Ideas for a Late Summer trip to France

chasncath
chasncath Forum Participant Posts: 1,659
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edited August 2017 in Overseas Campsites & Touring #1

In past years, we would have been on our way to France, Italy and Croatia on an eight-week trip: things have changed! We are hoping to have a shorter 4-week trip to France after Cath's quarterly medical review (6 September)- results permitting. Traveling Dover to Calais, we hope to tour through Normandy and then Brittany.

We would welcome suggestions for sites which will still be open - late as it is in the French camping season. We don't do city visits anymore, and our mobility is limited so we're looking for sites within walking distance of amenities/ beaches/promenade et cetera. We don't normally go off site in our 'van. Over the years we've 'done' all the must-see spots, so this is just for some late summer relaxation.

All suggestions welcome!

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

    Others will advise with Normandy ideas, and no doubt with suggestions for Aires, but here are two campsites for Brittany which might suit you. 

    North Brittany, absolutely on the beach - Camping Fond de la Baie at Locquirec - open all year.

    South Brittany, on the estuary harbourside,  with cafes and bars  a short stroll away - Camping Le Patis at La Roche Bernard - open until 12 October.

    Or just take a car and rent a cosy cottage as we did in May. 

  • hitchglitch
    hitchglitch Forum Participant Posts: 3,007
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    edited August 2017 #3

    We had a lovely week one September on Ile de Ré. 

  • Unknown
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    edited August 2017 #4
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  • chasncath
    chasncath Forum Participant Posts: 1,659
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    edited August 2017 #5

    Thanks for the suggestions! We're going to look at ET's sites and the Ille de Re. I should have said that we prefer camp sites rather than aires as our on-board facilities are limited.

  • Unknown
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    edited August 2017 #6
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  • Tammygirl
    Tammygirl Club Member Posts: 7,957 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2017 #7

    I would also agree with Re,but would like to mention Normoutier, we stayed there back in 2014 at Barbatre, Camping Domaine le Midi the site has access straight onto the beach, there is a supermarket about 500m from the site reception. Might just suit for a few days, we thought it was a lovely island and very laid back.

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

    GCSE teachers say Just read the question and answer it.

    Question asks for sites in Normandy and Brittany, so three answers refer to islands, , and one recommends Aires instead of sites.  Fail ? 

     

  • Unknown
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    edited August 2017 #9
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  • Bakers2
    Bakers2 Forum Participant Posts: 8,196 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2017 #10

    Well the mention of an island got them thinking outside the box. So pass and showing initiative 😉

  • MichaelT
    MichaelT Forum Participant Posts: 1,874
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    edited August 2017 #11

    Make sure you show your working out in the column pleaseundecided

  • young thomas
    young thomas Club Member Posts: 11,357 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited August 2017 #12

    might just sneak onto Normoutier myself, TG, thanks for the tip...

    Chas, as AD said, we have used La Graitiniere in La Flotte in the past, nice site, great pool, but it is still a fair stroll to the port....25 mins, 2km.

  • Oldgirl and Staffy
    Oldgirl and Staffy Forum Participant Posts: 414
    edited August 2017 #13

    Alan Rogers website used to have a list of sites open all year.

  • young thomas
    young thomas Club Member Posts: 11,357 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited August 2017 #14

    Chas, moving to Re tomorrow, thinking about trying Les Toure des Prises for a changed (used by AD and TG) but if you make it let us know and ill buy the beer....smile

  • chasncath
    chasncath Forum Participant Posts: 1,659
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    edited September 2017 #15

    Thanks BB! Cath has looked at the site on line: it looks good for cycling - right up your street - but  not for us. Shamefrown

  • Unknown
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    edited September 2017 #16
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  • chasncath
    chasncath Forum Participant Posts: 1,659
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    edited September 2017 #17

    Thanks WTG - it's definitely on our list. Had a look via google street view and the site's website. Just what we want!

