First time France camping. Where to go?

[Handsnotwands]

After 10 years of rain, wind, wind and rain damp uk camping we’re doing it. We’re going to France

Where shall we go?
Big busy sites aren’t for us
We’d like a pool
Nice scenery
Far enough south for a v high chance of good weather mid - end august but as short (!) a drive as possible (6 hrs ish I’m thinking)
A river or beach close by
Near a nice village / town for mooching
Any recommendations would be gratefully received. I don’t know where to start (having been no where except Paris and the south coast previously)

You will get lots of recommendations on here, but France is a big place, so narrowing down will help.

Which port would you be landing in (for the 6 hours drive?) How long are you planning to be there for, would a 2 site holiday be of interest, or stopovers?

How old are your children if you have any and what interests you all? Do you want a site with activities (doesn't have to be big) or using it more as a base.

Do you want a more traditional French site, or one with a more mixed international feel?

Ooo great questions

We’re going on the train so 6 ish hrs from Calais. We’re stopping for a night before the train this end.

We’re there for 2 weeks (including a days travel either end)

Don’t think we can be arsed with 2 places. I hate packing / unpacking the car

Kids are 8,11 and 13. Oldest has autism so definitely quieter site. The big water park types aren’t for us though it’d be cool to visit that kind of place once. I think they’d be terrified!

I think more traditional would suit us. I mean we’ll be there for quite a long time so interesting places nearby I think we’d like rather than a crowded site. But some kind of something to do on-site would be good. It a pool will be exciting for them in fairness.

Thank you for asking. You’re right. Big country and no idea where to start

The Vendee area is lovely

Try La Foret - in St julien Des Landes. Fabulous site. Meets all your requirements :)

www.chateaulaforet.com/en/

If you are on the train are you looking for somewhere that already has tents/cabins? We love the Huttopia sites but really you need a car as they are often a few miles from a town.

@coastalwave we've been going here for years! Fabulous site! Our families probably know each other haha

I recommend the website 'pitchup' which will give you information about the campsites and reviews. www.pitchup.com.

I assumed the train meant you were taking the shuttle, so still taking your car?

The Vendee, whilst very nice, is a bit of a trek from Calais. The Loire would be within better reach for 6 hours, but it's not far enough south to guarantee super-good weather, although we had a heatwave whilst there. Lots of chateaus and grounds, plus towns to explore. We stayed at L'Arada Parc in Sonzay which is a great smaller campsite, but you migh want to be nearer to Amboise way. You could also consider the Western Loire, near Blois/Gien.

This campsite has been on my radar for a while, near Dijon and Beaune
Arnay, it's apparently within a good walk of a traditional town.

Great. Thanks all some great suggestions to research

And yes we’re going on le shuttle with the car

@CoastalWave and @IWasFunBeforeMum this looks exactly as I’d imagined!!! Do you recall how long ish it takes to drive there?

Brittany is beautiful.

We like it here and have been a few times: europe.huttopia.com/en/site/lac-de-sille/. It's near ale Mans so maybe a bit too north for you but we've always had good weather when we've been.

It's in the heart of the forest, has a warm outdoor pool (most French pools that state they are 'heated' are still freezing cold!), a man made beach a short walk away and lots of walks/bike rides and water sports available.

*near Le Mans.

The sea off the Brittany cost is bloody freezing although the towns are pretty. The Vendee is pretty, golden sandy beaches, nice camp sites and it has something of a microclimate so tends to be a bit warmer (my parents live there). Le Tranche Sur Mer is cute little town but a bit touristy. Sable D'Olonne is big and touristy. We stayed at a lovely place at Jard sur Mer, lovely walk through pine forests to the beach. About 7 hours from Calais, we broke the journey in a cheap hotel.

I think you need to head to the Loire area and below to be fairly guaranteed of decent weather. This place might be too big but it might be worth considering. They have a lazy river which is great fun. It's also doable in a day... just. Any further and you might need a stopover but the driving over there is much easier - the motorways are far emptier than here in the UK. www.sandaya.co.uk/our-campsites/chateau-des-marais. There are 1000s of sites to choose from so it would indeed help if you could narrow it down a bit.

[quote IWasFunBeforeMum]@coastalwave we've been going here for years! Fabulous site! Our families probably know each other haha[/quote]
To be honest, we haven't been for years! But I have friends who now take their kids.

I was there as a child every year from 1886-1997!! 4 weeks every August.

It's more than a day's drive, we usually take two and stay overnight, but the Ardeche is fabulous. We stay near Vallon, two sites next to each other, both really nice...L'Ardechois or Mondial Camping. Definitely get good weather, although also the odd thunderstorm.

I’ve been looking at France myself for this year. But don’t you have to quarantine for 10 days on arrival and can only go with a really good reason (not tourism) That’s what I read? Have I got it totally wrong cos I’d love to go!!

The vendee fits the bill. There's a site at la tranche sur mer which I've been to (caravan not rent) where there's a microclimate so warmer

We've been here a few times and love it. The site is beautiful but with plenty going on and the pools are great. The nearest town on Saumur is gorgeous too.

www.domainedelabreche.com/en/

I can't believe this mn fave hasn't been mentioned!! www.lesvalades.com/en/ in the dordogne is amazing and very popular on here. We went because so many people loved it.

Just realised you're going in the train so would be more than 6 hours.

I would look at any of the campsites around Samur. It’s a 4/5hour drive which on your last day you will not be dreading coming home

End of august will be much quieter on all the big sites, it’s out of season after 21st for many and the prices drop.

I’d also prefer it to the Vendee as there is more to explore, though the Vendee is lovely it’s limited if you want days out as well as just chilling out by the pool or camp

Have you booked your train? What are the times if you have?

@Spudina

I’ve been looking at France myself for this year. But don’t you have to quarantine for 10 days on arrival and can only go with a really good reason (not tourism) That’s what I read? Have I got it totally wrong cos I’d love to go!!

No need to isolate currently - up to date travel rules are here: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/france/entry-requirements

We have family in France and have visited several times during the past couple of years - I wouldn't book anything you can't cancel last minute tho!

Hi all
Sorry to hijack your thread OP.

We're considering camping in France this summer after two years of staying in the UK - I am a little nervous of booking everything and there being unexpected brexit or covid complications...

Has anyone been over there last summer?
Is there any likelihood of it all going tits up?

This was our go to place for year when the kids were your childrenscage.
Absolutely loved it and the area. Great times on the campsitexand in the villages and towns near by.

Campsite Le Ty Nadan

Route d'Arzano, 29310 Locunolé, France
+33 4 30 05 15 19 g.co/kgs/4XDXSv