Once we bid goodbye to our extended family, we took things a bit slower to get home. We made two stops in France and spent about a week in each. Our first stop was just outside of Lyon at Camping Sites and Landscapes Vaubarlet in the Loire Valley. We spent a couple of days just relaxing, reading, drawing and enjoying a slow pace. The weather was nice and the campground had some wonderful amenities including a kids’ cooking course, a swimming pool and a huge grassy field. We did do one activity which we all really loved–riding rail bikes on an old railway with Vélorail du Velay. It was such a fun and unique experience! You take a small, old-fashioned train to the top of the hill and then pedal your way back (though with a slight decline the whole way so it’s pretty easy). We took two bikes for the six of us with two people peddling and one passenger each.

Then it was time to drive to our final destination: Leisure Camp La Tuilerie in Vic-Sur-Seille about 35 minutes east of Nancy. The campground was near a very small town but had a few fun amenities, so we enjoyed those the first day. Then we drove into the city a few times to sightsee and also do a few “normal life” things like get haircuts and see a movie (we love to go to the movies in France because everything is always OV). Nancy has some gorgeous architecture!

at the campground

in Nancy, France

Our last hurrah was a day spent at an adorable, very French amusement park called Fraispertuis City that we all loved! It was a very manageable size, not too crowded and had a few thrill rides mixed in with a few not to scary rides which is a great mix for our family. We did all go on the “Steepest roller coaster made from steel” when it opened in 2011, La Timber Drop! Some of us did decide once was enough… A really fun day!

Then it was time to make the drive back to Germany. Köln was sparkling!