As half-term approaches, perhaps it’s time to take the children and find out.

I like to visit museums and themed attractions in France. I’m intrigued by the ideas behind them and to me they seem more imaginative and less blatantly commercial vehicles for merchandise than some of the home grown variety.

As half-term approaches, there are many reasons to take the youngsters to France for an overnight, a few days or a week. You can broaden their minds, expand their food repertoire, practice speaking French – or both you and they can simply have fun and discover that all of the above have somehow simply happened.

Not all the theme parks are open yet but Futuroscope certainly is. Its futuristic buildings use audio-visual technology to create breathtaking and informative special effects with giant screens, 3D cinemas and more, all set in green parks. Located near Poitier, it’s easy to get to by car or by TGV train direct to the site.

Of course the ultimate French theme park is Disneyland Paris, another fantastic half-term destination. And if you want to hop across by ferry or tunnel for just a night or two, there’s the Second World War Museum in Calais, the underwater world of Nausicaa in Boulogne and, of course, the Bayeux tapestry and D-Day beaches in Normandy.

Happy half-term holidays!