Our discovery of Parc Animal Du Quinquis on our trip to Brittany last week was the answer to an ongoing family-and-animals conundrum. My daughter Scarlett and son Fin have the usual magnetic child attraction to all things four-legged and furry.

Unfortunately, they are stuck with a zoo-phobic dad.  I know many zoos of them do brilliant conservation work, but the sight of animals in cages (no matter how high-tech and elaborate) has always made me feel a little sad. So, I make all sorts of annoying (to my offspring) excuses for not visiting them.

Problem solved by this fab parc at Pouldu, close to Concarneau and Quimper in Finistere. Herds of deer and cute Ouessant sheep freely roam the fields, so accustomed to humans that they will literally eat out of your hands. Scarlett and Fin got to pet wild things to their hearts content, without my own heart sinking at the evidence of their captivity.

The parc is open daily between 2pm and 6.30pm from April and between 10,30am and 7pm daily from June 1 to September 15. Under-4s get free entry, 5-12 year olds pay 5 euros, and over-12s 9 euros.

For more info, visit www.parcanimalierduquinquis.com.

Baby-Friendly Bolthole nearby:

Gites Guebernez – La Grande

http://www.babyfriendlyboltholes.co.uk/gites_guebernez__la_grande-child-friendly-accommodation-40153.htm#property_main