We are definitely taking the girls to France this year. As it’s their first time ‘en France’ , we’re planning to stay up north. We are spending a few days in Normandy (Sous les etoiles) and then ? Quite like the look of Du Letty but not sure how dog friendly it is. I have emailed the site too. Has anyone been there? Or can you recommend a site around Brittany, which is more dog friendly. We are going mid Aug, so do need to get something booked.
We very much like Camping la ferme de Lann Hoedic at Sarzeau. It's a "proper" campsite (not a camping a la ferme as the name might suggest), fairly large but divided into various smaller areas and very low-key entertainment wise and no pool. There are plenty of decent walks for the dogs from the site, including a traffic free path to the beach. Unfortunately dogs are banned on the beach till after 15th September, but there is direct access to a coastal path where they are allowed. Lots of other coastal / rural / woodland walks within a short drive too.
The campsite owners / reception staff are really
friendly and helpful - and a bonus is that they take the ACSI card from 25th August (17€ plus tax plus extra dog).
However, you may prefer somewhere further into Brittany or with a pool etc.
Gailbonney, You ask about taking girls to le Letty and I am sure they will love it. The sheer number of other children, the aquatic centre and the late night entertainment will all be big hits. Our own daughter found Dutch boys exciting and exotic.
People do take dogs as well to Le Letty but Bofs has described a site which might have more tor them, but which children would find to be as dull and boring as we did.
Quote: Originally posted by Netherton on 04/2/2024
Gailbonney, You ask about taking girls to le Letty and I am sure they will love it. The sheer number of other children, the aquatic centre and the late night entertainment will all be big hits. Our own daughter found Dutch boys exciting and exotic.
People do take dogs as well to Le Letty but Bofs has described a site which might have more tor them, but which children would find to be as dull and boring as we did.
Those two sites are absolutely chalk and cheese,
Probably should have said, my girls are the dogs!! I’ve only had sons so I’ve always had female dogs and they’ve always been ‘my girls’
Here's a website which might help you find beaches which ARE accessible for dogs - though as above, check dates. Once you've found beaches then look nearby for campsites. If you're going to be taking your dogs regularly then it may be useful.
Can't help with site suggestions as we've stayed only in one or two places in Brittany and I have no idea about how dog-friendly they were.
Gailbonney, You ask about dog friendly campsites , but frankly I never found any French sites to be either friendly or unfriendly for dogs. . They just accept dogs, tolerate them, provide nothing, and charge a small fee for having them.
Really the only question for you is where can you take your dogs when you go off site. But do bear in mind that the Prefecture for Finistere (the western end of Brittany) some years ago banned all dogs from all beaches in that departement from 1st June to end of September, so you will need to ask locally for beaches where this is not observed, or where you and your dogs will not be spotted.
Or follow the sort of alternative off beach walking options which Bofs helpfully descibed earlier
Lakeside sites are another option as lake beaches are usually ok for dogs. There are a few in Brittany although we haven't visited yet - have mainly stayed coastal up to now.
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I see from your reviews that you've spent time on some riverside sites, which is what I'd recommend. Why not try further south -staying at La Grand Sologne and then cross-country from Brioude back to the Ardeche, but one of the sites on the Chassezac or Ardeche. After mid-August there are several riverside sites where you can have one week at ACSI card prices from 15 euros upwards.
Thanks everyone. As it's the first time of taking the girls with us, we wanted to stay in the north. The retriever has quite a dense coat so would struggle with the heat in Southern France (I think) and they are getting on a bit too!
Living in Cheshire, we already have a 5/6 hr drive (depending on traffic) before we get to the tunnel. We have gone for Normandy (as we know they can go on certain beaches there) and Brittany (some beaches early am etc) They are just happy plodding around. Thanks for all your help though. Just looking at rules and requirements re pets now.
Just a thought, we have cool coats for the dogs which are invaluable when away in France. You soak them in cold water, then when they are wearing them they gradually dry out but can be re-wet at any time. They certainly keep the dogs cooler than without, and we're less worried about taking the dogs out in sunny weather. Obviously we keep their main walks to early(ish) mornings and evenings if it's really hot.
You do sometimes get people looking or asking questions as to why the dogs are wearing a coat in hot weather though!
I've just noticed you're going to Camping Sous les Etoiles - there's a good shady walk down through the field at the bottom of the site and to the left. We tended to go to where the path through the trees joined the road and then back again the same way, but you can make it a round walk by turning left onto the (quiet) road and following it back to the village.
There are other options as well, but our two didn't find that walk too taxing and it mostly kept them out of the sun!
Thanks Bofs, we will certainly try that walk. We liked the site when we visited last yr. Food was good too, so we could stay out as long as we wanted (lots and lots of museums etc) and come back to a nice meal at the site. We saw dogs with their owners in the covered eating area. Must try the museum just near the site this time.