French sites near the Mediterranean
Evening folks. Last year I bit the bullet and had a fortnight in france for the first time. We stayed in saumur and had a brilliant time - so much so, we're heading back again this year in August.
Next year I'd like to travel further down and stay South of France new the med. I have 2 kids aged 3 and 8 now so I'm looking for a kid friendly site - but one that's not too busy and cluttered. I'd prefer to be near the Nice area but would try other sites
as long as they are within 30 mins of the med beaches. Can any of you good folks recommend a family friendly site that's not too bonkers and close to the med. Thank you for your time. Sean
Comments
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The South of France is very very busy during the first three weeks of August with French on their annual holidays, nose to tail traffic along the Cote d Azur and sites full. We go in September to La Vielle Ferme see Clubs Overseas Brochure. I`ll leave further
comments to those who go in August.0 -
One site that we have used is L'Etoile D'Argens at St Aygulf near Frejus. It is a large site, but spacious, and good for children with the excellent swimming pool complex. There is also a free boat from the site down to the beach at St Aygulf. The downside is that it is a very popular site and may well be booked up at this stage. We've booked a 10 day pitch there before moving on to Italy.
P.S. It is quite an expensive site.
David
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I often think that if you are going to the South of France to be near the beach you might as well be on a site that actually has beach access.
Camping Robinson might fit the bill but at that time of year its not cheap. We have stayed there twice out of season and would certainly go back but we are lucky enough to be able
to go outside the school holidays.David
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I'd agree with David, if you can find site near a beach where you are still able to book a pitch then I would do it now. Traffic almost anywhere on the Med is manic in August, and driving to and from the beach every day would take a lot of time. I think, to be honest, I would give up with the idea of somewhere near Nice, unless you have particular reasons for being there (in which case go inland up the road which runs alongside the Var river, to find sites like those at La Colle sur Loup - and others in the same rough area). We stayed there absolutely years ago at Le Vallon Rouge (when my youngest son was just a baby) and we were there in late August and into September, but it was still too busy.
Also beaches in the Nice area are pebbles and narrow, so not really child-friendly. You'd have to move further west along the Med to find the sandy beaches your children would probably prefer.
I would head for the western end of the Med, which although by no means quiet, is less manic than the Cote d'Azur. It also has miles of sandy beaches. Another option is around Cavalaire/La Croix Valmer - still busy, but at least some nice sandy beach. Try Selection Camping at La Croix Valmer, but I rather think you won't get a pitch now as they may well be fully booked. We have friends who live in La Croix Valmer and spent many holidays in that area or nearby.
I would leave the Nice area until your children are grown up and you can have a romantic weekend there with your OH!
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Have to agree with Val that the Med. is a nightmare in the summer and the beaches best avoided. We hadn't been there for 25 years but persuaded ourselves to go to a site in Frejus last year (Les Pecheurs). Ghastly! Too hot, too crowded, not enough shade and dusty. Popular with Brits so who am I to criticise? Anyway, we drove on to Italy after a couple of days.
The point is that there are many nice sites inland on lakes and with beaches
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Thank you all for your replies. Val you've been great again as you've helped me in the past. The only reason I wanted to go near nice was that it was close to Monaco and Cannes but your right - I'd rather a nice sandy beach. So I think I'll look for french
western med instead. ( incidentally I've booked to go to,saumur again this year so south of France option is for 2017).many thanks again and if anyone has more ideas for french western med sites please let me know.
Cheers guys
sean
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Sean - what sort of site do you like? You say not too busy and cluttered, but do you mean you still want a pool complex, slides, and bar and restaurant, or do you prefer a quieter site with little else than just pitches and a sanitary block?
If the first, then there are lots of recommendations of sites along the Med which are on or very near to the beach. They generally include Les Sablons at Portiragnes Plage, Aloha Plage and Serignan Plage, at Serignan Plage, and La Brasilia at Canet. All are near to very long sandy beaches, and within a short distance of towns and/or villages with supermarkets, bars and restaurants, and inland from all of them there is beautiful scenery, hills and river gorges.
We have holidayed in the Languedoc many times and like it so much we've bought a house there!
An alternative would be somewhere inland in Provence - where there are some fantastic inland sites,within striking distance of Nice, Monaco and Cannes - and riverside or lakeside sites can have their own beaches where you don't have to compete with so many others to find a space! Look around the Gorges du Verdon area for ideas.
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The only issue with the Atlantic coast and small children are the waves. A slightly more sheltered destination might be an idea. The Gironde estuary around Royan is ideal for children.
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The only issue with the Atlantic coast and small children are the waves. A slightly more sheltered destination might be an idea. The Gironde estuary around Royan is ideal for children.
CY - I think the OP means the Western Med and not Western France, but I'd agree with you about the waves. We were on the Western (Atlantic) Coast in 1981 and witnessed a young mother drown in the huge waves - it was an awful thing to see and put us off
going back ever again.0 -
My first foray into France was 2013 with 2 kids aged 13 and 11. We opted for Camping De la Yole, in Valras Plage and I think it will tick all the boxes for you and your family. It's a large sight and is recommended by the Club if you are looking for more
info. I was there the first two weeks in July.0 -
Have a peep at the Municipal at Loupian, nice site great cycle paths and near the lagoon at Meze
Admiral
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If you're looking for a beach holiday in August with young children and don't relish the crouds, I'd recommend going to the north Adriatic coast in Italy. Camping Capalonga (CC Europe) is ideal for children of your ages and with its own massive beach with
golden sands it will not be as crouded as the Med. It may be a little further to drive but the site is wonderful for children and you will not regret it. Pre-booking for August will be neessary to get the better pitches.0 -
I holidayed most years as a kid on the French coast around the Montpellier area and can heartily recommend it. I went back with my wife a couple of years ago & stayed at Camping Mer Et Soleil at Le Cap D'Agde. Good site, can recommend it.
Beach-wise, it doesn't come any better than the beach between Agde & Sete, between the sea and the Etang de Thau. Stunning beach, crystal clear water and due to its sheer size and length never gets crowded, even in August.
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Thanks again for all of your replies. Val you're a brilliant contributor and I'll take your points (and everyone elses) and see what other parts of the South of France, northern Spain and Italy offers. Thank you all for your time it's very much appreciated
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