|
18/4/2013 at 4:55pm
Location: Otley W. Yorks N Yorks border Outfit: Swift Challenger 584 and Volvo XC60
View Profile
Reply
Quote
|
Joined: 06/5/2010 Diamond Member 
Forum Posts: 1697
Site Reviews Total: | 58 |
|
Site Reviews 2025: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2024: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2023: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2022: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2021: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2020: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2019: | 5 |
|
Site Nights 2025: | 0 |
Site Nights 2024: | 0 |
Site Nights 2023: | 0 |
Site Nights 2022: | 0 |
Site Nights 2021: | 0 |
Site Nights 2020: | 0 |
Site Nights 2019: | 17 |
|
Hi everyone,
we are going to france on DFDS Dover - calais outbound 7th May inbound 17th May. this is a short trip for pauls 60th
We dont intend to book anywhere but need an idea of sort of where we are going. We intend to travel as far as maybe Rouen then stopover and get going early next morning arriving on site that afternoon, I reckon about a total of 500 - 550 miles, what i need is some idea of sites/areas as this area is new to me. we went to La Baule a few years ago and loved it but think we need to go further south for the weather.
What we are looking for
coastal site, does not have to be right by the beach, cycle paths along coast, to other towns and villages, site with a pool that is open, supermarket within cycling distance and thats about it, would love to hear from anyone that has visited Chattelain plage, bretignolles, la palmyre or that region and what the cycling is like there as that is where we have looked at so far. Thanks in anticipation of your replies, J x
|
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
18/4/2013 at 5:28pm
Location: France Outfit: Hobby 460Ufe
View Profile
Reply
Quote
|
Joined: 07/4/2013 Platinum Member 
Forum Posts: 580
Site Reviews Total: | 0 |
|
Site Reviews 2025: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2024: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2023: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2022: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2021: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2020: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2019: | 0 |
|
Site Nights 2025: | 0 |
Site Nights 2024: | 0 |
Site Nights 2023: | 0 |
Site Nights 2022: | 0 |
Site Nights 2021: | 0 |
Site Nights 2020: | 0 |
Site Nights 2019: | 0 |
|
Think about the Ile De Re and Ile D'oleron. Both perfect for cycling or slightly further south near Royan.
|
18/4/2013 at 5:41pm
Location: Outfit:
View Profile
Reply
Quote
|
Joined: 21/12/2010 Diamond Member 
Forum Posts: 3980
Site Reviews Total: | 53 |
|
Site Reviews 2025: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2024: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2023: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2022: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2021: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2020: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2019: | 0 |
|
Site Nights 2025: | 0 |
Site Nights 2024: | 0 |
Site Nights 2023: | 0 |
Site Nights 2022: | 0 |
Site Nights 2021: | 0 |
Site Nights 2020: | 0 |
Site Nights 2019: | 0 |
|
We love the La Palmyre area which has great beaches and great cycling on forest paths, but it was deadly quiet in early June last year, so will be more so in May. We used ACSI card for discount at Camping la Palombiere at Les Mathes (about 4km inland from wild surf beaches, which were deserted and unsupervised at that time of year) Many camp sites might not even be open in May. In early June the site we used was 75% empty, spotless facilities, restaurant closed, pool open but not warm enough to tempt us. We drove over the bridge to Oleron island - in early June even more deserted than the mainland, so we came back ! But La Rochelle was more wide awake, and is a must see, and we thought the big Saturday market at Rochefort was one of the best in France. Go well.
|
18/4/2013 at 5:54pm
Location: France Outfit: Hobby 460Ufe
View Profile
Reply
Quote
|
Joined: 07/4/2013 Platinum Member 
Forum Posts: 580
Site Reviews Total: | 0 |
|
Site Reviews 2025: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2024: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2023: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2022: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2021: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2020: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2019: | 0 |
|
Site Nights 2025: | 0 |
Site Nights 2024: | 0 |
Site Nights 2023: | 0 |
Site Nights 2022: | 0 |
Site Nights 2021: | 0 |
Site Nights 2020: | 0 |
Site Nights 2019: | 0 |
|
Now you mention it we also stayed at Camping la Palombiere at Les Mathes even earlier maybe late April or early May.
There were perhaps two vans on the site and a few camper vans which have an overnight area near the entrance.
