France 2016 advice

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trev

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France 2016 advice

· Posted: 02.10.2015 · #1

Hi

I'm trying to plan our 2016 summer holiday in France. As I've never being there I'm looking for a bit of advice.

obviously we'll get the ferry doesn't matter which route.
we will have approximately 2 weeks in total including ferry
what i want to do is find a holiday park for the kids with the usual pool kids club etc for a week in the middle and do a bit of travelling before and after the park.

I'm sure someone has done a similar trip and can advise me what to do/not do and where to go/not go.

kids are young 6, 4 and 1 1/2

Any help would be great

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France 2016 advice

· Posted: 02.10.2015 · #2

We hope to do this trip also next summer so will be watching this space with interest....

Helgahobby

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Re: France 2016 advice

· Posted: 03.10.2015 · #3

I booked the ferry earlier in the week with IF. Booked it through the craic site, and they gave me 10% dis. Came to 400e. Got an email from them this morning on a second email address I use, and they were offering 20%. I filed in the exact details, only the names were changed to protect the innocent, and I noticed two descrepencies. My original booking said there were no 2* 2 bed window cabins left for the homeward journey, and the "0% deal said there was. The original price with the 10% was 400e and then with the next attempt and the 20% it was 420e. That's some sum.

Europa

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France 2016

· Posted: 03.10.2015 · #4

Village Loisirs de Ty Nadan Near Quimperle and Domaine des Ormes near Dol de Bretagne are two ideal sites for young children. We stayed in both of these sites for a few days while visiting our daughter, her husband and young family who were staying there. Both places are in Brittany and are more accessible from Roscoff when travelling by IF. France is a camper friendly country, especially their "Aire de service Camping Car" and their "Camping Municipal campsites". Have a good trip,

trev

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Re: France 2016 advice

· Posted: 06.10.2015 · #5

Quote by Europa

thanks I'll check them out

trev

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Re: France 2016 advice

· Posted: 06.10.2015 · #6

Has anyone used Vacances soleil for holiday parks? A friend came across them found them very helpful.

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Re: France 2016 advice

· Posted: 06.10.2015 · #7

Best advice is not to try and travel too far in 14 days, I mean try and not see all of France !.... it's vast and we have spent quite a few holidays doing the NW corner of it !... Brittany/Loire/Normandy.... but it is fantastic for motorhomes.
There is tons of sites which are child friendly and if you can get your hands on an ACSI book it details a lot of them including what's there.
If you want to PM me your details I will send you the 2015 books free of charge that you can have a look at as I will be ordering the 2016 one now anyway.
One thing is for sure, you' and the family will enjoy it.

...

Subject:

Re: France 2016 advice

· Posted: 07.10.2015 · #8

Vacances soleil are more like a key camp type of set up. They don't own the campsites so you would probably get the same location for less by booking direct. Don't worry about contacting the large french campsites as they will communicate with you in English.

You haven't said which month you intend to travel.
August is the only month I would suggest you book ahead (with a young family) as both English and French holidays are in August. If you plan to stay in the northern parts of the country the larger campsites (which you suggest you want) will be busy.

If you are happy to travel away from the coast of go in June or July you probably wouldn't need to book anything in advance.

For peace of mind with the young family you may well book ahead but do it direct. Many sites will offer 7 nights for the price of 6.

Hymer544

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Re: France 2016 advice

· Posted: 07.10.2015 · #9

hi trev,
we have been travelling in MH and caravan with kids starting when they were several months old for years. In 2 weeks you can see plenty by sticking to the west coast through Normandy, Brittany and as far as LA Rochelle. St Jean De Monts area is very family friendly and many Irish travel there. I know that whole coast very well so I can help more specificically if you want any more details.

trev

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Re: France 2016 advice

· Posted: 07.10.2015 · #10

Quote by jonkil

thanks for that PM sent

trev

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Re: France 2016 advice

· Posted: 07.10.2015 · #11

Quote by mark

thanks Mark, i'll try and deal direct.
we plan to travel last week in July and first week in August

trev

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Re: France 2016 advice

· Posted: 07.10.2015 · #12

Quote by Hymer544

You've more or less read my mind on this. I was looking at the map last night and remember being brought to St Jean De Monts as a child.

