Family weekend in the Vignoble Nantais: cycling with the kidsThe Maine valley, carved out of the rock, is home to a life-size adventure playground. At Pont Caffino, the leisure centre offers a zip line, escape game, suspended footbridge and wooded paths.
A short walk will take you to Porte-Vue, an aerial viewpoint clinging to the cliffs. A breathtaking view over the valley rewards curious families.
Family weekend in the Vignoble Nantais: Pont Caffino leisure centre
Family weekend in the Vignoble Nantais: Pont Caffino leisure centre
Family weekend in the Vignoble Nantais: Le Porte-vue de Château-Thébaud, a lookout point over the Maine valley
Family weekend in the Vignoble Nantais: Pont Caffino leisure centreIn La Haye-Fouassière, Clisson or Saint-Julien-de-Concelles, there’s no shortage of ideas for a peaceful retreat:
Picnic lunch during a family weekend at Port de la Haye Fouassiere A former merchant port, it now offers picnic areas on the banks of the Sèvre Nantaise. Children are not to be outdone! A play area designed by Le Voyage à Nantes has been conceived as an abstract folding of playing surfaces to stimulate the imagination.
Picnic lunch during a family weekend at Parc Henri IV in ClissonA bucolic setting on the banks of the Sèvre Nantaise, a stone’s throw from the historic centre of Clisson. There’s a play area for children. And for parents, a green setting for a well-deserved break.
Picnic lunch during a family weekend at the Plan d'eau du chêne in saint-Julien-de-ConcellesVast and green, it’s a haven of peace and relaxation on the edge of town. A pleasure to be shared in complete tranquillity. Here, you can enjoy picnics with your feet up in the grass, with barbecues and a play area!
On the edge of the Goulaine marshes, the turrets of the Loire’s first downstream château can be seen.
At the reception desk, costumes for hire are available for young visitors: princess, musketeer, little knight… The Château de Goulaine and its family trail leads young and old on the trail of a lost treasure. By solving Yolande de Goulaine’s riddles, children can open the locks leading to the hidden chest one by one.
Aerial photo of the chateau de Goulaine on the edge of the Goulaine marshes.When the light fades, the guinguettes of the Vignoble Nantais come alive. On the banks of the Loire, on the quiet shores or in the heart of the vineyards: each place has its own charm!
Local dishes, glasses of grape juice or Muscadet* for the grown-ups, acoustic concerts and games at hand: children run around, parents enjoy. An evening as gentle as the end of summer.
*Alcohol abuse is dangerous for your health, consume in moderation.
From the heart of Clisson, the “Qui va là? trail leads the curious through 3km of woodland and nature. You can learn to recognise the birds: their silhouettes, songs, habits… The trail passes through the Parc Henri IV, the Moulin de Plessard, then runs alongside the Sèvre Nantaise as far as the Moulin Neuf. A gentle stroll, ideal for learning and marvelling.
Family hiking weekend: Murmures de Rochers family trail Whether under the medieval Halles, or in the Parc Henri IV. Perhaps even on the banks of the Sèvre at the foot of the château, or in the alleys of the Domaine de la Garenne Lemot. Families can set up wherever they like in Clisson. Baskets are slowly emptied while children watch the ducks or daydream by the river.
Picnic lunch during a family weekend at Parc Henri IV in ClissonOn the banks of the Sèvre, the cogs of the Liveau paper mill turn. Children listen to the lapping of the water and the hum of the paddles in the river.
The guided tour retraces the skills of the craftsmen of yesteryear. Sieve after sieve, each person makes a sheet of paper by hand. A soothing, tactile experience.
Children's activities during your family weekend: Paper-making at Moulin du Liveau Gorges
Children's activities during your family weekend: Paper-making at Moulin du Liveau GorgesIn the evening, a digital treasure hunt takes young and old into Clisson’s past. Using the Baludik application, the “Discovering Clisson with Zélie the dragonfly” trail offers ten interactive stages in the heart of the medieval town. It takes between 1 h 45 and 2 h to complete. The game is free and can be activated by QR code and GPS.
Would you like to finish off the weekend with something special for the whole family? Head to the Brasserie Hellcity for a drink! In the meantime, let yourself be transported to the gates of hell on a stroll through the heart of the Hellfest site. The little extra? A play area for young metal enthusiasts. The perfect way to round off your stay in style.
*Alcohol abuse is dangerous for your health, consume in moderation.
Children's activities during your family weekend: the "Pandemonium" children's play area on the Hellfest siteA highly instructive visit for children and adults alike. The setting is splendid, on the banks of the Sèvre Nantaise. The explanations during the visit were very clear and interesting, the mill wheel really turns and you can see the whole paper-making mechanism. We made our own sheet of paper, much to the delight of the children! Once again, the explanations were very good. The use of the press was impressive and the explanations were very detailed, so you could see that we were dealing with enthusiasts. The children were able to handle the press and ask all their questions. The documentary films were a great complement to the visit. It was a great discovery.
Children's activities during your family weekend: the Pays d'Art et d'Histoire Explorer Booklets to discover the communes of the Vignoble Nantais regionThere, on the edge of a lake or in a natural setting, families can pitch their tents or suitcases in cottages, slow lodges or bivouacs. With a play area, heated swimming pool and direct access to water sports activities, there’s a family haven to welcome you in every corner of the Vignoble Nantais.
Because here, nature becomes a playground and heritage an adventure playground. Between the river, vineyards and picturesque villages, the Vignoble Nantais invites you to spend two days discovering the great outdoors: zip-lining, costumed walks, picnics by the water or a night among the giraffes… A family weekend where every moment is worth sharing.
Pont Caffino is a must-see, with its zip line, suspended footbridge, viewpoint over the valley and wide-open spaces for running. The footpaths in Clisson and along the banks of the Loire are perfect for nature breaks, picnics and games. For a gentle hike, the “Murmures de rochers” family trail introduces children to nature in a fun way.
