Tips for the successful family time on the wild French coast.
In the small village “La Fontaine of Bretons” in front of the harbor town of Pornic, lies on a dreamlike piece of coastal land, the Eco Domaine de la Fontaine. Behind the stately entrance gate await with vastness and sea views, vineyards, apple and pear orchards, wild vegetable patches, herb gardens and halfway to the house, the refreshing fountain.
Everywhere among lavender bushes full of butterflies and fruit trees, you can find a nice spot in the shade and taste from the delicacies de la Maison. Juices from the fruits of the farm, a vegan menu with vegetables from the beds next door and organic ice cream from the region for dessert. For les Parents, there’s wine from the farm’s own vineyards.
Because French dinners can be extended and at times challenge children’s patience, the hotel has provided les Enfants with their own play area with a soccer goal, bouncy balls, hula hoops and giant building blocks. There are also plenty of animals to discover on the farm, from the five pot-bellied pigs and guinea pigs to chickens, horses and donkeys.
Before going to bed, we say “bonne nuit” to the sea outside the front door. Between sheep pastures and the typical fishermen’s huts on the Jade Coast, the Eco Domaine is located directly on the Plage aux Bretons. At low tide, you can spend hours climbing over the rocks with the kids and find shells and sea creatures right in front of your nose while “peche a pied”.
In the basin in front of the opposite Ile de Noirmoutier, the Atlantic is calm and ideally suited for the beach day with small children. If you’re more looking for a surf spot in the region, the Plage de l’Ermitage on the open ocean side is a perfect location to learn how to surf. The Atlantic Surf School rents boards for small money and has a lot of patience with petites surfers.
For the best end to a day in the Pays de la Loire, the small bay at Plage du Portmain is a real insider tip. The best moules frites, a grandiose menu enfants and free sea noise can be found there at the beach bar “Le Papagayo”. On weekends, not only the bartender but also a DJ mixes the best combinations for a sundowner.
Perfect family days in Pornic…
This wonderful inspiration for your family vacation comes from Kirstin. Thank you so much for it! Be sure to check out her website Y-WHY. There she supports in communicative challenges and on the yoga mat to find answers to WHY questions.
