France Camping - Loire or Brittany
Discussion
We've stayed at Domain De La Breche twice now, it's a lovely site!
There's a sort of petting zoo right at the entrance where you can go and pet the animals, the site restaurant is one of the best restaurants I've been to and the pitches are nicely spaced.
I've not read the whole thread but I assume the Tank Museum has been mentioned, my 2 boys loved it! They would've been 2 and 5 at the time and we spent the best part of a day there.
There's a sort of petting zoo right at the entrance where you can go and pet the animals, the site restaurant is one of the best restaurants I've been to and the pitches are nicely spaced.
I've not read the whole thread but I assume the Tank Museum has been mentioned, my 2 boys loved it! They would've been 2 and 5 at the time and we spent the best part of a day there.
chip* said:
Just got round to researching our annual glamping holiday, and found some really tasty sites on www.coolcamping.com in the Loire region. Found some exceptional chalet/homes located next to the river, but sadly they are discounted for safety reasons (our girl is only 2 years 2 months old so we can't have her playing outside next to the river!) No problem with availability as we are going off season (heading out 31st Aug), but we are struggling to find a decent alternatives in Loire, so it looks like we are heading back to Domaine de la Breche again. Only booked for 4 nights (21-Aug to 4 Sep), but this stay will act as a nice intermediate stop before we head south to our next resort in Vendee / Pin Parasol.
Thanks for this suggestion - I just booked a last minute three nighter (before moving on to Les Haute Alpes and then Provence) from Saturday to Tuesday. Last minute.com means that we have three posh tents with beds for just under €600 in Indre-et-Loire, but I hopeful that the children will enjoy the experience.Many thanks also for the fabulous tips on here. It'll make future planning a whole lot easier, so please do report back with your experiences so that we can build up a knowledge base!
bolidemichael said:
Indeed. I had a lovely local Chenin Blanc from Le Loir (no E) when i stayed at the Hotel de France.
Jasnieres? A wine that deserves a much larger say in the World! Did you have the room over the square with the macerator? If you drive up the hill opposite the Hotel, our house is 2 miles up the hill (and down some side roads).
We just got back after a wonderful trip - we only caught one day of rain on the 16th but headed to the "Le Mystere des Faluns" near Doue which was a great choice with the kids on a rainy day.
Will post a more detailed holiday review when I get a chance - all hands to the pump at work right now
Will post a more detailed holiday review when I get a chance - all hands to the pump at work right now
Puggit said:
bolidemichael said:
Indeed. I had a lovely local Chenin Blanc from Le Loir (no E) when i stayed at the Hotel de France.
Jasnieres? A wine that deserves a much larger say in the World! Did you have the room over the square with the macerator? If you drive up the hill opposite the Hotel, our house is 2 miles up the hill (and down some side roads).
It was indeed. I stayed in the annex room at ground floor level, it was well decked out, but no macerator.
Legend83 said:
We just got back after a wonderful trip - we only caught one day of rain on the 16th but headed to the "Le Mystere des Faluns" near Doue which was a great choice with the kids on a rainy day.
Will post a more detailed holiday review when I get a chance - all hands to the pump at work right now
Legend83 - hope work has calmed down a bit since your return? Will post a more detailed holiday review when I get a chance - all hands to the pump at work right now
If you get the chance to look at this I would be very grateful for any feedback (positive and negative) you could give on your recent stay? This site is currently number 1 on our list after visiting Eurocamp sites in the Dordogne for the last couple of years...
Looking to book the 2 bed Taos Luxe direct next August.
TIA
Thanks Mr Thomo, yes today is the first day I have some breathing room (thankfully just as the RWC starts!).
We had a great time at Domaine de la Breche ("DB") and we really fell in love with the Loire. I will outline pros and cons of the site below, some of the places we went that were good for children (assuming you have them), and anything else I can think of.
The site was very good value compared others in the region and the Vendee but it is technically 4* and we were spoilt the year before at the 5* La Garangoire and it was difficult not to compare. Where DB was not quite as good, the Loire was much nicer and more interesting than the West Coast.
Pros:
- It's a small site - this is personal preference really but compared to some other sites we have been to DB is quite small which made it easy for our children to navigate themselves and we never felt worried about letting them roam. It also meant it was relatively quiet given it was August. There were large open spaces though for games of cricket and for children to meet and run around.
