First time camping in France-Help!

[lilypink1977]

We're looking at taking our tent and going via euro tunnel to France to camp for a week in August. We haven't got a preference for area but want the weather to be good so looking at mid to Southern France.

Can anyone recommend a good campsite please?

We'll have a 1year old & a 5 yr old with us! Ideally close to beach or have a swimming pool. DS is very fussy with food but adores pizza so anywhere that has an onsite pizzeria would fit the bill too!??!!

Also!!(v needy poster!!) if we'll be travelling across France we would need to stop halfway overnight so any cheap suggestions would be good too!

Thanks so much for your help, looking forward to hearing your suggestions xx

[gallicgirl]

Municipal camp sites tend to be fine. Cheap and clean in my experience. Ideal for overnight stops.

[JeanSeberg]

www.camping-castels.co.uk/mobile/

[fridayfreedom]

Get the green Michelin campsite guide for France. We use it when taking our own tent. The municipal sites are generally very good.
Where are you heading for?

[lilypink1977]

Thanks for your help. We're not sure at all to be honest!!! Someone recommended vendee so been looking round there but open to suggestions.

Our overnight stop needs to be a hotel rather than putting up a tent for the one night so any premier inn type hotel equivalent would be helpful too!

Feel totally out if my depth but determined to do it!!!!!
Thanks so much for your help xx

[gallicgirl]

Vendée is lovely. Check out Sable d'Olonne.
I know a lovely b&b in Baie de Somme area.
Otherwise check out Ibis/Novotel/Campanile group.
Formule 1 is cheapest but you have to share a bathroom.

[prettybutclumpy]

Second La Garangeoire. You'll love it and they organise great evening activities

[prettybutclumpy]

Second La Garangeoire. You'll love it and they organise great evening activities

[prettybutclumpy]

Second La Garangeoire. You'll love it and they organise great evening activities

[CustardoPaidforIDSsYFronts]

have you considered going in a pre-pitched tent - with the eurotunnel inc, in the price it works out quite cheap

you then have access to onsite activities and kids clubs, facepainting etc.

st, Jean de monts was fab,

[FastWindow]

You might want to consider getting a camping card from the aa or caravan club. You will get some discounts, and if the campsite want you to leave your passport with them as security, you can give them the camping card instead.

Definitely get the Michelin guide. Great fun looking through and choosing!

[lilypink1977]

Thanks so much for your help everyone!!! So we're definitely looking at La Garangeoire but looking likely its fully booked in August (although have emailed direct to see- fingers crossed!). looks amazing!

If anyone's got any other suggestions in the vendee region that would be fab too. Thanks for all your help everyone xx

[MrsPnut]

We stayed here this summer on a mumsnet recommendation and it was brilliant.

There are pizzas available on site and there are children's activities every day as well as bike hire and great cycle tracks all around. The beach is only about 20 minutes drive away and the people who own the place are very friendly.

[OhYouMerryLittleKitten]

Campanile hotels are reasonably priced and tend to be more in the centre of towns so you can enjoy your stop overnight.

[lilypink1977]

Thanks for that MrsPnut looks great too :0) x

[Nobloomingideapgornot]

It was our first time this year too...had a ball!

We stayed in Benodet at Camping Du Letty, beach 1 min away from site, great activities, onsite bar and cafe/takeaway. Lovely large pitches, very clean, quite as they are strict on this. Amazing swimming pool complex in and outdoor.

Take ferry to Roscoff as only an hr n half p, where as from Calais it's about 8 hour drive..which is very tough!!

Make sure you have all your correct paperwork for the car and yourselves etc.

Highly recommend

[Suttonmum1]

La G was our first in France with kids. Is fab, so good we went back the following year.

[melrose]

My advice would be don't stop! I have done ferry to Caen/ portsmouth and then 5 hour drive with kids the age of yours and it was surprisingly easy.

Vendee is lovely. We went to la tranche sur mer at camping bel which was great and well set for little ones

[lilypink1977]

Thanks everyone so much for your help. La G are now fully booked - booo!!! So still on the lookout now!

Revisiting all of the above but any more suggestions would be welcome. As its our first time to France we are not fussed re location (as we don't know any better!!!!) but have been recommended Vendee region? Anyone disagree with this or suggest aternative? Ideally not to far down south as we're doing Eurotunnel.

Thanks so much for your help you lovely lot :0) xxx

[justforachange]

Hi lilypink, I accidentally posted a reply to you on the Campsites with large pitches post. In case you don't see it, you could try looking at Ferme du Latois or Camping Val de Vie - they are near La G and get good reviews on ukcampsite. Good luck!

[lilypink1977]

Ooh thanks def thinking of ferme du latois anyone been?

Xxx