France Camping Advice Please

scaredofdebt

We tend to go camping in the Summer Holidays as we've got 5 kids and so the cost of a package style holiday is usually too much for us.

However, the last two summers have been a washout and we've ended up spending around a thousand pounds for a week's camping in Wales (last year) and Norfolk (2011). The weather has been so bad that we've ended up paying for meals out and keeping the kids entertained and even came home a day early last time!

So, we were considering a camping trip to France, or possibly staying in a static caravan. I know the weather isn't guaranteed anywhere but at least it should be warmer.

Things I'd appreciate advice on:

1. Getting there - Ferry or tunnel, or possibly even flying.

2. Which part of France?

3. Anyone know of any well priced places that offer tents that are already erected or somewhere that has static caravans etc.

Any other advice would be appreciated too.

We don't really have a budget in mind but anything that's going to save some money would be attractive, we would be able to spend around £1-£2k but lower is better! The 5 kids are aged 8-12.

Thanks for any advice.

DollyDabbler

http://www.hoseasons.co.uk/holiday-parks-in-europe/?gclid=CN702uvshrYCFczHtAodwR4AJQ&pid=123&ef_id=UTd77AAAAa7oOa4f:20130318180313:s

http://www.keycamp.co.uk/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=key_camp&utm_campaign=ppc

both have sites in France:)

richardw

There are lots of sites where you can book ready erected tents or log cabin style accommodation direct with the site owners so flying is possible if you pick a site by the coast with facilities.

Google maps is very useful with their search nearby feature.

lcr3

Hi. We have three children aged 5,6 and 8 and we have been going to the most amazing campsite in France since they were babies.
We go every year to Le Vieux Port in Messanges (south west France, near Biarritz). We go on the overnight ferry to Caen and then drive all the way down. This campsite has won loads of awards, has an on-site waterpark with several pools, direct access to the gorgeous Atlantic beach, entertainment for all ages.
We stay in static caravans which are really well-equipped and normally go with Carisma holidays (small-run firm) as the prices are normally quite competitive, but loads of the larger firms such as Thompson, Canvas etc all have mobile homes and tents there.
If your children like surfing or horse-riding, there is an on-site riding centre and surfing lessons on the beach.
Cannot recommend the place highly enough, and the children love it!
The weather down in the south-west is generally pretty hot when we go in the summer, but as the campsite is set in a gorgeous pine forest, the caravans stay cool.
Good luck and hope you find somewhere great if not this one!

mcfisco

scaredofdebt wrote: »

So, we were considering a camping trip to France

Just do it, it's ace
We use to love taking our three away to France in the Summer, such a different experience to UK camping.
We used to always get as far South as we could in a day from the Channel ports, which usually meant somewhere like the Dordogne or even down to SW France. the site mentioned above is superb
http://www.levieuxport.com/campsite-france-landes.html

This one is good, it's on an island on the Dordogne
http://www.eurocampings.co.uk/en/europe/france/limousin/correze/campsite-les-%CEles-110209/




Travelling from Northern UK meant it was a two day drive each way so we used to use Eurocamp a lot of the time as they let you book one night at a different site at either end of the trip through France.
So we'd travel to Dover and get the ferry/tunnel and stop one night in Northern France and do the reverse on the way back.
On our routes it worked out cheaper than the overnight ferries from the Western UK ports.

Ponkle22

Wow, just looked it up. It is amazing. A great find for you so thanks very much for sharing!:beer:

lcr3 wrote: »

Hi. We have three children aged 5,6 and 8 and we have been going to the most amazing campsite in France since they were babies.
We go every year to Le Vieux Port in Messanges (south west France, near Biarritz). We go on the overnight ferry to Caen and then drive all the way down. This campsite has won loads of awards, has an on-site waterpark with several pools, direct access to the gorgeous Atlantic beach, entertainment for all ages.
We stay in static caravans which are really well-equipped and normally go with Carisma holidays (small-run firm) as the prices are normally quite competitive, but loads of the larger firms such as Thompson, Canvas etc all have mobile homes and tents there.
If your children like surfing or horse-riding, there is an on-site riding centre and surfing lessons on the beach.
Cannot recommend the place highly enough, and the children love it!
The weather down in the south-west is generally pretty hot when we go in the summer, but as the campsite is set in a gorgeous pine forest, the caravans stay cool.
Good luck and hope you find somewhere great if not this one!

Debrac

I hate flying so we always drive to France or Italy every year and stay with Thomson al Fresco. This year we are staying at Parc Des Alicourts in Loire Valley which looks amazing. We always go through the channel tunnel - takes just 30 minutes from Folkestone to Calais.

The best park we have ever stayed at was two years ago and was Marina di Venezia just outside of Venice. Loads of pools and has direct access onto the beach. We stayed a night in a cheap motel in France on the way and drove through Switzerland.

Have you thought about booking with The Sun holidays which are £15 per person per week in Europe? We haven't as yet but am thinking of trying to book an extra 4 nights in the summer holidays with them when they next do their offer in April

Hope you have a great time wherever you decide to go!

Dunroamin

I wouldn't fly down to southern France - car hire prices are quite expensive.

knightstyle

France west coast, Vendee or slightly cheaper inland, look at Secondigny, quiet site, pool, activities. Look here:
http://www.bonnes-vacances-sarl.com/
Our French neighbours go every year with their kids.
Plus try to visit http://www.puydufou.com/ near Cholet for a day or two all the kids will enjoy it.
For older kids http://en.futuroscope.com/
To get there look at the Newhaven-Dieppe crossing or if you want a shorter drive Brittany Ferries. PM me and I will give you a code for 10% off their prices.

holidaysforme

Dunroamin wrote: »

I wouldn't fly down to southern France - car hire prices are quite expensive.

We flew to Beziers a few years ago. Flights cost around £700 for six of us, and carhire was £160 for 10 days. Cost of apartment with pool was £600.
Think that was pretty good really. When you factor in ferry/tunnel costs, fuel, tolls etc.. Flying and hiring a car probably came in cheaper!
Having said that, we are hoping to drive to south of france in to northern spain next year, and making the driving/stopping as part of the holiday.
There are loads of fantastic sites in france. Wish we had about a month, but will probably have to settle for 14 nights.
Good luck with your planning op. it's the best bit:)

alisonjean

We go to France most years and we always travel on the tunnel as we use Tesco clubcard vouchers to pay some, if not all of the cost. We would use this route regardless, as we find the roads in France are so good and the longer ferry crossings work out very expensive.

We've previously booked with Canvas Holidays, Keycamp & Siblu staying in statics but they all have sites with ready tents on them. I couldn't fault any of them but I would always check site reviews on uk campsite or trip advisor. These days we take our own caravan and I would recommend Caravan Cub (you can book tents too) or Camping & Caravan Club.

If you don't want to travel to far I would recommend the Vendee as it has a micro climate and We usually have good weather but its a more comfortable temperature than the South of France. Fantastic beaches and lots of nice places to visit. We stopped at a Castels site near Le Mans on the way down and then two weeks at another Castels site in the Vendee called Le Garangeoire all booked through the caravan club. You get the best route on via Michelin.com.

We always go the last two weeks in August and May half term as the French are usually back at school and prices are slightly cheaper.

Invest in your own tent and go for it.