France sites recommendations
Hi, just joined the caravan and motorhome club looking for some recommendations regards travelling to france next year if the world is back to some sort of normality. From looking probably go with the tunnel to save money looked at poole to cherborg on the ferry just seemed to much although any other recommendations would be welcome. l have a youngish family 13 & 8 so coming off the tunnel and thinking of travelling across and then down the west coast over 2/3 weeks. Can anyone recommend any good sites on the way with stuff for the kids ie pool parks entertainment stuff like that, seen plenty online just wondering if anyone on here has 1st hand experience and could throw some ideas my way, many thanks
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We took our own children to Le Logis de Breuil near Royan when they were the same age as yours. We liked it then - it’s close enough to reach the sea and it is even more popular for families now they have opened a big water park. There will be many other British children there for yours to link up with.
If you like it I suggest you let the Club book it as a package with your Channel crossing. It’s 500 miles from the Channel tunnel so you will need just one overnight stay if you decide to go straight there. But if you want several stops on the way I am sure those who start from Calais will have ideas.
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Hi James, David has made the same points that I would have always done..............until last week!
The reason being that I have over the yr=ears made great avings on the Western routes with Brittany Ferries but the prices for next year are getting on for doube that of my last trip in 2019.
This has led me to look at the options and one that would not have been immediately appealing is to take different routes out and back as the usual savings made on a return fare are not, at the moment anyway, there for 2022.
So far as your trip goes if we had only 2/3 weeks we would likely just want to get to the furthest point ASAP and would be looking at a Plymouth or Portsmouth overnight crossing and then get to the site the same day.
As David says a lot will depend on the starting point and with children that age I would be thinking about overnight if possible so the tunnel is great for allowing a no stops journey, especially if there are two drivers.
However, our trips are going outside school holidays, which will affect your ferry/tunnel costs and possibly site choices.
In 2018 we had a three week family holiday at Pin Parasol in the Vendee-we visited the year before to look at sites-and it was a great choice and a big hit with our Grandchildren. Apart from one day spent at the beach with them asking when were we going bck to the site we did not venture out, apart from a very memorable, and highly recommended, trip to Puy Du Fou.
In general the inland sites tend to have larger pitches and good pools etc to increase there appeal over the coastal sites but there are still plenty of those to choose from including La Yole which was a decent site when we stayed but that's back in 2013.
For children there is no better holiday than one camping so know that wherever you go you will have a great trip!
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Hi James. I've used the CAMC booking service for ferries/tunnel and a few sites here and there on my travels. I also gleaned so much information from members (see above) and ex members on here which proved invaluable. Their information (and websites) are listed under this very section. Click ' Overseas Sites & Touring' and in the "Sticky" Section - fourth down. There's also the story section which can provide information albeit you'll need lots of time (& patience) to navigate. Good choice of caravan btw!
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The suggested destination of Royan is towable in a day if an overnight ferry is taken from Portsmouth. I was reading elsewhere that Newhaven/Dieppe is a fairly economic route as well. Much may depend on your UK start point. You have a choice of Plymouth, Poole, Portsmouth, Newhaven and Dover.
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After an overnight at Black Horse and a comfortable 10.30 sailing we stop at camping St Nicolas, le Bec Hellouin - nice covered or open air pool and walk in the woods opposite. Moules and chips 12 € from the site restaurant. Next day to Vallee de L’Indre at Montbazon (about 3.5 hours) arriving lunchtime - good pool again refurbished toilets & showers (completely new inside the old block). Easy 3.5 hour run to Royan - sites on the coast expensive. Try Cozes - not much on site but entry to the municipal pool next door FOC. It’s about 30 mins to the beaches.
yes it’s 3 days out and if you’ve only got 2 weeks then it’s different but it saves arriving frazzled.
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We travelled down to Royan with the kids and enjoyed the area. Don’t miss the zoo at La Palmyre.
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One of the best zoos I've been to.
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A good campsite at La Palmyre for motorhomers is Beausoleil - because it’s in the centre of the village, within an easy walk of bakers, shops , market, bars and restaurants, and close to that zoo. But you are paying for position so it’s dearer than it should be - and though there is a swimming pool it doesn’t have the water park and entertainment the OP first asked for. And although that campsite is well placed most motorhomers use the two big tarmac aires in that village instead - cheaper but not so attractive.
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When we travelled with our children/teenagers we stayed at various sites in the Vendee and Royan area using the Portsmouth/Caen route overnight and stopping for one night on the way. We chose overnights from the CC sites abroad book. We have stayed longer at La Foret, La Garangeoire (both inland) and Les Biches amongst others although this was some years ago. An internet search could be yor friend! Good luck
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