Where to camp in France 3hs from Calais?

[leonie33]

Hi ladies,
I'm planning our first ever camping holiday to France in August this year. We are going to use the Euro tunnel ( with our tesco vouchers), so given we have a 3 hr drive to Folkstone, didn't want a long trip the other side. Happy to drive for approx 3 hrs, but ultimately want to get to somewhere where it's likely to be warmer / better weather than here ( if that is possible!) As for campsite, any recommendations on child friendly ones with swimming pools etc would be fab ( I have a 4 and 5 yr old). My only request is a decent shower/ toilet block!

Having read some of the other threads on camping on here, you ladies offer a wealth of fantastic advice, so if you can offer any help, it would be hugely appreciated!

Camping la Vallee in Houlgate, on the Normandy coast. Been going there for years, and love it. Great site, nice town and beach, lots of places for day trips, such as Douville, D-Day beaches, Caen.

Thank you, I shall take a look!

We've been to La Vallee and would really recommend it too.

I'm here at the moment. Feel free to ask questions. There are a couple of playgrounds, an indoor swimming pool, outdoor pool which is quite deep, a small shallow pool for wee ones and 3 slides separate from the pools.

Thanks Ladies, it looks lovely! Crockydoodle, hope you are there for the heat wave expected in next few days! With regards to the weather, I'm assuming the climate is pretty similar to here? I am lucky enough to live in Bournemouth, so was wondering if it's worth us driving further inland towards Paris or Reims to have a chance of more guaranteed weather ( only going on recent experience of pretty miserable Augusts in England!) I appreciate the weather isn't everything, but as a novice camper it will certainly help my enjoyment of the experience! Also could you tell me what camping cheques are? Thanks again!

Hiya, we're going to La Croix du Vieux Pont in Berny Riviere, just to the NE of Paris and about 3hrs from Calais. Haven't been before but it looks really nice and gets good reviews -- Tripadvisor listing

Is the Loire too far? Much warmer than Normandy?

Will check out that one near Paris, thanks. Millimat, how long would you say to the Loire? Anywhere in particular you recommend?

St Malo is 300 miles from Calais and Dol de bretagne has a couple of very good campsites

its a pretty decent trip, easy drive

Loire is warmer and I am thinking of heading this way - think I may stop at Alencon (roughly 180/190m from calais) on the way for one night at municipal site - decent enough site, no pool but lovely market in town. Just to not have to rush as have mid day ferry and then we lose an hour etc

Oh f you want decent and I mean really clean good shower block the best I have come across is chantiepie just outside saumur the site was lovely and they came in and cleaned the blocks in the morning as people where showering - so they were never dirty.

Large pools beautiful views over the river from high up

bar and cafe on site and shop

its not a cheap site but not the most expensive either

but a while since I stayed there

Just wanted to chip in and say that the town pool in Alençon is quite nice- it has flumes and saunas and everything and very reasonably priced if people fancied a swim before setting off again. It's not very far from the municipal campsite- behind Carrefour on the Rennes road.

duchesse - it a lovely pool there is an open air section as well, we walked to the pool from municipal site and had an ice cream walking back.

often municipal camp sites are close to the town pool

Thanks all, lots more options to look at. Your advice is invaluable, I've learnt so much recently from reading the camping threads on here, it's brilliant!

Here

....Don't tell everyone!!

I have also stayed at Berny Riviere near Paris (Le Croix de le vieux pont) but TBH it is just ok.