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Hi,

What is your budget?  How old are the children?  Where in the South of France? 

You can get stormy weather in parts of the S o F so you should consider how the tent you choose will cope so perhaps not a good idea to go for something flimsy.  Size? Well not sure about that because you won't, or shouldn't in my opinion, really need to be spending long periods of time in the tent - as you know the S o F is beautiful and I'm sure you'll all be out exploring!  I think a tarp is a good idea as it will serve you well for shade plus an idea place for setting up your kitchen area. 

Hi

With the 4 of you, a 6 berth will be best as you'll have the space for all your gear too. If you liked the look of the Montana 6 but want it more open - why not look at the Vango Columbia 600 - which has the same spec with a 2/3 bedroom option, enclosed side entrance etc. It also has Vango's unique TBSII system of internal strapping that can be put up in high winds for even greater stability. The big reason I suggest it though is because you can open the whole front up (or just a door), so the whole tent becomes like a canopy. If you want one though you'll have to be quick as it is being continued, as Vango are adding more features, uping the price and renaming it. You can currently get one for about £275-£280 (RRP £450). Being steel poled it is best to pitch with 2 people, but there is a video by Yeoman's Outdoor on YouTube for the Montana 6, which shows how you can do it with one person. Be warned though - both the Montana and Columbia are big tents - we use a trailer for ours, but you can manage with a decent sized car and possibly a roof box (given you don't have a backseat to use) if you don't take too many accessories.

The alternative fibreglass poled tent is the Sungari 600(DLX for 2010).

You could also have a look at the Kampa range of tents, which are also very good spec and attracting a lot of attention this year. www.kampa.co.uk Some of these tents have the whole front zippable out. They all have 4000HH, many with steel poles, zip out windows, fly nets over all doors etc.

One thing you might consider is a smaller tent with an extension/ canopy, which means that you can either go light with just the tent (eg abroad/ for weekends/ when there is only 1 adult) and have the extra space for longer stays and in the UK.

We have the Columbia 600 for 3/4 days or more, a low level Coleman for one nights (e.g. stop off on the way to a main campsite or impromptu stop overs) and we are just about to buy a Kampa Bude 4 - a small standup height tent for 2 or 3 nights. We add a Vango Adventure Tarp as a canopy/cooking shelter for all our tents. We are 2 adults and a toddler.

Good luck with your hunt.

Helen

Hi we were in France in mid 30degs last August and our canvas tent couldn't have been any more perfect.  The style of our tent is not everyone's cup of tea but I would suggest either a canvas or polycotton with plenty of zip open panels (preferably with fly mesh)  to keep the breeze flowing through your tent.  2 generous bedroom pods should suit you fine, our kids share.  The polyester tents were unbearably stifling we camped near an Outwell Nebraska/Nevada can't remember and became friendly with them and they said that they couldn't even enter their tent until 7pm whereas we could be in ours throughout the day if we wanted.

We had a Monty 6 and although we absolutely loved the tent - it was unbearable for us in a heatwave 26ish degs in Cornwall last June, particularly as I was ill and it was too hot for me to go to bed, (temp reached 40 degs inside) so I had to lie under the extension - not ideal!! So it was sold soon after couldn't have taken it to France.

We have been using a bog standard Vango Venture 500 for the last five years in all weathers including S o F last summer (take a look at my gallery).  I have to say that it does get really warm on a summer morning and you wouldn't want to be inside it during the day but why would you be inside a tent in weather like that!  However, I have to say that though I can recommend the VV500/Tamor 500 as a simple little all rounder I would take a look at a Bearlake 4 or 6; a nice investment for your family to enjoy many camping holidays .

Yes

They did do a Montana 4 and Vango did the equivalent Columbia 400 last year (very scarce now -but a few around). With a very good spec and similar, why not have a look at the Kampa Frinton 4 (available for £250 for 2010, RRP £320). Note that the SleepTite design of the inners is to keep them cooler in hot weather and warmer in cold weather, plus darker so you don't get woken so early in the morning. Kampa seem to be attracting a fair bit of interest this year given the quality of the materials and design. Alternatively, some of the other newer Outwell tents may be of interest...

http://www.kampa.co.uk/tents/frinton4.html

Lots of good advice here.

We have a Monty 6 and this is our 5th year in it I think. We have been to France several times - 36 degrees last year. We pitched under trees and to be honest were never in the tent in the heat of the day other than to change in and out of swimming stuff.  It has lots of windows and vents, keep them open and you won't have a problem.

Often breezy and stormy in South of France so it is worth having something that will withstand bad weather.

Pitching does take practice. I can put ours up solo in about 20 mins now - if you go to the you tube video that really helps. The other thing to do is go to the Camping Exhibitions when they start and ask the staff there - they are always pitching tents and have usually perfected the knack and have a view on which is easiest. In my experience other than heavy poles and the height the Monty 6 is one of the easier tents as it goes up in one.

If it is just 3 of you then perhaps a smaller tent. My kids are 5 & 8 and have years of camping experience and do help to a point. I am looking at getting a weekend tent that is smaller than a Monty 6 for when it is just me and the kids or short one night stays. If you are going for a couple of weeks the space of a bigger tent is great though. I did 3 weeks this summer in ours in South of France and although every year I look at what I could have instead I can't find anything I would have in place of our Monty 6. I just keep buying the new fronts they bring out.

Simon