The plan is like you say stick to the west coast, see a few spots along the way to probably St Jean de Monts. book a park there for a week in the middle and then travel back up along the same route back to the ferry

I just think if we drive straight down to a big park we wont actually see any of France or experience it. it would be very easy to set up shop in a holiday park and not move for the whole holiday. I could do that anywhere.

thanks for the advice

trev

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Re: France 2016 advice

· Posted: 07.10.2015 · #13

plenty of links here and also have a look at my blogs ,but no kids with me and dont often use campsites
http://www.rebbyvid.co.uk/#/going-to-france/4542257529

Hymer544

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Re: France 2016 advice

· Posted: 08.10.2015 · #14

Ttrev maybe also have a look at ile de re. It is such a unique spot and brilliantbfor a beach based few days with hundreds of km of bike paths and a locely chilled out feeling. Weather usually fine there too in summer if that matters.even in august it is still enjoyable.

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Re: France 2016 advice

· Posted: 08.10.2015 · #15

Following this as we plan on doing the same for the first time, would End of May / June be too early to try the west coast without having to travel too far to get some heat, we're not sun worshippers , we just want to be able to build sand castles on the beech and sit out with a glass of vino as the kids sleep

JAG147

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Re: France 2016 advice

· Posted: 11.10.2015 · #16

Il second the il de re and particular le cormoran airotel, family run, small tidy campsite with bar pool restaurant and you can walk or cycle to village, they also hire bikes

Hymer544

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Re: France 2016 advice

· Posted: 12.10.2015 · #17

Daydream you can of course get fine weather there in June but can also be as cool as mid teens even in late June. The whole west coast is the same. Even sat in Biarritz in July at 16deg and raining for 3 days before packing up and driving overnight to the med. If its sandcastles and beaches then you should consider the Languedoc for guaranteed warmth.

trev

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Re: France 2016 advice

· Posted: 12.10.2015 · #18

Quote by JAG147

Il second the il de re and particular le cormoran airotel, family run, small tidy campsite with bar pool restaurant and you can walk or cycle to village, they also hire bikes

that does look nice thanks

trev

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Re: France 2016 advice

· Posted: 16.10.2015 · #19

Has anyone ever stayed here?

http://www.camping-aux-ecureuils.com/en/index.php

trev

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Re: France 2016 advice

· Posted: 25.10.2015 · #20

Just got an email 20% off ferries to France with Irish ferries this weekend.

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ferry booking

· Posted: 25.10.2015 · #21

Yep got the same email (20% off). Got a price during the week from their web site cost e360 return.
Put in same details in last 30 mins and cost including discount come in at e400.
I have sent them an email. Will post result here when I get a reply.

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Re: France 2016 advice

· Posted: 25.10.2015 · #22

I think you will find you have to travel this year for that offer.

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Re: France 2016 advice

· Posted: 25.10.2015 · #23

I have been keeping an eye on irish ferries prices for next summer.
Last week the price would have been €1182
The price now going by the 20% email is €1284

just saw that the 20% only applies to 2015 bookings

lookaround

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Re: France 2016 advice

· Posted: 26.10.2015 · #24

Trev.
You mentioned a site called Les Ecuruiles in Saint Hilliare de Riez. I haven't stayed there but have stayed a couple of times at a site with the same name in La Bernerie en Retz. This is a town about 50k farther north. The site is just at the edge of town and there is a huge beach within walking distance. If you search the forum for 'ecureuils' you will find a thread where someone stayed there this summer and really enjoyed it.

...