- Loads of stuff to do - pony riding, archery, fishing, cycling, tennis, football, wine tasting, etc etc. My son's highlight was the laser tag game where he and I got to dress up in full camo gear and rifle and run around shooting each other for half an hour - all pretty good value too.
- Good swimming area, although I thought the baby pool was a bit tired. Always busy though but that is the same anywhere at the height of summer so don't plan on any relaxing length swimming! Slides were good fun.
- The attached restaurant La Breche was fantastic and great value for such good food. Think we spent just over €100 for 5 of us to have 3 courses (kids menu was 3 courses too!) plus wine and soft drinks and it was definitely fine dining (see pics below).
- Location - right on the banks of the Loire about 5 min drive from Saumur and everything you need. Great spot to get to various other places too. Don't worry when you pull off the main road and think it looks a bit scruffy!
Cons:
- Not much to do if the weather is crap - it rained all day the first day we were there and we had to find something to do off-site as there is little entertainment for the children (other than the kids club but it was closed that day!). What there is is old and knackered such as table football with cork balls that don't roll, and 80s arcade games that charge €2 for a game that last 3 minutes (my absolute pet hate, why not make them free!!!)
- Being a touch snobbish here but there was a slight whiff of Little Britain around the place, particularly the caravan brigade. 99% of people were very pleasant but we didn't end up meeting any other families to spend time with like we did at La Garangoire.
- The bar area was always pretty dead probably because of the awkward shape of the place which was a cramped long narrow thing. We didn't bother much with the evening entertainment - much nicer to sit out on the deck with a good book and glass of Champigny
A word on the Taos Luxe accommodation as you mention it - a very nice standard indeed and the hot-tub was lovely (once it was at the right temp!). Air con was a boon. Downsides we thought were it was style over substance with very little in the way of storage, plus they were located quite close together and not all of them have a view over the lake - we sat in the hot-tub looking at the back of the next unit. You give up any outside space (apart from the deck).
I would recommend heading further back in the site towards the Key West units as they had a much larger footprint - several of them had parents sitting on the deck while their kids playing on the open space out front - we had to make sure our 3 year old didn't jump in the tub or the lake!
Places we went and loved:
- Fortress at Chinon - amazing views and fantastic for kids. They have to complete a trail around all sections of the fortress and get given Histopads which turn the place they are standing into what it would have looked like back in time. Sword-fighting, dressing up, trebuchet firing - just brilliant.
- Le Mystère des Faluns - this was a godsend on the rainy day. Stunning caves, again with clues that the children had to follow to find certain items.
- Chateau du Breze - we chose the chateaus carefully to ensure the children wouldn't get bored and this place delivered. Not particularly spectacular from the outside, it has the largest dry moat in Europe and a huge complex of caves underneath - a fascinating place.
- Lake Municipal at Bourgeoul - this is a quiet campsite which has a swimming lake and beach but you can park for free as a day guest. We thought we had made a mistake when we found it at the back of an industrial estate but it was a lovely little change from the site. No eating facilities though.
- Lac Varennes - thanks to Puggit for this absolute gem and one of the highlights of the trip. A simply wonderful beach lake with a bar and restaurant, huge playground and fantastic swimming lake with slides.
- Chateau d'Isslette - this was our favourite place of the whole holiday, a stunning and quiet place where Rodin and his mistress used to frequent. Games, a boating lake, free dressing up for the kids, animals. Just go there.
We ate very well at Keatings Steak House and Cote du Jardin in Saumur.
We also did our usual stop off in Normandy there and back and had a trip to Utah and Omaha beaches - surreal as ever.
Sorry for the long post! Some pics:
Saumur at night
20190825_212032 by Ed Reeve, on Flickr
Lac Varennes
20190823_121548 by Ed Reeve, on Flickr
Food at La Breche
20190822_191151 by Ed Reeve, on Flickr
20190822_193107 by Ed Reeve, on Flickr
20190822_200246 by Ed Reeve, on Flickr
View from Chinon Fortress
Chinon from the Fortress by Ed Reeve, on Flickr
Chateau d'Islette - our favourite place
Chateau d'Islette by Ed Reeve, on Flickr
20190825_105612 by Ed Reeve, on Flickr
Chateau du Breze
Breze Chateau by Ed Reeve, on Flickr
Utah and Omaha
20190827_210023 by Ed Reeve, on Flickr
Utah Beach by Ed Reeve, on Flickr
Omaha Beach by Ed Reeve, on Flickr
We had a great time at Domaine de la Breche ("DB") and we really fell in love with the Loire. I will outline pros and cons of the site below, some of the places we went that were good for children (assuming you have them), and anything else I can think of.
