France - Countryside - 3 nights - Family of 4
 

We are a family of 4 (7yrs & 4yrs) with 3 nights to spare in France - my daughter would love a stay in a Chateau (as long as it looks like a fairytale castle. We have heard Mt Michel? is a good place. Any advice

Are you referring to le Mont-St-Michel, or you've heard of a castle by that name?

In any event, there are castle accommodations all over France. You can get a taste by checking out www.chateauxhotels.com

Yes le Mont St Michel - thanks I will look up this website.

You definitely don't want to spend three days/nights at le Mont St-Michel. You do know what it is, right? Maybe one night to enjoy it after all the tourists leave, but I can't imagine more than that.

You say you have 3 nights "to spare" - to spare after what? Paris? If so, you don't want to go too far afield. Parts of Normandy, the Champagne region, or places easily and quickly accessible by TGV would be good places to consider.

>>>Parts of Normandy, the Champagne region, or places easily and quickly accessible by TGV would be good places to consider.<<<

And the Loire by TGV too. There are a few castles there. Many you can stay in.

Consider locating in Amboise (Loire). Your kids might enjoy the le Parc des Mini Chateaux,
http://www.mini-chateaux.com/anglais/presentation.htm
Also, there are scale models of a selection of Leonardo de Vinci's inventions in le Clos Luce, the chateau where he lived out his life.
There is also the royal Chateau at Amboise.
The Manoir les Minimes hotel, child cots avail.
http://www.manoirlesminimes.com/

I agree that Amboise would fit the bill for you. Castles all over the place, and a nice town for children. You can easily get there on the train from Paris, direct or TGV to St. Pierre des Corps (near Tours). I was there on a French holiday weekend last May, and there were loads of people with children.

ttt