France Camping - Loire or Brittany
Discussion
There is major indecision in the L83 household at present in deciding on out summer holiday with the kids. We had a wonderful first time doing the Eurocamp thing in the Vendee last August and want to do similar but in a different location (Vendee was great for weather but a bit boring otherwise).
We are driving but don't want to venture to the South so we are thinking either Brittany (for the sea) or Loire (for the weather).
Concerns are - a) will the weather be crappy in Brittany; b) without the beach to escape to will the children get bored in the Loire (they can't drink wine and one chateau looks like every other one to a 7 year old...)
Opinions?
We are driving but don't want to venture to the South so we are thinking either Brittany (for the sea) or Loire (for the weather).
Concerns are - a) will the weather be crappy in Brittany; b) without the beach to escape to will the children get bored in the Loire (they can't drink wine and one chateau looks like every other one to a 7 year old...)
Opinions?
blue_haddock said:
We went to Benodet in brittany last august and found the area very quiet with little to do. Had an ok week but wouldnt go back to that area.
Have previously been to St Jean de monts in the Vendee and loved it, we found lots to do and had a great week.
Interesting re Benodet as that was one on our shortlist. We went to St Jean de Monts in August and loved it.Have previously been to St Jean de monts in the Vendee and loved it, we found lots to do and had a great week.
2Btoo said:
Loire. Every day of the week. Prettier area, more to do, better weather.
Thanks. I'm hoping the campsite will provide enough for the kids then a few ventures out and about. Drive to Loire doesn't phase - we did Vendee last year and stopped in Normandy over night to break it up.These are the 3 choices essentially:
Loire
https://domainedelabreche.com/en/
https://www.yellohvillage.co.uk/camping/parc_du_va...
Brittany
https://www.yellohvillage.co.uk/camping/la_
Loire
https://domainedelabreche.com/en/
https://www.yellohvillage.co.uk/camping/parc_du_va...
Brittany
https://www.yellohvillage.co.uk/camping/la_
Rosscow said:
Have been to Domaine de la Breche for 3 of the last 4 years. Fantastic campsite, loads to do for the kids and a wonderful area.
We have 2 girls (now aged 6 and 9, but on first visit were 2 and 5 I think). They loved the campsite.
Saumur is a fabulous little town.
We used to get the 4.30am ferry and we'd be at the campsite by about 2pm (and that is towing a large caravan with several stops).
This is probably the front runner - any suggestions on best part of the site to stay (bearing in mind we will be doing fixed mobile home)?We have 2 girls (now aged 6 and 9, but on first visit were 2 and 5 I think). They loved the campsite.
Saumur is a fabulous little town.
We used to get the 4.30am ferry and we'd be at the campsite by about 2pm (and that is towing a large caravan with several stops).
Rosscow said:
Have a look at the map here: https://domainedelabreche.com/en/terms-conditions/
We've always been in the caravan, and have always had fantastic large pitches along G row (we've had G4 twice and G6 once).
These are great as you're a short walk to the pool, bar, ice creams, etc. and it's very easy to pop back and forwards with the kids. Can be a bit noisier here during the day (noise from the pool) and night (noise from the bar/terrace).
As far as I can remember all of the fixed mobile homes are at the back of the site. it's probably a good 5-10 min walk to the pool depending on where you are. On the plus side it's a quieter.
Are you opposed to tents? I think Eurocamp had some really nice large safari tents along row L, which is nearer the middle.
Just running a quote for the sites own Luxe Taos units with private hot-tub overlooking the fishing river!We've always been in the caravan, and have always had fantastic large pitches along G row (we've had G4 twice and G6 once).
These are great as you're a short walk to the pool, bar, ice creams, etc. and it's very easy to pop back and forwards with the kids. Can be a bit noisier here during the day (noise from the pool) and night (noise from the bar/terrace).
As far as I can remember all of the fixed mobile homes are at the back of the site. it's probably a good 5-10 min walk to the pool depending on where you are. On the plus side it's a quieter.
Are you opposed to tents? I think Eurocamp had some really nice large safari tents along row L, which is nearer the middle.
