France Camping - Loire or Brittany
Discussion
dave_s13 said:
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.
We’ve stayed at Domain De La Breche a couple of times, it’s a really nice site and Saumur is a beautiful town. 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
The tank museum is well worth a visit and there are decent château nearby to visit too. The on-site pool is a bit basic but the restaurant at the entrance is brilliant. Highly recommended!
As above, very fond memories of DDLB, and Saumur. Lovely, lovely area.
Fantastic chateau, superb wineries (really recommend visiting some of the caves - Robert & Marcel, Ackerman, Gratien & Meyer, etc. etc.)
Also worth a visit is the Cadre Noir: https://www.ifce.fr/en/cadre-noir/
And there also some excellent zoos locally that the kids would love: https://www.bioparc-zoo.fr/ and https://www.zoo-la-fleche.com/
The whole area is fantastic.
Fantastic chateau, superb wineries (really recommend visiting some of the caves - Robert & Marcel, Ackerman, Gratien & Meyer, etc. etc.)
Also worth a visit is the Cadre Noir: https://www.ifce.fr/en/cadre-noir/
And there also some excellent zoos locally that the kids would love: https://www.bioparc-zoo.fr/ and https://www.zoo-la-fleche.com/
The whole area is fantastic.
Ah same! Great choice - Saumur is a cracking town. Make sure you eat at the onsite restaurant which is on the right as you come into the camp - it was fantastic! Two place I would highly recommend:
- Go to Chateau D'Iislette and hire a boat - it is just the most beautiful peaceful place and we saw several kingfishers as we glided along the river.
https://www.chateaudelislette.fr/en/
- France do their beach lakes very very well and you do not get better than this place - Lac de Varenne near Marcon.
More locally there is a little place called Camping Municipal in Bourgeoil that has a little beach lake - pretty non-descript at first until we discovered we were the only ones there and had the whole lake to ourselves. The water was lovely.
- Go to Chateau D'Iislette and hire a boat - it is just the most beautiful peaceful place and we saw several kingfishers as we glided along the river.
https://www.chateaudelislette.fr/en/
- France do their beach lakes very very well and you do not get better than this place - Lac de Varenne near Marcon.
More locally there is a little place called Camping Municipal in Bourgeoil that has a little beach lake - pretty non-descript at first until we discovered we were the only ones there and had the whole lake to ourselves. The water was lovely.
pete_esp said:
And before I forget, try the Ackerman Fizzy Red Wine but tread lightly. It's too easy to drink.
Yeah, I'd echo that that Ackerman goes down far too easily. We had a tour when we were there with SWMBO in particular getting righteously pissed - made for an hilarious cycle back to the campsite.
pete_esp said:
Rosscow said:
Thirded!
Any of the local fizzy reds are superb! Dangerous stuff!
There's more than just one? How did I not know this! Any of the local fizzy reds are superb! Dangerous stuff!
Robert & Marcel
Bouvet Ladubay
Ackerman
Gratien & Meyer
Our favourite was: https://www.bouvetladubay.com/en/our-wines/the-col... Absolutely superb!
This is also excellent: https://www.robertetmarcel.com/en/shop/sparkling-w...
Edited by Rosscow on Monday 16th May 15:46
We did Domaine de la Breche a few years ago and really liked it. We ended up using a few of those Castels sites as theyre usually nice places. Some are a little quieter than others but they do seem to be looked after. I'm not convinced by the Yelloh! sites, we went to one which had a kids club (i've got kids too by the way) and it was just loud techno music blasted out across the campsite with a Dutch MC throwing the kids instructions. Not really how I like to kick back on an evening.
Arrived at DDLB yesterday and so far love it.
The trip down was incident free with an overnight stop in Oxford, mooch around their for the day then on to Portsmouth.
Ferry is the new Salamanca vessel. 4 birth cabin easily fits 5 and with it being an 23:15 sailing it was a case of having a quick look around, snack then bed. The only pain was the queues for French passport control.
