Thinking about visiting Center Parcs Le Lac d’Ailette? This family-friendly park offers a mix of nature, water fun, and adventure. In this review of Center Parcs Le Lac d’Ailette, we’ll cover the highlights of the park and the best things to do near Center Parcs Le Lac d’Ailette. If you’re planning a stay at this Center Parcs in France, read on to learn more about our experiences with this park and what to do near Center Parcs Le Lac d’Ailette.
Table of Contents
Things to do (near) Center Parcs Le Lac d’Ailette
About Center Parcs Le Lac d’Ailette in France
Le Lac d’Ailette was the first Center Parcs we visited in France, and right away we noticed some differences with other parks that we visited before. Instead of the typical Center Parcs bungalows, you’ll find colorful, cheerful cottages with porches, reminiscent of charming American coastal towns. The whole park is beautifully landscaped, right by the lake. There’s a small beach with a beach club (though it was closed during our stay). The central area, known as the Market Dome, is large and styled like a quaint harbor town. It’s complete with a promenade, lighthouse, and little terraces: especially charming from the outside.
Shopping and dining in the Park
Inside, the Market Dome felt quite different from what we’re used to at other Center Parcs locations. It doesn’t have the usual jungle theme, and it felt a bit empty. As if several shops and restaurants had left. It just lacked that usual cozy vibe.
That said, there are several places to eat: an Italian restaurant, a buffet (standard at every Center Parcs), an à la carte bistro, a crêperie, and even a McDonald’s. We only ate at the Italian and McDonald’s; the rest of the time we ventured out to nearby French towns. The Italian restaurant was fine: not bad, but nothing too special either.
Swimming in the Aqua Mundo of Center Parcs Le Lac d’Ailette
The greatest thing to do at Le Lac d’Ailette? Going to the Aqua Mundo swimming paradise. Like in all Center Parcs, the indoor pool area is central to the experience. And we have to say: this one is fantastic. It’s spacious, with lots of shallow pools and splash zones for younger kids, plus thrilling slides and a wild water rapid for older ones. Outside, there’s a large pool with a long lazy river. The wave pool is located by a small beach, and if you get there early, you might even snag one of the loungers.
During our visit, some maintenance was happening, so a few slides were out of order. Still, it was one of the better Aqua Mundos we’ve experienced.
Things to do at Center Parcs Le Lac d’Ailette
Le Lac d’Ailette offers plenty of things to do, although many come at an extra cost. You can rent bikes, go bowling, play mini-golf or tennis, try archery or paintball, or relax at the spa. For kids, there’s a treetop adventure course, a Kids Club, a Kids Safari, and an indoor playground. There’s also a small petting zoo, (though it’s quite modest), and a few playground (but not enough for the size of the park). If you’re lucky, your cottage might be close to one. For added convenience, there’s a laundromat on-site too.
Getting around the park
Like many other Center Parcs locations, this park is car-free. However, it’s a large park, and walking from the Market Dome to your cottage can take a while. In our case it took around 15 to 20 minutes, and we weren’t even at the far end. Keep that in mind, especially if you plan to bring groceries from a supermarket outside the park. Everything has to be carried from the central parking area.
An alternative is to rent an electric golf cart, which many people do. It does take away a bit of the ‘car-free’ feeling though: you end up watching out for golf carts instead of cars. Also, because there are no fixed arrival and departure days at this park, cars were coming and going daily.
Despite all the electric golf carts, there were no charging stations for electric cars when we visited in 2023. Thankfully, we always found places to charge up at supermarkets and in the towns we visited nearby.
Review of Center Parcs Le Lac d’Ailette: the cottages
The cottages themselves are fairly basic inside, but have a more modern look and feel compared to our previous Center Parcs experiences. Just like the outside, the interior was colorful and bright. We stayed in a two-story, 4-person cottage. The bedrooms were spacious, and the living room was perfectly fine for a family of four. Every cottage has either a porch by the water or a terrace. Ours backed onto a grassy area with trees: great for letting the kids play outside.
The kitchen, however, was small and sparsely equipped. We didn’t cook much since we often ate out, so it worked for us. But if you plan to prepare meals regularly, it might be worth bringing a few extra cooking essentials from home.
We had read online beforehand that cleanliness could be hit or miss at Le Lac d’Ailette. Fortunately, we didn’t have any issues with that. However, our cottage did show signs of wear and tear. For example, the bathroom sink leaked if the tap was left running for more than 10 seconds.
What to do near Center Parcs Le Lac d’Ailette in France
It would be a shame to not explore the surrounding area of Center Parcs Le Lac d’Ailette, especially because this region in France has so much to offer! Here are some things to do near Le Lac d’Ailette we enjoyed with children:
Laon
Visit Laon, the regional capital and a beautiful medieval city perched on a hill. It’s compact enough for a half-day trip. The old town has well-preserved city walls, gates, and a stunning cathedral worth seeing inside and out. It’s also just a pleasant place to wander, shop, and snap some photos.
