Center Parcs Village: Les Hautes de Bruyeres, France was honored as a Top International Getaway in 2001 by our parent company, Family Travel Forum, for reaching out to those caring for infants, toddlers and children under 5 years, as well as older siblings.  Each winner offers such superb childcare, exceptional recreational facilities, real value for money, and overall excellence, that they give proof to FTF's motto: Have Kids, Still Travel!  Here's a look at the resort today.

Center Parcs Village: Les Hauts de Bruyères
Rue du Center Park
41600 Chaumont-sur-Tharonne
Lamotte-Beuvron, France  41600
33 (0) 803 802 804

At 17 rural vacation villages throughout Holland, Germany, Belgium, France and England, Center Parcs delivers good value and active yet relaxing "holidays." In cottages, clustered in villages surrounded by forest, Center Parcs has accommodated mostly European families for over 40 years.  Ranging from standard to deluxe, all offer kitchen facilities with separate dining, living and sleeping areas. Some villages feature special "Children's Cottages" (outfitted for families with pre-schoolers) are close to wooded playgrounds and provide some toys and practical items. 

Close to nature, you can put aside the stresses of everyday life. Each year-round village has its own local flavor and specialty, and offers every indoor and outdoor sport imaginable, plus a Subtropical Swimming Paradise which brings new meaning to the phrase "indoor pool." This lush environment combines jungle with tropical beach and has flumes, rapids, whirlpool baths and waves as well as a shallow wading area for the little fish in your family. As for meals, prepare them in your cottage or dine at restaurants (discounted for children) which range from family-friendly to romantic and gourmet (after all, this is Europe). At each village, live entertainment and shopping facilities are also found in the central Market Dome. In keeping with the active theme, diverse, professionally staffed activities are available for kids 4 to 17-years-old at all villages.

Located in the Sologne region of France, 28 miles/45 km from the Loire Valley and 105 miles/170 km from Paris, the tranquil village at Les Hauts de Bruyères is likely the best choice for Tiny Travelers. While parents fish, canoe or enjoy the spa, and siblings ride and groom Shetland ponies at the animal farm, babies from 3-months to 3-years are lovingly cared for in La Halte-garderie.

A trained nursery attendant and her assistants care for up to 12 babies from 3-months to 3-years for one to two hours in a four-room cottage, licensed by the local authorities to conform with safety standards. It is equipped with changing mats, cribs, playpens, highchairs and age-appropriate playthings, however, parents are encouraged to bring baby's favorite toys along with bottles and diapers. La Halte-garderie is open Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 9:45am to 12:15pm and from 1:45 to 3:45pm, as well as from 4-8pm, and on Saturday afternoons and Sunday mornings.  For a modest fee, infant care is available there with a half-hour minimum and two-hour maximum use per day.  Private babysitting is also available.

 2001 Top Ten Getaways for Tiny Travelers
Top All-Inclusive Resorts:
Club Med Ixtapa, Mexico
Crown Paradise Club Cancun, Mexico
Top Beach Resorts:
Our Lucaya Beach Resort, Grand Bahama Island
Top Family Camp:
YMCA Camp du Nord, Minnesota
Top Golf and Tennis Resort:
Wild Dunes Resort, South Carolina
Top Internatioanl Getaway:
Club Valtur Pila, Italy
Center Parcs Village, France
Top Romantic Getaway:
Cunard Line, Queen Elizabeth 2
Top Ski Resorts:
Bretton Woods Mountain Resort, New Hampshire
Snowbird Ski Resort, Utah