France Camping - Loire or Brittany

[chip*]

Travelling restrictions appearing to lift very soon.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-53199089

I am tempted to book the newly introduced refundable Eurotunnel ticket. Given we are not heading out till Sep, we will monitor the condition (infection rate, FCO and travel insurance are valid etc.. ), else we would simply cancel the ticket.

Originally planned to head out to the highly recommended St Avit, but we found Club Les Brunnelles in the Vendee region.

https://www.ms-vacances.com/camping-club-ms/campin...

Apart from the shorter travel time, this site is closely located to some stunning beaches which would provide another outlet for our girls if the camp facilities/playgrounds are restricted or close.

So for now, we will wait and monitor the infection rate and travel restrictions.

[MrThomo]

chip* said:

Travelling restrictions appearing to lift very soon.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-53199089

I am tempted to book the newly introduced refundable Eurotunnel ticket. Given we are not heading out till Sep, we will monitor the condition (infection rate, FCO and travel insurance are valid etc.. ), else we would simply cancel the ticket.

Originally planned to head out to the highly recommended St Avit, but we found Club Les Brunnelles in the Vendee region.

https://www.ms-vacances.com/camping-club-ms/campin...

Apart from the shorter travel time, this site is closely located to some stunning beaches which would provide another outlet for our girls if the camp facilities/playgrounds are restricted or close.

So for now, we will wait and monitor the infection rate and travel restrictions.

If you change your mind I can highly recommend St Avit, been 3 times. Was going to be 4 this year but decided on a change but then cancelled and moved to next year. Would visit St Avit again and again its a cracking spot.

[Ben Jk]

Legend83 said:

I would agree with pretty much everything chip* says - the Taos just were not worth the premium we paid.

We have a big shortlist for next year - anyone been to these?:

Pin Parasol (Vendee)
La Guyonierre (Vendee)
Le Littoral (La Rochelle)
Les Grand Pins (near Bordeaux)
Parc du val de Loire (East Loire)

Probably a bit late but we have stayed at Pin Parasol and it is probably one of the best sites we have ever been to. We actually ended up going two years running. We love the Vendee (can give some tips on where to visit if you want) but we go further south now to guarantee temps as my wife doesn’t feel like she’s had a holiday unless it is high 20’s early 30’s!

Also...we have scrapped Eurocamp and last 2 years have gone with Alfresco. They are actually under same umbrella company as EC but seem cheaper and the vans were more modern 2 years ago. EC May have caught up now.

Edited by Ben Jk on Saturday 27th June 18:07

[dave_s13]

Just bookmarking this thread as we are looking at a caravan trip with 3 kids for our summer hols.

Some decent information on here. I assume it's all pretty much still relevant.

[pete_esp]

pete_esp said:

chip* said:

Thread revival to keep the camping post in a single thread for ease of reference.

We initially discussed going to a hotel (all inclusive jobbie somewhere in Greece,Spain, or Cyprus) in 2020, but we feel camping is better suited for our younger kids (3 and nearly 2), so we are seeking campsite recommendations from the PH community. We've visited some great camp sites from previous recommendations (Loire and Vendee regions / Domain De La Breche, La Garangeoire, Pin Parasol), but we are seeking new location/sites. To reduce driving time, we are considering grabbing the ferry to St Malo so we can head further down south.

Ile de Re is our our radar, so we am seeking recommended campsites on this island. We usually do 2 x weekly break for a change of scenery so another nearby site further south would be ideal. Dordogne region is a possible, but maybe it's a tad too far for this trip.

Your campsite recommendations will be appreciated.Thanks!!!!


Note. when I say camping, I really mean glamping i.e. fully fitted chalet/mobile homes

We stayed on Ile De Re in 2018 with Eurocamp, we were hoping to return last year as we enjoyed it so much but Eurocamp didn't have any sites there last year. Obviously you can book direct with the camp, we stayed at Les ilates which is in Loix. There's a market everyday and the site was great for entertaining 2 & 5 year olds. That plus so much to do and see on the Ile. La Rochelle is well worth a visit too.

Last year we went to Camping Bel in La Tranche Sur Mer, it's a small quiet site but there is loads to do in the town, great beaches etc. We basically parked up, hired bikes and didn't get back in the car till we were driving home.

One of our favourite destinations was Saint Avit Loisirs in the Dordogne, absolutely brilliant site, 10 minute drive from Le Bugue and Limoux.
We've done Domaine De La Breche a couple of times so I understand your expectations and I can't recommend Saint Avit enough! (The food at the site restaurant is almost as good a DDLB's!!) We have also spent a few holidays around the Vendee & Loire regions as we tend to split the trip up by staying at DDLB on the way down and Chambord on the way back. Then it's an easy drive to Caen for the overnight boat.

To put the drive into context, we drive to France every year from Edinburgh! Though this year we are taking the ferry from Portsmouth to Bilbao to stay near Biarritz before taking the same route back.

