 2 plus

Wheelchair access La Galerie des Machines: Yes. Le Grand Eléphant: 1 place per ride

Allow 3–4 hours

Café on site (see Snacks)

Shops La Boutique des Machines (on site) stocks an array of imaginative gifts. The E-Boutique (check website) offers books, stationery, DVDs and more.

Toilets By the café

Festivals Carnaval des Nantes (Apr). Christmas events at La Galerie des Machines

Good family value? Les Machines de l’île offers a unique experience and is inspiring fun for all ages.

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St-Nazaire

Practical Information

Address 44600 (Loire-Atlantique). Escal’Atlantique & Espadon: Blvd de la Legion d’Honneur; 0810888444. Ecomusée de St-Nazaire: Ave St-Hubert; 0810888444

Train from Nantes and Paris

Visitor information Blvd de la Légion d’Honneur, Base Sous-marine Ville-Port, 44600; 0240224065; www.saint-nazaire-tourisme.com. There is a central ticket office for all the sites next to the tourist office.

Open Espadon, Escal’Atlantique & Ecomusée de St-Nazaire: Apr–Sep: daily; Mar: closed Mon & Tue; Oct: closed Mon; Nov–Dec: closed Mon,Tue, Thu & Fri; closed Jan, Feb & school hols

Festival Les Escales, a festival of world music (Aug)

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Batz-sur-Mer

Practical Information

Address 44740 (Loire-Atlantique). Église St-Guénolé: Pl du Garnal; 0240239236. Le Grand Blockhaus-Musée de la Poche: 12 Route du Dervin; www.grand-blockhaus.com. Musée des Marais Salants: 29 bis Rue Pasteur; 0240238279

Train from Nantes or St-Nazaire

Visitor information 25 Rue de la Plage, 44740; 0240239236; www.ot-batzsurmer.fr

Open Tower of Église St-Guénolé: Apr–mid-Sept: daily. Le Grand Blockhaus-Musée de la Poche: Apr–11 Nov: daily; Feb school hols. Musée des Marais Salants: phone to check

Festival Les Celtiques de Guérande, five days of Celtic music and games (Aug)

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Les Sables d’Olonne

Practical Information

Address 85100 (Vendée). Musée de l’Abbaye Ste-Croix: Rue de Verdun; 0251320116; www.lemasc.fr. Muséum du Coquillage: 8 Rue du Maréchal Leclerc; 0251235000; www.museum-du-coquillage.com

Train from Nantes

Visitor information 1 Prom Joffre, 85100; 0251968585; www.lessablesdolonne-tourisme.com

Open Musée de l’Abbaye Ste-Croix: closed Mon. Muséum du Coquillage: daily; Sep–Apr: closed Sun am

Festival Les Sables en Fête, includes jazz concerts and outdoor events (Jul & Aug)

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Grand Parc Puy du Fou

Practical Information

Address 85504 (Vendée). BP 25, 85590 Les Epesses; 0820091010; www.puydufou.com

Train to Angers, then shuttle bus

Visitor information 2 Grande-Rue St-Blaise, 85500 Les Herbiers; 0244402020; www.ot-lesherbiers.fr

Open mid-Apr–Aug: daily; closed Mon & Tue in Sep. When reserving online, book headphones for English translations. An extra ticket is required to see the Cinéscénie on Fri and Sat nights. During most French school hols, admission includes evening fireworks and water spectacle.

