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Topic: L`Oree du Bois, Les Mathes

Frazzle-

09/7/2017 at 5:06pm
Location: Hampshire
Outfit: Outwell Montana 6P tent

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Hello

We are visiting this site in August. Any tips please for our family? Any places to visit? (or avoid!)

We are Mr F, me 11, 9 & 5 - boys/girl.

Thank you.

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suechick43

09/7/2017 at 5:35pm
Location: south west
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Hello Frazzle,

Wow, you have picked a good area for loads of things to do.Check these out:
https://www.en-charente-maritime.com. When you get there the local tourist information offices have a lovely guide saying whats on and where, they also have a brochure of many of the local things going on.
Trip advisor has a facility called 'where I am' or 'things to do'that you can go onto whilst you are there and it will show you what's going on.
In August they have quite a few fireworks evenings along the coast and la Palmyre has cycle paths, beaches and this really surreal zoo. You can feed the animals popcorn, watch a sea lion display etc. You are also about 40 minutes from Il de Oleron which has some fantastic beaches. There is also the Lighthouse of La Coubre, which is lovely to visit, but just be careful of the coast on that stretch, it is called the savage coast as the sea can whip up some huge waves and rip tides.

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sueze

Frannyvan

09/7/2017 at 5:59pm
Location: Dorset
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I 2nd the zoo. One of the best days out ever. The kids loved feeding the elephants popcorn.
Nice little beach at Palais sur mer with lovely ice creams in the square.

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xxxx

Frazzle-

09/7/2017 at 6:25pm
Location: Hampshire
Outfit: Outwell Montana 6P tent

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Thank you. I have my own 'animals' who too like popcorn!! (wonder how many the zoo animals will get and how many my children will eat - hmm)

Thought about taking bikes but there is not room on the ferry to change our booking. As we are 5 can get 4 on the bike rack but need 1 on the roof - so extra height. I keep checking the ferry bookings incase someone has to change their booking and I can have 'their' extra height.

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Frazzle-

09/7/2017 at 6:27pm
Location: Hampshire
Outfit: Outwell Montana 6P tent

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How rough is the sea on the West coast? Only done the Vendee bit at Tranche and was lovely. However our children stay mainly in the edge - mouthfuls of sea water are a bit yukky.

Is it safe to take body boards? Will we need their shortie wet suits?

warbis66

09/7/2017 at 7:58pm
Location: Bristol
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I really loved this site, it is really nicely laid out and has a great swimming pool. The beaches nearby are gorgeous, all with walks through the forests to get to them. The only downside is the traffic can be quite bad so if you can take bikes, do.
The seas were calm when we were there and the waters warm.

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France Lover

faulknerf1

11/7/2017 at 5:40pm
Location: Liverpool
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I would take as many bikes as you can and maybe hire the rest on site?
The beach and La Palmyre can be reached by bike - lots of paths through the woods.
As mentioned above, the zoo is great. Also the Indian Forest adjacent to the site is like 'Go Ape' but bigger and better, plus you get a discount if you show the site wristband.
The beaches are lovely, some with big waves and another nearer La Palmyre with a lagoon. My kids used body boards on the waves and an inner tube on the lagoon.
The traffic gets busy around La Palmyre on market day and is horrendous when the horse racing is on (which seems to be every week).
A favourite of mine is Mornac sur Seudre, which is an Artisan village, lots of craft stuff, but nothing really to keep children entertained.
The site will be very busy until the French children are back at school, usually about 20th Aug.
Enjoy yourselves!

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Frazzle-

11/7/2017 at 5:49pm
Location: Hampshire
Outfit: Outwell Montana 6P tent

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Thank you Warbis & Faulkner.

Like the idea of as many bikes as possible. I'm not keen on sitting in traffic particularly as I'm likely to have gone to the market to practice my terrible french and buy some food.

Will stick body boards in the car too. Do you need wetsuits? Is the sea still cold here?

jaiash

11/7/2017 at 6:28pm
Location: nr Derby
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Frazzle-
From l'Orée du Bois - if you turn left out of the site and follow the road you will come to La Bouverie carpark on the Côte Sauvage. There is a lifeguard nation there and spaces to park bikes right by the beach of the car at various points down towards the beach (get there either early on or wait until late afternoon for easier parking. You may be aware of Luna Park a short walk from the site this can cause evening traffic especially on firework nights ( at leat once a week). The 'trot' racing at La Palmyre Hippodrome does affect that beach. There is also the 'Grande Côte' beach which is a longer drive but shorter walk ( and can be reached on cycle tracks from the site. You can avoid La Palmyre for that beach by going along back roads via Les Mathes and heading towards St Augustine ( easy to spot on a decent map).
The zoo (as mentioned) is excellent and hs a fantastic reputation for breeding - so there are lots of babies to see - it is generally quite well shaded (and busy) - nice ice-cream!! St Palais is worth a visit but personally I would steer clear of Royan Saintes is a pleasant visit, boats to hire on the river and roman ruins/amphitheatre ( nominal charge) or a bit further afield Cognac is on some people's list - tour around Hennessy distillery ( other makes of cognac are available). La Tremblade market on a Saturday morning is worth a visit too.

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Grahame

badger54

11/7/2017 at 7:17pm
Location: kent
Outfit: Adria Twin 640 SPX

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Quote: Originally posted by Frazzle- on 09/7/2017
How rough is the sea on the West coast? Only done the Vendee bit at Tranche and was lovely. However our children stay mainly in the edge - mouthfuls of sea water are a bit yukky.

Is it safe to take body boards? Will we need their shortie wet suits?

Be careful with some of the currents down the west coast of France. I grew up by the sea and can`t remember a time when I couldn`t swim, and at one time was going early to our local pool for 50 lengths each morning, so I consider myself a strong swimmer.
About 10 years ago I was on that coast just diving into waves in about 3 feet of water, having a bit of fun until I dived into one and felt as if I was in a tumble dryer underwater. I couldn`t tell which way was up and honestly thought my time had come, and then I was back on the beach again very relieved.
I am sure you will all have a great time but just be careful.

suechick43

16/7/2017 at 8:23pm
Location: south west
Outfit: Rialto caravan combi tr quecha tents

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Hi Fualknerf,

Are you are going Brittany Ferries?
If so if you contact customer services and explain about the extra bicycle they may watch out for you and if a cancellation occurs they will move your vehicle. They were very helpful when we need to change our trailer.
Alternatively, you could loosen the handle bars and take off one of the peddles and twist them flat so that they fit within your size limit.
Palais sur mer beach would be more suitable with smaller children as they would not be open to the rip tides and bigger waves.

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sueze

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