In the Land of Pickles, we love vacations... Especially when they involve a fair share of mischief! The ones where we splash ourselves, get dirty, stay awake a little... In short, the ones where parents end up letting themselves go as much as the children! Ready to take on all our challenges?
Here are our top 7 silly things to do as a family. (without moderation!).
1 – 🐴 Doing stupid things (literally!)
What's more stubborn and mischievous than a donkey? Polisson, Gribouille, Eliot, Bourvil and their big-eared friends won't tell you otherwise. At the donkey farm At the Donkey Tour, let yourself be guided by the professionals of stupidity for a 100% nature walk.
Get to know your four-legged friend better with the lake as a backdrop... A 4-in-2 moment for the whole family!
In 2026, the donkeys are taking a short sabbatical... see you next year to find them again.
2 – 💦 Jump into the water (and splash around in the process!)
Making waves, sliding, diving that isn't always very academic... it's allowed, and even strongly recommended. Aquapark du Great Challenge !
Over more than 2 m² of floating inflatable structures, the mischief follows one after the other: a climbing wall that ends in the water, a human catapult, giant slides... and even a 700-meter-high “mega mountain” for the most daring.
From 6 years old (with an adult for those under 11), everyone can take on this XXL obstacle course, in a secure and supervised area.
And if you still have a little energy after that (or want to calm things down), head to the pond for a trip in pedal boat or paddle session. The opportunity to laugh... or end up in the water!
3 – 🍓 Stealing fruit (but with permission!)
Doing stupid things properly is an art! Fruits of the Earth or Brunetière orchards, we pick, we bite, we laugh... and we start again. The principle? A wheelbarrow, a bucket and carte blanche to fill your basket with strawberries, raspberries and other seasonal delights.
Children love playing pickers, especially when some fruit “mysteriously disappears” before reaching the basket!
4 – 🎨 Smear your hands (and not only!)
Coloring without bleed-through? Certainly not in Pickleland! Estiv'Arts, creative workshops are here to unleash budding artists, and never mind the clothes. Clay modeling, painting, cold porcelain, or watercolor… There's something for everyone! And for those who prefer to stay (a little) clean, other, more modest workshops are also offered during the summer.
Supervised by passionate artisans, these workshops are also an opportunity to learn while having fun, with a little masterpiece to take home.
5 – 🌙 Stay up late
The best mischief also happens after dark! In summer in the Land of Achards, people enjoy the long evenings dancing, singing, stargazing, or clinking glasses on a terrace.
???? The Jaunay'Stivales invite you every Thursday evening during the summer for free outdoor concerts. A festive atmosphere guaranteed for young and old alike.
🍷 On August 22, it's time for Heritage Aperitif : a friendly moment to discover our local treasures with a drink in hand while the children play nearby in a rural setting.
✨ And to finish in style, don't miss the Nights of the stars (August 6 and 13) by the lake: legends, entertainment, telescopes and little eyes filled with wonder.
📍Other evenings await you all summer in our calendarSo, are you ready to push back bedtime?
6 – 😋 Eating with your fingers (and licking your lips)
It's well known that mischief whets the appetite! And in the Land of Pickles, we enjoy local produce... with our fingers if we want. Fresh cheeses (and/or spreads) from the Pierrette cheese dairy and Chancellor's Farm, spoons of honey the Bellilocaine Bee : here, everything is a pretext to taste (and get dirty).
And for those with a sweet tooth, head to the Petit Grain farm : a little muesli, homemade compote or a spoonful of fromage blanc… The cherry on your vacation!
7 – 📚 Inventing stories (and believing wholeheartedly that they are true)
In the Land of Pickles, the most beautiful adventures often begin with "Once upon a time..."! With the Legendr® app, embark on " The fabulous story of the castle without a knight " a digital and family treasure hunt around Château Gaillard in Girouard, between puzzles, legends and real pieces of history.
Finally, for toddlers, we lift the curtain on the imagination with Story Time, a reading moment offered each month by the library network. Make yourself comfortable, open your ears wide, and let yourself be lulled by the magic of the stories.