Price Grand Parc: €106–116; Grand Parc & Cinéscénie: €146–156; under 5s free

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Abbaye Royale de Fontevraud

Practical Information

Address 49590 (Maine-et-Loire). Rue St Jean de L’Habit BP 14; 0241517352; www.abbayedefontevraud.com

Bus 1 from Saumur

Visitor information Fontevraud l’Abbaye, Pl St-Michel, 49590; www.fontevraud-abbaye.fr

Open Daily; mid-Nov–Mar closed Mon

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Saumur

Practical Information

Address 49400 (Maine-et-Loire). Château de Saumur: 6 Rue de Lorraine, 49400; 0241402440. École Nationale d’Equitation: St-Hilaire-St-Florent, 49411; www.cadrenoir.fr. Musée des Blindés: 1043 Route de Fontevraud; 0241836995; www.museedesblindes.fr

Train from Paris, Tours and Angers

Visitor information Pl de la Bilange, 49400; 0241402060; www.ot-saumur.fr

Open Château de Saumur: Apr–mid-Jun & mid-Sep–Oct: Tue–Sun; mid-Jun–mid-Sep: daily; Jul & Aug: Thu–Sat pm (Son et Spectacle show). École Nationale d’Equitation: mid-Feb–early-Nov: closed Sun, Mon am and Sat pm. Musée des Blindés: daily

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Angers

Practical Information

Address 49000 (Maine-et-Loire). Château d’Angers: Prom du Bout du Monde, 49100; 0241864877 94; angers.monuments-nationaux.fr. Musée Jean-Lurçat et Tapisserie Contemporaine: 4 Blvd Arago, 49100; www.musees.angers.fr

Train from Nantes

Visitor information 7 Pl Kennedy, 49100; 0241235000, www.angersloiretourisme.com

Open Château d’Angers: daily. Musée Jean-Lurçat et Tapisserie Contemporaine: Jun–Sep: daily; Oct–May: closed Mon

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Le Mans

Practical Information

Address 72000 (Sarthe). Carré Plantagenêt: Rue Claude-Blondeau. Musée de Tessé: 2 Ave Paderborn. Musée des 24 Heures: Circuit des 24 Heures du Mans, Pl Luigi Chinetti

Train from Nantes, Angers & Paris

Visitor information 16 Rue de l’Etoile, 72000; 0243281722; www.lemanstourisme.com

Open Carré Plantagenêt & Musée de Tessé: closed Mon. Musée des 24 Heures: Jan: Fri–Sun; Feb–Mar & Oct–Dec: closed Tue; Apr–Sep: open daily

Festival 24 Heures du Mans (Jun)

< Practical Information: The Loire Valley

Tours

Practical Information

Address 37000 (Indre-et-Loire). Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle: 3 Rue du Président Merville; www.museum.tours.fr. Hôtel Goüin: 25 Rue du Commerce; www.musee-gouin.fr. Musée du Compagnonnage: 8 Rue Nationale; 0247216220. Musée des Beaux Arts: 18 Pl François-Sicard; 0247056873. Cathédrale St-Gatien: Pl de la Cathédrale; 0247702100. Jardin Botanique de Tours: 33 Blvd Tonnellé; 0247703737

Train from Paris and Orléans

Visitor information 78 Rue Bernard Palissy, 37000; 0247703737; www.tours-tourisme.fr

Open Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle: 10am–noon & 2–6pm Tue–Fri, 2–6pm Sat & Sun, 2–6pm hols. Musée du Compagnonnage: mid-Jun–mid-Sep: 9am–12:30pm & 2–6pm daily; mid-Jun–mid-Sep: 9am–12:30pm & 2–6pm Wed–Mon. Musée des Beaux-Arts: 9am–12:45pm & 2pm–6pm Wed–Mon

Prices Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle: €9–19; under 12s free. Musée du Compagnonnage: €18–28; under 12s free. Musée des Beaux Arts: €15–25; under 13s free

Skipping the queue Buy a Carte Multivisite (€8) from any state-owned museum in Tours for admission to the museums. The pass is valid for one year.

Guided tours Contact the tourist office for details.

Age range 5 plus

Allow A day and a half

Festival Festival de la Bande Dessiné, a comic book fest (Sep)

Good family value? Tours is a big lively city full of interest, especially for the culturally inclined, but a bit expensive.

