France for Families: Disneyland, Loire Châteaux & the Island at the Edge of the Tide

When the Disneyland Paris castle lights up at the end of the parade and your child grabs your hand — that is the moment this itinerary was built for. But France has more than one kind of castle, and this trip makes sure your family sees all of them. This 7-night France family holiday takes you from Paris's kid-friendly highlights — the Eiffel Tower, a Seine cruise, the Louvre's Egyptian wing which holds children's attention better than most — to a full day at Disneyland Paris, then southwest through the Loire Valley where actual fairy-tale châteaux line the river for 100 kilometres. Chambord with its 440 rooms and double-helix staircase allegedly designed by Leonardo da Vinci, Chenonceau spanning the Cher river on arched stone bridges — and then west to Mont Saint-Michel, the tidal island-monastery rising from the sea that has stopped travellers in their tracks since the 8th century. It stops children too. Safari Sutra books family rooms throughout and sequences the itinerary so big energy days (Disneyland) are followed by easier travel days. Every included restaurant has been checked for vegetarian options, and our guides carry spare snacks. This trip is for families with children aged 5 and above; the châteaux and the tidal crossing to Mont Saint-Michel work well for teenagers. Grandparents travelling with families — the pace is manageable and the distances by private vehicle are comfortable.