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Our stay with the children in the Pays Loudunais
For our stay with the children in the Pays Loudunais, we had to rack our brains a bit at first. I don’t know how you do it, but where I come from, finding activities they enjoy is sometimes a miracle. In the Pays Loudunais, that miracle happened. This discreet area, with its combination of nature and history, has understood everything there is to know about families: you learn without realising it, you play without hurrying and you laugh without restraint. We spentthree days here and not once did the children ask for the tablet (for real!).
Learning through play in the Pays Loudunais
It all began in the Place Sainte-Croix in Loudun. The sun was slowly rising over the blonde facades, and the girls were already spotting the first puzzles in the Rando jeu. The idea is simple: walk, observe and solve. This child-sized treasure hunt transforms the historic centre into a huge adventure playground. Between the ramparts, the narrow streets and the ancient gates, you can discover the city without even realising it. The girls found it “better than a museum, because you’re always on the move”. And, for once, I think they were right.
At the end of the tour, a short diversions to the Sainte-Croix collegiate church was in order. Inside, everything is calm and luminous. While we were admiring the stained glass windows, the children were taking part in a creative workshop organised by the site. The theme of the day was colours and light in the Middle Ages. They glued, painted and cut out stained glass, and came away with their fingers stained but their eyes shining. These workshops at the collegiate church are a real gem: educational, caring and always at a child’s level.
Adventure with Terra aventura
The next morning, the air really did smell of holidays. The children were talking aboutriddles even before they’d finished their hot chocolate. So we followed their lead and went to Moncontour to complete the Terra Aventura mission “La grande Buée”. There were no simple riddles here: each clue took us to a different corner of the village, between the medieval ramparts and the peaceful banks of the river Dive.
Zoé ran from one signpost to the next, convinced she’d found the right password, while Nina was more cautious, checking everything on her phone. What I love about Terra Aventura is that the children learn without realising it. They observe, ask questions and help each other, all the while discovering the local heritage. And we, the parents, follow suit with a smile.
As we turned down an alleyway, we came across another family, just as focused as we were. We exchanged a few clues, like accomplices in a shared secret. At the end of the trail, when the digital treasure finally appeared on the screen, the girls jumped for joy. It was a real moment of collective pleasure, simple and joyful, which sums up the spirit of the Pays Loudunais: here, every walk becomes a child’s adventure.
And as we don’t like to rest on our laurels, we’ve promised ourselves that we’ll try the other routes in the area. ” Les raisins de la folie” in Curçay-sur-Dive is a wine and scenery trail, “Fondor perd les pédales” in Monts-sur-Guesnes is a trail through history and nature, and “Aux grands maux, les grands remèdes” in Loudun is a trail through the mysteries of the old apothecaries. It’s a great way to come back again and again and play in the Pays Loudunais.
Experiencing families together
In the course of our meetings, we discovered another concept that won us over: Family Experiences. These are tours that invite you to take part and fully immerse yourself in the culture of Loudun. We spent a morning at Vis ma vie de vigneron, an activity designed for curious people of all ages. We walked through the vines, tasted the freshly pressed grape juice, smelled the earth and listened to stories about the estate. The children learned how to recognise leaves, hold secateurs and understand the work of the seasons. It was a wonderful experience.
In the afternoon, we headed for Château de Ternay. The owner welcomed us as guests and offered immersive tours punctuated with anecdotes, little riddles and secret passages. Zoé thought she was a princess, Nina thought she was an explorer, and we just enjoyed this moment out of time. These experiences are designed to bring heritage to life and make it accessible.
Then there are the fun and unusual visits to Loudun. This was a real hit with the whole family. They talk about history, local legends and surprising characters, but always in a light-hearted tone. The guides know how to captivate children, make them laugh and surprise them. At the end, we all had the same impression: that of having discovered the city through a story we won’t forget.
A gentle break in the fresh air
After two busy mornings, we decided to take a break. We headed for Domaine de Roiffé, a peaceful spot where everything seems to have been designed with families in mind. The mini-golf course was a hit with everyone. The courses wind through the trees and each hole is a small victory. The children laughed, Marc noted the scores with the seriousness of a professional referee and I simply savoured the moment.
The site is vast, green and perfect for a relaxing half-day: playground, terrace for parents and even a restaurant where we treated ourselves to a homemade ice cream before setting off again. We’d found the perfect place to continue our stay:simple pleasures , peace and quiet and a real sense of conviviality.
Going back in time at Monts sur Guesnes castle
In the afternoon, we set off for Monts-sur-Guesnes. The château dominates the village and immediately catches the eye. Inside, you won’t find dusty showcases, but an immersive experience. Thehistory of Poitou is told through projections, live sets, manipulations and games. The girls laughed as they tried their hand at wielding a virtual sword, Marc tried out a quiz on the knights, and I especially loved seeing their faces light up with each new room.
It’s a visit we’d recommend to any family: fun, fast-paced and full of surprises. You learn a lot, and you never lose interest. On the way out, the children were still shouting “attack” in the village square. Proof that history is still very much alive here.
Beautiful memories of the Pays Loudunais with the children
On the way home, the car was strangely silent. The girls were dozing in the back, their notebooks full of drawings and little treasures picked up along the way. We were savouring this rare impression: that of having spent some really good times as a family. No constraints, no obligations. Just time shared.
In the Pays Loudunais, activities are simple and well thought-out. Here, people take the time to talk to each other and everything is done on a human scale.
