Next years holiday...

[bigyin1]

For next years Holiday i'm looking at taking my tribe to France for a week/10 days. I'd be driving so it needs to be 2-3 hours from Calais and either renting (5 of us) or camping.

Does anyone have any recommendations/thoughts of areas etc.

Cheers in advance.

 

[kwakdonut]

For next years Holiday i'm looking at taking my tribe to France for a week/10 days. I'd be driving so it needs to be 2-3 hours from Calais and either renting (5 of us) or camping.

Does anyone have any recommendations/thoughts of areas etc.

Cheers in advance.

Me and a mate camped down near the Le Mans circuit a few years ago - glorious weather, lovely countryside and good cheap food/wine! Lots of camp-sites that way, take your pick literally!

The French government run ones are generally clean and tidy but some of the private ones are located in some lovely rural areas but will cost a few Euros more.

sorry, have no specific places but that area is very nice

 

[pammy]

I did Keycamp for years - using their mobile homes. Highly recommend them. May prices are really good with them usually doing a 3 weeks for the price of two as long as you depart the UK before a certain date towards the end of May, which leaves the majority of your holiday in June.

 

[SEM]

Keycamp sites and Eurocamp are pretty good, the ones i've been to. If you could drive a little further the Dordogne has some really great sites.

I took my own tent, looking back i wish i hadnt botherd looking at the massive rental ones

http://www.france4families.com/Dordogne/CampingDordogne.htm

 

[pammy]

Keycamp sites and Eurocamp are pretty good, the ones i've been to. If you could drive a little further the Dordogne has some really great sites.

I took my own tent, looking back i wish i hadnt botherd looking at the massive rental ones

http://www.france4families.com/Dordogne/CampingDordogne.htm

Must admit - my fave area was always the Dordogne. Around Sarlat is gorgeous. Also like the Vendee. Northern France doesn't really do it for me that much, nor does the Loire - which would be within that travelling time - depending which crossing you took. Eastern France can be lovely especially towards the hills. Or head for the Massif Central.

 

[verytalldave]

Anywhere on the west coast of France is too cold for sea swimming, so look for somewhere with good pool facilities.
Alternativly, saddle yourself with a longer drive and go to the Med.

 

[pammy]

Anywhere on the west coast of France is too cold for sea swimming, so look for somewhere with good pool facilities.
Alternativly, saddle yourself with a longer drive and go to the Med.

Be'ave yourself - it's perfectly warm enough. We've never had a problem. Depends how nesh you are

 

[Mr E]

I'd nominate going east - around Champagne. Great countryside, easy to get to from the channel ports, and close enough to places like Disney, Parc Asterix, Paris, to give a bit of variety if needed.

Can also recommend the Keycamp/Eurocamp option - also check out gites in the area as these can represent really good value.

 

[Ade B]

We're heading to Brittany in a couple of weeks Driving from Calais (I think as Mrs B booked the ferry - Speed Ferries).. First jaunt to the continent with the CE and Junior B. I've never been to that bit of France and I'm really looking forward to it.

As a veteran of swimming in the Irish Sea and even the North Sea near Edinburgh, its positively mild. Just wait till you go numb below the waist and then its fine The atlantic (gulf stream warmed) is great on a hot day - big breakers for playing in too.

Coldest water I ever swam in was Loch Goil, that was a short swim..

Ade

 

[imadoofus]

Dole near Dijon is a beautiful town. There's an independent campsite there with chalets (log, not static caravan), and plenty of pitches.

Near plenty of stuff to see and do.

Anywhere West of much West of Paris is outside your travel-time target.
Dijon is doable in three and a half hours, but probably not with an audience . Better call it four and a half to five...

 

[Flatflr]

Must admit - my fave area was always the Dordogne. Around Sarlat is gorgeous. Also like the Vendee. Northern France doesn't really do it for me that much, nor does the Loire - which would be within that travelling time - depending which crossing you took. Eastern France can be lovely especially towards the hills. Or head for the Massif Central.

Was down around Sarlat 2 weeks ago for a weeks holiday and to see my brother who moved there about 5 years ago. Took the night ferry to Le Harve on the Friday, picked up the girlfriend from CDG on Saturday and drove down stopping over night and getting to my brothers (between Sarlat and Gourdon) on the Sunday afternoon. Was a great relaxing week and took me back many years as went there on holiday when i was about 8. Left on the Saturday via Rocammadour (not sure about the spelling) spent the night just outside Orleans and got back to the uk late in the evening.

Lots of options for accomodation down there, camping, gites, Chambres D'Hotes and hotels and really isn't that far to drive (and can make the drive part of the holiday).

Nick

 

[SilverSaloon]

You have a superb tow-car..... buy a caravan!

 

[bigyin1]

You have a superb tow-car..... buy a caravan!

Ha, i had my first and only ever thought of "mmmm i wonder about a caravan" a month or so ago.... never fancied owning one (not to mention cost of buying one) as i'd be so guilty about everyone that was stuck behind me i'd have to drive between 1am and 5am when it's quietest

 

[PXW]

I'd endorse all the comments about Eurocamp etc and the Dordogne - excellent choices. If the Dordogne is too far (though it is motorway all the way to within about 30 miles of Sarlat these days, not like when I were a lad...) then Alsace is an interesting place to visit (around Strasbourg). Some parts of the Loire are also good, but in general the northern part of France, around the Pas de Calais, is for driving through as swiflty as poss.

Other thoughts - the Ardeche or the Gorge du Tarn are stunning - the latter takes you on/near the Millau bridge - sorry, I can't manage the technology for posting a piccie, but google it and be amazed...

btw I've always found the Michelin green guides are extremely reliable, and in some of these locations you can do a whole holiday of 3* sights.

 

[st13phil]

Another vote for the Alsace, Lorraine and the Vosges here. They're an area often ignored by the Brit's but the climate is good, the scenery fantastic and lots of outdoors things to do if you have kids to consider. Gerardmer is a good location and there's plenty of camping by the lake.

As PXW says, the Gorge d'Ardeche is a beautiful area but places like Vallon Pont d'Arc can get horrendously busy if you pick the wrong time.

 

[nigel cross]

Last year did a similar thing and drove down to Bordeaux , weather was terrible and this was in August, never again. Or drive to the South of France.

 

[Brian WH]

If you want a Cottage, I would highly recommend VFB.

VFB Cottages

I have stayed in Brittany and Normandy with them. The cottages are vetted every year and they are Excellent.