France - camping suggestions?

APJ

My 14 year old is really keen to go to France this year instead of the usual Cornwall. So, any recommendations for a French campsite to take our tent to, ideally near a beach and not days from the ports. Quality is important, so similar to a UK 5* park would be good!

Any recommendations appreciated!!

Shelldean

alas not near a beach, but about 2 1/2 hours from Calais is Berny-Rivière La Croix du Vieux Pont. we stayed in a preerected tent. Plenty for twins of 16 and younger son of 13 to do.
Within driving distance of disney parc asterix and paris.
We only visited Paris tho.

http://www.la-croix-du-vieux-pont.com/

but if you need a beach then this wont suit.

You could try Carantec les Mouettes, really close to roscoff but the ferrys on that route are not cheap

kazire

My mum used to take us to France camping for 10-14 days nr the end of uk summer hols as French school hols we're over and she got ferry travel and camping voucher http://www.campingcheque.co.uk/
Might be what ur after?

mgdavid

have to ask, is the 5* quality thing your choice or your son's? Only I'd expect it to be a bit wasted on him - slum it and chill out and have more spending money!

essexgirly

APJ wrote: »

My 14 year old is really keen to go to France this year instead of the usual Cornwall. So, any recommendations for a French campsite to take our tent to, ideally near a beach and not days from the ports. Quality is important, so similar to a UK 5* park would be good!

Any recommendations appreciated!!

How about a ferry from Plymouth to Roscoff (poss over night) and then a short drive to one of the many camp sites in that area. Yelloh Village have a fab site in Carantec (Les Mouettes) which has water slides, indoor pool and various activities going on, with an on-site restaurant, and other food facilities. The beach is pretty close by and the bay itself at sunset is pretty spectacular, in fact the whole region is pretty nice, hope that helps

Shelldean, just seen your post, great minds eh (ferry poss fairly dear but would save on fuel etc)

zagfles

Chateau Des Ormes in Dol de Bretagne is a good (big) one. Not too much driving especially if you cross to Caen or St Malo

Shelldean

essexgirly
actually works out slightly cheaper going to calais then driving to carantec, however the journey is HORRENDOUS!!!!

We've done both routes. First yr we did Plymouth to Roscoff, but i get terrible seasickness, so following yr we used tesco vouchers and did the tunnel then drove. Using tesco vouchers meant it was much cheaper, even when factoring in tolls and fuel. But whereas on the boat only i suffered, in the car all six of us suffered!!!

So while it was cheaper the ferry is a much better option!

My four kids loved the pool and slides at carantec, there is also a free bus into the village in high season,plus the supermarket it very close by. meaning not much driving unless you want to once on site.

APJ

Thanks for all of your suggestions, folks. I'm currently looking at ferries from Plymouth - Roscoff and Poole - Cherbourg to get into Brittany, but the prices are horrendous - over £500 for Plymouth-Roscoff. Not sure I'd fancy the drive upto Dover and then Calais to Brittany to try and reduce this.

The campsites look excellent - just what the kids would love. But will need to get a better deal on the ferries to make it viable.

Thanks all.

APJ

mgdavid wrote: »

have to ask, is the 5* quality thing your choice or your son's? Only I'd expect it to be a bit wasted on him - slum it and chill out and have more spending money!

I've got two girls . . . they expect a certain standard of toilet on their campsites!

sunshinetours

Depends how far you want to go really. You say not days, but is say a 6/8 hour drive from port (4/5 from say St Malo) any good? If so you then open up possibility of areas like Vendee and Charente which have better weather on average than Brittanny and Northern France

And yes the longer ferry crossings are expensive when you compare to the short Calais / Dunkirk ones

I wouldn't rule out inland either as some lovely lakes with beaches throughout France

France is a huge varied country and has enormous capacity for campers and caravanners so you really need to narrow down an area or two. Also if looking for this summer holiday many decent smaller sites will be booked already and you may struggle even on some larger sites unless you can leave until last week of summer holidays after French and other european children have gone back to school

ukcampsite.co.uk is worth a read on their forums and campsite search with reviews

Shelldean

APJ wrote: »

Thanks for all of your suggestions, folks. I'm currently looking at ferries from Plymouth - Roscoff and Poole - Cherbourg to get into Brittany, but the prices are horrendous - over £500 for Plymouth-Roscoff. Not sure I'd fancy the drive upto Dover and then Calais to Brittany to try and reduce this.

The campsites look excellent - just what the kids would love. But will need to get a better deal on the ferries to make it viable.

Thanks all.

It truly isn't worth the saving to drive from Calais!!!!
The prices on those routes rarely drop nor have special offers, it seems to be a case of swallowing the price