The site was very good value compared others in the region and the Vendee but it is technically 4* and we were spoilt the year before at the 5* La Garangoire and it was difficult not to compare. Where DB was not quite as good, the Loire was much nicer and more interesting than the West Coast.
Pros:
- It's a small site - this is personal preference really but compared to some other sites we have been to DB is quite small which made it easy for our children to navigate themselves and we never felt worried about letting them roam. It also meant it was relatively quiet given it was August. There were large open spaces though for games of cricket and for children to meet and run around.
- Loads of stuff to do - pony riding, archery, fishing, cycling, tennis, football, wine tasting, etc etc. My son's highlight was the laser tag game where he and I got to dress up in full camo gear and rifle and run around shooting each other for half an hour - all pretty good value too.
- Good swimming area, although I thought the baby pool was a bit tired. Always busy though but that is the same anywhere at the height of summer so don't plan on any relaxing length swimming! Slides were good fun.
- The attached restaurant La Breche was fantastic and great value for such good food. Think we spent just over €100 for 5 of us to have 3 courses (kids menu was 3 courses too!) plus wine and soft drinks and it was definitely fine dining (see pics below).
- Location - right on the banks of the Loire about 5 min drive from Saumur and everything you need. Great spot to get to various other places too. Don't worry when you pull off the main road and think it looks a bit scruffy!
Cons:
- Not much to do if the weather is crap - it rained all day the first day we were there and we had to find something to do off-site as there is little entertainment for the children (other than the kids club but it was closed that day!). What there is is old and knackered such as table football with cork balls that don't roll, and 80s arcade games that charge €2 for a game that last 3 minutes (my absolute pet hate, why not make them free!!!)
- Being a touch snobbish here but there was a slight whiff of Little Britain around the place, particularly the caravan brigade. 99% of people were very pleasant but we didn't end up meeting any other families to spend time with like we did at La Garangoire.
- The bar area was always pretty dead probably because of the awkward shape of the place which was a cramped long narrow thing. We didn't bother much with the evening entertainment - much nicer to sit out on the deck with a good book and glass of Champigny
A word on the Taos Luxe accommodation as you mention it - a very nice standard indeed and the hot-tub was lovely (once it was at the right temp!). Air con was a boon. Downsides we thought were it was style over substance with very little in the way of storage, plus they were located quite close together and not all of them have a view over the lake - we sat in the hot-tub looking at the back of the next unit. You give up any outside space (apart from the deck).
I would recommend heading further back in the site towards the Key West units as they had a much larger footprint - several of them had parents sitting on the deck while their kids playing on the open space out front - we had to make sure our 3 year old didn't jump in the tub or the lake!
Places we went and loved:
- Fortress at Chinon - amazing views and fantastic for kids. They have to complete a trail around all sections of the fortress and get given Histopads which turn the place they are standing into what it would have looked like back in time. Sword-fighting, dressing up, trebuchet firing - just brilliant.
- Le Mystère des Faluns - this was a godsend on the rainy day. Stunning caves, again with clues that the children had to follow to find certain items.
- Chateau du Breze - we chose the chateaus carefully to ensure the children wouldn't get bored and this place delivered. Not particularly spectacular from the outside, it has the largest dry moat in Europe and a huge complex of caves underneath - a fascinating place.
- Lake Municipal at Bourgeoul - this is a quiet campsite which has a swimming lake and beach but you can park for free as a day guest. We thought we had made a mistake when we found it at the back of an industrial estate but it was a lovely little change from the site. No eating facilities though.
- Lac Varennes - thanks to Puggit for this absolute gem and one of the highlights of the trip. A simply wonderful beach lake with a bar and restaurant, huge playground and fantastic swimming lake with slides.
