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Hi All,

First posting so here goes. Looking for recommendations for a family friendly campsite for a couple with 2 boys (10 & 5) for next summer. Never driven on continent so looking for a max of 1 hours drive from port, close to beach and preferably with a pool and other activities for the kids. Would really prefer a medium/ small site as don't like mega-sites and i'm looking to go next August for 10- 14 days. I already have an Alan Rodgers guide but the choice is immense so would really appreciate your help (buget approx £250/week for site).

Thanks

Welcome to UKCS - which ferry port are you using - as this will make a difference to recommendations?   Also have you got definite dates in mind, as going in the later week in August can save money on site fees.

Port L'Epine  is one site where friends of mine holidayed for many years when their son's were smaller - they loved the coastal setting, the rocky coves nearby, and the friendliness of the site staff.  It has a heated outdoor pool, and heated children's pool.  They found the beaches nearby had lovely rockpools which kept the boys entertained for ages.  It's near to the western ports.

Hi 101sal, and welcome

You don't say which port you are going to - obviously that will affect peoples answers. To be honest, there aren't really that many popular beach places (in comparison anyway) to go to within 1 hr of any of the ports - you're more or less limiting yourself to Normandy, which is fine in it's own right, but you'll likely have no better weather there than you would in Devon. Most people would drive at least a little bit in search of some sun. The exception to that is the port of Roscoff in Brittany, but it can be expensive to get to.

Can I say though, once you start driving in France, it really isn't that difficult, and any site within 250 miles is easily reachable within 1 day. Personally, I would recommend using one of the ferries to Cherbourg, Caen or Le Havre, and drive the 250 miles to Brittany. Somewhere like Camping Du Letty in Benodet http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/sites/details.asp?revid=5461 is always popular, but may be a bit big for you ?

If you really do want to stay close to the channel ports however, around Etretat & Fecamp (near Calais and Le Havre) or around Bayeux (near the ports of Caen and Cherbourg) are nice areas. I stayed at Chateau de Martragny http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/sites/details.asp?revid=7076 near Bayeux and Caen, which, although it's 15 miles from the beach, might suit you.

Thanks both,

Have enough in the budget for St. Malo or Roscoff, no preference either way at the moment though apprecoate St. Malo is cheaper to get too. thinks i may just forget the beaches and look for a site which will suit us all.

Hi Sal & welcome!

The first thing I would say is, if you are ok towing from Wales to Portsmouth (or whichever port you are sailing from) then you will have NO problem touring in France. We live in Mid-Wales and we had our first trip abroad (camping - towing a folding camper) last year. Hubby was panic-stricken to say the least, but minutes after disembarking at Le Havre we were onto the Autoroute and that was it for the 4 hours to our site in the Loire (L'Etang de la Breche - great for kids, we've been twice already!).

We have booked a site in the Dordogne for next summer towing a caravan and are facing a 10hr drive - but it is SUCH a doddle driving in France - the roads are great and so well maintained!

Do don't let driving on the continent restrict you to the north of France, especially after paying a fortune for a western crossing!

Have fun planning!

Thanks everyone .

Ferry to Roscoff booked, bitten the bullet and am driving south to Benodet staying here:

http://www.benodet.co.uk/home.htm

Bit bigger site than I originally planned but in for a penny in for a pound LOL. 15 days next August...can't come soon enough.

Will the standard 6 amp hook-up be ok for lights and travel hair dryer (for the wife), I make it about 690 watts, is that correct? 

We have been looking at this site today too. It will be our first trip to Europe with the van. Did you book online or go direct to the site. We are looking at going on 25July for 10 nights so arriving at the site on Saturday 26th.

Mandy

Quote: Originally posted by 101sal on 05/11/2008

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Will the standard 6 amp hook-up be ok for lights and travel hair dryer (for the wife), I make it about 690 watts, is that correct? 

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Hi Wendy,

we booked direct, very easy to do and only a small deposit, i should point out that i'm camping here (Hartford L) not using a van.

Thanks to Mr. Paul for the info.

That looks like a fab site you are going to  101 Sal