Message Forums

Failing to find a campsite we liked, we never returned to Ill De Re which is a beautful area....fond memories of St Martin harbour and my OH's first ever moules at La Flotte.

We revisited Bordeaux (le Tedey) much further down the coast...fabulous site, never disappoints.

If anyone can recommend a site on Il De Rey I would try again. Over the years camping in France we have tended to go much further South opr across to the Rhone Alps.

2014   we have a rough plane to go to Provence, we never, ever book as we travle late August and have just been lucky, but then again there are only 2 adults to satisfy....as long as there is open countryside, somewhere to take the mountain bikes and a heavy dose of ancient architecture and classical concert orr two.........nevet fails, so we've been lucky. 

Such a shame really because its a lovely island. the campsites were either run down or too commercial.   Now this would be a good project for a 'Home & Away' candidate.

Il De Re is a taster of the real France without having to go too far, its a perfect distance for children to travel.

We definately didn't like rittanny or the Sable coastal region  but Ile De Re just has something special.

A project for someone me thinks....but not me. When I win the lottery I'm heading for the hills...Chatel perhaps :)

Bobcat

Whilst the Ile De Re is a very handsome place I wouldnt consider it to be the real France. One thing we noticed was that there has clearly been a  lot of money spent on the towns.  They looked like sets from a TV drama.. Not a brick out of place and every surface seemed to be polished. Its lovely but a bit sterile. We didnt go to every town but compared to the Dordogne, Cote D'or, S E Brittany  it seemed perhaps 'less real'.

Le Prises certainly isnt run down. If freshly trimmed grass, flower beds and neat layouts are for you  then maybe its not ideal. Its quite a natural environment and one which seemed to attract a good mix of units. The main toilet/shower block is virtually brand new. I gues as with lots of camping faclities and requirements it really is question of personal preference. Ive always found campsites with the 'look of a garden centre' to be a bit off putting. 

By the way...just how convenient are quechua tents!! Love em. 

I totally agree...its not until you get beyond the southern Loire, Bordeaux tat you get the rela feel for the place...something to do with the vines.  Il De Re  has obviously had money spent on it.

Quechua base tenst are bruilliant...we bought a Hartford XL, its been out once...we now use two base tents all the time. The oe with the bedroom is used for a one nights stop and we add the base to give us more space if we want to stay longer. If you have a huge tent to pitch you tent to move less often...we like to tour round. Last year was perfect, we did 1 night in Savigny on the way to Annecy, had two weeks in Annecy, then back t oSavigny for a few days. (Annecy was too busy for us but a good base to explore Chamonix, and the alpine passes).  My OH didn't like the idea at first, but loves the admiration when people say oooh thats a great idea. Being French it is also a taseful ensemble...beige black, so all the kit matches perfectly :)

What youre describing is ideal for tenting....the speed and convenience needed for a stopover and more space for the longer stay.

We tented for many years but thought we'd give campervanning a go, partly because we spent an age pitching up, which after a long hot drive is a real drag. We were lugging canvas around on site one year when two German pensioners turned up on the next pitch in an old VW, and were sorted, bottle of wine on the table within five minutes! We thought we have some of that! Then we also noticed that the awnings campers use take just as long to pitch as most tents, so we use a quechua for the same purpose. Done in two minutes.If we ever go back to tenting (and there's a good chance) we'd definitely do the double quechua thing. Perfecto!

....and of course they'd be colour coordinated!

We are considering  dutch trailer tent, the nearest we will ever get to trailing anything. My OH detests caravans but I pointed out the idea of being off the ground should the weather be poor. We like the look of the top end Trigano one's, these are a far cry from the hideous 1970's perambulator style assembly. the only problem would be storage, we live in a cottage with no room to park one. the other down side is tat many of these  tents are canvas , so difficult to get dry, and not something that can be packed damp!!!

We don't fancy a motorhome as this has to go everywhere with you,unless of course you have a smart car on the back. the other downside is the petrol consumption.

Don't get me wrong caravans are great forsome people..Ijust don't get that club thing (says she on this blog). We are definately private when we go on holiday and do not like to socialise, other than pleasantries. We go away to get away if you know what I mean.

,Horses for courses