< Practical Information: The Loire Valley

Chinon

Practical Information

Address 37500 (Indre-et-Loire). Fortresse Royale de Chinon: Rue de la Fontaine; 0247931345; www.forteressechinon.fr. Musée d’Art et d’Histoire: 44 Rue Haute-St-Maurice. Musée Animé du Vin: 12 Rue Voltaire; 0247932563

Train from Tours

Visitor information 1 Pl d’Hofheim, 37500; 0247931785; www.chinon-valdeloire.com

Open Fortresse Royale de Chinon: daily. Musée d’Art et d’Histoire: mid-Feb–Apr & Oct–mid-Nov: Fri–Mon pm; May–Sep: Wed–Mon pm. Musée Animé du Vin: Easter–Sep daily

Festival Marché Medieval, street market with troubadours, dancers and medieval entertainment (Aug)

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Château d’Ussé

Practical Information

Address 37420 (Indre-et-Loire). 37420 Rigny-Ussé; 0247955405; www.chateaudusse.fr

Train from Tours to Chinon, then a 15-min drive by car or taxi

Visitor information BP 5, 37190 Azay-le-Rideau; 0247454440

Open mid-Feb–mid-Nov: daily

Price €36–46; under 8s free

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Château de Chenonceau

Practical Information

Address 37150 (Indre-et-Loire). Pl de la Mairie; 0820209090; www.chenonceau.com

Train from Tours

Visitor information 1 Rue Docteur Bretonneau, 37150; 0247239445; www.chenonceaux-blere-tourisme.com

Open daily

Price €39–49; under 7s free

Festival Promenade Nocturnes, a sound and light show (Jun–Aug)

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Château Royal de Blois

Practical Information

Address 41000 (Loir-et-Cher). Pl du Château; 0254903333; www.chateaudeblois.fr

Train from Tours and Orléans

Visitor information 23 Pl du Château, 41000; 0254904141; www.bloischambord.com

Open Jan–Mar & Nov–Dec: 9am–12:30pm & 1:30–5:30pm daily; Apr–Jun & Sep: 9am–6:30pm daily; Jul–Aug: 9am–7pm daily; Oct: 9am–6pm daily. Son et Lumière: Apr–Sep: 10:30pm Wed (in English)

Price €27–37; Chateau & light show: €42–52; under 6s free

Skipping the queue Buy a joint ticket (€58–68) for the château, the Maison de la Magie Robert Houdin and also the son et lumière show.

Guided tours There is a range of themed tours – consult the website for the programme and call ahead to book.

Age range 4 plus

Activities See Blois from a horse and carriage (€26 plus tip) from Apr–Sep. Trips begin in Place du Château. From May–Aug, book trips for €29–39 (family ticket) on a futreau (traditional wooden river boat with a sail) at the tourist office to see the city. The guide will point out waterfowl along the way and may also stop outside town to look for beavers.

Allow Half a day for the château; a day or more to see all of Blois

Café La Duchesse Anne on Place Victor Hugo just outside the château.

Toilets Near château entrance

Good family value? Blois and its surroundings balance fun and culture nicely, with plenty of inexpensive activities.

< Practical Information: The Loire Valley

Château d’Amboise

Practical Information

Address 37400 (Indre-et-Loire). Château d’Amboise: 60 Rue de la Concorde; 0247570098; www.chateau-amboise.com. Château de Clos Lucé: 2 Rue du Clos Lucé; 0247570073; www.vinci-closluce.com

Train from Tours and Blois

Visitor information Quai Général de Gaulle, 37400 Amboise; 0247570928; www.amboise-valdeloire.com

Open Château d’Amboise & Château de Clos Lucé: daily

Festival A la Cour du Roy François, 350 actors put on a Renaissance son et lumière (sound & light) show with fireworks (Jul & Aug)

