To ask you to save me from DH’s holiday choice?

[JontyDoggle37]

He is usually the one who organises holidays in our family, he enjoys trawling through loads of options and I don’t. However, the option he has just shown me is like driving all the way to south-west France to end up in Southend-on-Sea (and I can say that because I live in/near Southend!) for anyone who doesn’t know Southend, think mini Blackpool...perfect in its time and place but not what I want for our main holiday..
So, lovely MNers, I’m looking for a location that suits the following:

• West France, south enough to be at least 25 degrees in July
• Large village/small town location with emphasis on traditional French style rather than a ‘new built’ town
• Sandy family-friendly beach (DS4 is the sandcastle king)
• Campsites that accept motorhomes within walking distance of the beach
• some seriously good local restaurants- we both love our food and wine

Please tell me somewhere lovely to go and save me from going to Southend!!!! 🙏

Would hugely recommend the ile de re. We have been a few times, always had beautiful weather in june/July (though we may have just been lucky!) We have stayed at the huttopia site chardons bleus, which I we loved. It isn't 5 min walk from the beach, but we hired bikes and went around the island and to loads of different beaches. Great restaurants. Absolutely love the ile de re and it is the very opposite of Southend I promise!

I second the Ile de Re.

YABU to slag off Saaarffend, longest pier in the world you know, and after today Jamie Oliver might jump off it soon when he's filming his God awful programme there.
I jest I also live nearby and whilst it has its place it wouldn't be my choice of holiday destination. DF knows someone who lives in Upminster and holidays in Southend!!

I have no sensible advice for you. Hope you find somewhere nice.

Arcachon

Lol Zippy!! 😂
Soonsoon and AwfulMum (I’m sure you’re not!) thank you will look it up!

Pa ha ha ha ha! Oh you are cruel re Jamie.

We had loads of fantastic holidays in les Landes. Amazing beaches and the campsites were great (caveat this was 25 years ago!)

la croix du pontvieux pont. About 2 n half hours into France was high 20s when went start of July couple years ago. Offer day trips to Disneyland. We enjoyed it that much going in 3 weeks time. Ps I know what you mean sounthend wise I grew up their. Family still scattered around Southend westcliff shoebury etc. I've got a 3 hour drive from Leicester to folkston then couple hours the other side.

la croix du vieux pont. Stupid phone.

A third for the Il De Re absolutely amazing oysters. St Martin De Re is absolutely gorgeous

My favourite place in France (in Western Europe, really) is Biarritz. Beautiful architecture, good weather, lovely beaches, but no idea about motorhome facilities.

Ile de Re can be extremely busy. We've stayed at campsites on the Ill de Oleron, nearly as fabulous.

Ile de Oleron.

Maubuisson is lovely. On the lac du Carcan which is huge with lovely sandy beaches but never goes deeper than about your knees! (Ok a slight exaggeration but seriously at most only adult chest deep!) also about 10km from Atlantic Ocean so great to watch surf boarders and even take a dip/body board if you fancy. Lovely pine forests all around, cycle routes, and definitely camp sites although not sure of names as we rented a house as were a large family group.

3rd one here for Ile d'Oleron. We went last year, it was amazing.

St Jean de Monts. We stayed at campsite les amiaux. There’s a fairly short walk to the beach from the campsite which is lovely clean and very sandy!

There are also lots of pools and slides onsite for kids. Lots for kids in general really!

We enjoyed the actual town too and found lots of lovely restaurants too eat at.

Weather was lovely but we did go August but can’t imagine it being too different. The drive from the ferry wasn’t bad either.

Il de re. Or arcachon.

Ciboure-St. Jean de Luz. Absolutely what you’re looking for.

Am french.
All the best places are already booked up.
Good luck.

I was about to say that anywhere decent is pretty much fully booked

Seriously.

Somewhere around Royan, or La Rochelle. A lovely area, with lots to do. Chateau de la Roche Courbon is gorgeous.

The Vendee is a bit empty, Further south, it's a long way to Biarritz.

By the way. If you DO go down south to Biarritz, and go to the Spanish border, you have to walk into Spain to get to their cheap supermarkets. You need a special carnet to drive into Spain

This used to be the case, but it may not be now.

Either Ile de Re or Ile d'Oleron had a toll charge which was quite expensive when we went a few years back. Check that out if looking at them.

Le Verdon/Soulac sur mer. Short ferry from Royan to Pointe de Grave instead of driving via Bordeaux. We don't camp but alway see loads of motorhomes on ferry so must be about. It's a great area - lots of beaches, sea trips, little restaurants, bike paths through the forest. We've taken the ferry as foot passengers to Royan and gone to the zoo for something a bit different. Quite a bit about too relating to WWII if you are interested and know where to look.

Il de rai as well here - absolutely lovely and also great for the children