Farm/nature time

There is lots for kids to do at La Taillede and around Corsavy. The beauty of being here is the mountains, the great outdoors, the space, the fresh air. However, with no danger or a road close by, we find that mostly they are happy with a stick, a dog and freedom to roam and explore! Both our dogs are brilliant with kids and love to play.

We have a playground; with trampoline, playhouse, swings, seesaw and sandpit. There is also a boules pitch for the parents right next to the playground; (with table for wine/pastis! ).

In the summer, we propose a Sunday late afternoon walk with the donkeys to a favourite spot over looking Corsavy. Matt drives up to the view point first with all the drinks and snacks, and Ali follows with the 3 donkeys, 2 dogs and anyone who wishes to come. All the donkeys can be ridden by kids (up to around 40 kgs). . It’s a great way to meet the other families staying at La Taillede and ask us anything you might like to know about La Taillede or the surrounding area.

Some of the older kids might be interested in watching the wood saws in action and visiting the workshop, with a parent present.

Every morning at around 9am all the animals need feeding and checking. We invite any kids staying with us take their compost bin and join us to help out with the animals; They will feed the dogs & cats, give the kitchen scraps and grain to the pigs & chickens, collect the eggs and check on the donkeys.

It’s a great opportunity for your kids to learn about animal husbandry, permaculture and where their food comes from.

We can recommend plenty of short and longer walks around the property.

Our farming neighbours up the hill towards Batere at La Cazette make lovely cheese from sheep’s milk. You can buy the cheese directly from the farm (every day except Sunday) and during the summer months, you can go around 5.30pm to watch them being milked.

The summer is a great time for your kids to meet and get to know our kids and other kids staying with us so we make sure we organise fun things for everyone to do together during the week.

Pools/Lakes/Beaches

Our 12 x 6m pool is obviously a big hit with kids in the summer!

There is a possibility to try diving in the pool with Matt.

There is also a swimming pool in the village of Corsavy; just at the end of our track. There is a larger pool and a baby one; There is always a life guard, it's free and open every day in July & August, 10-12am and 3-6pm.

There is a small playground just across the car park from the pool and there is a similar pool in the neighbouring village, Montferrer, with a little more shade than the Corsavy pool, and a lovely playground. Similar opening times and also free. There is a bigger pool with slide in Prats de Mollo, 30 mins drive.

The Tech river passes close to La Taillede and there are lots of lovely peaceful areas to take a picnic and let the kids paddle and make dams.

Also for water babies, one of our favourite spots to go in the summer is Darnius Lake, just over the border into Spain. It's about a 1 hour drive, and very worth the visit. It is a lot less crowded than the beach, with trees for shelter. Older kids will enjoy renting out canoes/pedalos/small sailing boats. (Not recommended in times of drought)

The sea is also 1 hour away; There are many sandy beaches all the way along the coast from Argeles sur Mer; Racou beach; pretty, quite small and a little steep to get in for little ones, Argeles Centre Plage for shops, restaurants and amusement rides etc to the long white sandy beaches of St Cyprien to Canet. You might also like to visit the picture perfect seaside town of Collioure; with beaches, boutique shops, restaurants, cafes and art galleries.

You could take a trip on a glass bottomed boat from Argeles port to view the coastline from the sea, and find out what lives beneath!

Adventure playgrounds/water sports etc

25 minutes away in Amelie les Bains (just next to the pool which is fabulous; big diving board and 3 pools for all ages), there is a Forest Adventure playground suitable for all kids from 3 years old.

For older kids, St Jean Pla de Corts (35 mins in the car) is a good spot to tire them out! Next to a picturesque lake, there is an aerial tree rope course (accrobranche), Les Aventuriers de St Jean.  There is a zip wire which goes straight into the lake. There are usually inflatable games in the water and you can also hire pedalos here and there is a good restaurant.

If that's not enough, at the other lake in St Jean Pla de Corts you can have a go at cable wakeboarding and various water slides that the younger kids can use. This place has a cool surf hang-out vibe with a nice chilled restaurant and bar.

Animal parks

Incase we don’t have enough animals at La Taillede….

There is a fabulous African safari park about one and a half hours drive away towards Narbonne, The Reserve Africaine de Sigean which we highly recommend. A full day out with so much to see, so go early.

Alternatively, there is a smaller animal park across the border in Spain, 1 hour drive via the mountain routes so a nice drive. This is called Mollo Parc and had an adventure playground next door.

For younger kids and reptile lovers, there is a lovely place called the Vallee des Tortues in Sorede; about a 1 hour drive, not far from the beaches of Argeles sur Mer.

Horse riding

This place comes recommended as they take the horses in the river; It’s about a 1 hour drive away towards the coast; Promenade a Cheval

Closer in Amelie les Bains, and at the same place as the adventure park is Forest Horses. They take you in landrovers out of the village and walk through high forests above Amelie les Bains.

You may plan to do some of the above activities, but once you get to La Taillede, you just might not want to leave! I challenge you to entice the kids OUT of the pool/hot tub!

La Taillede is a wonderful place for kids of all ages, and we look forward to sharing our home with you and your family.