Indoor Pool in Dol de Bretagne "Dolibulle"

The indoor swimming pool at Dol de Bretagne is lovely. It has three different swimming pools and a big fun slide which the kids loved (after a little coaxing because it is high).

Dolibulle is open every afternoon (even Sunday) between 14.00 and 18.00 and the standard prices are about 5 euros per person. There is no time limit.

The thing I most liked is that the whole area was nicely done, clean and warm so when you had had enough of swimming you could go and sit on the side, dry off and relax so you get that warm summer feeling in the middle of winter.

In the summer months the large glass doors are drawn back and you can sit outside on the grass and sunbathe.

Perfect.

Indoor Playground - Whopi at Cap Malo near Rennes and in St. Brieuc.

Woupi is a great solution when it's raining outside and the children need to get rid of some energy. Cost: 6 euro/hour

Woupi is a Wakey Warehouse type indoor playground for children up to 12 years of age. The best thing about it is that the adults get in for free and there is a seating area (with wi-fi so take your laptop) where you can read or work whilst the children are playing. It has limited opening during the French term times but during school holidays it is open all day.
website: http://www.woupi.fr/

They also cater for children's birthday parties with special booths set aside, animators and cake.

The Woupi we have been to is at Cap Malo just outside Rennes, Cap malo has a variety of other entertainment facilities such as bowling, golf, karting, indoor football, cinema and restaurants. Almost all age groups can find something to do at Cap Malo. Website: http://www.cap-malo.com/ . There are also DIY/Homebase type shops and garden centres at cap malo.

There is also a Woupi in St. Brieuc www.woupi.fr

Ice Skating in Brittany

I'm always amazed at how cheap a good afternoons' entertainment is in Brittany. Again, I thought this ice skating rink "Le Blizz" near Rennes was great value for money.

We arrived at 2.pm and were surprised to find the boot hire was also included in the price. Once inside, the rink was not too busy and the children were able to "find their feet" without being in too much danger from the whiz kids There was also a children and toddlers rink with supports and a kind of skating push chair supplied for free.

We had a great afternoon and could stay as long as we wanted. There are lockers inside the rink area for handbags and valuable so we were able to smuggle some water in and a small snack to keep the energy levels up. Water is a must as we all got very thirsty for some reason. There is a bar area accessible from the rink so that you can take a rest, eat and drink before continuing on your new ice skating career or, your bottom.

Reptilarium, Alligator Bay

Eew. But the kids loved Alligator Bay (the reptilarium). This is a perfect activity for a rainy day as most of the reptiles are indoors in the warm. Good for the winter too.

It's worth mentioning that Alligator Bay is in the shadow of the Mont St. Michel so the more phobic members of the family could go off and see that whilst the others are enjoying a more tropical experience.

Outside, depending on the time of year, children and adults can get touchy-feely with some enormous turtles which is a nice experience.

In the first section, The reptilarium there is a massive selection of snakes and slimy creatures of all kinds. The display area is well organised and there are all sorts of passages and tunnels for the children to use to get closer to the animals.

Once you leave the smaller reptiles behind you can go to the Alligator park which is indoors. You will probably smell the alligators before you see them but you get used to that quite quickly and you look down into pits where there are ponds with beaches for the alligators to languish on. Try to get there at feeding time to make it more exciting for the kids.

It won't take a whole day but for the entrance fee (approx 7 euros each) a good afternoon's entertainment.

Bowling in Brittany

Le Belem Bowling in Dinan

This has not be a good sunny summer and many of us have been searching for something to do in the dry and out of the wind. The ten pin bowling ally in Dinan "Le Belem" is great fun for kids and adults. It is open from 15h in the afternoon until the early hours of the morning, even on a Sunday which is unusual here in Brittany. The price ranges from 4.50 - 6.00 euros per person for a game depending on what time of day it is and shoe hire is 1.00 p.p. which isn't at all bad.

We also found that because you don't have to pay to get into the complex it is a great stop for an hour or two with the kids to have a game of table football, air hockey, basketball, darts or pool so you don't have to go to the added expence of bowling. We went there with some children the other day and passed a good 2 hours playing pool and table football for a little as 5 euros. It's really good place to go to if you need to get out for a couple of hours or if you want to make a night of it.

There is a bar and I think they do light snacks at mealtimes. Try it, it's a nice place.

Treetop assult course - riplining in brittany

Treetop assult course - Zip lining in Brittany.


Le Park de grandes chenes not far from Mont St. Michel is a beautiful place. The park has various activities for children and adults. There is a big lake with small electric boat rides, various walks, pony rides, cycle paths and seven levels of treetop assult courses.



Everybody gets a thorough training session before being allowed to go up and by the time they are finished you feel ready to take it on.



For children under 8 the first course is only a few feet off the ground but exciting enough for their first go. They always want to get onto the bigger one once they have completed the junior course.



Don't look down !



The adult courses start at 6 meters and goes on to the Purple course which is 30 metres off the ground. I haven't done this yet but would love to give it a go if I can tempt anyone up with me. I did wimp out a couple of times but a freindly French block behind me gave a shove which you need sometimes when your nerve fails. For the adult courses you would need a full day so pack a picnic, plenty to drink and put on your trainers, loose trousers and be ready to ache all over. It's really a thrill. I loved it.



For the less sporty, there is a cafe on site and nice views. There are also plenty of picnic areas where you can stop for lunch.



A great day out with children, adolecents, or friends.

Cobac Park near Dinan

Although Cobac Park near Dinan seems expensive at first once you are in there is a massive array of things to do and the children can be amused the whole day long so you do get value for money.
Once inside all the rides are free and the wait relatively short. Because Cobac Park is in a wooded area they have maintained some trees which provide shade during the hot summer months. There is a variety of rides and activities for children of all ages from small merry-go-rounds to tree climbing and quad biking. When the kids are hot and flustered they can cool of in the pool or on the water slide so don't forget to bring swimming gear.
Hint - It is often the case in France that men cannot go into swimming pools in loose fitting shorts so men and boys will need speedo's or similar.

It's worth packing a picnic to save some pennies and you are allowed to picnic inside Cobac Park. You can also go out to the car park to put the picnic back into the car to save carrying bags around all day.

If you don't want to picnic there are plenty of snack and drink places inside Cobac Park..