Trip to France at Easter - clueless

[checkedcloth]

Hoping for some advice from more seasoned French holidaymakers.

We are thinking of booking a week in France at Easter - ferry and driving. Looking for somewhere with some beaches, small towns to walk round, and lots of wine.

DC’s 10 and 8 to be entertained in some way too.

I’ve never been beyond Calais and Paris so feel like I am totally clueless.

Any ideas would be so welcome.

[KindergartenKop]

Round la Rochelle is nice but it's a day's drive from Cherbourg etc I think.

[ICouldHaveBeenAContender]

Sail to Caen/Ouistreham. There are great beaches in Normandy. Lots to do if they have any interest in WW2.

[mencken]

long time but I remember a lovely holiday in Brittany/Normandy, loads to see there even though we didn't do any WW stuff - next time.

Expect weather to be south coast UK, of course.

[GoldenMarigolds]

Echo Normandy. Even if the weather is not great there is plenty to see in the WW2 places like Arromanches and the cemeteries etc. + the Bayeux Tapestry. Bayeux is a lovely spot too.

But if your kids are not into this aspect of history you would have to think it out again.

What made you choose France if I may ask? The wine I can understand lol! but otherwise?

However, if you stay in Caen you can take a train to Paris for the day, up early, home late. Well worth it.

[checkedcloth]

What made me think of France? Great question. So needs to be not too pricey really. We considered flights to Malaga but it’s £££££ and no guarantee of weather.

France seemed to be cheap, close and possibly warmer to top up my NHS tan

[crapette]

Not wanting to be a wet blanket - I love France, I live here - but you'll have to drive quite a long way south at Easter if you are looking to top up your tan! On a long drive, fuel and toll costs will quickly ramp up the costs.

As a pp said, Normandy is lovely but it does rain a lot.

[checkedcloth]

I accept it won’t be tropical. So the ideal brief is warmish, great wine, stuff for kids, and a sense of fabulousness

[ivykaty44]

Easter in France isn’t going to be much more than 16/18 degrees and darkest in the evenings due to the time difference.

La Rochelle is lovely and ile de Rae sunny but it’s not cheap

North Normandy is great, but much the same weather as U.K.

Why not wait till May Bank holiday, when it’s likely to be a tad warmer?

[checkedcloth]

18 degrees is perfect. Can’t get Easter off due to convoluted NHS Rota plans.

I feel like I’m Booking something in Japanese

[StarlightLady]

I have lived in France. Sorry to disappoint, but please don’t think it’s going to be cheap. Portugal is cheaper.

[ivykaty44]

I agree with Portugal 😂

[ivykaty44]

Somewhere like Travera, or cabanas on the algarve will be cheaper, warmer, dryer and you can get some great deals even at Easter

[AnotherEmma]

Eh? You want to top up your tan in France at Easter?! Not going to happen, even on the Mediterranean coast.

France is lovely but if you go at Easter don't hope for beach weather; not gonna happen.

If you want good weather, how about the Algarve?

[AnotherEmma]

(Why oh why were you thinking that France would be warmer than Malaga?! You do know that Malaga is much further south?!)

[ivykaty44]

There are studio apartments on algarve for £95 per night for 4 people add 4 flights with a budget airline and it’ll not be much different from petrol, ferry & accommodation in France

There is a train that goes from one end of the algarve to the other so not difficult to get about without a car, as long as you don’t mind a bit of walking

Great restaurant and cheaper than France

Live France but sometimes you need to go further south

[checkedcloth]

I know that France isn’t as warm as Malaga! I’m going to top up an NHS tan - that’s going from translucent to navy blue tinged, not expecting to be mahogany

Thought driving to France would make us be free, Easy and wine drinking relaxed. Would Portugal this? Flights are £££

Thank you for everyone’s help

[Embracelife]

This is north france so weather not guaranteed but plenty to do indoor pool etc windy beaches
www.pierreetvacances.com/gb-en/fp_BLL_self-catering-belle-dune-holiday-village

[Wildernesstips]

Normandy is lovely. If you book with someone like Brittany Ferries you can get a gite and ferry for a week for around £500. You don’t have to use toll roads if you go further afield, but it is more straightforward. If you go a long way, it can add up to £200 on to your holiday (based on driving to Alps and South of France).

[QueenofLouisiana]

We own a place in the Loire Valley ( 2 hours south of Paris or thereabouts). It’s still chilly at Easter. However, it’s a lovely part of France. No beaches, but loads of wine!

[Novembernickname]

Honfleur, Dauville, St Malo, all lovely towns on the north coast. Great beaches, WW1 museums and related stuff. Bayeux Tapestry in Caen. Mont St Michel.

Last year we went to centre Parks in the Netherlands. Really impressed with coast line, beaches, towns and stopped in Bruges on the way. So close to Calais too.

[Phphion]

We've done the Vendée coast at Easter a few times with one of the Brittany Ferries deals.

It has never been very warm, but probably a bit warmer than Normandy or Brittany, and some of the proper resorts like Les Sables d'Olonne are often pretty deserted during the week (although busy at the weekend), but it's a nice area with lots to see.

We usually do day trips to places like La Rochelle, the Green Venice area and some of the big adventure parks, as well as just wandering around the little coastal towns and villages buying food from their markets. The Brem wine region is right on the coast, but the Mareuil one further inland is nicer for bike tours, etc.

It's about 3 to 4 hours drive from St Malo.