- Chateau d'Isslette - this was our favourite place of the whole holiday, a stunning and quiet place where Rodin and his mistress used to frequent. Games, a boating lake, free dressing up for the kids, animals. Just go there.
We ate very well at Keatings Steak House and Cote du Jardin in Saumur.
We also did our usual stop off in Normandy there and back and had a trip to Utah and Omaha beaches - surreal as ever.
Sorry for the long post! Some pics:
Saumur at night
20190825_212032 by Ed Reeve, on Flickr
Lac Varennes
20190823_121548 by Ed Reeve, on Flickr
Food at La Breche
20190822_191151 by Ed Reeve, on Flickr
20190822_193107 by Ed Reeve, on Flickr
20190822_200246 by Ed Reeve, on Flickr
View from Chinon Fortress
Chinon from the Fortress by Ed Reeve, on Flickr
Chateau d'Islette - our favourite place
Chateau d'Islette by Ed Reeve, on Flickr
20190825_105612 by Ed Reeve, on Flickr
Chateau du Breze
Breze Chateau by Ed Reeve, on Flickr
Utah and Omaha
20190827_210023 by Ed Reeve, on Flickr
Utah Beach by Ed Reeve, on Flickr
Omaha Beach by Ed Reeve, on Flickr
This thread is proving to be quite good inspiration for our 2020 holiday, especially that camp site with the jacuzzi lodges for €1100 for a week. You couldn't get anything near that in this country.
My parents took me on several holidays to France as a child and I loved it despite breaking my arm on a BMX track on a site in Brittany in 1994
We don't do the caravan thing, but kiddies play pool is pretty essential for us along with slides and simialar. beach not important, but these lake side beaches on the sites mentioned in this thread look great.
My parents took me on several holidays to France as a child and I loved it despite breaking my arm on a BMX track on a site in Brittany in 1994
We don't do the caravan thing, but kiddies play pool is pretty essential for us along with slides and simialar. beach not important, but these lake side beaches on the sites mentioned in this thread look great.
Puggit said:
Glad you enjoyed it. The lake looks VERY quiet in that picture. Should have seen it during last years relentless heatwave!
Breze is the most interesting chateau in the Loire in our opinion. And we've pretty much seen all of them
Bearing in mind it was 35c that day....think we got lucky!
We went done to the Med twice this yr.
Last stay was here in August in a Safari Tent (11 nights) for less than £400 (Tunnel was £100 return through agent).
https://m.sandaya.co.uk/our-campsites/blue-bayou?g...
Unreal value for money..
I like the look of that lake above, Loire and a much shorter drive!
Last stay was here in August in a Safari Tent (11 nights) for less than £400 (Tunnel was £100 return through agent).
https://m.sandaya.co.uk/our-campsites/blue-bayou?g...
Unreal value for money..
I like the look of that lake above, Loire and a much shorter drive!
Deesee said:
I like the look of that lake above, Loire and a much shorter drive!
We were worried the kids would miss the seaside but they much preferred the lakes as it was safe and calm. Perhaps just missing being mashed by the waves, but all-in-all we were smitten with the Loire whereas we found Vendee a bit dull once you have done the beaches.Thinking of heading further south to Bordeaux next year but would do the Loire again.
Legend83 said:
The site was very good value compared others in the region and the Vendee but it is technically 4* and we were spoilt the year before at the 5* La Garangoire and it was difficult not to compare. Where DB was not quite as good, the Loire was much nicer and more interesting than the West Coast.
Firstly, love your photos! Thought I would append my comments to your review following our recent (2nd) stay at Domain.
We stayed at La Garangoire last year and contemplated returning as it ticked many boxes. Our little girl loved the lagoon/beach area. Huge playground that suited our younger girl and huge bouncy castle too. Having stayed at Domain twice now for comparison, I feel La Garangoire is probably more suited to families with younger baby/toddler who prefer to stay on-site, whereas Domain and the Loire region offer more outside activities for parents with older kids. No particular favourite as such, both are great sites imo.
Legend83 said:
- Being a touch snobbish here but there was a slight whiff of Little Britain around the place, particularly the caravan brigade. 99% of people were very pleasant but we didn't end up meeting any other families to spend time with like we did at La Garangoire.
