France for famlies???
Hi everyone, Ive read various opinions about whether to go to France or not with the recent tragedies in mind and wondered if there are any families going or not going? We are supposed to be travelling to St Jean De Mark first two weeks of August and really
don't kno what to do for the best. It is not a case of cowering to the terrorists propanganda but more that we want to ensure our childrens safety and be able to relax enough to enjoy a much needed holiday.
Comments
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Yes we're off to France this weekend with our children. We have deliberated over the last week about whether or not to go ahead with it but have decided that we will still go.
we will alter our plans slightly, in that we won't be visiting any any cities but we will go to the beach albeit, not the main touristy ones.
i don't care if its giving in to the terrorist, if it were just the 2 of us I would continue as usual but when you have young children with you I feel it's different,
i am slightly wary and to be honest if we hadn't already booked and paid for it then we wouldn't be choosing to go. It's sad really because weve been coming to France for the 5 years.
Having said all that, the risk of being involved in a terrorist attack is extremely low. It could happen anywhere in the world, even the uk, Life must go on. But, if things are the same next year I won't be booking, which I realise is contradictory.
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It's a difficult decision only you can make especially with young children. I think that if you keep away from the firework displays oor watch from a distant, also any large gathering of people you should be ok. It's terrible this is happening and for everyone
that says I would go they will be one saying they wouldn't. I have been going to France for as many years as I can remember but at 62 I can be more cavalier about things. Just go along with what you happy with, that's all you can do.0 -
Thank you very much for understanding and kind responses. Its such a difficult decision and its nice to know we are not the only ones who are making a tricky decision. Im so sad that we are having to think like this and that our children will have this
threat possibly for the rest of their lives.0 -
Thank you for you post
This is our fist time abroad in the caravan so not familiar with euro tunnel etc. Are you going by euro tunnel?
are you concerned about that and what is it like? Have you hear of St Jean De Mark and do you know if it is a popular destination? Sorry to ask you all these questions.0 -
If you go onto utube Sara you can find a video of what it is like to travel with a caravan on the train through the Channel Tunnel. It may help you
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Sara, do your mean St Jean de Mont as I can't find a St Jean de Mark on my map of France? If so we visited there in 2012 and it is a small sea side town nothing like Nice and I can't see it would be a target. It is popular with families as it has long sandy
beaches.0 -
We have just returned from France after staying in The Loire region with son and family including grandchildren aged 5&3.
The campsite was almost full including a large proportion of British families . We certainly did not really give the problems mentioned a second thought.
This was our second trip this year and we are going again at the end of August to the Vendee.
So my advice would be to stick to your plans and enjoy your trip.
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at the end of the day, this has to be a personal decision for you and your family....
whether i sad 'go' or 'stay at home' wont ultimately make any difference if you fell strongly either way.
my own view is, if someone posts on here asking for advice then they already have serious doubts...
for what its worth, my 'answer' would be to go, forget all about it and have a wonderful time with your kids....
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Its perfectly natural to be concerned but you do have to apply a bit of logic to the situation which I appreciate is difficult when your mind is being clouded by awful events. France is a very large country. The risk of anything happening is always going to be very much higher in large cities. You are going to a relatively sleepy part of France although of course busy during the season. Security people always advise being aware of your surroundings. Not that you should be constantly looking over your shoulder but just think about what is happening around you. That advice is equally true of being in any large city in the world where the usual risk is that you will have something stolen rather than any terror concern.
David
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We are just back from a beach holiday in France with a three year old grandson. The French families were out in force and I didn't see any sign that they were staying at home - much less flocking to the UK for safety.
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I am a regular visitor to France and a former resident of that lovely country and I can understand your concern about the recent events. However, to put things into perspective; France is twice the size of UK with a similar population which is concentrated
in the major cities and their local areas. Be sensible and aware, but we should be doing that anyway here in UK. Go and have a lovely time; your personal risk is very low.0 -
I could understand being reluctant to go if this was Turkey however It is almost certain that more poeple have been killed on the roads in France since this atrocity in Nice yet that is not often factored into the risk evaluation of whether to go, or not.
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We are at St Jean de Monts at the moment.
The beaches are thronged with families, campsites and Aires are filled with families relaxing and enjoying the hot sunny day and there is certainly no signs of anyone worried about problems beyond their control.
Only you can decide to visit France but here on the west coast everything seems calm and peaceful.
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We are at St Jean de Monts at the moment.
The beaches are thronged with families, campsites and Aires are filled with families relaxing and enjoying the hot sunny day and there is certainly no signs of anyone worried about problems beyond their control.
Only you can decide to visit France but here on the west coast everything seems calm.
Thank you Keith and Margaret, thats very reassuring to know. Thank you. We are planning to stay at LaYole..are ypu familiar with that one? Are there quiet beaches to go on or are they all busy? Thabk you again x
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Sorry but I'm not familiar with the site, it's about six miles from us between St Jean and St Hillare de Riez
The weather has been glorious recently and most beaches are busy at this time of year.
Still light at 10 at night and I'm sure you'll enjoy the site and area.
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Unfortunately anywhere with tourists anywhere in the world including UK is a potential target. If you let it worry you then you wouldn't go anywhere. I would be more concerned about driving carefully and getting there safely.
If you are new to touring overseas then it is good to have a destination in mind but after the first time I would encourage you to just go where the fancy takes you without booking. The Med. appeals to some but it is too crowded, too expensive and too hot.
Maybe try inland in the future.0 -
We stayed at La Yole in 2012 and I noted in my blog the beaches were perfect for families and there is a photo of the beach at St Jean de Monts itself. However there are beaches backed with sand dunes within half a mile of the site rather than go into St
Jean if you prefer, and rocky beaches just a few miles along the road. I wasn't a fan of the area but it is perfect if you just want a beach holiday.jennyandjohngocaravanning.wordpress.com
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My Daughter is going on Saturday with her partner and three Daughters . They are staying in a house in the Northern Part.of France the same place they stayed in last year. They had a wonderful time but this year they are going to do things differently ,
staying away from large crowds and towns and basically taking care when out and about. It is a shame what is happening . We are going at the end of August but to the Southern Part our 4th time . Will we go next year that is in Doubt ..0 -
Well glad to post that the Daughter who did not want to go has gone with them they are there safe and well the Weather in Mayenne is Beautiful .
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