Soissons
Another town near Center Parcs Le Lac d’Ailette is Soissons. It isn’t as striking as Laon, but still has its charms. The highlight is the ruins of its ancient cathedral. You can still see the remarkable architecture, and the grounds feel like an archaeological site. The local tourism office offers a walking route that takes you past the main sights: easy to do even with young children or a stroller.
Cycling around Le Lac d’Ailette
The area around the lake is ideal for cycling. There are paths that run along the water and even one that leads to the ruins of Abbaye de Vauclair, an abbey deep in the forest that was heavily damaged during World War I. Some parts of the structure are still standing.
Champagne Region
While not directly near Le Lac d’Ailette, the Champagne region is definitely worth a visit. Le Lac d’Ailette is only a 45-minute drive from Reims, the heart of Champagne country. Reims has beautiful architecture, lovely French bistros, and an awe-inspiring cathedral where a sound and light show is projected on Saturday evenings. Be sure to explore the scenic vineyards between Reims and Épernay.
Chemin des Dames
History lovers will want to drive the Chemin des Dames, a ridge road with major significance in both the Napoleonic era and World War I. Along the route, you’ll find a war museum, the ruins of an old fort, a German cemetery, and various monuments.
How to get there
Useful instructions and addresses to get to Center Parcs Le Lac d’Ailette
- By car: Driving is the easiest way to reach the holiday park. Public transport in the region is limited, so having a car is almost essential. From Utrecht, it’s about a 4.5-hour drive.
Address:
Le Lac d’Ailette
1 Parc Nautique de L’Ailette
02860 Chamouille - By train: The nearest train station is in Laon, located about 15 km from the park.
Useful info and links
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FAQ – Center Parcs Le Lac d’Ailette
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Is Center Parcs Le Lac d’Ailette worth visiting with kids?
Center Parcs Le Lac d’Ailette is definitely worth visiting with kids, especially if your family enjoys a mix of water fun and outdoor activities. The Aqua Mundo swimming paradise is a highlight, with plenty of shallow pools and slides for different ages, and there are also activities like playgrounds, cycling, and indoor play areas. That said, it’s a large park, and many activities come at an extra cost. We also found that exploring the surroundings added a lot to the experience, as there are several great things to do near Center Parcs Le Lac d’Ailette.
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What are the best things to do at Center Parcs Le Lac d’Ailette?
The best things to do at Center Parcs Le Lac d’Ailette mainly revolve around water fun and outdoor activities. The highlight is the Aqua Mundo swimming paradise, with slides, splash areas for younger kids, and a lazy river. Beyond swimming, you can rent bikes to explore the park, go bowling or mini-golf, and try activities like archery or the treetop adventure course. There’s also an indoor playground and Kids Club, which are great options in bad weather.
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Is Aqua Mundo at Le Lac d’Ailette good for toddlers and young kids?
Yes, Aqua Mundo at Le Lac d’Ailette is very suitable for toddlers and young kids. There are dedicated children’s pools, splash areas, and a large water playhouse with slides, fountains, and interactive elements designed specifically for little ones. We especially liked that there are practical family-friendly features, such as family changing rooms, life jackets, and even baby facilities like microwaves for bottles, which makes visiting with younger children much easier.
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How big is Center Parcs Le Lac d’Ailette and how do you get around?
Center Parcs Le Lac d’Ailette is a fairly large park, spread out around the lake with colorful cottages, walking paths, and activity areas. Depending on where your accommodation is, it can take 15–20 minutes to walk from the Market Dome to your cottage. The park is car-free, which means you’ll need to walk or use park transport to get around. Many families choose to rent electric golf carts for convenience, though this can slightly reduce the “car-free” experience. Bikes are another great option, and there are plenty of paths for cycling throughout the park and along the lake.
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What to do near Center Parcs Le Lac d’Ailette with kids?
There are plenty of things to do near Center Parcs Le Lac d’Ailette. A short drive takes you to Laon, a beautiful medieval town with city walls, gates, and a stunning cathedral. Another nearby town, Soissons, offers historic ruins and a walking route that’s easy to follow even with strollers. For outdoor adventures, the area around the lake is perfect for cycling, and you can ride to the Abbaye de Vauclair ruins. Families can also plan a day trip to the Champagne region, visiting vineyards and historic towns like Reims and Épernay, or drive along the Chemin des Dames, a historic ridge road with museums and monuments that provide a hands-on history experience.
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What are the cottages like at Center Parcs Le Lac d’Ailette?
The cottages at Center Parcs Le Lac d’Ailette are bright, colorful, and designed with family stays in mind. The layout is functional and comfortable for families, with separate bedrooms. We stayed in a 4‑person cottage and found the bedrooms spacious and the living room perfectly suited for our family. Every cottage also has a terrace or porch, and many sit right by the water or green space, which was great for letting the kids play. That said, the kitchens are on the smaller side and a bit sparsely equipped if you plan to cook every night. Some cottages also show signs of wear and tear, so expectations around furnishings and finish should be modest.
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