Extract from the Information Pack

Kids are always fascinated by animals.   So top of the list has to be the tremendous range of farms, aquariums and animal museums in the area.  We have this summarised in the Information Pack, so you can find the attraction of your choice at a glance:

• Pont-Scorff zoo with a fantastic range of animals and shows
• Donkey museum
• Wildlife parks of Parc Aquanature, Parc de Branfére and Tropical Parc
• Insect and bee museums
• Bat museum
• Farms from small local ones to farm animals of the world
• Vannes aquarium
• Butterfly house
• The Haras National – the national stud for purebred horses with shows
• Ostrich farm
• Salmon museum

Poul Fetan – working the cider press

Nearby there are three reconstructed villages from a bygone age, all with farm animals and demonstrations of traditional life of that time.

• Poul Fetan here in Quistinic is a marvellously reconstructed hamlet which also has traditional Breton games – something to interest all the family
• Village de l’an mill at Melrand is a 1000 AD village with traditional animals
• St-Degan at Brech is a 17C/19C farm with demonstrations in the summer

Every child loves a trip to the seaside and you will be spoilt for choice with many sandy beaches, blessed with a smaller tidal range than the northern coast.  In July and August many of these beaches have life guards and some also have a play area nearby.  Our information pack is full of many suggestions, from small coves to long sandy beaches.

And if you don’t want to travel far, do as the locals do in Quistinic, and head down to the river beach at Minazen Lock on the Blavet River.  The perfect spot for a lazy French afternoon, take a picnic or a fishing rod (licenses only cost 10€ a day!), and while away the time at the beach or at the bar watching the cyclists and walkers on the tow path or a river boat coming through the lock.

Or head inland to Lac de Guerlédan – Brittany’s largest inland lake with three sandy beaches.

Fort Bloqué beach near Lorient

Ty Val child-friendly restaurant

We have always found that the local restaurants are incredibly child friendly so don’t worry about venturing out with young children and most do a children’s menu or you can ask for child portions in those that don’t.

The only downside is that generally French restaurants tend to have fixed opening hours (lunch 12h-14h and dinner 19h-21h/22h) which don’t fit in with most young children’s eating hours.  The good news if you are coming from the UK or Ireland is that you do have an extra hour with the time zones which helps if you keep the children in the same time patterns.

The other good news is that one of our local restaurants, Ty Val, is open from 18h30 Thursday to Sunday, have  a reasonably priced childrens menu (with surprise) around 7€ and an outside patio area with boules, slides and swings for the children.

Dimask tea rooms & restaurant in Quistinic

Alternatively, the absolutely charming Dimask Tea Rooms, one of our favourite places to go, with its even more charming hostess is open from 9am to 7pm (except Wednesdays) for a bite to eat at any time.  See our review here. English spoken.

West Wake Park terrace

Another great place to pick up food at almost anytime is at the café/bar Chez Pops at the West Wake Park, where you can watch the télé-skiing whilst having a meal or a snack.

You will also find in high season that there are some restaurants where you can get food all afternoon and we are happy to point you in the right direction.

A good standby is McDonalds (We are not fans really!) but in France the food is not too bad at all, they are open from 10h and they always have a children’s play area.

Something for kids of all ages

This new amusement park only 30 minutes away has activities for all ages.  It really is a smaller quieter quainter Legoland!  Lots of smaller play areas for the little ones (indoor and out) whilst the older ones can take advantage of the roller coaster, the 6D cinema and some of the older rides.  Take a swimming costume, towel and spare clothes for the water activities.

No matter what, there is hardly a week that goes by without some festival in the region and in the summer months you will be hard pressed to decide on which one to see.

This is the perfect opportunity to introduce the little ones to the music, dancing and festivities of Breton culture.

Breton festivities

The outdoor karting at Ploemel has electric mini-cars for 3-6 year olds

X-Trem Forest in Camor has brilliant tree climbing courses starting from 2+ years

The WestWake Park provides cable water skiing (on waterskis or knee boards) for 8+ years and an aqua-park for 6+ years.  Great fun!

The Cité de la Voile – the sailing museum at Lorient – has many interactive displays suitable for young children.

One of our favourite and most unusual museums is the Poète Ferrailleur near Lizio.

This amazing metalworking poet has made a universe of moving objects from scrap metal.

Fascinating to both children and adults alike!

Poète Ferrailleur

There is a delightful activity park “La Balade du Père Nicolas” for the youngsters near St Nicolas-Des-Eaux.   Ploemel, near Auray, is also host to “Le P’tit Delire” as well as Yakapark at Vannes.

There are also soft play areas at Pontivy and Lanaster for the under 12s.

But don’t forget most McDonald’s have a free soft play area.  These can be found at Pontivy, Quimperlé, Hennebont, Lanaster, Auray and Vannes.  The one at Lanaster has a particularly good one!

Every reasonable sized village has a free playground and sports facilities. Sometimes these are not well sign-posted but as a general rule of thumb head towards the local “Salle Polyvalente” and the playground and sports facilities will be nearby.

There are lovely playgrounds in nearby Baud, Hennebont and Plouay.  Details to find these are in our Information Pack.