We then took about 4hrs to get to the site. I'm amazed by how easy it is to drive in France Vs the UK. The motorways are just "better", the aires, the smooth roads, the lack of traffic...just so easy.
I've not found any fizzy wine yet...it's on the list.
We nipped into saumur yesterday just to stock up at Lidl but need to head back in to have a proper look around
This thread has been very helpful anyway.... cheers!
The trip down was incident free with an overnight stop in Oxford, mooch around their for the day then on to Portsmouth.
Ferry is the new Salamanca vessel. 4 birth cabin easily fits 5 and with it being an 23:15 sailing it was a case of having a quick look around, snack then bed. The only pain was the queues for French passport control.
We then took about 4hrs to get to the site. I'm amazed by how easy it is to drive in France Vs the UK. The motorways are just "better", the aires, the smooth roads, the lack of traffic...just so easy.
I've not found any fizzy wine yet...it's on the list.
We nipped into saumur yesterday just to stock up at Lidl but need to head back in to have a proper look around
This thread has been very helpful anyway.... cheers!
I hope that you chaps have had a great summer in the resorts of France. This time round, we opted for the Huttopia site in the Perigord Blanc region -- it's about three hours south of the Loire -- we stopped overnight in Orleans for convenience (and also the 4pm check in time at the campsite).
As per the Loire (Rille), it's a 'village' site, so there are no cars roaming around the site and it's all largely contained (though there are no barriers to entry/exit if the little ones are determined to go wandering). It's located in the woods, as two swimming pools and a 'spa' area with two saunas and a jacuzzi that it booked (for free) by the hour.
We booked a 'Canadienne' tent which is quite good and comfortable.
The children enjoyed it, people were largely decent (no oiks, yobbos or uncouth sorts) and actually, quite a few milfs to oggle by the pool -- so winning, basically.
As per the Loire (Rille), it's a 'village' site, so there are no cars roaming around the site and it's all largely contained (though there are no barriers to entry/exit if the little ones are determined to go wandering). It's located in the woods, as two swimming pools and a 'spa' area with two saunas and a jacuzzi that it booked (for free) by the hour.
We booked a 'Canadienne' tent which is quite good and comfortable.
The children enjoyed it, people were largely decent (no oiks, yobbos or uncouth sorts) and actually, quite a few milfs to oggle by the pool -- so winning, basically.
Bumping this thread up again as its still relevant...
Looking at booking Portsmouth-Caen ferry for July crossing and considering where to go this year. We've got potentially 16 nights in France and will be pulling a Caravan so its not so easy to stop off en-route at places like it is in a camper or car and it usually takes a bit longer too.
We've done Loire previously but nearly 10 years ago at Domaine De La Breche. I'd be tempted to re-visit as it was a lovely site, I just generally don't go back to the same place as there are lots of other places to explore!
Also considered Coulon near to Niort as there looks to be a decent site with the Caravan Club https://www.camping-laveniseverte.com/
La Garangoire isnt far so that's also an option.
I do fancy a day on Il de Re if we can get across for a cycle.
As we are sailing from Caen, we might go back up to Normandy for the final part of the trip as I've not visited Honfleur yet and theres other places in Normandy we didnt tick off from the last time we went.
We like a good site, although one not necessarily noisy (we hated Yelloh! sites as they were like a dutch Butlins playing trance in the kids club most of the afternoon when I last visited one). We're taking bikes, we like walking and visiting the local area. Our kids at 10 & 6 and are easily pleased. We don't bother with kids clubs, they usually keep one another entertained, particularly if there's water about.
I'm looking at probably 5 nights, 6 nights and 5 nights breaking the trip into 3 holidays.
Any recommendations for Loire/La Rochelle/Normandy?
Looking at booking Portsmouth-Caen ferry for July crossing and considering where to go this year. We've got potentially 16 nights in France and will be pulling a Caravan so its not so easy to stop off en-route at places like it is in a camper or car and it usually takes a bit longer too.
We've done Loire previously but nearly 10 years ago at Domaine De La Breche. I'd be tempted to re-visit as it was a lovely site, I just generally don't go back to the same place as there are lots of other places to explore!