It may have around one of the French May bank holidays because the nearby zoo seemed to be very busy but everywhere was very quiet. That of course France out of season.
|
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
18/4/2013 at 6:19pm
Location: nr Derby Outfit: Phoenix 440+
View Profile
Reply
Quote
|
Joined: 09/7/2008 Diamond Member 
Forum Posts: 3781
Site Reviews Total: | 26 |
|
Site Reviews 2025: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2024: | 3 |
Site Reviews 2023: | 2 |
Site Reviews 2022: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2021: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2020: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2019: | 0 |
|
Site Nights 2025: | 0 |
Site Nights 2024: | 6 |
Site Nights 2023: | 6 |
Site Nights 2022: | 0 |
Site Nights 2021: | 0 |
Site Nights 2020: | 0 |
Site Nights 2019: | 0 |
|
La Palmyre itself will just be waking up early - mid-May. You can make visits to Saintes (Roman remains) Cognac - for a spot of tasting and along old road between La Tremblade and Etaules you will find l'Auberge italienne which will be open for some tasty meals ( not really Italian though), and there is a tiny pizzeria further up the road just after a set of lights don't know the name but it's painted blue. Mornac is a sleepy little village worth a visit with some nice restaurants and mussels and oysters aplenty if you like them. Parking in Mornac is a extortionate €2 for twelve months! Royan will be quite pleasant at without the summer hordes too.
Over the road from La Palombiere you will find La Clé des Champs which also takes ACSI and maybe worth you looking. If you go there say hello from Mr Hewitt!!
When pitching up in the area beware of pine trees , the sap can be a b***** to get off and if you don't spot it it can burn your paintwork, not a problem at La Clé, don't know about la Palombiere though.
|
19/4/2013 at 11:26am
Location: Otley W. Yorks N Yorks border Outfit: Swift Challenger 584 and Volvo XC60
View Profile
Reply
Quote
|
Joined: 06/5/2010 Diamond Member 
Forum Posts: 1697
Site Reviews Total: | 58 |
|
Site Reviews 2025: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2024: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2023: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2022: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2021: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2020: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2019: | 5 |
|
Site Nights 2025: | 0 |
Site Nights 2024: | 0 |
Site Nights 2023: | 0 |
Site Nights 2022: | 0 |
Site Nights 2021: | 0 |
Site Nights 2020: | 0 |
Site Nights 2019: | 17 |
|
Thanks for your replies, have been looking at both sites mentioned in Les Mathes/la palmyre.
We are not too bothered if its a bit quiet just so long as we can get on our bikes in a morning, cycle around all day, have a bit of lunch out or a picnic, a glass of wine in a beachside bar then back home for bbq supper and perhaps a walk into village at night, any more ideas will be welcome, cheers, J x
|
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
22/4/2013 at 8:10am
Location: Outfit:
View Profile
Reply
Quote
|
Joined: 21/12/2010 Diamond Member 
Forum Posts: 3980
Site Reviews Total: | 53 |
|
Site Reviews 2025: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2024: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2023: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2022: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2021: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2020: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2019: | 0 |
|
Site Nights 2025: | 0 |
Site Nights 2024: | 0 |
Site Nights 2023: | 0 |
Site Nights 2022: | 0 |
Site Nights 2021: | 0 |
Site Nights 2020: | 0 |
Site Nights 2019: | 0 |
|
Bridgeywidge. Atlantique foret v La Palombiere ? We went to the former in July 2011 - clean, spacious, picturesque, picture on my gallery images photos, no pool, no restaurant, dearer than it should be, toilets in one place, showers in another which was odd, feeble wi -fi, nice owners but so laid back the site wasn't open when we went back in June 2012. La Palombiere was open in June, cheaper at that time with an ACSI card, similar parkland with trees landscape, spotless facilities, random pitching without hedged squares, all site wi-fi (free), pool too cold to use in early june, restaurant shut, family owned and run, everything immaculate, and of the two we would go back to that one, but can't say how packed it will be in mid summer.
|
22/4/2013 at 10:12pm
Location: North Herts Outfit: Monterey4 Cabanon E
View Profile
Reply
Quote
|
Joined: 20/8/2007 Diamond Member 
Forum Posts: 3348 Tent Reviews: 9
Site Reviews Total: | 27 |
|
Site Reviews 2025: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2024: | 1 |
Site Reviews 2023: | 1 |
Site Reviews 2022: | 2 |
Site Reviews 2021: | 1 |
Site Reviews 2020: | 1 |
Site Reviews 2019: | 1 |
|
Site Nights 2025: | 0 |
Site Nights 2024: | 4 |
Site Nights 2023: | 2 |
Site Nights 2022: | 6 |
Site Nights 2021: | 5 |
Site Nights 2020: | 1 |
Site Nights 2019: | 2 |
|
Berriow - thanks for the compare and contrast!
(One of my profile pics is from there too.)
Atlantique Foret WAS laid-back, we went in early-mid July and they were still 'setting up' and had problems with a boiler in the non-shower block, meaning we had to wash up in cold water. But it was spacious and picturesque with lovely owners. I just wondered if La Polombiere suffered any noise from Luna Park?
