Driving holiday to the west coast of France?

[Londonscottish]

Hi there,

As I am now the proud owner of an E500 I am experiencing an overridding desire to go on a driving holiday in France in July.

I was thinking of driving from London to Folkstone, going through the Eurotunnel and then driving South/West for 5, 6 or or 7 hours.

This would get me to the La Vendee area. We'd stay on a campsite in one of those wooden chalets (so the kids who are 3 and 5 can run around all day long).

Thoughts? Recommendations? Alternatives? (remember we've got two young kids and so don't want too long a day on the car on the way out or back).

 

[davidjpowell]

We did something similar 3 years ago. Had an overnight stop at a airport at charles de' Gaulle. Took about 5 hours I think. We picked the French holiday period and the roads were very busy.

We did the Northern Dordogne, which is a bit further down and inland. There in August and whether was a bit iffy. I think we were just unlucky..

The area itself was pleasant, although I personally would not rush back. Much of that realistically is my lack of French, making it hard work to get things right.

Kids of your age, I would seriously consider some sort of rear screen for a drive of that length.

My daughter who was around 2, at the time was picking up French nicely, and would happily say Bonjour when collecting the baguette and Au revoir. She should give me lessons.

 

[Oily Rag]

We did the very same some years ago, but I drove from Lancashire to Dover, did the ferry and then on down to La Vendee. Beautiful place, we walked along the coast one night and collected driftwood, lit a fire and spent a few hours just relaxing by the sea. The drive IIRC, was about 3.5 this side, an hour for the crossing and 5 or 6 on the French side, Wholly dependent on your route. The youngsters will love it, especially if they are allowed a little space within the site to roam around and have fun. Enjoy, have a good time, we did.

 

[ca-uk]

We got down to avignon in 7 hours last year (on the french side) - wasn't breaking the speed limit by more than about 5mph but had no traffic to contend with..

 

[The Boss]

We got down to avignon in 7 hours last year (on the french side) - wasn't breaking the speed limit by more than about 5mph but had no traffic to contend with..

its beautiful down there.. especially the castle walls and the bridge that goes out into the water half way.. not sure what it is called, but its very pretty.

was there recently as my best friends sister lives out there now..

 

[ca-uk]

certainly was - some great driving roads round there too - though my missus wasn't appreciative of my 'spirited' driving round corners - not too fast, just nice and bendy with some short straights for you to boot it..

its beautiful down there.. especially the castle walls and the bridge that goes out into the water half way.. not sure what it is called, but its very pretty.

was there recently as my best friends sister lives out there now..

 

[ca-uk]

and, 'pont du gard', maybe? i didn't go, but think that's a bridge thing of some sort?

 

[Mr E]

Vendee is very nice - I'd doing the crossing to Caen instead which would be a much better ride with kids of that age.

 

[Londonscottish]

We did something similar 3 years ago. Had an overnight stop at a airport at charles de' Gaulle. Took about 5 hours I think. We picked the French holiday period and the roads were very busy.

We did the Northern Dordogne, which is a bit further down and inland. There in August and whether was a bit iffy. I think we were just unlucky..

The area itself was pleasant, although I personally would not rush back. Much of that realistically is my lack of French, making it hard work to get things right.

Kids of your age, I would seriously consider some sort of rear screen for a drive of that length.

My daughter who was around 2, at the time was picking up French nicely, and would happily say Bonjour when collecting the baguette and Au revoir. She should give me lessons.

French not a prob - wife and I both speak it.

The weather is always a slight risk in that part of France where highs from the Med can meet lows from the Atlantic.

I've got a portable DVD I can use if I haven't managed to do a Chattonmill-style install by then.

 

[Londonscottish]

We did the very same some years ago, but I drove from Lancashire to Dover, did the ferry and then on down to La Vendee. Beautiful place, we walked along the coast one night and collected driftwood, lit a fire and spent a few hours just relaxing by the sea. The drive IIRC, was about 3.5 this side, an hour for the crossing and 5 or 6 on the French side, Wholly dependent on your route. The youngsters will love it, especially if they are allowed a little space within the site to roam around and have fun. Enjoy, have a good time, we did.

