The money will accelerate an ambitious development plan for the parc, which will include a five-fold increase in holiday home pitches, to more than 500.

We are planning to improve Domaine de Litteau’s facilities to the highest standard of four-stars and to accommodate up to 2,000 people, making the parc an important centre for tourism in the region of Calvados.

New developments will include a covered swimming complex, tennis courts, sauna and steam room, a multi-sports pitch and gym.

Domaine de Litteau will become one of France’s most environmentally friendly holiday parcs, with rigorous energy conservation and tree management plans. We have already completed a reed-bed sewage treatment pond to naturally purify waste from the parc.

We have invested heavily since acquiring Domaine de Litteau in 2007, with upgrades to facilities including a semi-permanent cover for the swimming pool, a new aquatic area for toddlers, developments to the bar, grocery store and takeaway, and the creation of 75 new mobile home pitches.

Around 100 families, approx 40% from the UK, have already bought their own holiday homes at Domaine de Litteau, tempted by the beauty of the surrounding region and proximity to the ferry port at Caen.

Domaine de Litteau general manager Jef Soucy says that ultimately, the equivalent of 50 new full time jobs will be created following this investment, with 17 new jobs already introduced since siblu took over the parc.

There will be half and one hour rides available for children on the small ponies, with prices from just €12.

And for people who want to find out even more about horses, there will be an expert on parc giving half-day courses on pony care (the French translation of this is Hippology – a lovely new word to use).

This sounds like a great idea for children interested in owning their own pony or horse – unless of course your aim is to discourage their dream!

And horse riding isn’t the only new skill that can be learned at Domaine de Litteau. Children can learn how to fish in the parc’s trout-filled pools, and Domaine de Litteau recently set up a partnership with Omaha Beach Club to offer discounted golf lessons on one of the best courses in France.

With prices at the parc starting from just £262 for a mobile home and including Dover to Calais ferries, I think this is a really great parc to pick for an early season break.