5 châteaux to capture the imagination of the whole family

If tales from the Middle Ages are the stuff of your dreams, bring the family to visit six fortified stately homes and castles in Brittany where you can experience life in another era. Treasure hunts, escape games, magic keeps: there are fun activities galore come the holidays as these enchanting places spring to life, whisking you back in time!

In the blink of an eye

1. The Middle Ages beside the sea

Château de Suscinio

On the Rhuys peninsula, the sea breeze blows around Suscinio Castle, one of the largest in the region. Over 800 years, the residence of the Dukes of Brittany has never lost its childlike sense of wonder. With the school holidays just around the corner, the excitement is building! Tours in costume, treasure hunts, workshops and an animal park are organised in addition to guided tours or unaccompanied visits. The activity leaders introduce young and old to life on the Estate, which is also a protected sensitive natural space. Round off your visit on the ramparts to soak up the sweeping views over the Gulf of Morbihan, with one last fire of the crossbow… before closing time!

Opens again in April 2023. School holidays and in the summer.

Château de Suscinio

Where to sleep :

Le camping La ferme de Lann Hoëdic in Sarzeau
Hôtel Le Mur du Roi in Sarzeau

Château De Suscinio - Le Logis Merveilleux

Château De Suscinio - Logis Ducal - Sarzeau

2. The castle where kids are treated like royalty

Château de Kergroadez

On the northern tip of Finistère, just above Brest, a messenger of the King brings tidings to Kergroadez Castle. Alas, the marchioness’s necklace has been stolen! Dressed up as princesses or knights, children aged 6 to 10 years old set off, without their parents in tow, in search of clues to try and find the jewels. The school holidays have plenty of other games, tales and workshops in store too! Escape games await the whole family in various secret rooms. In “The Vampire Hunters”, you have to collect pieces of evidence to free the castle. Think you’re up to the task? You sure? Outside in the grounds, venture into the coppices around the castle – there are all sorts of surprises, including a green maze and medieval washhouse. Treat yourself to a trip to the tearooms for a happy ending!

School holidays and in the summer.

Château de Kergroadez

Where to sleep : Authentik Cottage

Ideas

The inratables of the summer, the place to be to treat yourself to a seafood platter, the best views on the GR®34, the best spots to start surfing… in short, all the good...

3. Europe’s biggest fortress

Château de Fougères

Here you are in the year 1000, in Fougères. A majestic castle watches over the old town: the largest medieval fortress in Europe, in this state of preservation, no less! There is everything a young visitor could ever wish for to unlock all of its secrets including specially designed audioguides (for ages 6 and over), a fun trail with activity booklet, mini exhibitions and holiday workshops… On Thursday evenings in summer, the castle stages musicians, dancers, performing horseriders and circus entertainers. You can walk almost all the way round the top of the ramparts, with panoramic views. From the Mélusine Tower to the Surienne Tower, set off on an unforgettable adventure around this impressive guardian angel!

School holidays and in the summer.

Château de Fougères

Where to sleep : La Maison Jaune in Parigné

4. A Renaissance gem deep in the heart of Finistère

Château de Kerjean

Between Brest and Morlaix in Northern Brittany, Kerjean Castle’s towering ramparts and main gate welcome families from the spring! Step inside to enjoy the screenings, animated scale models and telescope that guide your visit, including chapel sculptures and a pretty fountain. Temporary and permanent exhibitions, the traditional dancing and music festival “fest-noz”, shows, plots and murder parties provide year-round entertainment right through until the Christmas holidays. The extensive grounds can be accessed at your leisure, so why not play at being lords and ladies a while longer with a stroll around the gardens!

Opens again on 8 April 2023. School holidays and in the summer

Château de Kerjean

Where to sleep :

Les cabanes de Kermenguy in Cléder
l’Auberge Saint-Thégonnec in Saint-Thégonnec

5. Summer surprises, stately home

Château de Bienassis

On the North Brittany coast, just over 20 miles west of Saint-Malo, families can experience the high life at Erquy. In summertime, the stately residence of Bienassis puts on a whole host of exciting activities including interactive sound trails, medieval games, treasure hunts or escape games, both inside and in the medieval kitchen garden or French-style gardens. There’s a new programme every year. No chance of getting bored here! Via virtual reality, visitors are immersed back in the key events that have marked the estate’s history. Every two years, on August evenings, a sound-and-light show sets off the pink sandstone of the façade to dazzling effect, capturing young and old imaginations with a historical extravaganza!

Château de Bienassis

Where to sleep :

Camping Bellevue in Erquy
Oseraie de La Ville Es Renais in Erquy

Château Bienassis - Son et Lumière Anne de Bretagne - Erquy

Rocher Portail,
The New School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

Calling all muggles, squibs and their parents: Le Rocher Portail Castle is now only open on three occasions through the year (July, October half-term and December). So don’t miss the chance to experience what a wizarding school is like for yourselves. The only immersive experience of this kind in Europe!

Rocher Portail