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Hi folks - We are planning to return to France again (8 years running!) after lovely holidays in the Vendee and Royan areas.  This year I'm hoping we can travel further south (not quite to Biarritz) - I read that the Landes forrest is nice.  We like campsites near the coast, with some activities to suit young teenagers and a pool. We also need to hire accommodation as we are only weekend campers now.  We like active days visiting places and general exploring as well as days riding the waves.  Any suggestions for interesting areas or good campsites.  Are places like Mimizan very remote?  We went to Hortin Plage one year and felt the area was a bit bleak (the weather was awful though).  Looking forward to hearing any suggestions.

Hi

why not try the 'south of france' we have a mobile at Holiday Green in Frejus,which is midway between Cannes & St Tropez,excellent 4* site with lots to do for all the family,also 2 lovely pools.If you'd like more info,just ask...

Mandy Williams

Many thanks for the suggestions - anyone been to Messanges area?  I've been looking at the campsite La Paillotte.  Any comments?

I went to Pyla dune years ago and just thinking of the climb now makes my legs feel weak - know what you mean about the sand!

 Check the weather forcast...if its windy along that coast.. it can be uncomfortable ..Mimizan has huge beach with a lot of flying sand it gets piled up off the beach  in the street...it can be that windy . 

Chatting with a chap who does maintenance etc for Haven, he recommends their site at Gastes as being the best ever. That could be worth a look. For those of you with their own gear, its also in the ACSI book, but doesn't take dogs, so no good for us.

Yet..............!

Anneand family

Many thanks for the suggestions - anyone been to Messanges area?  I've been looking at the campsite La Paillotte.  Any comments?

Have you seen the thread on Le Vieux Port ?

Trekkin.

La Paillotte very nice has its own lake beach which is popular. Short drive to nearby beaches about 10 to 15 mins. Beach at Messanges good.

If you are in this area and want a good day trip out I would recommend the mountain railway trip at La Rhune - Down the motorway off at junc 3 at St Jean de Luz then onto D918 towards Ascain. Give yourself a full day and enjoy the great views from the Pyrennes looking into Spain and see the Eagles.

We have had 2 great holidays on this site

I lived in the South of France for several years and it is wonderful for family holidays. You can catch the motorail (put your car on the back of a train) from Calais to Frejus and sleep on the train overnight. Anywhere along the Riviera is fab - Frejus is small and quiet with some FAB stretches of beach. Cannes on the one side and St. Tropez on the other get VERY busy in the summer. St Raphael is also very nice.

Don't forget about the like of Gorges du Verdon, Grasse (and the wonderful perfume factory). Go a little earlier in the season and you may catch snow in Valberg and grab some skiing!

Hi - Thanks everyone for your help.  France is such a great country for camping ...so many holiday possibilities. After much deliberation we have decided to go to La Paillotte - it was particularly helpful to get your comments James - I'd love to hear of any other day trips in the area.  We are sailing to St Malo and are planning to spend two or three days travelling down - any ideas for stop overs?!   Ann

hi all, have booked to go to Montpillier (valra-plage) in the south of france, anyone been here?, the site is L'Occitanie.

steve

Anne

We travelled down from St Malo with our caravan in August and apart from being a bit busy around Bordeaux it was very straight forward. St malo - Rennes - Nantes on the N137 around Nantes onto A83 Motorway to Niort and join the A10 motorway to Bordeaux stay on A10 then join up with the N10. Come off at junction 10 through Magescq and onto Azur which then has La Pailotte signposted. Total distance about 420 miles.

We made such good progress that we decided to get round Bordeaux and then find an overnight stay. We came off the A10 after Bordeaux at Junc 21 to a small village called Belin-Beliet to small site called Camping La Cyprea - very basic facilities but good pitches and a small pool (distance from St Malo about 360 miles) this left us with easy next day trip to La pailotte of about 60 miles.

Beaches at Messanges - Moliets and des Casernes also Vieux Boucau Port/Beach worth a visit. We tended to go to the beach at Messanges more than the rest. Town of Dax was interesting and if you are keen you can visit Biarritz or even cross the border into Spain. But you must go on the La Rhune rail trip up the Pyrenees.

Hope this helps have a great Holiday