Pete

We're finally putting the Bilbao plan into action, it's even had some mission creep to make it more epic.

Literally counting down the days. I can't wait for the annual family road trip to return!

[dave_s13]

Only had a brief look at some of the recommendations on the thread and typically either no availability of don't appear to have touring pitches.

Anyone been here??

https://www.parcdemontsabert.com/en/

Any good?

[dave_s13]

And can someone give a real life report on what the ferry crossing is like. We are thinking Portsmouth to Cherbourg which is 6+ hours.

What's 6 hours on a ferry like? It sounds tedious af, especially with 3 kids in tow.

[bolidemichael]

I've done Portsmouth to Caen and Brittany Ferries cater for families with entertainment area for children.

[240Cup]

Have done Brittany Ferries 6 hour many times with 4 kids in tow. Usually fine - Cinema helps + decent Restaurants + play areas for little ones + general entertainment on board (balloon artists/comedians/discos)

Not so great if it is rough - that can be a total nightmare. One of mine stood up in the 'quiet lounge' and announced she felt poorly before vomming all over the head of the bloke in the row of seats in front.

If you can, book a 4 berth outside (window) cabin which is a safe haven if it is rough and also a good base, has an en-suite etc. Can get your head down and have a kip before onward travels.

Also, tell the guys boarding you that you have a clutch problem and don't want to go up the steep car deck. This gets unloaded after the main deck so you are potentially a couple of hundred cars back in the passport queue. If you are on the lower deck it gains you loads of time and passport controls in France can be lengthy post covid and Brexit.

Portsmouth to Caen instead of Cherbourg gets you a little further South on the road, saves about half an hour on the road compared to if you use Cherbourg.

As an alternative there is a 3 hour Fast Cat Portsmouth to Cherbourg in the summer with Brittany Ferries but be careful with your car if you don't want your doors dinged as they REALLY pack you in, to the point where sometimes you struggle to open the doors to get out!


HTH

[Bill]

It's only 4.5 hours isn't it? You lose an hour due to the time difference.

Generally we get on and get breakfast and that takes care of a decent chunk. Sit them down with screens or a game of cards etc, have a wander, let them watch TV for a bit and it's time for lunch, and then you're there. Never had a rough one in summer.

One of ours had a tendency to wander off, and did that just as we were docking. Ended up two decks down with the lorries! Don't do that...

[dave_s13]

Thanks for that. Doesn't sound too bad, bar the rough seas situation.

[jodypress]

dave_s13 said:

And can someone give a real life report on what the ferry crossing is like. We are thinking Portsmouth to Cherbourg which is 6+ hours.

What's 6 hours on a ferry like? It sounds tedious af, especially with 3 kids in tow.

I'm driving down to a campsite on 23rd August for 10 nights. It's near Biarritz. https://www.camping-le-ruisseau.fr/en/ looks amazing tbh.
Anyhow, I looked into longer ferries to Bilbao etc and other than the prices being ridiculous, I don't really want to be cooped up on a ferry for so long.
I'm going the Dover-Calais route, driving and staying somewhere en route overnight. Even factoring in fuel, tolls and overnight stay it's almost 50% cheaper than an overnight ferry.
Also got the luxury of stopping off at interesting places if we wish etc.

I've driven many times in France and it's so much easier doing long trips than in UK.

[Byker28i]

Bill said:

It's only 4.5 hours isn't it? You lose an hour due to the time difference.

Generally we get on and get breakfast and that takes care of a decent chunk. Sit them down with screens or a game of cards etc, have a wander, let them watch TV for a bit and it's time for lunch, and then you're there. Never had a rough one in summer.

One of ours had a tendency to wander off, and did that just as we were docking. Ended up two decks down with the lorries! Don't do that...

Sit down restaurant is well worth while, especially on the trip back as a time waster. For the kids there's usually something on in the cinema.

[pete_esp]

dave_s13 said:

And can someone give a real life report on what the ferry crossing is like. We are thinking Portsmouth to Cherbourg which is 6+ hours.

What's 6 hours on a ferry like? It sounds tedious af, especially with 3 kids in tow.

We've done it once, after food, a nosey around the shops & watching Turbo the Snail on the 'cinema' we were back in blighty.

Mostly we do the over night ferries to St Malo which are a brilliant way to travel. You get on board and have a mooch around before settling down to a magic show and cocktails. the kids are always fascinated by the Naval Hardware on show on the way out of Portsnouth too.

Then you wake up, get breakfast and presto you're in France. We usually park up and explore St Malo once we get off the ship and start enjoying French coffee & pastries & cakes and running around the beach for a bit then we pick up a few baguettes from a Boulangerie before we set off for a picnic on the way.

Can't wait for this years adventure to roll round though this time it's the 2 night sailing to Bilbao on the brand new Salamanca.

[dave_s13]

pete_esp said:

dave_s13 said:

And can someone give a real life report on what the ferry crossing is like. We are thinking Portsmouth to Cherbourg which is 6+ hours.

