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I've had a good look round and noticed there are quite a few experienced campers to the Brittany region, so hope this isn't a daft q for a novice.

Trying to plan a 2 week holiday on as small a budget as I can for the 1st 2 weeks in Sept

I've found a site we like the look of and at a reasonable cost - http://www.villagelaplage.com/en/home.htm

Now comes the trick of getting across that great espanse of water at the cheapest cost but without unreasonable driving times. 2 adults and a 3 yr old, standard height car and a tent in the boot.

We've easy-ish access to the southern coast UK ports. Multimap tells me it's 7.5 hours from Calais but only 3 from St Malo.  Cheapest ferry is Bolougne with nearly 3 times as much to St Malo.

Is Brittany doable in a day's driving when you're pitching at the end of it ?

Do I need to find some more pennies and cough up the extra for St Malo ?

Where are the cheap ferry deals ?

All help for this 'camping in France for the 1st time without friends to guide us' will be greatfully received.

what about Portsmouth-Caen with Brittany Ferries? Caen is about an hour to an hour and a half from St Malo drive wise. Would be about 4 1/2 hrs to your destination but the Caen ferry crossing is only 5-6 hrs wheras St malo is 9-10

we did the channel tunnel to Brittany - drive time was 7 hrs but it was actually nearer 10 hrs with all the stops we had to make - total journey time with UK driving as well was 14 hours -  We wont we doing it again without an over night stop over. take the longer ferry crossing or book an overnight stop half way - its no fun pitching a tent after such a long drive.

Having said that Brittany is lovely and well worth the trip.

Brittany is do-able in a day from the channel ports - we usually go for any early crossing and arrive in Brittany late afternoon. If you have a 3 year old - I would cross Dover-Dunkerque (It's the cheapest I have found) And do an overnight stop around Rouen (Look for a Formule 1 - around EUR30 per night for a room) which leaves a 4-5 hour drive next day.

If you're looking to save a few bucks It's worth considering buying an ACSI card (www.campingcard.co.uk) there are several sites in brittany which accept it.

Rod

Presuming that you're not actually setting off from the West Country, then I'd do Dover/Calais, which can cost only £50 return.  Have your first night in a hotel or one of the lovely Chambres d'Hote in or around Boulogne, and have a meal out.  Take the little one on the beach at Wimereux, which is lovely.  Next morning, refreshed, and for probably only £40 per night in the hotel for the three of you, in a room with en-suite, you can set off for Brittany and still arrrive around the same time as the ferry crossing you might have paid an extra £150 for!

Thanks for all the ideas.

LD Lines looked good but other half's not sure as they only have seats left for the dates we need, no cabin

ASCI card's a great tip.  Found another site we like, similar facilities and can save a bit of money towards some holiday treats 

The winner on the cheapest ferry is Seafrance to Calais for £35 return.

Anyone got a link for cheap overnight accommodation ?

Budget hotel chains:  http://www.eurapart.com/budget.html

Bed and breakfast link:  http://www.gites-de-france.com/gites/uk/bed_breakfasts

Another b and b link: http://www.pour-les-vacances.com/pas-de-calais/chambre-hote.php

Camping Cheques are also a way of holidaying on a budget - costs £10.30 per night for two people, tent or caravan or motorhome, and awning, pitch, and electricity.  Try their website for another great range of sites in Brittany and area!  http://www.campingcheque.co.uk/en/  Click on 'our campsites' then France, then the region you fancy, then each 'blob' is a site.  You can get brief details, and then go directly to the website (which helps you work out how much you can save by using CCs!!).

Quote: Originally posted by MGgirl on 08/8/2007

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Anyone got a link for cheap overnight accommodation ?

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Try  www.hotelformule1.com

http://www.bonsai-hotel.tm.fr/index_en.php

Have many often handy for ports and main routes, good prices.

Just wanted to agree with Vic!

Just got back from trinite with Select sites too! Our first camping trip to France and completely hassle free. 4 1/2 hour drive - very easy and ferry crossing from Portsmouth to caen was good!

Off on the Gold Plan Portsmouth St Malo on Wednesday. Been ging there for years every way and some. Live 40 mins from dover. Why St Malo. Towing with a Shogun and the trip with a overnight crossing is ferry £650 return.

Dover Calis would be £160. Fule saved £200. So now £360. Time saved, mini cruise back and over night worth at least £140 so now £500. So cost to go this route to us is £150.

Thats how i work it but everyone to there own.