< Practical Information: The Loire Valley

Bourges

Practical Information

Address 18000 (Cher). Palais de Jacques Coeur: 10 bis Rue Jacques-Coeur; 0248247942; palais-jacques-coeur.monuments-nationaux.fr. Musée du Berry: 4 Rue des Arènes; 0248704192; www.ville-bourges.fr. Musée des Arts Décoratifs: 6 Rue Bourbonnoux; 0248702357; www.ville-bourges.fr

Train from Tours, Orléans and Paris

Visitor information 21 Rue Victor Hugo, 18000; 0248230260; www.bourges-tourisme.com

Open Palais de Jacques Coeur: guided tours daily. Musée du Berry: closed Tue & Sun am. Musée des Arts Décoratifs: closed Mon & Sun am

Festivals Le Printemps à Bourges, a week of all kinds of French music in the streets (Apr). Un Eté à Bourges, concerts and animations in a different location almost every night (21 Jun–21 Sep)

< Practical Information: The Loire Valley

Orléans

Practical Information

Address 45000 (Loiret). Maison de Jeanne d’Arc: 3 Pl de Gaulle, 45000; 0238529989; www.jeannedarc.com.fr. Musée des Beaux Arts: Pl Ste-Croix, 45000; 0238792155; www.orleans.fr. Musée Historique et Archéologique: Pl de l’Abbé Desnoyers, 45000; 0238792560; www.orleans.fr. Château de la Ferté: Route d’Orléans, 45240 La Ferté St Aubin; 0238765272; www.chateau-ferte-st-aubin.com

Train from Paris

Visitor information 2 Pl de l’Etape, 45000; 0238240505; www.tourisme-orleans.com

Open Maison de Jeanne d’Arc: Oct–Mar: Tue–Sun pm; Apr–Sep: Tue–Sun. Musée des Beaux Arts: Tue–Sun. Musée Historique et Archéologique: Tue–Sat, Sun am. Château de la Ferté: Easter–Sep: daily; Feb–Easter & Oct–mid-Nov: daily pm; closed mid-Nov & Jan

Festival Les Fêtes Jeanne d’Arc is marked by military parades, historical re-enactments, concerts, medieval market (29 Apr–9 May)

< Practical Information: The Loire Valley

Chartres Cathedral

Practical Information

Address 28000 (Eure-et-Loire). Cathedral: 24 Cloître Notre-Dame; www.cathedrale-chartres.org. Crypt: Pl de la Cathédrale: www.chartres-tourisme.com. Musée des Beaux-Arts: 29 Cloître Notre Dame; www.chartres.fr

Train from Paris Montparnasse and Le Mans

Visitor information 8 Rue de la Poissonnerie, 28000; 0237182626; www.chartres-tourisme.com

Open Cathedral and crypt: 8:30am–7:30pm daily, no visits during Mass. Northwest Tower: Sep–Apr: 9:30am–12:30pm & 2–5pm Mon–Sat, 2–5pm Sun; May–Aug: 9:30am–12:30pm & 2–6pm Mon–Sat, 2–6pm Sun. Musée des Beaux-Arts: Nov–Apr: 10am–noon & 2–5pm Wed–Sat & Mon, 2–5pm Sun; May–Oct: 10am–noon & 2–6pm Wed–Mon, 2–6pm Sun

Price Cathedral: free. Crypt: €10–20; under 10s free. Northwest Tower: €23–33; under 18s free. Musée des Beaux-Arts: €8–18; under 18s free

Skipping the queue Buy the Chartres Pass at the tourist office to see a number of sights.

Guided tours Contact the tourist office for details.

Age range 4 plus

Activities Walk the labyrinth of the cathedral on Fridays, between Lent and mid-October, when it is not covered by chairs.

Allow A day

Café Le Serpente, just across the road from the cathedral, has ice creams and milkshakes.

Toilets No

Festivals Festival de Pâques features a children’s book fair (Apr). Chartres en Lumières (May–Sep)

Good family value? This is one of the world’s great sights and it is free. Children will especially enjoy the labyrinth.