WHEN will we be there? When do we get our bikes? The questions were constant on our drive from Tours to Sologne as my five-year-old remembered our stay a few months earlier at one of the UK Center Parcs.
Her enjoyment of the Suffolk park was a major reason behind choosing Center Parcs again for part of our holiday in France. We opted for Domaine des Hauts de Bruyeres in Sologne as it is on the edge of the Loire, with many famous chateaux nearby.
Check-in was an ordered affair. You park your car, go into reception to collect your key and a guide to the park and then drive into the park to your house. Once unpacked, you return your car to the car park – vehicles are only allowed on the park on arrival and departure day. Hence the bicycles.
There were bikes of every shape and size to rent, as well as buggies that can be pulled behind for babies. Unlike in the UK where you are “served”, in France you help yourself.
We had a two-bedroom VIP villa. These are the same size as other two-bedroom units but with a massive whirlpool bath en suite for one bedroom and a steam room for the other, towels and a cleaner every morning.
The kitchen is well fitted out for those who want to do their own cooking – apparently most French people choose that. We preferred not to bother and ate out each night in one of the park restaurants. The downside is that food is not typically French and is quite expensive for France.
Cycling around the park and swimming would have filled my daughter’s four days, but we did manage to drag her off to see Chenonceaux – one of the most famous chateaux in the Loire, about 75mins away – and ZooParc Beauval at St Aignan, 45min from Center Parcs.
I also managed to have an hour’s massage.
This is one of a number of treatments available and was good, but the spa was the one place where you need some French.
Very little English is spoken at the park, but many staff understand it.
prices
Bike hire:hiring a bike for a weekend (three days) costs £3.50 for a child’s bike; and £6.50-£8.50 for an adult bike, depending on type.
Body massage: about £27.
Sample meal: a two-course meal for two adults and one child’s menu in La Trattoria Italian restaurant costs about £18.50.