Paul&Julie: these sites are within easy cycling of the beach (along a road but not a very busy one), and then you get to the cyle paths through the forest and enough sand and sky and sea to fill your senses.
------------- Do campers 'peg it'?
|
23/4/2013 at 3:23pm
Location: Otley W. Yorks N Yorks border Outfit: Swift Challenger 584 and Volvo XC60
View Profile
Reply
Quote
|
Joined: 06/5/2010 Diamond Member 
Forum Posts: 1697
Site Reviews Total: | 58 |
|
Site Reviews 2025: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2024: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2023: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2022: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2021: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2020: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2019: | 5 |
|
Site Nights 2025: | 0 |
Site Nights 2024: | 0 |
Site Nights 2023: | 0 |
Site Nights 2022: | 0 |
Site Nights 2021: | 0 |
Site Nights 2020: | 0 |
Site Nights 2019: | 17 |
|
All sounds lovely, thanks for your posts, looked at weather forecast for the period we are there.
Changes on the 6th May to cloud and rain and then back to sunshine on the 15th so will keep an eye on the weather before making final decision.J x
|
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
23/4/2013 at 4:32pm
Location: Otley W. Yorks N Yorks border Outfit: Swift Challenger 584 and Volvo XC60
View Profile
Reply
Quote
|
Joined: 06/5/2010 Diamond Member 
Forum Posts: 1697
Site Reviews Total: | 58 |
|
Site Reviews 2025: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2024: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2023: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2022: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2021: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2020: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2019: | 5 |
|
Site Nights 2025: | 0 |
Site Nights 2024: | 0 |
Site Nights 2023: | 0 |
Site Nights 2022: | 0 |
Site Nights 2021: | 0 |
Site Nights 2020: | 0 |
Site Nights 2019: | 17 |
|
I have looked at the forecast for every region of France, also Switzerland, Germany and Belgium and would you believe it the best weather, temperature and sun is going to be here in sunny Otley, seriously considering changing ferry to Sept and going to Scotland in May, its all very dissapointing. J x
|
23/4/2013 at 4:51pm
Location: France Outfit: Hobby 460Ufe
View Profile
Reply
Quote
|
Joined: 07/4/2013 Platinum Member 
Forum Posts: 580
Site Reviews Total: | 0 |
|
Site Reviews 2025: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2024: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2023: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2022: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2021: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2020: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2019: | 0 |
|
Site Nights 2025: | 0 |
Site Nights 2024: | 0 |
Site Nights 2023: | 0 |
Site Nights 2022: | 0 |
Site Nights 2021: | 0 |
Site Nights 2020: | 0 |
Site Nights 2019: | 0 |
|
I think it is way too early to try and judge what the weather will like in France for the middle of May. Any forecast you are looking at is just a wild guess a month in advance.
I'm sure there will parts of France where the weather will be perfect at that time it is just that no one can predict where they are just at the moment.
|
24/4/2013 at 10:40pm
Location: wilts Outfit: SWIFT ELEGEGANCE 645
View Profile
Reply
Quote
|
Joined: 14/8/2011 Silver Member 
Forum Posts: 145
Site Reviews Total: | 10 |
|
Site Reviews 2025: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2024: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2023: | 1 |
Site Reviews 2022: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2021: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2020: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2019: | 0 |
|
Site Nights 2025: | 0 |
Site Nights 2024: | 0 |
Site Nights 2023: | 3 |
Site Nights 2022: | 0 |
Site Nights 2021: | 0 |
Site Nights 2020: | 0 |
Site Nights 2019: | 0 |
|
Hi for years we took kids to a site called logis de bruil near Royan not too far from palmyere,its in the caravan club international sites book, loads of space there lots of cycling in the area,make sur to visit the cote sauvage beaches they are accesed through the pine forest, a bit of a trek but boy it is worth it ,just paradise!
|
24/4/2013 at 11:47pm
Location: Teesside Outfit: Lunar Clubman SI H
View Profile
Reply
Quote
|
Joined: 01/2/2013 Platinum Member 
Forum Posts: 1451
Site Reviews Total: | 6 |
|
Site Reviews 2025: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2024: | 2 |
Site Reviews 2023: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2022: | 1 |
Site Reviews 2021: | 1 |
Site Reviews 2020: | 0 |
Site Reviews 2019: | 1 |
|
Site Nights 2025: | 0 |
Site Nights 2024: | 7 |
Site Nights 2023: | 0 |
Site Nights 2022: | 5 |
Site Nights 2021: | 4 |
Site Nights 2020: | 0 |
Site Nights 2019: | 2 |
|
We had a great time here
Le Pin Parasol is a brilliant site with very friendly staff - they even sent us a Christmas card!
|
|