Edited by Rosscow on Monday 21st January 15:56
My 7 year old son just spotted that they do outdoor laser quest so has told me he will never forgive me if we don't get there
.Thanks for the tips!
chip* said:
We stayed here during the 1st week of Sep 2018 based on earlier PH feedbacks (most probably from Rosscow! 
) so I can give you an insight to the cabin/mobile homes.
We stayed in the Cabane du Pecheur (marked blue on the above map, and only 2 such cabins backing off the pitch & putt) as it was the only availability for our dates. Painted in quaint baby blue colour, and the cabin interior was smartly kitted out. The cabin living area is cosy at best, but it was adequate for 2 adults + 14 months toddler. To the right and left of our cabin was 6 "premier key west" mobile homes i.e. equivalent to EuroCamp Aspect mobile homes. These are bookable direct with the campsite. Interior is much plusher with a large central sofa area, pretty large kitchette (include an oven which was absent in our Cabin), ratten style external furnitures etc...
There are 5 more Premium mobile homes (J1-J05 see below the archery target on the map), and these had the EuroCamp sign (Aspect). As mobile homes goes, these look the dog danglies! Plenty of outside space for kids to play games etc..If you want minimum disruption and neighbour contact, these would be perfect.
The new Tao mobile homes are based at the fishing lake. Similar to the EC Aspect mobile homes with very plush finish and improved furnishing, hot tubs etc..Just be aware, not all the mobile homes have a direct view to the lake.
All the above locations are at the back of the campsite, so the car and foot traffic are pretty low (which we liked). From our cabin, it's approx 6-7 mins slow walk to the pool/restaurant area but we used our bike, so it's literally a minute.
If you book direct a mobile home with Eurocamp, you will stay in rows R, S and V (unless you book the premium J1-J5). Imo, the EC mobiles homes are tightly packed next to each other, plus the outdoor space is limited.
If we ever go back again, the Premium Key west mobile homes would be my first choice as I feel they offer the best value for quality mobile homes + the quiet location.
This was our first taste of French glamping with our toddler, and we were pretty satisfied with the campsite i.e. cabin was decent, our toddler loved the heated pool + bouncy castle + various mini playgrounds across the site. The campsite was really quiet during our stay (one day, we were the only people at the swimming pool), but I suspect it would be very different during the peak months in Jul/Aug.
I hope the above helps!
Really helps thank you! I think the dates we are looking at we have the option of the Tao units or the Premium Confort - not too shabby. ) so I can give you an insight to the cabin/mobile homes.We stayed in the Cabane du Pecheur (marked blue on the above map, and only 2 such cabins backing off the pitch & putt) as it was the only availability for our dates. Painted in quaint baby blue colour, and the cabin interior was smartly kitted out. The cabin living area is cosy at best, but it was adequate for 2 adults + 14 months toddler. To the right and left of our cabin was 6 "premier key west" mobile homes i.e. equivalent to EuroCamp Aspect mobile homes. These are bookable direct with the campsite. Interior is much plusher with a large central sofa area, pretty large kitchette (include an oven which was absent in our Cabin), ratten style external furnitures etc...
There are 5 more Premium mobile homes (J1-J05 see below the archery target on the map), and these had the EuroCamp sign (Aspect). As mobile homes goes, these look the dog danglies! Plenty of outside space for kids to play games etc..If you want minimum disruption and neighbour contact, these would be perfect.
The new Tao mobile homes are based at the fishing lake. Similar to the EC Aspect mobile homes with very plush finish and improved furnishing, hot tubs etc..Just be aware, not all the mobile homes have a direct view to the lake.
All the above locations are at the back of the campsite, so the car and foot traffic are pretty low (which we liked). From our cabin, it's approx 6-7 mins slow walk to the pool/restaurant area but we used our bike, so it's literally a minute.
If you book direct a mobile home with Eurocamp, you will stay in rows R, S and V (unless you book the premium J1-J5). Imo, the EC mobiles homes are tightly packed next to each other, plus the outdoor space is limited.
If we ever go back again, the Premium Key west mobile homes would be my first choice as I feel they offer the best value for quality mobile homes + the quiet location.
