Message Forums

Quote: Originally posted by Simon O on 12/1/2006

A-Vanman and Pennine Plodder - i notice you are veterans of the Vendee so a few questions for you.

I am considering Camping Du Jard or Camping Bel in La Tranche area with 3 kids aged 4, 8 and 10 - do you have any views on these sites? We like sites where we don't have to drive all the time and can get to beach etc easily.

I'm tempted also by the LD crossing - do you reckon on 4 hours or so from Le Havre (not towing but well loaded with bikes/roof box etc)?

Cheers

Simon 

Quote: Originally posted by kerrster on 13/1/2006

We are also considering the Vendee this year as we tried the Alps last year(end June-beg July) and found a lack of british children for oldest(8) to play with. Area and sites were superb though. I am hoping the Vendee will provide more friends for him to meet.

We are considering camping le chaponnett in Brem sur Mer as our priorities are cyclable to the shop a few times a day (only very small fridge) and walkable to the beach. has anyone stayed here or around there?

Ferry wise we have gone for Dover-Calais as we were not prepared to spend £400 on the West Coast crossings and still need an overnight before pitching our tent when we could cross for £75. (Sound like a true Scot now!)

Any help on area campsites appreciated.

---

Can you tell me, is it really worth driving all that way east to Dover to come all that way back from Calais. It must be the equivalent of driving from Dover to Penzance. With autoroute tolls, additional fuel, the hassle of erecting your tent just for one night, taking it down the next day, the wear and tear on your car, the wear and tear on yourselves - when all this is costed I reckon there can't be much of a saving.
Whether you go to St Malo, Cherbourg, Caen or Le Havre from Portsmouth, it's a lovely relaxed crossing with plenty of time for nice bit of lunch and a snooze before getting off the boat with just a couple of hundred miles of relaxed driving in front of you.

I know what crossing I'd sooner take for that area of France.

Vic

   Hi Daz...............these replies have covered just about all you would need to know about the Vendee.  as for the  weather...........Last year  June  first two weeks ...it hit 36 degrees...........then went up a bit for July and........ August 18th I was on La Tranche beach at 7pm and it was still really warm and the sun was going down.....October  still in the shorts ......Hope that helps with the weather question .While you are there   pop over the causeway bridge from La Rochelle to Ile de 'Re'  there are nice beaches there and being an offshore island it tends to benefit from a sea breeze.if it gets too hot...and I mean hot ....I have seen the street time temperature signs showing 35/36 at 1030 in the morning so by 2 or 3 pm  you WILL be looking for shade ........Lots of French Footballers..pop stars and the like have holiday homes on Ile de Re' .....they didnt choose it by accident ! When an area in France shows signs of house price rises .......its called  "The Ile de Re' effect "   

Quote: Originally posted by avanman on 13/1/2006

---

 

   Hi Daz...............these replies have covered just about all you would need to know about the Vendee.  as for the  weather...........Last year  June  first two weeks ...it hit 36 degrees...........then went up a bit for July and........ August 18th I was on La Tranche beach at 7pm and it was still really warm and the sun was going down.....October  still in the shorts ......Hope that helps with the weather question .While you are there   pop over the causeway bridge from La Rochelle to Ile de 'Re'  there are nice beaches there and being an offshore island it tends to benefit from a sea breeze.if it gets too hot...and I mean hot ....I have seen the street time temperature signs showing 35/36 at 1030 in the morning so by 2 or 3 pm  you WILL be looking for shade ........Lots of French Footballers..pop stars and the like have holiday homes on Ile de Re' .....they didnt choose it by accident ! When an area in France shows signs of house price rises .......its called  "The Ile de Re' effect "   

---

  You are right Vic it can be pricey ..... but it is 3km long if there was a ferry what would that be ?.......... it is  9 euros between Sept 11th to June 20th and from June the 20th to Sept 11th again the high season charge is 16. euros 50 ...but that is the round trip charge ........its worth a visit for one day I suppose.

Quote: Originally posted by avanman on 14/1/2006

---

 

  You are right Vic it can be pricey ..... but it is 3km long if there was a ferry what would that be ?.......... it is  9 euros between Sept 11th to June 20th and from June the 20th to Sept 11th again the high season charge is 16. euros 50 ...but that is the round trip charge ........its worth a visit for one day I suppose.

---