Thanks - yeah they have discovered campsites and LOVE them. Me? I want some walls, some running water and no tent to put up and down.

 

[Londonscottish]

We got down to avignon in 7 hours last year (on the french side) - wasn't breaking the speed limit by more than about 5mph but had no traffic to contend with..

That's good going. It's a shame the French are much cuter on speeding than they used to be. The E500 could have demolished those distances in the past.

 

[Londonscottish]

Vendee is very nice - I'd doing the crossing to Caen instead which would be a much better ride with kids of that age.

Where does the ferry go from? Sound like a plan - nice break in the travel, fresh air, another part of the adventure for them.

 

[Londonscottish]

certainly was - some great driving roads round there too - though my missus wasn't appreciative of my 'spirited' driving round corners - not too fast, just nice and bendy with some short straights for you to boot it..

In 2002 I was in that part of France. I did a fly drive and had a BMW 320d Touring. I regulary explored how much cornering speed I could carry....

Eventually was busted on the way back to the airport. Tried the "Sir Alex Fergueson Defence" but still had to stump up.

As I said in previous post I did the drive to the Med at least half a doxen times between 1985 and 1999 and never a ticket despite...errr...a fair degree of enthusiasm. Plus load of fly drives (pre-kids).

Must arrange a holiday in Germany soon......

 

[Mactech]

Vendee is very nice - I'd doing the crossing to Caen instead which would be a much better ride with kids of that age.

Fully agree! An exciting night on the boat (for the kids!) from Portsmouth to Caen or Le Harvre and you can start the day at 8am ready for a ride through rural France.
I always use this route when I go to Le Mans (even from Norfolk) as it is not only time effective, but considerably more pleasant than being trapped in a car in a tunnel!
Down to the ferry in the evening, a meal, a good nights sleep and ready to do France early the next day. Sorted

 

[Londonscottish]

Fully agree! An exciting night on the boat (for the kids!) from Portsmouth to Caen or Le Harvre and you can start the day at 8am ready for a ride through rural France.
I always use this route when I go to Le Mans (even from Norfolk) as it is not only time effective, but considerably more pleasant than being trapped in a car in a tunnel!
Down to the ferry in the evening, a meal, a good nights sleep and ready to do France early the next day. Sorted

What's the approximate cost?

 

[Mactech]

What's the approximate cost?

Depends on the dates and how far ahead you book, but I paid about £260 for car, passengers and de-luxe cabin one way in 2008.

 

[Mr E]

What's the approximate cost?

This'll give you a start - Brittany Ferries - Portsmouth to Caen Ferry Timetable

I do the express crossing (NX on the timetable) rather than the overnight.

Pricewise, looks about £500 return either on the express that runs at the weekend, or the overnight with outside cabin going mid-week.

 

[Spin_bowler]

Do what I do. Leave a day before your missus and the kids, enjoy a nice solo drive through France without having to worry about the kids getting restless. Stay in a decent town that evening, enjoy a bottle of wine and nice meal in the town square watching the world go by then, well rested, drive to the airport the next morning to pick the brood up before a short hop to your destination.

All you need is to plan it right and have a compliant other half who doesn't see undertaking a couple of flights with young kids in tow as a problem. The advantages are you can get further south for the better weather and you get some valuable 'me' time

 

[Londonscottish]

What's the approximate cost?

Had a look - to do a slow daytime trip over and a fast one back it's £425 - same as Eurotunnel give or take £20

 

[Londonscottish]

This'll give you a start - Brittany Ferries - Portsmouth to Caen Ferry Timetable

I do the express crossing (NX on the timetable) rather than the overnight.

Pricewise, looks about £500 return either on the express that runs at the weekend, or the overnight with outside cabin going mid-week.

Thanks! Much appreciated. I am ridiculously keen to ge this sorted. I can't wait to drive by far the bast car I have ever owned on some of the best roads in Europe.