Help me pick an atea of France or other European country!!

[millimat]

Ferry booked for our hols in August for me, dh, dc 9 and dd 5 with our caravan. However we don't know where to go when we get to Calais!
Please inspire me with your favourite places to explore. We'd like there to be things to do as well as time to relax. Suitable cycling routes in the area would be good ;-)
We don't want to go to Paris, the Loire or auvergne as we've been there before. Ideally would love some sun...?

I really think you should get dome sites booked - now! It's bloody busy in France in August and when we've been with our caravan there's not been a spare pitch to be seen.

What you have to consider in France is that some sites have very small pitches we found this to be the case on sites within walking distance to the beach. The further inland you go the more space you get. We had a bit of a squeeze getting our caravan and an awning on a few pitches. I think that the French generally have smaller caravans and don't use awnings so they can manage on smaller pitches.

Have a look at the Les Castels sites they are all good quality and the pitches are generous although they aren't cheap.

I think we've been really spoilt with our sites in the past and that's why we're struggling. Just need to narrow it down to an area first!

We go to Camping Bel in the Vendee region. Gorgeous!

Alloverit, is it not too busy in the vendee in summer?

We go to Bel every year, and there are always a few pitches for people who just rock up.

Pressed send too early.

The beach is 5 mins walk away, there is a large supermarket 5 mins in the other direction with a pharmacy and cashpoint. Smallish pool, but never busy and nice and safe. I love it. The kids are 6 and 4

There are big pitches free too. Perfect for caravan

But is the region generally heaving with Brits? That's what I have heard?

We're the same - can't decide where to go this year. Our children are 9&5 too and now they're a bit older we think we might make it a bit further than the Loire but we don't know where. We never book sites and have never had any trouble finding a space, although we don't go to the coast as we're not massively keen on the beach! We just need to decide which way to go when we leave Zeebrugge!

A mixture of Brits, French, Dutch and German, I'd say.

We went to the Dordogne region last year and are going back again. We will be staying at a few sites but this one looks the best, it is on its own island!
campingdesiles.com/accueil.php

Tessielu, that campsite looks perfect for us! I've always liked the look of the Flowers sites but never stayed at one. Its probably too close to Clermont-Ferrand though where we went last year.
Thonah, I know what you mean - how do we decide?!!

Check out the Ile de Re for cycling. It's very pretty although I think it can get v busy in August. There's a gorgeous site that canvas and eurocamp use set among pine trees called Interlude.

We are heading to he Jura for a change...no idea how busy or anything though! Here
Www.chalain.com

I second the Vendée or the Île de Ré. They are both fab.