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Hi

Hoping to go to Normany/Brittany next year (end of Aug/beg of Sept) and need your help.....

Originally was going to head for the Moribhan area but reviews for Finistere region seem to be more popular (both here and guidebooks).  So now we're tied between Benodet or Concarneau.  We then plan to head back up to Cancale for a night or two and then onto Honfleur for a couple of nights.

We're a couple (mid 30s) without children and are looking for a site that would be near a beach and walking distance to town/village.  Both like our food and a few drinks.... so a town/village/harbour that offers a good selection of restaurants/bar.  But don't like very busy towns/villages.  To give you an idea of where we love here - it would be Padstow in Cornwall so a french version of this would be great.

All recommendations greatly received - thanks

Hi SmellyK

See my earlier posts recently on the thread on Du Letty at Benodet.  If you look up my review of Du Letty on UK campsite it details all that you can do in that area.  I think that you would like Du Letty - Du Letty is certainly the best campsite in Benodet.  It has activities and eterntainment without being over-the-top or intrusive.  NOT a French Butlins uggh!! shudder in any way, shape or frorm.

Concarneau is somewhere we often used to visit as a last night family meal out.  The Ville Close, the ancient walled citadel in the harbour is very atmospheric with lots of restaurants without outside areas. 

The modern part of Concarneau is not so pleasant, IMHO, as Benodet.  As I mention in my review of  Du Letty, St Marine the village on the opposite side of the estuary has a lovely little harbour with restaurants and artists studios dotted around the harbour wall -  my wife and used to try a get a romantic evening there without the our kids when they were old enough to look after themselves.  St Marine is quite like some of the small harbour towns in Cornwall.

My recommendation would be Benodet as a base with a visit to Concarneau.  If you can go when the Fillet Bleue (fishing festival) is on in Concarneau you can watch the ffantastic fireworks display whilst dining outside in the Ville Close  - MAGICAL.

i'm already waxing eloquent at the happy memories.

Best wishes

Tim

Tim - Thanks.  did read your review okay but was since it was dated 2004 thought the place might have changed.... as one review guidebook put it - "has become overdeveloped..." but by the sounds of Benodet still sounds lovely plus on one of the threads I just read the town is a walkable distance which would be great for us.  You certainly sell it well and confirmed my suspicions that Concarneau might be more suitable for a one or two visits whilst based in Benodet.

Hi Pager33 - have just read your thread as well onForet Fouensant - did look at its tourism website but not much info - are there sites within walking distance of it i.e. happy to walk 2 kms......

Thanks for all your replies and suggestions and we're now booked up for Du Letty 2008!!  and the ferry booked as well (pricey though it was....).  - one happy camper!