Also considered Coulon near to Niort as there looks to be a decent site with the Caravan Club https://www.camping-laveniseverte.com/
La Garangoire isnt far so that's also an option.
I do fancy a day on Il de Re if we can get across for a cycle.
As we are sailing from Caen, we might go back up to Normandy for the final part of the trip as I've not visited Honfleur yet and theres other places in Normandy we didnt tick off from the last time we went.
We like a good site, although one not necessarily noisy (we hated Yelloh! sites as they were like a dutch Butlins playing trance in the kids club most of the afternoon when I last visited one). We're taking bikes, we like walking and visiting the local area. Our kids at 10 & 6 and are easily pleased. We don't bother with kids clubs, they usually keep one another entertained, particularly if there's water about.
I'm looking at probably 5 nights, 6 nights and 5 nights breaking the trip into 3 holidays.
Any recommendations for Loire/La Rochelle/Normandy?
Ah hah, just the thread! Was just looking for camping (campervan) options in Brittany for us and our 2 year old.
La Garangeoire looked pretty much ideal other than bit of a distance to the beach (it’s a PITA to pack our van up for a day out) and would ideally like some bike paths/quiet roads to a beach/town. Time to give this thread a read…
La Garangeoire looked pretty much ideal other than bit of a distance to the beach (it’s a PITA to pack our van up for a day out) and would ideally like some bike paths/quiet roads to a beach/town. Time to give this thread a read…
Chicken Chaser said:
I just generally don't go back to the same place as there are lots of other places to explore!
I totally get this sentiment, but if there is one thing I have learnt from camping holidays is that once you find a great site, then you take a chance on others and spend your whole holiday comparing it to the one you wish you had just gone back to!We love La Garangoire, and to be honest even when we did get a bit bored of the site we just spent more time on the fabulous beaches at Bretignolles or St Gilles. Also love Domaine de la Breche but have not been back yet - probably would, although again would prefer to go to the East Loire next time (at which point I will just end up pining for Saumur...).
Chicken Chaser said:
Bumping this thread up again as its still relevant...
Looking at booking Portsmouth-Caen ferry for July crossing and considering where to go this year. We've got potentially 16 nights in France and will be pulling a Caravan so its not so easy to stop off en-route at places like it is in a camper or car and it usually takes a bit longer too.
We've done Loire previously but nearly 10 years ago at Domaine De La Breche. I'd be tempted to re-visit as it was a lovely site, I just generally don't go back to the same place as there are lots of other places to explore!
Also considered Coulon near to Niort as there looks to be a decent site with the Caravan Club https://www.camping-laveniseverte.com/
La Garangoire isnt far so that's also an option.
I do fancy a day on Il de Re if we can get across for a cycle.
As we are sailing from Caen, we might go back up to Normandy for the final part of the trip as I've not visited Honfleur yet and theres other places in Normandy we didnt tick off from the last time we went.
We like a good site, although one not necessarily noisy (we hated Yelloh! sites as they were like a dutch Butlins playing trance in the kids club most of the afternoon when I last visited one). We're taking bikes, we like walking and visiting the local area. Our kids at 10 & 6 and are easily pleased. We don't bother with kids clubs, they usually keep one another entertained, particularly if there's water about.
I'm looking at probably 5 nights, 6 nights and 5 nights breaking the trip into 3 holidays.
Any recommendations for Loire/La Rochelle/Normandy?
If you're planning to go to Ile de Re anyway then stay there. We love it, it's got a very different feeling to the rest of the west coast.Looking at booking Portsmouth-Caen ferry for July crossing and considering where to go this year. We've got potentially 16 nights in France and will be pulling a Caravan so its not so easy to stop off en-route at places like it is in a camper or car and it usually takes a bit longer too.
We've done Loire previously but nearly 10 years ago at Domaine De La Breche. I'd be tempted to re-visit as it was a lovely site, I just generally don't go back to the same place as there are lots of other places to explore!