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Re: France 2016 advice

· Posted: 26.10.2015 · #25

Les ecuruiles just means the squirrels so I imagine lots of campsite could have that name.

vino

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Re: France 2016 advice

· Posted: 26.10.2015 · #26

Stayed on this site three years ago. Typical 4 star site, clean and tidy, good facilities. Great beach across busy road(plenty of crossing points) and over sand dunes. Plenty of shops and restaurants close by and st.jean de monts 15-20 min cycle ride away.

trev

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Re: France 2016 advice

· Posted: 26.10.2015 · #27

is this the one http://en.camping-les-ecureuils.com/

lookaround

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Re: France 2016 advice

· Posted: 26.10.2015 · #28

Trev

Yes that's the one in la Bernerie en Retz.

trev

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Re: France 2016 advice

· Posted: 26.10.2015 · #29

looks great thanks

trev

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Re: France 2016 advice

· Posted: 26.10.2015 · #30

Quote by vino

Are you sure your on about the same one. St. jean de monts is 40 minutes by car
https://www.google.com/maps/di…0?hl=en-US

vino

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Re: France 2016 advice

· Posted: 27.10.2015 · #31

I stayed on the site mentioned in post 15. If you click on link and look on map you will see that it is a few km. south of St.Jean De Monts.

trev

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Re: France 2016 advice

· Posted: 27.10.2015 · #32

Quote by vino

I stayed on the site mentioned in post 15. If you click on link and look on map you will see that it is a few km. south of St.Jean De Monts.

i have ya now. two very similar sites being discussed. i was mixing up the comments

trev

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Re: France 2016 advice

· Posted: 14.12.2015 · #33

I see stena and irish ferries are both offering 10% off if you book before 5th of January.
is there likely to be a better deal?

Davy

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Re: France 2016 advice

· Posted: 14.12.2015 · #34

I don't know about Stena, but the 10% has been the norm for Irish Ferries over the last 5 years, with a 100€ deposit only. There have been more frequent offers on the Welsh routes this last year than I remember.

If the economy is on the up in the south, I can't see a better offer coming.

It is always a gamble.

Davy

trev

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Re: France 2016 advice

· Posted: 27.12.2015 · #35

Ferry to France booked out on the 25th of July back the 5th of August. Now to look up sites

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Re: France 2016 advice

· Posted: 28.12.2015 · #36

Nice.
That is the big hurdle sorted. At least you can now book campsites.

A little bit jealous as it will be the first time in over 20 years we will not be taking the Motorhome to France.

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Re: France 2016 advice

· Posted: 28.12.2015 · #37

Booked our ferry for similar dates too. Have 3 children who will be 4, 6 & 8. This will be our 6th year doing France in the camper. They were great travellers when they were younger thanks to napping etc and we managed to explore France and travel as far as St Tropez when they were babies, but as they've gotten older, like you, we've tended to spend at least a week or more in the large sites with kids club etc around the Vendee area. However I've decided that next year I'd like us all to experience more of France and also enjoy the freedom of a motorhome and possibly travel through some smaller towns and stay in Aires... Then maybe spend a week in somewhere like Clarys Plage near St Jean de Monts (anyone been before?), before we make our way back to Cherbourg.

In the past we've loved Les Castels and Yelloh Village sites, so you might find these useful Trev as your children are younger.

trev

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Re: France 2016 advice

· Posted: 29.12.2015 · #38

Quote by AdiH

I like the look of the Yelloh Village sites, thanks

Davidod

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Re: France 2016 advice

· Posted: 02.01.2016 · #39

Quote by trev

I'm sure someone has done a similar trip and can advise me what to do/not do and where to go/not go.

kids are young 6, 4 and 1 1/2

Any help would be great

Hi Trev,
I've attached a map of our first trip in the camper to France. I'm putting it up because; like you; I had only two weeks including ferry travel and it worked out well. More importantly though it included a couple of landmark locations that made the trip a memorable one. Because we were now in a camper it was the first time we had been able to stray away from Brittany and see some of the other sites that France has to offer.
I have a lot of detail on the locations shown on the map and others that we took in on the way, but it included spots like Carcassonne and the Millau Viaduct. By the way the spot marked '2' was our first stop on the way. It was a very nice Aire in a small town called Nozay. We have used it a few times since then.
Let me know if you need any further info on that trip.
Dave

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trev

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Re: France 2016 advice

· Posted: 04.01.2016 · #40

Wow Dave that's an impressive trip thanks for sharing it.
I'll be sticking to a shorter trip unfortunately. 3 small kids saying are we there yet might just spoil it. i'd love to do a trip like yours and will some day but this year is going to be a bit simpler.

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