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KidZone

So OK guys, what's in it for you?

Of course we understand that going out for gourmet meals washed down with copious amounts of vino collapso and visiting old chateaux isn't your idea of a wicked holiday but this is!

When you have had enough of jumping in and out of the private solar heated swimming pool there are other exciting things to do - some within walking distance and some just a short car ride away.  From panning for gold on Manot beach, canoeing down the River Vienne, taking the Velo Rail from Manot to Confolens to visiting the monkey sanctuary at the Vallée des Singes there is plenty to keep you entertained and to ensure that you too have a holiday to remember.

animal magic

Apart from observing the family of cows in the neighbouring fields, there are many animal delights for the kids.  

 A great day out for the whole family would be a visit to Vallée des Singes (www.la-vallee-des-singes.fr).   Situated in Romagne, Vienne, this is a unique site in France for an unforgettable visit.  At the « Vallée des Singes », you don't only observe monkeys, you're right there with them.  Totally in the wild on wooded islands, close to 250 animals, more than 20 varieties of Primates, live happily in a Park which contributes to the preservation of often endangered species.   Admission is €12 per adult and €8 per child aged between 5 and12.  Children under 5 go free.  

The Aquarium du Limousin is situated in an architectural setting unique in France, in an ancient vaulted underground water reservoir in the city of Limoges.  Constructed under Napoleon III the reservoir contains more than 3 million litres of water. Today, you can see 2,500 fish, more than 300 species from the whole world.

Just 10 km from Confolens, you can find the Parc Animalier at Hiesse.  Raccoons, wallabies, llamas, mouflons de corse ou d'Ouessant, deer, yaks, ostriches - all can be discovered in the park of 11 hectares.  

Zoodyssée - Dive into the natural environment of a European wild fauna in the quietness of a temperate forest near the Marais Poitevin.  Discover scenes of animal life, secrets of their ecology.  More than 600 animals, from all over Europe.  Visit www.zoodyssee.org for more information.

L'île aux serpents (www.ileauxserpents.com)  is at La Timouille.  Here you will find 60 species of reptiles and more than 250 animals: snakes, iguanas, varans, alligators, lizards, turtles and mongeese live in their natural environment and reveal their intimate life to visitors.   Snakes' Island enables you to familiarise yourself with snakes and other reptiles  and to discover other species.

adventure time

If you want to be a bit more active on holiday there are loads of things to do.  Why not try canoeing or kayaking down the River Vienne (children under 7 need to share a canoe with an older person).  You start at nearby Exideuil and end up at the beach at Manot.  At a cost of €9 per person for a 2½ hour trip it's certainly value for money.  You are only taken out in small groups and there are always a number of experienced guides with you.

For waterbabies there are numerous swimming holes in the vicinity.  You can swim in the Vienne at Manot beach, in the public outdoor baths at Confolens or at any of the nearby plan d'eaux and lakes.  Roumazières has a plan d'eau, which is a cross between a man-made lake and a swimming pool.  There is no entrance fee and is excellent for those with younger children.  Etagnac has a large swimming lake with sandy beach and bar/restaurant.  Especially popular with children is the diving/jumping platform.  If you like being near the water but are not keen on swimming, why not pan for gold at Manot beach?  Each week during the summer courses are run to show you how to do it and at the end of your holiday you get to take home the gold you have collected!

Manot station may not have seen a train for some years, but many people pass through it or board from it using the velo-rail.  The best way to describe the velo-rail is to liken it to pedaloes that run on rail tracks - a great day out for the whole family.

Nearby at Massignac, near to Lake Videix,  you can find the Adventure Park, which opened in June 2003.  With the theme of 'between sky and earth' you will find more than 60 adventure games, including: bunjee jumping, tyrolienne, monkey bridges, Tarzan swings, suspended ladders, rope walls and other swinging footbridges.  

Discover a fairy-like museum unique in France at Feeriland (www.feeriland.net).  See Caesar's army approaching a gaelic village, relive the days of the wild west or the Renaissance.   Watch a colony of mutant ants going about their daily business . . . just some of the scenes which come to life with the marvellous animated scale models (1:32 scale) on display.  This unique museum housing hundreds of miniature models has taken 10 years to complete.  Enter and discover under a roof of stars seven areas of Diorama giants, sound and light miniatures, giant models, water plays and lights and special effects to amaze you.