It really is a child’s dream holiday - living in a tree house for seven days. The one I stayed in at La Croix du Vieux Pont was beautifully kitted out next to a river at Berny Riviere an hour and a half north of Paris.
Waking up with the birds singing and an early morning mist made it an exciting experience. The chemical toilets were not ideal and you have to adapt to life without electricity, but structurally the tree house was superb and safe (children under two are not permitted)
There are two large bedrooms - one with a luxury double bed and a single and the other with three singles. There is also a terrace with a grand table and chairs and it thoughtfully also comes with a “frontier” tent for anyone who wants to come back down to earth.
My tree house was rented out by Keycamp holidays and is situated on the edge of a well-organised, picturesque camp site which is very safe for children and has good facilities including:
I visited the imposing 12th century fairy tale castle at Pierrefonds, just over 13 miles away, which is absolutely stunning, and quite understandably frequently used as a film location. Close by there is the infamous Chemin des Dames, and also the site in the Compiègne Forest where the 1918 Armistice was signed. The whole area is unspoilt and very much rural France with good restaurants and nearby attractive villages.
A seven night break in for a family of two adults and up to four children staying in a tree house at La Croix du Vieux Pont starts from £358 (September prices), including return Dover-Calais ferry crossings and frontier tent. Rail travel or fly drive packages are available at a supplement.
Keycamp's other tree accommodation is at two other sites: Château des Ormes at Dol-de-Bretagne and La Grande Métairie at Carnac.
For further information or to make a booking, visit www.keycamp.co.uk or call 0844 406 0319.