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Hi All,

I'm new to this site and confessions first, have not got a tent or a caravan.  We've always stayed in statics although looking in envy at the touring vans.  I expect some of you used to stay in statics before getting your own though, and were wondering if any of you had stayed on a Carisma Holidays site in France (Brittany or Vendee).  I've only come across Carisma by searching on the web so any comments would be welcome.

Also, it seems strange that looking around French sites (and gites) they all seem to be available for the week beginning 27 August.  I have never stayed in France before at this time.  Is this when everything shuts down, or is the time for the Mistral?

Hope you don't mind a non-camper joining in but this site looks great and so much info on it. 

Hi Jandan, welcome to UKCS! It IS a brilliant site, and NO you don't have to have a tent, a caravan or 'owt to join in the fun here.

I've never heard of Carisma Holidays, but I'd suggest they're all pretty much of a muchness? Britanny and the Vendee are two very different 'Departments' in France. Britanny has a climate similar to that of say, Devon & Cornwall in the UK. The scenery is very rocky, with granite outcrops all over the place. The area is famed for its 'Pink Granite' rock formations. There are some stunning beaches, great resteraunts, and fantastic people. The Vendee is further south, much flatter but with long sandy beaches backed by pine forests. The weather here can be alot warmer, but is still unpredictable. The beaches generally are westward facing, so offering great surf, while some are a little more sheltered, giving safer bathing for the kids.

Le Mistral doesn't really affect these two areas, it tends to run down the Eastern side of the Massif Central, through the Luberon, Provence, and down to the Med coast.

Whichever you decide, you'll be sure of a great holiday.

Hope this helps.

Thanks ever so much for all your help.  You've been great - and what a great welcome.

Carisma Holidays.

We went to Les Sables with Carisma last year at the end of August, and had a brilliant holiday. They are by far the cheapest operator for Mobile homes and I would highly recomend them. The campsite its self is fairly small which in my opinion is a good thing, in the evening it was quiet and my childen loved the pool and crazy golf. They also loved the kids club and made lots of friends. You can also hire bikes. The reps were very friendly and helpful. The only down point on this site is the beach which is made up of fine gravel rather than soft sand, the waves were also very big when we went. But saying that you could walk a bit further down the beach 1 mile or so to a really nice beach. Les sables its self is nice with good fish restaurants. The only reason we are not going this year with carisma is that they don't do 3 bedroom mobile homes. I would also say go for the carisma 30 model if you can.

Thanks Louroose.  I've just had a long conversation with Carisma.  We too wanted a 3 bedroomed caravan but they say they're not needed.....very strange! 

hello jandan,

i`m new here too, have had several holidays with carisma and they are a lovely company to go with, helpful and knowledgable we are the same as you though we need a 3 bedroom mobile home as my daughter is now 13 and cant have a bunk bed with the boys anymore, dont want to tie up the lounge so need 3 rooms its silly for them to say there not needed as just on this message board thats 3 people not travelling with them for the same reason!! am struggling this year as we,ve left it late the ones we wanted are all booked up, best of luck though