Also considered Coulon near to Niort as there looks to be a decent site with the Caravan Club https://www.camping-laveniseverte.com/
La Garangoire isnt far so that's also an option.
I do fancy a day on Il de Re if we can get across for a cycle.
As we are sailing from Caen, we might go back up to Normandy for the final part of the trip as I've not visited Honfleur yet and theres other places in Normandy we didnt tick off from the last time we went.
We like a good site, although one not necessarily noisy (we hated Yelloh! sites as they were like a dutch Butlins playing trance in the kids club most of the afternoon when I last visited one). We're taking bikes, we like walking and visiting the local area. Our kids at 10 & 6 and are easily pleased. We don't bother with kids clubs, they usually keep one another entertained, particularly if there's water about.
I'm looking at probably 5 nights, 6 nights and 5 nights breaking the trip into 3 holidays.
Any recommendations for Loire/La Rochelle/Normandy?
Legend83 said:
I totally get this sentiment, but if there is one thing I have learnt from camping holidays is that once you find a great site, then you take a chance on others and spend your whole holiday comparing it to the one you wish you had just gone back to!
We love La Garangoire, and to be honest even when we did get a bit bored of the site we just spent more time on the fabulous beaches at Bretignolles or St Gilles. Also love Domaine de la Breche but have not been back yet - probably would, although again would prefer to go to the East Loire next time (at which point I will just end up pining for Saumur...).
Do you reckon you could do a week around there without getting bored? I'm considering doing both the Niort site and here as it means we can explore a wider area with the 2 bases. Visit il de re from Niort and il de Normoutier from La Garangoire. We love La Garangoire, and to be honest even when we did get a bit bored of the site we just spent more time on the fabulous beaches at Bretignolles or St Gilles. Also love Domaine de la Breche but have not been back yet - probably would, although again would prefer to go to the East Loire next time (at which point I will just end up pining for Saumur...).
Chicken Chaser said:
Legend83 said:
I totally get this sentiment, but if there is one thing I have learnt from camping holidays is that once you find a great site, then you take a chance on others and spend your whole holiday comparing it to the one you wish you had just gone back to!
We love La Garangoire, and to be honest even when we did get a bit bored of the site we just spent more time on the fabulous beaches at Bretignolles or St Gilles. Also love Domaine de la Breche but have not been back yet - probably would, although again would prefer to go to the East Loire next time (at which point I will just end up pining for Saumur...).
Do you reckon you could do a week around there without getting bored? I'm considering doing both the Niort site and here as it means we can explore a wider area with the 2 bases. Visit il de re from Niort and il de Normoutier from La Garangoire. We love La Garangoire, and to be honest even when we did get a bit bored of the site we just spent more time on the fabulous beaches at Bretignolles or St Gilles. Also love Domaine de la Breche but have not been back yet - probably would, although again would prefer to go to the East Loire next time (at which point I will just end up pining for Saumur...).
On the 2020 trip we also had 5 further nights at Domaine de La Breche. It’s so difficult to choose between Brittany, the Loire, Vendee, Royan and the Dordogne as there great holiday destinations.
This is the first year in about 20 where I don’t have a holiday planned that involves a ferry. Not counting of course the Isle of Man TT.
Chicken Chaser said:
Do you reckon you could do a week around there without getting bored? I'm considering doing both the Niort site and here as it means we can explore a wider area with the 2 bases. Visit il de re from Niort and il de Normoutier from La Garangoire.
100%.On site you have a decent pool with slides, a "lagoon" (fake beach basically) which is great for the smaller ones, a massive lovely lake for boating / fishing, archery, pony-riding, a big football pitch sized playing field.
Locally you have the beautiful beaches at Bretignolles (free car park if you turn right and right again at the main roundabout approach) and Saint Gilles (some great seafood restaurants), plus Sable d'Ollone which is a bit of a tourist hotspot. If you have not been before I would highly recommend a day out at Puy de Fou - it's a must do! About 50 min drive from La Garangoire.
https://www.puydufou.com/france/en/must-see-france
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