A family holiday in Tours and Touraine over the All Saints’ Day break!

HALLOWEEN: ACTIVITIES FOR FUN AND THRILLS!

As 31 October approaches, pumpkins, witches and strange creatures are taking over several venues across Touraine. The theme: a few ghosts, but above all games to enjoy with the family.

Pumpkins, costumes and Hansel and Gretel at Le Rivau

Le Rivau Castle is keeping autumn alive throughout the school holidays. Costumed tours, a special pumpkin treasure hunt and carving workshops run right up until 27 October. Then, from 29 to 31 October, Hansel and Gretel will be taking over the gardens for Halloween, with trails suitable for all ages.

Practical information

• 17–27 October: costumed tour for 5–10-year-olds, special pumpkin treasure hunt for 5–10-year-olds and pumpkin carving for 6–12-year-olds, according to the château’s programme.
• From 29 to 31 October, 10.00–18.00: Halloween games; a self-guided activity booklet for 3–5-year-olds, a guided sweet hunt for 6–10-year-olds (€4 extra) and a ‘you’re the hero’ adventure trail for 11–16-year-olds.

A Halloween ghost hunt at the Domaine de Candé

With a treasure hunt, workshops and encounters with the castle’s inhabitants, the Domaine de Candé offers a mix of ‘mild thrills and big thrills’. Costumes are welcome! A few days beforehand, family workshops also give visitors the chance to carve their own Halloween pumpkins.

Practical information:

• ‘Halloween Pumpkins’ family workshops on 21, 22 and 23 October, at the times offered by the estate.
• Halloween from Thursday 29 October to Sunday 1 November, from 10.30 am to 6 pm – online booking essential.
• Halloween prices: €13.50 for adults; €12.50 for 7 to 17-year-olds; €8 for 4 to 6-year-olds; free for under-4s.
• Information and bookings at domainecande.fr

A ‘Brrrrr’ face-painting session at Chinon Fortress

In Chinon, children can leave the fortress sporting a look specially designed for Halloween! A face-painting workshop is being held on the last weekend of the holidays. To keep the adventure going, the special autumn holiday GeoGaming activity lets you explore the fortress whilst solving puzzles.

Practical information:

• Saturday 31 October and Sunday 1 November, from 10.00 am to 12.00 pm and from 2.00 pm to 4.00 pm.
• Make-up workshop for children, included in the admission price and no booking required.
• Special ‘mystery’ GeoGaming activity, available throughout the autumn half-term holidays.
• Halloween programme at the Royal Fortress of Chinon

IN TOURS: OUTINGS FOR ALL AGES

A trip round Tours on the Little Train…

If you want to explore Tours without tiring little legs, the Petit Train is still a sure-fire choice. In 45 minutes, the route takes in the city’s main attractions, from Saint-Gatien Cathedral to the banks of the Loire, via Saint-Martin Basilica and Place Plumereau.
Practical information:
• Departures opposite the Tours Tourist Office
• Every day during the holidays until 31 October: departures between 11.00 and 12.00, then between 14.00 and 17.00.
• €8.50 for adults – €6.50 for children aged 3 to 12 – free for under-3s.
• Tickets on sale at the reception desk of the Tours Tourist Office, 78–82 Rue Bernard Palissy.

…or by tuk-tuk!

To win over teenagers, why not treat them to a unique tuk-tuk tour of Tours! In 55 minutes, you’ll discover the city’s must-see attractions: Place Jean Jaurès, the Halles district, Old Tours, the Basilica of Saint-Martin, the Etoile Bleue, the Grand Théâtre, the cathedral, the Museum of Fine Arts – not to mention a trip along the banks of the Loire. The highlights? The cheerful attitude and smile of Pascal, at the wheel of the tuk-tuk, and the special family rate!
Practical information:
• Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at 2.30 pm and 3.30 pm
• Departures opposite the Tours Tourist Office
• By booking only

A budget-friendly guided tour of Tours

Fancy finding out more about the city? Why not go on a guided tour of Tours! From the cathedral district to Vieux-Tours, a tour guide will give you all the information you need to better understand the city’s history and architecture – and here’s a great tip for families: it’s free for children under 12!

Practical information:
• Wednesday 21 October from 10.00 am to 12.00 pm, Sunday 25 October from 9.45 am to 11.45 am and Wednesday 28 October from 10.00 am to 12.00 pm.
• Free for children under 12

Calder’s works at child height at the Musée des Beaux-Arts and the CCC OD

The ‘Calder au cœur de la France’ event is also suitable for the very youngest visitors!
At the Musée des Beaux-Arts, the exhibition features workshops tailored to different age groups: sensory experiences for the very youngest and three-dimensional art projects for 8–11-year-olds.
At the Olivier Debré Centre for Contemporary Creation (CCC OD), children aged 2–4 and 5–11 are invited to look, move, ask questions and discuss Alexander Calder’s works through reimagined workshops entitled ‘Say, why?’ and ‘What’s contemporary art?’.

