Recommended experiences
It’s the school holidays…Great! Yippee! Our children jump for joy at the thought of two whole weeks with no alarm clock, no homework, no tests and no poems to learn… As for me, I have my two nephews (aged 5 and 7) coming to stay for a week so I’ll need to keep them entertained and make sure they leave with some pleasant memories. So I’ve gone to work on actively searching for things to do with them in Paris-Saclay: shows, parks, exhibitions, sports, etc. Take a look at my timetable for the week with family activities to enjoy during the holidays in the conurbation!
Monday marks the start of the fun. So I decide to begin the week in style and get them straight into the spirit of things at Arkose Massy. Arkose is an indoor boulder climbing facility, and Arkose Massy is the biggest bouldering centre in France, with a total surface area of 1550 m². Enough to delight both children and adults for a sporty afternoon playing at Spiderman. Our afternoon snack is, of course, taken at the on-site snack bar. Yum!
On Tuesday, I opt for a breath of fresh air. In the morning, we prepare a picnic before heading for the Fauvettes viaduct at Gometz-Le-Châtel. Towering above the Yvette valley, the Fauvettes viaduct is a pleasant place for walks and is also appreciated by (experienced) climbers. With a football and a pack of cards in our basket, off we go for a relaxing afternoon!
Time for a spot of culture! For this Wednesday morning’s activity I’ve taken inspiration from the the Tour suggestions proposed for the month of October by the Paris-Saclay Tourist Office. I sign us up for a tour and creative workshop at the house of the Japanese painter, Foujita in Villiers-Le-Bâcle. I’ve already done this visit with the tourist office, so I’m really looking forward to stepping back into the shoes of this great artist, this time with my nephews.
Today, I’m devoting the morning to our equine friends who are very popular in our region. In the heart of Paris-Saclay’s beautiful countryside, the children can enjoy our region’s natural wealth from the saddle. So I go to the Ecurie du Moulin Neuf in Villiers-Le-Bâcle the stables recommended by my colleague, Anne-Sophie. In this protected valley, the stables are perfectly situated for an approach to nature with the help of horses.
The Pathé cinema in Massy is huge, modern, well-equipped. and appeals to the whole family. In particular, the Dolby cinema experience offers screenings of the highest quality. We head for the cinema on Friday afternoon. To keep the chlidren entertained, you can’t beat an animated film in optimal audiovisual quality, to enjoy with a tub of popcorn!
Today it’s their turn to choose an activity for the afternoon. So, as I expected, we’re on our way to the MysterLand play barn in Montlhéry. This 1200 m² fun facility is reserved entirely for children aged 0 to 12 years. They can play on the structures in total safety, climbing over the walls of the maze, jumping on the trampoline, plunging into the ball pit, dancing on the mini disco floor and laughing on the Mickey Mouse ride. A piece of advice: bring a good book with you!
For a great end to the week, this last afternoon of the children’s stay takes us to the P’tit Brin d’Paille educational farm in Longjumeau. Being in contact with the animals and taking care of them is an activity that children really enjoy. The P’tit Brin d’Paille farm is located in town to bring nature back to children and adults alike! At this farm, the goats are still milked by hand and everyone joins in with feeding the animals. A host of actvities for children are organised on certain Sundays.
“Taking the children out during the holidays has never been easier than in Paris-Saclay. There’s so much to see and do, you really wish you could visit everything!”
Find all cinemas of the Paris-Saclay conurbation. From art-house cinemas to modern facilities with cutting-edge technology, there’s something to suit every taste.