Here we go, another 'can anybody recommend' thread.

Last year my family and I ventured to Vendee for our first camping holiday abroad, we crossed Dover to Calais and drove, I know this isn't the most ideal crossing for Vendee, but I wanted to see some of France on the way and I only live 30miles from Dover so it is quite logical for us to cross to calais. One thing we decided on the drive back to Calais was that although Vendee was superb, it would be nice to see something of Normandy and the surrounding area due to the history associated with it. My wife also really wants to visit Mont st.Michel. So, for next years holiday (August 2005) we are looking to Normandy-ish.

What we are after is a good family oriented site with clean facilities, preferably a pool but not fussed about nightlife, a beach if possible and a choice of restaurants close-ish would be nice. There is myself, my wife and two daughters (6yrs and 9yrs), we are quite easily pleased and enjoy a bit of sight seeing. We plan a visit to Mont St.Michel and I would also like to visit Bayeux as well as some World war2 sites. The holiday will be for 10days of which I would prefer to stay on one site and travel out, but could be tempted to visit two sites.

We will be taking the Folding Camper so the usual EHU etc are also necessary. Anybody have any ideas?.

We stayed at a nice Les Castels site in Normandy, only 6 miles from Cherbourg.

L'Anse du Brick.

Has all the facilities you mention, plus it's situated right on top of a lovely, secluded beach. Within easy striking distance of the D-Day Beaches, and around a 2-3 hour drive of Mont St. Michel.

Hope that helps.

We stayed in this area 2 years ago but we went with French Life. This campsite was near by but I'm not sure what it's like. The write up looks pretty good and if you put the name in a search engine it comes up with loads more info.

The area was ideal for sight seeing as you suggest, the food was fantastic and the people friendly. The town of St Aubin Sur mer is fairly quiet but very French. Good Luck.

La Cote de Nacre - Camping

About La Cote de Nacre

Camping La Cote de Nacre is a family-run site with a freindly, relaxing atmosphere. The campsite is grassy and flat, providing plenty of space for children to play and the facilities are modern and maintained to a high standard. This part of the Normandy coast is particularly easy to reach using the ferry to Caen. There’s a beautiful swimming-pool and sun-terrace next to the bar and a popular restaurant where children of all ages are warmly welcomed. During high season, the campsite organises games, competitions and outdoor discos for all the family, which all creates a lively atmosphere.

La Cote de Nacre - Local Area

Location
La Cote de Nacre is set close to the coast, the campsite is on the edge of the little seaside resort of St-Aubin-sur-Mer. Thirteen miles east is the city of Caen, gateway to the Calvados region and famous for its oysters.

Nearby
The nearest beach to Camping de la Cote de Nacre is St Aubin (1/2 mile). This a really perfect spot for swimming, windsurfing or just relaxing in the sun. A couple of miles further along the coast is the small resort of Luc-sur-Mer, where you can still see the huge skeleton of a whale, which beached there ninety years ago. You are only a short drive from the famous D-Day landing beaches and the historic town of Bayeux, which is home to the famous tapestry.

we've stayed at this site twice and are going again next year, we love it.

there are loads of places to visit close by, nice beaches, restaurants, and plenty to keep the kids amused on site.

also just an hours drive to mont st. michel - which is well worth a visit!

Unfortunately it seems that Camping La cote de Nacre doesn't appear to take touring campers (only fixed tents/mobiles). So it's either La Grand Large or  Camping Anse du Brick at the moment.

where did you get that info from?

we've been for the last 2 years in our tent and are going in our caravan this year!

ring the site direct for information, prices etc - if you need the number i can get it for you when i get home from work

We stayed for 3 nights at Camping Omaha Beach this summer. No pool but right on Omaha Beach.

We were in France staying with friends in Brittany, and went there half way through, specifically to do the Normandy Beaches & Bayeaux.

No pool, but still a nice site.  One or 2 restaurants in the village close by, but we didn't use, so can't say what they are like.

There are absolutely loads of camp sites in this area of the country - we turned up in mid august, and had no problem staying.

It might be a bit far to Mont St Michel - around 2 hours from memory, but well worth the visit.

Quote: Originally posted by andysstuff on 19/10/2004

---

It might be a bit far to Mont St Michel - around 2 hours from memory, but well worth the visit.

---

2 hours? Too far? Bloody hell! I drive for 2 hours to get to my nearest surf break! I do 2 hours driving in me sleep! Listen, if you've taken the trouble to go as far as France, surely 2 hours drive to see one of the wonders of the world isn't too far?

Get off the sites, and see some of the country!

If you want to see the invasion beaches, Caen, Bayeux etc the best site for this area that I know of is Le Chateau de Martragny which is just off the Caen to Bayeaux RN13  road.  Take the North Periferique around Caen and keep your eyes open for Bayeux.  When you come off at Martragny the Site is within half a mile on the right.  The Site is very nice with all the normal facilities, pool etc.  As I am an out-of-Season caravanner I am afraid I don't know the High Season prices.  Incidentally just outside Caen on the RN13 is an enormous Hypermarket called Cora, its worth a visit.

If your intention is to press on to the Mont St Michel area a really child friendly site with everything you could want is Le Domaine des Ormes.  South around Caen onto A84, South of Avranches, at junction 33, turn onto N175, get off N175 at Dol-de-Bretagne and take the D795 to Combourg the Site is on the left not far from D-d-B.  Again I have no experience of High Season prices.

Thanks for the information everybody. I shall have a look at these sites on the web. Trouble is always deciding which one. Thanks again.

There is a site at Mont St Michel, good site although immediate area is very touristy - called La Verte I think, part  of a hotel, restauarant complex - can't miss it honest on road to Mont - maybe a kilometre away

Reasonable value,