Practical information: Museum of Fine Arts:
• ‘Awaken the Senses’: ages 0–3, Wednesdays 21 and 28 October from 10.00 am to 10.45 am – €5 per child, accompanying adult free.
• “Drawing in Space!”: ages 8–11, Fridays 23 and 30 October from 10.00 am to 11.30 am – €5 per child, accompanying adult free.
• Find out more: Museum of Fine Arts’ programme for young visitors

Practical information for CCC OD:
• Wednesdays 21 and 28, Fridays 23 and 30 October, from 4.00 pm to 5.00 pm.
• €4 per child, in addition to the adult ticket – booking required.
• Find out more: Information on cccod.fr

And for fans of modern art, don’t miss the exceptional programme dedicated to the artist Alexander Calder, as part of the Ar(t]chipel festival in Touraine! To find out more, read our article ‘Calder at the heart of France’.

HERITAGE: HISTORY THROUGH PLAY!

During the holidays, historic sites move beyond traditional tours: costumed guides, musketeers, challenges and activities that put a ‘fun twist’ on holiday workbooks.

A journey through time with a guided tour in period costume through Old Tours

What if the Middle Ages came back to life as you turned a corner? Led by Mahaut, the daughter of a militiaman dressed in period costume, children will discover Old Tours, its pilgrims, its merchants and its two major historical centres. A lively tour, suitable for young and old alike!

Practical information:
• Saturday 17, Wednesday 21 and Saturday 24 October at 2.30 pm.
• Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes – recommended for children aged 7 and over – prices from €8; free for the third child onwards for large families (2 adults + 3 or more children).

The Secrets of Leonardo da Vinci with Mathurine at the Clos Lucé

At the Clos Lucé, Mathurine, Leonardo da Vinci’s cook, takes the lead on the tour. Through anecdotes and scenes from everyday life, she recounts the genius’s arrival in Amboise, his relationship with François I, and showcases some of his inventions.

Practical information:
• From 19 to 24 October and then from 26 to 31 October, at 11.00 and 14.15.
• Ages 7 and over – duration: 1 hour – additional charge of €6 per person on top of the admission fee.
• Book your ‘Mathurine’s Secrets’ tour HERE and collect your discounted tickets from the Tours Tourist Office!

A day in the shoes of a Cro-Magnon man at the Grand-Pressigny Museum of Prehistory

For older children, head to the Grand-Pressigny Museum of Prehistory. The ‘Paléo’Bivouac’ offers an immersive day out: pitching a reindeer-hide tent, lighting a fire, making a tallow lamp and shooting a spear-thrower at 3D targets.
Practical information:
• Wednesday 21 October from 10.30 am to 3.30 pm – for families, ages 9 and over.
• €19 full price / €16 reduced price, museum entry included – booking required, limited places.
• Information and bookings at prehistoiregrandpressigny.fr

WHEN IT RAINS, WE KEEP SMILING!

Tropical fish and a giant tunnel at the Touraine Aquarium

Piranhas, caimans, freshwater fish and marine species: the Touraine Aquarium is the perfect solution when the weather’s a bit iffy. The entire exhibition is under cover and is ideal for families with young children.
Practical information:
• Open every day during the holidays, from 10.00 to 18.00, up to and including 1 November.

Let off steam at New Jump

Need to get everyone moving? In Chambray-lès-Tours, New Jump offers 2,000 m² of indoor trampolines, with a ‘Kid’s Park’ for under-5s and a ‘Grand Park’ for children aged 6 and over.
Practical information:
• From 17 October to 1 November: open every day from 10.30 am to 7.30 pm.

A show for 3–10-year-olds at the Comédie de Tours

Pirates, a magic chest and colourful characters: just a stone’s throw from the station, the Comédie de Tours is staging two unmissable shows for young audiences during the holidays!
Practical information:
• ‘Le Coffre magique’: 19, 21, 28, 29 and 31 October – recommended for ages 3 to 10.
• ‘Comment devenir un vrai pirate ?’: 17, 26, 27, 28, 29 and 30 October – recommended for ages 3 to 10.
• Duration: 50 mins – full price €11; under 12s: €9 on presentation of proof of age.
• Find out more: Comédie de Tours’ programme for young audiences

A FEW MORE GREAT FAMILY OUTINGS

See 41 Loire Valley châteaux in a single afternoon

In Amboise, the Parc des Mini-Châteaux lets you explore the Loire Valley in miniature. The 41 replicas offer a life-size observation game in a park that’s easy to navigate with children.

Practical information:

• Open throughout the holidays: 10.00–18.00 on 17 and 18 October, then daily from 19 October to 1 November, 10.00–18.00.

Why not make the most of the holidays to visit some castles?

We can’t say it often enough: castles remain unmissable highlights for your days out in Touraine! To make the most of them, the Tours Tourist Office has put together a series of top tips, featuring the star attraction: the Loire Valley Castle Passes!

Two, three, four… up to nine châteaux on a single ticket – it’s the must-have pass to have in your pocket for the holidays (or to give as a Christmas present – just saying…!). Discover the full range of offers in our Loire Valley Châteaux Pass section.

And for budding knights and princesses, discounted tickets are available all year round from the Tours Tourist Office.