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Just booked La Grangeoire in the Vendee after many months of consideration for the end of June/beg July with our tent.

We are crossing Dover to Calais and will be stopping in a hotel (I know soft!) overnight before continuing the journey next day.

Has anyone stayed anywhere on that route that they can recommend?

I have started a search but there are so many and it is hard to tell what they are like from a web page.

Thanks for any help.

Any Kyriad, Hotel B&B or Etap would do. They are of the same standard and price and close to all the main routes. I have stayed in each of these chains and not had anything to complain about. If you are planning on staying near Calais itself then I can recommend either the Kyriad or Hotel B&B as I have stayed in them. They are also opposite a buffilo Grill for a decent enough, if not very french meal and next to a big wine seller for a bottle to take back to your room. The Kyriad has a bar and restaurant of its own but we havnt eaten there as it is shut on Sundays, our usual travel day. They are of a Travel Lodge standard and you can pre book a breakfast for 5 or 6 euros which is available from 6.30 or 7.30 at the weekend. If you want to stay further down your journey then just look for them around the major towns on your route. Hope this helps

Carol

Another budget chain worth considering is Première Classe - they are often next door to Campanile hotels, which are also very good, but a little more expensive, where you can get an excellent meal, including a generous buffet counter, for a very reasonalble price. I don't think you are being soft at all, just realistic. By the time you have put the tent up and prepared meals, you might just as well, for not very much more money, have stayed at a basic, but comfortable, hotel and enjoyed a decent meal.

We stayed in an etap just outside Orleans.Nice and clean,chaep,and next to a very good resturant.Have a look here.

http://www.etaphotel.com/etaphotel/gb/cartographie/france.shtml

Quote: Originally posted by dixie1 on 18/5/2006

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Hi kerrster

I think you've made a wise decision, my husband and I (with two Kids)did the same trip last year, towing a caravan crossing with a midnight ferry to Calais and it was a killer!!! Easy journey but very very long and tiring! I wouldn't do it again. After all you are on holiday not a survival course! Have fun, the area is fantastic, lots to see and do.

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We always stay over. Our holiday starts when we leave the house, not when we get to the site. We really look forward to our first night on french soil. A nice meal and a good bottle of wine that doesnt cost the earth. Make it part of the holiday like Tethersend advises, especially if you have kids.

Carol

Thanks for your replies. We are a family of four and we are doing an early crossing but will have driven all night from Scotland so don't want to drive too far into France that day-as some of you comment, it is supposed to be enjoyable not an endurance test.

Right off to try some of the websites for the chains suggested.

The holidays are getting so close-cannot wait! Just got to shed that 3 stones in weight first!

Hi there, we are doing the vendee this year and stopping off at a formula 1 in Rouen on the way down.  1 twin room, 1 triple room and breakfast Total £ 51.00 for 5 of us.  Did not fancy the journey in 1 hit with 3 nippers. 

Hi Kerrster

I can't give you any advice on hotels as we camp overnight in a small overnight tent rather than use hotels.  We are going to La Garangeoire at the same time as you so if you see a Sunvalley 8 with a sunncamp dayroom come over and say hi!

Quote: Originally posted by kerrster on 18/5/2006

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Thanks for your replies. We are a family of four and we are doing an early crossing but will have driven all night from Scotland so don't want to drive too far into France that day-as some of you comment, it is supposed to be enjoyable not an endurance test.

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For that same reason (drive down from Edinburgh, only during the day) we decided to take the night crossing from Portsmouth to Caen. Partly for the fun of it for the children, but mainly to have a fresh start next day and be under no pressure to hurry to the site.  Edinburgh to Lancashire is the first leg, stay over with family. Next day Lancashire to Portsmouth and overnight to Caen.  Both shortish, manageable drives with 2 kids.  I have friends who do the overnight drive all in a one-er, but as above, I wanted the getting there to be (hopefully!) part of the holiday, rather than an endurance test.

fc