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We took our first son when he was just a few months old, but that was only one child, and it made for a very easy holiday.  However, five small children is very different - imagine all the toilet trips, difficulties showering them all, etc.!

Like Huw suggests, I would try the French campsite life, but hire a static.  If you look at campsites own accommodation, rather than Eurocamp/Canvas holidays, you will find more moderate prices.  Or have a look at www.holidaycheque.co.uk.  That way you get all the facilities of a campsite - pool, playgrounds, sports facilities, possible other 'tinies' to make friends with, and can 'test-drive' the experience for when you take your own equipment - but you have the comfort of home, ready to move into when you arrive, a toilet and shower accessible and you don't have to take half as much equipment with you.  I would also choose a site with an indoor pool - for those (just possible) rainy days.

The first week in June is a good time to go - low season, so lower prices, sites not full, and weather generally improving so if you do decide to camp you will have lots of places to choose from.

Good luck and let us know what you decide.

We had 4 kids under 4 when we spent 6 weeks travelling through France,Italy,Slovenia,Croatia,back up through Austria/Germany.We used a mix of accomodation,some camping,some mobiles and an apartment.

Being honest the camping was tough,just the shere amount of hard work with the little ones,keeping feed and watered,washed and 2 (the twins) were still in nappies.They use to get very grumpy in the tent when it was hot.I didnt camp for quite a few years after that trip,just used Mobiles and large Gites which are usually cheaper than mobiles in August.

We often find with a bit of searching in low/ mid season (inc last 2 weeks of August) it can be cheaper to use an on site mobile or tent than to drag all your own equipment with you.

I tend to find intresting sites/areas through Vacansoliel.com then check the sites prices if booked direct.Good starting point.

Holiday checks ive been disapointed with,they have limited sites in only a few areas.

So to recap to camp with 4 younge kids,very demanding and not much fun,to gite or mobile home with them great great fun.