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We are hoping to go to France camping again this year, but are planning on going further south. Can anyone recommend a good campsite in this area? We have 2 children ages 7 and 5, so obviously there needs to be facilities which would suit them as well as us and preferably close to the beach.

We have been quoted £350 condor ferry to St Malo for the last 2 wks in July, with mpv, roofbox and small trailer, Is this cheap or not? are we more likely to get a better deal if we wait a bit longer

Hi

We are doing eurotunnel 2 ad 2 kids with 7.3m caravan £180 9th july to 22nd july then heading down to St Jean De monts where we will stay for 9 nights at La Yole which has been well recommended www.la-yole.com

Booked direct with La Yole but booked everything else through caravan club and all in 13 nights is costing us just under £500

Hope this helps

Thanks for that advice, we may look into the Euro tunnel.

Julie

Dear Julie,

I think that sounds like a really good price , I don't think you'd get any cheaper on that western route . The drive from Calais is a hell of a long way and you also have to take into account petrol and tolls (+ irritable children and parents!!)

Hi DimDim (please explain the name!!),

We always go to Royan, just a bit further South from la Rochelle.   My wife used to go on family holidays here every year during her childhood, and my in-laws have researched the whole coast over many years, coming to the conclusion that this area has the best beaches.   It depends what you want of course, but around la Palmyre you'll find miles of beatiful sandy beaches backed by pine forests, and with very little commercialisation apart from at the resorts.     Also, the weather here is always good (a few spectacular nighttime thunderstorms sometimes though!) with 25-30 degrees the norm in July/August.   Only pack shorts and T shirts - you won't need anything else, even if it rains!   Also, the zoo at La Palmyre is fantastic - often referred to as the best in France - the children would love it.   Also, there's a good network of cycle tracks that run along this stretch of coast, so lots of potential there too.

We are going with a 2 and 4 year old this year.   This campsite is cheap and about 10-15 minute drive from the beaches http://www.campingcoquelicots.com/.   No swimming pool but it's excellent value, has very clean facilities, and very few Brits there!   There is a takeaway snack bar and some play equipment there.   The highlight is the local melon farmer who visits every evening, selling fresh Charentais melons from the boot of his car!  

We're crossing with Speedferries Dover-Boulogne with MPV, roofbox and trailer for £100 (although I think prices have come DOWN since we booked!).   Ferry companies seem to charge the earth for trailers - our original P&O Dover to Calais quote was £450 with a trailer, £160 without!   We have an overnight stop at Auberge St Jacques in Meung sur Loire - a logis de france hotel www.logisdefrance.com .   These are great and child friendly with family rooms available - and a taste of proper France - cheap and with good restaurants.

Hope this is useful for you.

Andy.

Dear Andy, Deb, Louisa, Eric et al,

Thanks for superb replies, very useful information.

DIMDIM refers to my initials twice, Derek Ivor Manning, sad I know !

Have had a look at the map to see distance from Bourlogne to La Rochelle, hell of a journey. Have to way up either more money for ferry and shorter distance to travel or cheap ferry crossing but long drive ahead. Don't know if we are that brave!

Campsite sounds a bargain but ideally we would want a pool.

Many thanks for your advice, hope you all have a great holiday.

Derek and Julie Manning

We're also staying at a site near Royan, Camping Oree-du- Bois in Les Mathes  http://www.camping-oree-du-bois.fr. Haven't a clue what it's like but the pics on the website look good, including a lovely pool.

Mark

Cheers Mark

This does look a nice campsite, I'll be looking into this one further.

Many thanks.

Derek

Posting to agree with others above. The Royan area is a much better area to stay in with plenty to keep everyones interest. The beach at St Palais sur Mer is wonderful (as is the village itself) and safe - same cannot be said for some of the other longer stretches of beaches around La Palmyre, although beautiful and golden the sea currents can be quite savage. La Palmyre Zoo is a smashin day out, we took the little road-train from our site to get there - kids loved it! (Mind, we are talking about 12 years ago now so it might have changed!) There are lots of sites in the area to choose from. If you sneak a look on some of the big company websites to see the sites they offer and then google for the sites own website it will give you a bigger choice and you'll definitely get a pool!

La Rochelle is certainly worth a visit as is the surrounding area but I wouldn't choose to stay in the immediate area. We have been to La Rochelle several times, travelling from 'above' La Sables D'Olonne (Vendee) and below, from La Palmyre.

Route wise, considering the age of your kids I would stick with the ferry you have got. The drive down from St Malo will be much easier than from Calais way. I actually do not think the price you have got is that bad and the condor ferry is a fast-craft isn't it?

Martin, Belinda and Chevy

Once again super advice, have taken it all in.

Will prob go Poole/St Malo. Do most of you pre book campsite or just turn up? The first year we went we just found a campsite and were lucky enough to find a pitch. Can anyone suggest overnight stay coz with the above crossing you arrive in St Malo at 8.00pm then travel down to Royan area is 6hr drive so obviously can't arrive at campsite in early hours so perhaps we need an overnite stop (or sleep in the car).

Also Belinda we have just found our 2005 campsite brochures after your suggestion.

Again many thanks, enjoy your hols and perhaps we may meet one day.

Derek