Please suggest somewhere for a one night stopover on the way to Dordogne- pre erected tent

[TentErection]

We are planning our first trip to the Dordogne with our tent, not camped abroad before. To keep ferry costs down we are planning to do Dover- Calais, but this will need a stop over half way as I think both dh and I might pop if we had to spend 9 hours in the car with our 2 ds (8 and 4). They are fab children but that long in the car with anyone might finish the holiday before it even starts, let alone our own offspring :)

I can't find anywhere that offers a one night stay in a pre-erected tent (or mobile home)- lots of hotels of course but we would have the car plus lots of equipment so would want to park next to our accommodation. Can anyone suggest somewhere suitable?

I can't help on the campsite front, but highly recommend a DVD player for the car. It keeps our sanity intact on long journeys abroad with little children :D

There was a similar discussion on this thread. If you are going in July or August, you will struggle to get one night in a pre-erected tent - the minimum is generally two.

Lots of cheap hotel chains near motorway junctions with secure parking alongside the hotels. I recommend Ibis styles for great family rooms and facilities.

I would stay in b and b for 1 night... much easier after a long drive.

We stayed at www.lalunelake.co.uk. It has a family room, and they offer dinner as well as breakfast. There is a small splash pool and loads of space for kids to run around after journey!!!

How about the Huttopia site near Versaille? They have cabins and I think you can book for single nights.

How about the Huttopia site near Versaille? They have cabins and I think you can book for single nights.

We've had a problem with this as they don't seem to offer pre erected tents for one night in the main holidays. We did try camping for one night in our own small tent but it rained and just wasn't worth the effort!!! We have ended up booking B&Bs instead.

There is one in St Quentin which had a family room, had parking and close to restaurants, costs around 72 euros. www.hotel-le-florence.fr/tarifs_ang.asp

Sorry just realised this is in wrong direction for you!!! Am going mad - this one is better for going to the east!! Not very helpful!

Formula 1s are cheap and we have all squeezed into one room in these, or B&B hotels do family rooms but tend to be on industrial estates which are OK for one night as there is usually somewhere to eat nearby.