What's 6 hours on a ferry like? It sounds tedious af, especially with 3 kids in tow.

We've done it once, after food, a nosey around the shops & watching Turbo the Snail on the 'cinema' we were back in blighty.

Mostly we do the over night ferries to St Malo which are a brilliant way to travel. You get on board and have a mooch around before settling down to a magic show and cocktails. the kids are always fascinated by the Naval Hardware on show on the way out of Portsnouth too.

Then you wake up, get breakfast and presto you're in France. We usually park up and explore St Malo once we get off the ship and start enjoying French coffee & pastries & cakes and running around the beach for a bit then we pick up a few baguettes from a Boulangerie before we set off for a picnic on the way.

Can't wait for this years adventure to roll round though this time it's the 2 night sailing to Bilbao on the brand new Salamanca.

I assume you get a cabin? I'm wondering if you can realistically fit 2 adults and 3 kids in a 4 berth???

[Bill]

dave_s13 said:

I assume you get a cabin? I'm wondering if you can realistically fit 2 adults and 3 kids in a 4 berth???

We've done it with one on the floor on a camping mat.

[spreadsheet monkey]

dave_s13 said:

And can someone give a real life report on what the ferry crossing is like. We are thinking Portsmouth to Cherbourg which is 6+ hours.

What's 6 hours on a ferry like? It sounds tedious af, especially with 3 kids in tow.

It's a long time! Depending on how old your kids are, you might be able to placate/distract them with food/cinema/iPads to get through the journey.

spreadsheet monkey said:

We've booked 10 nights at Les Grands Pins in August. Pool and facilities look great, and the site seems to be highly recommended on TripAdvisor. Too far to drive down, so we'll probably fly to Bordeaux and get a hire car from there.

We're booking with Yelloh this year. I've got high hopes for them, after a poor experience with Eurocamp in summer 2017.

Following up on my post on this thread two years ago, we went to the Grands Pins campsite in August 2020. My wife and two sons ended up flying Easyjet to Bordeaux (as flights were only just opening up after Covid and were still available very cheaply) while I took the DFDS ferry from Newhaven to Dieppe and drove down with all of our stuff including kids bikes.

Grand Pins campsite was very nice. Yelloh offered a much more pleasant holiday experience than Eurocamp. Nearest beach at Lacanau was a "proper" surfers beach with very strong waves and currents. My kids (6 and 9 at the time) enjoyed it but spending any length of time in the sea was a real workout and my body felt like it had taken a battering afterwards.

Lacanau seemed to be a bit of a Covid hotspot at the time. August 2020 was a long time ago, and we spent far too much time nervously checking our phones for any changes to the government's covid advice, fearing that we might be trapped in France and not allowed back in the UK.

Doing the long solo drive down to SW France was peaceful and almost zen-like. I really enjoyed the journey both ways. Also suited my wife and youngest son who are not great on sea crossings.

[pete_esp]

Bill said:

dave_s13 said:

I assume you get a cabin? I'm wondering if you can realistically fit 2 adults and 3 kids in a 4 berth???

We've done it with one on the floor on a camping mat.

Yup we get a cabin, only 4 beds obviously but depending on the age/size of your kids maybe they could top & tail?

Or if you get a commodore cabin it would be more spacious. I think we have one booked for the return journey so I'll find out for ya


ETA - Nope. The Comodore Cabin is a 2 berth. There is 4 of us. Balls.

Edited by pete_esp on Thursday 12th May 16:21

[240Cup]

it is 6 hours on the Portsmouth to Caen and Portsmouth to Cherbourg irrespective of time difference. The boat will be Mont St Michel or Normandy. They have a brand new boat on the Portsmouth to Cherbourg Route, can't remember the name but is very posh.

The Commodore Cabin is 4 berth with big telly and ensuite, or at least on Mont St Michel it was as I was in one of them on there at Easter and we had 5 people in there very comfortably(the little one bunked up with the missus). The complimentary brekkie was supposed to be for 4 but the French fella looking after the Commodore Cabins happily gave us an extra one and limitless tea and coffee (decent French stuff!). You can have continental in your room or get a 10quid voucher each for hot breakfast in the Restaurant. Free fruit and biccies and also soft drinks in the mini-Fridge. I think it was about £70quid including Club Voyage discount but well worth it when you factor in what the breakfasts and drinks would have cost anyway.

[dave_s13]

Well I've pulled the old trigger.

Ferry from Portsmouth to Cherbourg and back

A week here.
https://www.domainedelabreche.com

Then a week here.
https://www.yellohvillage.co.uk/camping/mane_guern...

That'll be a rather epic road trip from sunny Leeds and back.....gotta say it's a bit nerve wracking but I'm sure it'll be fine. I must go check my breakdown cover is all up to scratch and get some eurolites ordered.

Edited by dave_s13 on Thursday 12th May 22:04