French Caravan Sites
We are considering France this year - first time taking our caravan out of UK. We are looking at Chateau du Gandspette, near Calais for 14 nights. We are a family of 3 (2 adults + 11 year old). We are wondering if anyone has been here and can recommend the site? Many thanks.
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Not been to this particular site, but I understand that it's very nice.
Not a huge amount to do in the area though and so you might want to consider venturing further afield after a few days.
This thread will probably be moved to the overseas section.
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The Trip advisor link gives reviews...Google will give a lot more!
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Gandspette is a lovely campsite run by a lovely family. When we caravanned we used the site frequently. There is a site report and some pictures here. I think the only question I would raise is do you really want to spend two weeks at a campsite so close the the Channel ports when you have the opportunity to explore further? Don't get me wrong, you will like the site and there is lots of interest in the area around the site but I just wonder if you are missing an opportunity to explore a bit more of France.
David
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This Club does bookings there and if you click Overseas Holidays at the top of this page there are 87 reviews from Club members - most very favourable.
But a full fortnight there? It might be better to move on after a few days and show your 11 year old some more interesting parts of France as well.
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Whilst we love Gandspette, and have stayed there lots of times, it's rarely been for longer than a couple of nights on our way to or from the ports. There is nothing wrong with the site, (good toilet blocks, nice restaurant and bar area, friendly owners, swimming pool, games area, and woodland walks), and I know many people have spent a lot longer there.
There are interesting WW2 sites very near to the site - the bunker at Eperleques where the V bombs were launched, a tiny war cemetery in Eperlecques itself, and many others nearby, there is La Coupole in St Omer, and St Omer is a very typical Flemish town, with a lovely central square and good markets. There are the canals to cycle along, or take a 'punt' out, and you're near enough to some lovely beaches and walks. The town of Boulogne is also very nice, and you can visit Ypres from the site and watch the 'Last Post' ceremony at the Menin Gate, which takes place every evening at 8.00pm and is extremely moving!
If it fits your bill then it's a good introduction to France - and the Caravan (and Motorhome) Club ran a tour for first-timers in France there. If you get good weather it can be lovely, but like many others who caravan in France, we prefer to go a bit further south for more chance of sunshine.
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Nice enough site, pool, restaurant etc not sure about the two weeks as others have already mentioned, a lot of Brits use it as a stopover to and from ferry, there is not a lot to amuse children with in the area. Why not consider going to the Le Crotoy area on the Bay de Somme an easy drive just under two hours south of Calais on the A16, more of a holiday atmosphere with beaches and place to visit around the Bay de Somme.
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Our own first Caravan venture into France with children was a hopscotch trip down the coast - after Calais/ Boulogne we stopped at the site in the castle grounds at Eu, then the municipal site at Etretat, and on over the mouth of the Seine to a site whose name I have forgotten near Honfleur and Deauville. And when time/ money ran out we chased back to the ferry in a day feeling very pleased with our bravery ! Good luck with your own first trip.
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Most people would use the site as an overnight stop and it is perfectly pleasant. Personally I prefer Bien Assise as you can walk into Guines which is a nice town although the downside is that the site is rather large and full of Brits.
As caravanning in France is so much easier than in the UK it would be a shame not to venture further afield. Two weeks is plenty of time to go South and there is no need to book anywhere unless you want a specific site in a popular area.
We used to caravan with our two children in August and often with only the vaguest idea of where we were going to go. Never booked and only had the broadest of plans which often changed radically depending on the weather.
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