Looking for family sites west coast of France

MattGriffin
MattGriffin Forum Participant Posts: 4

Hello,

 

I am a new member and planning to holiday this year for 2 weeks in France leaving the UK at the beginning of August in our new motorhome. 

I have a 7 year old daughter so its essential the site is family friendly ideally with Kids club, large pool complex and close to the beach (Biking distance at the maximum).

It would also be good if there were places to eat and other amenities (shops etc) outside the campsite that were walking or biking distance.

The plan would be to visit 2 sites staying a week at each.

 

Thanks for your help.

Comments

  • eurortraveller
    eurortraveller Club Member Posts: 6,830 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2017 #2

    Hi Matt, welcome. What you are looking for with those four requirements for that sort of site at that time of year is a big ask.

    Camping du Letty at Benodet comes to mind as one possibility, but it is the west side of Brittany rather than further south in the Vendee, and they may not still have vacancies. You may get other suggestions, but book quickly when you have decided.

    Good wishes to you.

  • MDD10
    MDD10 Forum Participant Posts: 335
    edited February 2017 #3

    We have stayed here on a couple of occasions and is the best site we have stayed at in France.  http://www.camping-la-garangeoire.com

    It is privately owned by the same family for the last 50 odd years and is an outstanding site for kids....plus the kids club is free on an evening if you use the restaurant.  Is 8 miles to the beach but an easy cycle ride as is all flat.

    The downside is exactly what Eurotraveller has pointed out as you are a little late booking for peak time but is worth a try if just for one week

  • DougS
    DougS Forum Participant Posts: 327
    edited February 2017 #4

    Check Yelloh sites in that area.

    We find them good quality and lots seem to meet your requirements.

    The pitches are usually large and often have water, drainage etc.

  • allanandjean
    allanandjean Club Member Posts: 2,401 ✭✭✭✭
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    edited February 2017 #5

    Hi Matt, As said above it may be an issue as the beginning of August is just about as busy as it gets and many sites only do Saturday to Saturday bookings. As ET says best to start looking in earnest and then check on site websites for availability. Many regular posters in this section don't go abroad at that time and for many the reason is to avoid the problems you may face.

    Re sites, I would usually go with the advice to head South of the Loire but at that time even Brittany and Normandy should be OK weather wise. With a MH you are mobile if it is not good but of course that depends on if you have had to book at set period.

    We have stayed in the area around St Jean de Monts and St Gilles and there are a lot of sites that fit your requirements..........if they have space.

    The ACSI website will give you a lot of sites to then research but there are loads of French site guides available one being http://www.campingfrance.com/uk

    Good luck! 

  • MattGriffin
    MattGriffin Forum Participant Posts: 4
    edited February 2017 #6

    Thank you everyone for your help,

    I now realise that Caravan and Motorhome owners are very very organised !!! I am way behind booking a summer holiday in Feb/March.

    Having said that I have looked at the suggestions and they have helped me a huge amount. 

    Especially Allanandjean, I was wondering why I was struggling with availability on a number of Sites then changed the dates to Saturday to Saturday and there was availability.

    All the yelloh sites look good and have availability along with camping du Letty.

    Camping la Garangeoire looks great with great reviews along with your recommendation MDD10 that is top of the list.

    Planning on booking the trip in the next 48hrs.

    Thanks Matt

  • knilly
    knilly Forum Participant Posts: 62
    edited February 2017 #7

    If I was you I would look to book la guyonniere just down the road from la garangeoire been there last 3 years and going again this year 

  • eurortraveller
    eurortraveller Club Member Posts: 6,830 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2017 #8

    Matt, I have met lots of  Motorhome owners down the west coast of France with the same dilemma as yours.

     Many decided they didn't want to cycle 8 miles to the beach from sites like Garangeoire and Guyonniere, and then 8 miles back again - and you have a seven year old to think about. Many also  decided they didn't want to take a largish Motorhome off site every day and try to find parking at the coast. 

    So the sea front Motorhome Aires like the beachfront one at La Palmyre are very popular. Yes it's tarmac and you need to be self contained,  but there's a good beach 25 metres away, it's cheap, it's got bars, cafes and waffles on the doorstep, traffic free cycle paths in all directions and a supermarket just up the road. - there's always space,  and there's no need to book at all. Ever.

    Are you brave enough to break free of campsites?

  • Unknown
    Unknown Forum Participant
    edited February 2017 #9
    The user and all related content has been Deleted User
  • MattGriffin
    MattGriffin Forum Participant Posts: 4
    edited February 2017 #10

    Thanks again guys for the feedback,

    I love the idea of "breaking free" and I plan to do that over Easter holidays in France.

    The issue is; in the past we as a family have been on various hotel stay summer holidays in France and Spain (Mallorca).

    I have convinced my wife that a motorhome holiday would be great so we bought (picked it up last Friday) the motorhome and plan weekends away and our big summer holiday in it.......

    if the summer holiday is not successful it will be RIP Matt !!!!!

     

    So I think "winging it" is a bit of a risk.

     

     

  • allanandjean
    allanandjean Club Member Posts: 2,401 ✭✭✭✭
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    edited March 2017 #11

    Hi Matt, 

    Have a look at http://www.leclarys.com/en/.

    Looks like the have availability for August. It's €41 a night but very close to good beach-Google maps says 550 metres-and seems to have the facilities you want.

    We stayed nearby at La Yole which we liked buy not sure if pool facilities are what you are after.

  • DougS
    DougS Forum Participant Posts: 327
    edited March 2017 #12

    I was in a similar position trying to persuade MBH (Much Better Half) to go caravanning so it is vital to try to make everything as smooth and good as possible.

    I wouldn't scrimp on sites or pitches within sites for the sake of a few Euro unless you like hospital food?

    The idea would be to stress the cheapness compared to hotels. You have some work to do with the capital cost of any leisure vehicle so don't mess it up! What about Sanef tag, otherwise she'll be leaning out of the window struggling with the tolls (if you choose to avoid tolls, again to "save money" good luck on that)

    Just trying to to help, honest, been there!