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What can you do with your children this winter in Seine-Eure?

No need for the mountains!
Glacéo LouviersGlacéo Louviers
©Glacéo Louviers|Thierry Martrou

Winter also means holidays. And you don’t necessarily need skis or sledges to keep the kids entertained. Here’s the proof with our 8 ideas for keeping the little ones occupied during the winter holidays in Seine-Eure!

1. Biotropica

Parc de Léry Poses

The animal garden

In winter, it’s usually cold… A great idea for warming up and keeping the kids occupied at the same time is to visit Biotropica a large animal park near Paris and Rouen. Boasting Europe’s largest zoological greenhouse, you can wander around and catch a glimpse of exotic animals: cheetahs, alligators, monitor lizards, lorikeets, penguins or anteaters and a host of other species!

For ages 12 and over, treat them to an exceptional afternoon: for €89, they’ll be part of the team of caretakers and accompany them to clean the living areas and feed all the park’s animals!

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2. Glacéo

Louviers

The ice rink

We’re leaving the tropical climate behind to return to that of winter. Head for Glaceo: the state-of-the-art ice rink in Louviers. Here, ice skating isn’t the only activity on offer, with a range of games each more “fun” than the last to help you discover the pleasures of sliding. On the programme: hockey, football, bubble football and broomball, all on ice! After such activities, it’ll be easy to go to sleep in the evening.

3. Medieval Arch Bridge

Pont de l'Arche

history and virtual reality

What if, for once, letting them play with their phones was a good thing? Big tourism innovation alert! Head to Pont de l’Arche to discover this small medieval town through an app that combines a game of enquiry and virtual reality. It’s a great way to wander around the historic centre, which is just as charming in winter. To take part in the adventure, meet up at the Louviers tourist office or in a partner shop in Pont-de-l’Arche to get your virtual reality headset, travel diary… your armour and horse (Of course we’re joking, neither armour nor horses will be provided, but there’s nothing to stop you bringing your own equipment…)

Découvrez Pont-de-l'Arche Médiéval
Découvrez Pont-de-l'Arche Médiéval
Découvrez Pont-de-l'Arche Médiéval

4. Rally surveys

Louviers / Poses

Treasure hunt for children aged 7 and over

There are still two villages to discover through quests available all year round at the Tourist Office: Louviers and Poses.

Louviers, which is crossed by the River Eure, has an industrial and historical heritage visible through its old factories and half-timbered houses typical of Normandy. Learn more about its history by taking part in the investigation: “Who stole the Louviers pebbles?”

As for Poses, a bucolic little village set between the Seine and the lake, it’s a major inland waterway centre with a rich river history. Walk along the Seine to collect all the clues and discover “who stole my boat?” Then take the opportunity to visit the Léry Poses leisure park at the end of the road, with its huge lake and animal gardens Biotropica.

5. Anymania

Val-De-Reuil

Animal shelter

Yes, animals again! The big-hearted will love this place. Anymania, located in Val-De-Reuil, is a clever blend of educational farm, animal park and refuge for animals in difficulty. And in addition to this absolutely wonderful mission, the place offers activities to share with children such as milking the animals, making butter, bread or discovering the world of beekeeping.

You can discover horses, ponies or donkeys and enjoy a stroll but also participate in the well-being of the boarders: feeding them, dressing any sores, collecting eggs… In short, young and old will work with the greatest pleasure!

Whatever you choose to do at Anymania, a tasty Norman snack with organic and local produce at the farm’s new snack bar will do you a world of good!

6. The Seine by bike

50 km along the Seine

Walking, cycling, rollerblading...

The Seine by bike isn’t just for adults! With a bike, rollerblades or skateboard, and if you’re well covered up, it’s perfectly possible to enjoy a leisurely stroll along the banks of the Seine. To make the most of this excursion, you can hire your bike from Gorget Cycles in Louviers. The ideal way to keep the little ones entertained and admire the Normandy landscape, even in winter!

7. The bird sanctuary

Val-De-Reuil

Birdwatching

Just behind the Léry poses leisure park is a large protected pond where hundreds of birds of several species regularly congregate. Hide in the observatories with your binoculars and together count the number of species present. For the more curious, it’s possible to go there with specialists from the Groupe Ornithologique Normand (Normandy Ornithological Group), which offers events all year round and will show you all the species you can observe!

8. The edge forest

Louviers

Tracking remarkable animals and trees

A huge 4,548-hectare state-owned forest, the Bord Forest is ideal for long winter walks or cycle rides. Located between Pont de l’Arche and Louviers, you’ll find plenty of paths to explore. Be discreet! The forest is home to many animals, so have fun tracking wild boar, roe deer, badgers, foxes, squirrels, hinds and, with a bit of luck, you’ll have the pleasure of admiring the majestic stag, king of the forest.

Another fun way to discover the forest is to go in search of the 7 remarkable trees, whose locations are listed on this map. You’ll come across the Pancake Oak, for example, which has decided to swallow the sign that was once fixed to its trunk.

What about you?

What are you going to do with the kids on your winter holidays in Seine-Eure?