  • Unknown
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    edited September 2017 #18
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  • EJB986
    EJB986 Forum Participant Posts: 1,153
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    edited September 2017 #19

    Many ACSI sites are open until mid October (about 40 in Brittany)...there is a filter on their search page, and of course virtually all the Aires are also open.wink

  • chasncath
    chasncath Forum Participant Posts: 1,659
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    edited September 2017 #20

    Just got the OK, so Black Horse booked for Saturday night, Ferry out booked for Sunday and then back on Sunday 8th October. Four weeks in France heading for Brittany unless the weather turns. Otherwise, we may have to search for for some late summer warmth to the southcool

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited September 2017 #21

    Have been reading this thread for future ideas! Have a lovely time both of you. smile

  • chasncath
    chasncath Forum Participant Posts: 1,659
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    edited September 2017 #22

    We made it! We're at Camping Sainte Claire at Neufchatel en Bray, along with lots of Brits and with 'Cloggies' riding the crest of the ACSI discount wave as it spreads south and west!

    Last night Black Horse £21, tonight ACSI 15€, but bring your own toilet papersmile. Lovely well-managed site with restaurant and epicerie. Baguette ordered for tomorrow.

  • meecee
    meecee Forum Participant Posts: 304
    edited September 2017 #23

    Same here (placemarking)  We like sites within scooter riding/easy walking distance of amenities etc. and have not spent much time in Brittany so am making notes. We only returned yesterday but no harm planning for the future  smile

  • N1805
    N1805 Forum Participant Posts: 1,092
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    edited September 2017 #24

    Glad you made it.  Hope you both have a good time touring & fingers crossed for some decent weather.  Hope you post in stories later or on here as I & perhaps others would be interested to know if you manage to use ACSI sites all the time you are away.   We have found in the main, in France, many sites closing towards the end of this month ACSI included.   Safe journey & enjoy your time away.

  • eurortraveller
    eurortraveller Club Member Posts: 6,830 ✭✭✭
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    edited September 2017 #25

    N1805, use your ACSI card by all means if a campsite is giving you discount that way, but don't close your eyes to other sites outside that scheme which are still open.  The smaller sites never sign up to ACSI membership because of the fees they have to pay. And in Brittany at this time of year all those sites outside the ACSI list are just as affordable for you and me. 

  • chasncath
    chasncath Forum Participant Posts: 1,659
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    edited September 2017 #26

    One of the campsites we're looking at is Camping de Phare in Honfleur. Previously, it had bad reviews about its amenities but a very recent review on ukcampsites says that all updated now. It's not in ACSI scheme nor is it ACSI listed; however, rates seem reasonable.

  • chasncath
    chasncath Forum Participant Posts: 1,659
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    edited September 2017 #27

    We're enjoying our short stay here at Camping Sainte Claire at Neufchatel.


     


    It's an easy level walk to the supermarket, and along the 'Via Verte' to the town.



    They haven't taken our flag down yet!




  • N1805
    N1805 Forum Participant Posts: 1,092
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    edited September 2017 #28

    Looks great.  Good job you went before the 12th Sept as I read somewhere there is to be possible delays/strikes by the French which will probably affect Calais / Dunkirk & the Tunnel.

  • Tammygirl
    Tammygirl Club Member Posts: 7,957 ✭✭✭
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    edited September 2017 #29

    We arrived in Roscoff on the 1st September intending to spend our time touring Brittany and the Vendee.  Unfortunately the weather has not been great, high winds driving rain and really chilly some days. How different it was 3 years ago with temps in the high 20's for the 4 weeks we were there. We are now on the Med coast having given up on Brittany and the Vendee for this year, weather is still mixed with high winds. Very Suprised to find so many of the sites already closed down here and the one we are on closes on the 17th of this month, forecast for the next 2 days is sun and high winds then rain on Thursday. Hope you find some decent weather where ever you travel.

  • Unknown
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    edited September 2017 #30
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  • InaD
    InaD Club Member Posts: 1,701 ✭✭
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    edited September 2017 #31

    TG, like you, we've moved south a lot earlier than intended too due to poor weather further north.  We had planned to visit Burgundy again, but after meeting friends, who'd hired a gite for the week near St Valery, we moved to the Loire area, where it was also not that good.  That gave us the option of moving either southwest or southeast.  Southwest wasn't looking good, so we opted for southeast.  Now on the Ardeche/Drome border, and touchwood, weather pretty good.  Good cycling too, on the Dolce Via (old railway line with glorious views) - one link http://geo.geoardeche.fr/dolce-via/index.html

    Also near the ViaRhona here, parts are a bit boring, others good, depends on the area, yesterday cycled north for a bit, today the plan is south.

    Hope you carry on having better weather!

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