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18/4/2013 at 4:55pm
 Location: Otley W. Yorks N Yorks border
 Outfit: Swift Challenger 584 and Volvo XC60
View paul+julie's Profile View Profile   Reply to paul+julie Reply   Quote paul+julie Quote  
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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


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18/4/2013 at 5:28pm
 Location: France
 Outfit: Hobby 460Ufe
View Crach's Profile View Profile   Reply to Crach Reply   Quote Crach Quote  
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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
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View Berriow's Profile View Profile   Reply to Berriow Reply   Quote Berriow Quote  
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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
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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.


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18/4/2013 at 6:19pm
 Location: nr Derby
 Outfit: Phoenix 440+
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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.


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19/4/2013 at 11:26am
 Location: Otley W. Yorks N Yorks border
 Outfit: Swift Challenger 584 and Volvo XC60
View paul+julie's Profile View Profile   Reply to paul+julie Reply   Quote paul+julie Quote  
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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


21/4/2013 at 8:23am
 Location: Dublin.
 Outfit: Trigano Ocean
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Joined: 23/1/2010

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We are heading to Ille D`Oleron this year,and for what you are looking for,it seems to tick all the box`s.There has been a few threads on sites on the island,but it is easy enough to get reviews.We have not been there yet,so cannot help on that score,but as regard the cycling and accessability to villages and shops on your bikes,it seems to be very bike friendly and criss crossed with tracks.We are staying on a site on the south of the island,near Trojan les Bains.I gather that it is less touristy than Ille de Re,so the shops should be more geared to locals rather than visitors,so should be open all year round.
Enjoy your trip!


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21/4/2013 at 10:54pm
 Location: North Herts
 Outfit: Monterey4 Cabanon E
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Berriow, what was La Polombiere like? We almost visited a few years ago but they never replied to my emails so I voted with my feet and went to Atlantique Foret, a short way along the road. I'm still curious about what it might have been like, although we had a fab holiday.

Paul&Julie, this area is lovely for wild beaches, whole stretches with no-one around and maybe nothing on great leisurely cycling, and wonderful Belle Epoque villas near Royan. Have a great time.

-------------
Do campers 'peg it'?


22/4/2013 at 8:10am
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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 bridgeywidge's Profile View Profile   Reply to bridgeywidge Reply   Quote bridgeywidge Quote  
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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'?


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23/4/2013 at 3:23pm
 Location: Otley W. Yorks N Yorks border
 Outfit: Swift Challenger 584 and Volvo XC60
View paul+julie's Profile View Profile   Reply to paul+julie Reply   Quote paul+julie Quote  
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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 4:19pm
 Location: France
 Outfit: Hobby 460Ufe
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Quote: Originally posted by paul at julie on 23/4/2013
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



Summer in France always starts on the 15 May, or so the locals say. The UK expats always put their veg/tomatoes in early and get caught by the last frost on the 14th


23/4/2013 at 4:32pm
 Location: Otley W. Yorks N Yorks border
 Outfit: Swift Challenger 584 and Volvo XC60
View paul+julie's Profile View Profile   Reply to paul+julie Reply   Quote paul+julie Quote  
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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
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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
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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
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We had a great time here

Le Pin Parasol is a brilliant site with very friendly staff - they even sent us a Christmas card!



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