- The bar area was always pretty dead probably because of the awkward shape of the place which was a cramped long narrow thing. We didn't bother much with the evening entertainment - much nicer to sit out on the deck with a good book and glass of Champigny
Agree, La Garangoire had a nice bar garden with a bouncy castle where parents socialised and the kids played safely. The crepe night was pretty popular and also great for socialising too. We met more parents at La Garangoire, and clicked with a couple that we arranged to holiday with this year at Vendee/ Pin Parasol (10 mins drive away from La Garangoire).- The bar area was always pretty dead probably because of the awkward shape of the place which was a cramped long narrow thing. We didn't bother much with the evening entertainment - much nicer to sit out on the deck with a good book and glass of Champigny
By coincidence, on our recent trip to Domain, we met the same lovely Irish couple whom we drink with almost daily at the La Garangoire bar from last year's holiday!
Legend83 said:
A word on the Taos Luxe accommodation as you mention it - a very nice standard indeed and the hot-tub was lovely (once it was at the right temp!). Air con was a boon. Downsides we thought were it was style over substance with very little in the way of storage, plus they were located quite close together and not all of them have a view over the lake - we sat in the hot-tub looking at the back of the next unit. You give up any outside space (apart from the deck).
I would recommend heading further back in the site towards the Key West units as they had a much larger footprint - several of them had parents sitting on the deck while their kids playing on the open space out front - we had to make sure our 3 year old didn't jump in the tub or the lake!
My wife & I personally don't enjoy hot-tubs, so the Taos chalet never appealed. I did warn on an earlier page that a lake view wasn't guaranteed due to the configuration. Plus, even if you had a lake view, it isn't exactly personal if someone decide to fish at a spot right in front of your terrace. As you rightly mention, there's no direct outside space for the kids to play on compared to other chalets/homes.I would recommend heading further back in the site towards the Key West units as they had a much larger footprint - several of them had parents sitting on the deck while their kids playing on the open space out front - we had to make sure our 3 year old didn't jump in the tub or the lake!
Per my earlier review, I recommended the Key West chalet which we stayed in this time (chalet No. 001), located at the back of the site and much quieter due to less foot traffic. We booked the 3 beds/ 2 baths chalet so our girls had a room each (due to their different sleeping habit). Ensuite toilet/shower room was pleasantly roomy so we never used the 2nd shower box room. Kitchen was fully kitted out, Wifi and aircon was a blessing when the late afternoon sun come blasting into the front room. Huge decking/terrace with surrounding play area, but the terrace doesn't have a secured gate which is important if you have toddlers! Unless you want a hot-tub, I feel the Domain's Key West chalets are great value. Only criticism on the Key West chalet is the omission of hooks so we couldn't hang anything! If the Key West chalet are unavailable, I suggest to book via EuroCamp the Aspect chalets which are located at the back next to the archery section. They all have a HUGE surrounding play area outside + gated terrace + quietest location on the site. We stayed in the Aspect chalet booked via Eurocamp at Pin Parasol, and they are imo very similar to the Key West chalet, but with more storage rooms. Only difference is Wifi which isn't included in the Aspect chalet.
Legend83 said:
Deesee said:
I like the look of that lake above, Loire and a much shorter drive!
We were worried the kids would miss the seaside but they much preferred the lakes as it was safe and calm. Perhaps just missing being mashed by the waves, but all-in-all we were smitten with the Loire whereas we found Vendee a bit dull once you have done the beaches.Thinking of heading further south to Bordeaux next year but would do the Loire again.
Never been to the Atlantic coast so make sure you have a thread up for that..
Deesee said:
In reply to Chip*
We had an ‘aspect’ van for May/June half term last yr with eurocamp... 2 kids (4 and 7 months) absolutely brilliant!
Space, decking & a dishwasher (fully fitted kitchen too).. highly recommend...
Yep, Aspect has all the home comforts, but they are blooming pricey at peak holiday months!!We had an ‘aspect’ van for May/June half term last yr with eurocamp... 2 kids (4 and 7 months) absolutely brilliant!
Space, decking & a dishwasher (fully fitted kitchen too).. highly recommend...
Ah yes dishwasher, just don't do a last minute wash, then leave all the girl's spare milk bottles, teat's, cutlery, plates and bowls in the dishwasher.....Wife was not amused!
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