Some ideas for days out and activities for those rainy days
Should your family holiday in Charente-Maritime turn out to be affected by the weather, you may be wondering how to occupy the children and what to do. Here are a few suggestions for activities and indoor games for all the family in Vals de Saintonge.
Puzzle-solving with the children, an original indoor activity
Here’s an unusual indoor activity for the children when it rains in Charente-Maritime – an escape game! The idea is simple. You’re all shut in a room and you have to solve puzzles to escape in less than an hour.
There are numerous escape game in Vals de Saintonge, with different themes and for all ages.
Develop your observational and deductive skills in the three escape game rooms of Cerveaux Associés in Tonnay-Boutonne. There are indoor puzzle games for the very youngest.
There’s a treasure hunt for all the family to discover a miracle remedy at Escape Game Familles at the Musée des Cordeliers in Saint-Jean-d’Angély.
Close to Matha, young and old will enjoy responding to challenges to liberate a guineapig during the family escape game “Le Repaire du Piégeur” at the Ferme des Marronniers in Cressé or try the “Épreuve du Zodiaque” in a mysterious room in the château at Neuvicq-le-Château during the Millénigme escape game. And to enjoy an immersion for all the senses on the secrets of cognac, there’s the “Mystères de l’assemblage” escape game in a wine cellar at Le Cep Enchanté in Macqueville.
Have some family fun searching, touching, turning things round. Remember to put your thinking caps on!
Visiting local heritage sites to occupy the children when it rains
To discover local heritage with your appropriately clothed children, head for the Château de Dampierre-sur-Boutonne, a truly peaceful site, ideal for family visits. Young and old can enjoy searching for hidden treasure in this Renaissance-style château and will uncover, thanks to the games, the story of the château of Dampierre. There are plenty of mysteries – an exhibition on the work of Salvador Dali, French-style gardens, a maze, games during the stroll, a cabinet of curios or the alchemist’s gallery – something for everyone!
The seasons of autumn and winter are also the perfect time to learn about the production of pineau and cognac. Our enthusiastic producers throw open the doors of their distilleries to welcome visitors during this period. Immerse yourselves in the cognac vineyards and discover an ancestral know-how; admire the cellars and the steaming alembics and then, taste (with moderation) the local elixir. Children will have their own sparkling grape juice!
When it’s raining, how about a museum visit?
Family museum visits are perfect for rainy Wednesdays, weekends or during the holidays. There’s a wealth of choice in Vals de Saintonge!
The Musée des Cordeliers in Sint-Jean-d’Angély centres on local and more far-flung history and culture. Everyone will appreciate the collection tracing the Citroën expeditions in Africa and Asia during the
When it’s raining, how about a museum visit?
Family museum visits are perfect for rainy Wednesdays, weekends or during the holidays. There’s a wealth of choice in Vals de Saintonge!
The Musée des Cordeliers in Saint-Jean-d’Angély centres on local and more far-flung history and culture. Everyone will appreciate the collection tracing the Citroën expeditions in Africa and Asia during the 1920s and 30s. Children from 6 upwards can pretend to be explorers thanks to the games booklet that relives the Black Cruise. The museum also offers visits, activities, temporary exhibitions and special events for young people that will awaken their sense of discovery. To cap it all, entrance is free for everyone!
The Museum of the Public School at Vergné houses a school from yesteryear. Become a pupil again and as in the olden days, copy the day’s proverb with a pen and violet ink.
Lisette’s Museum of Treasures at Archingeay near the picturesque village of Saint-Savinien invites you to admire a huge collection of objects from the Belle Époque. Your children will enjoy the fun trail dotted with riddles to solve and games for visitors of all ages.
Lastly, go back in time with the Miniatures Museum at Saint-Savinien-sur-Charente, where you can discover everyday life in years gone by.
Must-dos to occupy the children in winter
Go to the movies with the children
The cinema is perfect for occupying the children on rainy days and often the programme on Wednesdays is child-centred. Family viewing of the latest productions in Vals de Saintonge at the Eden Cinéma in Saint-Jean-d’Angély, the Forum in Matha or the Rex at Tonnay-Boutonne.
Or do you fancy rather arty films? Then head for the Florida at Saint-Savinien-sur-Charente to see independent films and documentaries. They organise regular film-debates as well as meet the artistes events. An ideal way to sharpen up the critical capacities of your teenagers.
Try the “ludothèque” for children’s indoor games
Don’t worry if it’s raining, just head for the Ludothèque in Saint-Jean-d’Angély, the perfect spot for a recreational afternoon. They have more than 2,000 games for all the family. The only game they don’t have is “The King of Silence”!
Artistic courses, a great way to occupy the children this winter!
Waken the artist that is inside you and develop the artistic fibre of your children. When the holidays are wet, go for discovery courses: pottery, ceramics, stone carving, woodcarving – there’s enough for everyone!
Maud Trolliet, a ceramist at Saint-Jean-d’Angély welcomes four year olds and above to express their creativity in modelling, forming and decorating with clay.
From 6 years and above, children can enjoy fun pottery and modelling creative activities at the Atelier Sauvaget in Bernay-Saint-Martin.
Likewise at ”Atelier Terres d’Angély” to learn the basics of pottery.
All-day sessions of woodcarving, for children and adults, take place under the watchful eye of Gilles Laroche ar Aulnay-de-Saintonge.
At the Atelier de la Pointe in Mazeray courses are open to children and adults for stone carving and creations from repurposed objects.
Lastly, Cédric Hennion, a master stonemason who also works with ice and wood, invites all ages to initiation workshops on stone carving and how to use the hammer and cold chisel in his studio at Saint-Savinien-sur-Charente where some of his works are on open air display.
When it rains, get wet at the aquatic centre in Saint-Jean-d’Angély!
pYou might as well enjoy getting wet so head for the Atlantys in Saint-Jean-d’Angély where all ages can enjoy themselves.
The heated pool has a 54m flume, a fun pool, a paddling pool with waterfalls a counter-current river and bubble beds.
The fitness and well-being area is perfect for parents to have a moment to themselves while the children have a swimming lesson.
There are a number of activities and events on offer at the Saint-Jean-d’Angély pool year-round; inflatables, well-being evenings, aquagym, aquabike… Fun for all the family!
Our suggestions for indoor activities for the children will also prompt you to put your nose outdoors! Visiting Vals de Saintonge, even when it’s raining, is a real pleasure!