This was our first taste of French glamping with our toddler, and we were pretty satisfied with the campsite i.e. cabin was decent, our toddler loved the heated pool + bouncy castle + various mini playgrounds across the site. The campsite was really quiet during our stay (one day, we were the only people at the swimming pool), but I suspect it would be very different during the peak months in Jul/Aug.
I hope the above helps!
Digging a bit further led us to discovering there is a beach lake / lido at the nearby town of Bourgeil - is this something either you or Rosscow utilized? OH is still concerned about not being by the sea...
Rosscow said:
No, we haven't used that to be honest.
But the beach? No thanks! You've got the Loire on your doorstep! We often pack a picnic and go down to the river for a swim.
There are so many quiet spots to choose from!
Yeah the OH and myself are not bothered by no beach we just know our kids enjoy it - our 3 year old is obsessed with digging sand...but with the lido in Bourgeil sounds like we will have the best of both worlds.But the beach? No thanks! You've got the Loire on your doorstep! We often pack a picnic and go down to the river for a swim.
There are so many quiet spots to choose from!
Puggit said:
The lake in Marcon that I linked before has a great digging beach. Best bit is that as there are no waves, your sand structures last all day (unless a yob comes along). Creating channels of water is FAR more fun than at the beach. Just go for a day trip, it's cheap to get in, around 45 mins from Langeais on GREAT roads. But don't forget the new 80kmph limit <sigh>
Thanks I'll add it to the list. 
Puggit said:
The campsite has its own beach and area around the lake. There's a different area open to public (much better beach!). Lots of shade from trees, a toddler friendly roped off area. Then a roped off area to keep the boats, canoes and wind-surfers out. Most of the roped off area is stand-up-able in. Cold showers by edge of lake, picnic tables, playground, bbqs even. A toilet block too (standard French conditions - bring your own paper and loo seat!).
Last year it was 36-37 degrees and the lake was 28. Was AMAZING.
The entry cost is something like €2.50 - 3.00 for adults for the day (we get in for free as local tax payers, so I might be wrong!). Kids under 11 are free. You can also rent the boating stuff for very reasonable rates.
Avoid weekends if you can - gets very busy and often there's an event on (although classic car show might float your boat!).
Top info thanks Puggit!Last year it was 36-37 degrees and the lake was 28. Was AMAZING.
The entry cost is something like €2.50 - 3.00 for adults for the day (we get in for free as local tax payers, so I might be wrong!). Kids under 11 are free. You can also rent the boating stuff for very reasonable rates.
Avoid weekends if you can - gets very busy and often there's an event on (although classic car show might float your boat!).
So we set sail on Thursday and the weather looks good! Thanks for all the tips on local lakes / 'man-made' beaches.
Are there any other must-do / see things in a 50-75 mile radius of Saumur (bearing in mind most of it will need to be child-friendly...)? I thought I read somewhere there is a model village complete with miniature chateauxs?
Are there any other must-do / see things in a 50-75 mile radius of Saumur (bearing in mind most of it will need to be child-friendly...)? I thought I read somewhere there is a model village complete with miniature chateauxs?
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
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 FlickrLac Varennes
20190823_121548 by Ed Reeve, on FlickrFood at La Breche
20190822_191151 by Ed Reeve, on Flickr20190822_193107 by Ed Reeve, on Flickr20190822_200246 by Ed Reeve, on FlickrView from Chinon Fortress
Chinon from the Fortress by Ed Reeve, on FlickrChateau d'Islette - our favourite place
Chateau d'Islette by Ed Reeve, on Flickr20190825_105612 by Ed Reeve, on FlickrChateau du Breze
Breze Chateau by Ed Reeve, on FlickrUtah and Omaha
20190827_210023 by Ed Reeve, on FlickrUtah Beach by Ed Reeve, on FlickrOmaha Beach by Ed Reeve, on FlickrPuggit 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
), and we noticed that no-where got busy until the afternoon. That shot was taken at 10.30am and it was pretty much just us and 2/3 other families until lunchtime, after which it got busier but by no means crowded.Bearing in mind it was 35c that day....think we got lucky!
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.
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