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Original poster

I want 80 degrees on holiday this year!

32 replies

milkybarsrus · 03/02/2010 17:26

Hi, i'm not asking for much really, but I am thinking of going to France this year for our main holiday and I WANT SUN! I want to be able to sunbathe around the pool whilst the kids are swimming. So my question is (espcially you Lucycat, who meanders on the camping thread) how far south do I need to drive from Calais or dunkirk to get the long awaited suntan?

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Lucycat · 03/02/2010 18:01

My dad always reckoned that at least south of the Loire ! We went to the Dordogne last year and had 80f but we may have been lucky. Head at least 6 hrs from Calais (straight through Paris lol) and then south.

Lucycat · 03/02/2010 18:04

I mean 6 hrs from Calais for guaranteed sun! Hot sun not wishy washy stuff.

Original poster
milkybarsrus · 03/02/2010 18:13

Ok Lucycat, thanks for that. Dordogne sounds good, is it a day and a half drive from calais or a day? any suggestions on a site anyone please? I have 2 teens and a 4 year old.

OP posts:
Original poster
milkybarsrus · 03/02/2010 18:15

Although I have teens, I have to say we don't like sites that are rowdy, oh that sounds really snobby, sorry .

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FoxForceFive · 03/02/2010 18:17

Head for the Med.
Avoid the Vendee coast, the weather isn't reliable.

Original poster
milkybarsrus · 03/02/2010 18:28

Hi Foxy, it's the drive all the way down to the Med that bothers me. some friends did it and they thought it was horendous? 14hrs in the car is a long time, and the expense of hotel stop overs etc soon adds up when theres 5 of you as you can't all get in one room IYKWIM.Was just thinking if there was a point in France where it would feel like someone has turned the thermostat up on the sun!

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FoxForceFive · 03/02/2010 18:45

It is a long drive - but so is the Dordogne -another 100 miles will get you to the Med. Depends if you want the coast, I suppose.

Could you camp overnight on the way down?

useful site for route planning

Mummyisamonster · 03/02/2010 19:14

We were in the Vendee last august and it was hot. Couldn't have stood it any warmer but maybe I am just a wuss! Plenty hot enough to sun bathe and get a tan, was glorious (dreams of feeling sun on my skin again). soon...)

FoxForceFive · 03/02/2010 19:39

Vendee does get hot, but it's not reliable. We were there in 2008 and it was a bit hit & miss over the fortnight - rain, overcast and baking hot!
Med tends to be hotter, might get thunderstorms at night.

mzmum · 03/02/2010 21:53

I personally don't think you need to go further than the Dordogne - it was sweltering in August last year, way over 80 degrees and we had just one rainy day in 2 weeks - which was actually quite refreshing.

It's 5-600 miles from Calais depending on route - we did one overnight stop with young children but other people we met had driven it in one go. Completely worth the drive.

Original poster
milkybarsrus · 04/02/2010 19:35

Great, I think i've finally decided on the dordogne, it sounds just about far enough to get the sun that i'm after. I will probably do it in 2 days rather than 1. Any suggestions on fuel and toll costs of driving down that far from calais? any any site suggestions would be gratefully received. thanks in advance

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Lucycat · 04/02/2010 20:48

you need Mappy enter your details and away you go - you can divide the journey into chunks too - to give you an idea though , we did Orleans in the Loire to Calais in under 4 hours - going straight through Paris on the inner peripherique - but that's a whole other tale!

Mappy should also tell you tolls for the peage.

Original poster
milkybarsrus · 06/02/2010 21:45

Thanks everyone, and thanks for the suggestion of Mappy! quick and easy to see costs involved driving to the dordogne. Now just gonna find the right site to book. And try and get channel crossing sorted. This is so exciting. Gonna start stocking up on factor 35 in the hope that this year I might actually need it .Any suggestions on a stopover on the way would be most welcome. But I may take a couple of pop up tents to bed down in? Not sure on that idea.......but would save a fare bit by doing that, and of course that means more pennies for cheese, wine and croissants .

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mzmum · 07/02/2010 21:59

Actually we're stopping over in a Premiere Classe again this year - did Tours last year, just booked Vierzon for this year. Very basic but only 30-40Euros a room and do have ensuites - may work out same as cost of a pitch??

Really glad you're going for the Dordogne, we loved it. You'll have to ask Lucycat for a site, heh Lucycat??!!
(Lucycat, we've re-booked for this August already!! Pootle1803)

mzmum · 07/02/2010 22:11

Feeling mean now....!!!

Milkybarsrus, look at the "French" titled thread which I have just posted on and you'll find a great site. Enjoy.

Lucycat · 08/02/2010 08:29

Pootle1803 - so have we!! shhhh

We'll be there for 3 weeks from about the 23rd(?) July on one of the 'new' style pitches. Can't wait...but remember shhhh. Someone on ukcamping was asking about he site but dh wouldn't let me tell

oh and we camp on the way down.

mzmum · 08/02/2010 10:12

Wow Lucycat, 3 weeks, heaven!! See you there on 10th August! We'll be on the very furthest away woodland pitch right at the bottom. Looks like a couple of other MNers will be there too then!!

fatzak · 08/02/2010 10:30

Do any of the Premier Lodge type places have secure parking does anyone know? We have decided to do Dover-Calais then an overnight stop down to the Vendee but are concerned about leaving the car and trailer overnight. We will just do a camp over night if not but hotel would be better!!

Hi Mummyisamonster, see you in August

mzmum · 08/02/2010 14:03

Premier Classe hotel is like a "little concrete box" (nice!) and we were able to park car + roofbox right below our room so would have hopefully heard the alarm etc. Did take out all valuables and paperwork obviously.

Can't remember if gates were closed there but when we've stayed at Formula One before it was definitely all gated and you get in with the credit card you booked on.

Original poster
milkybarsrus · 08/02/2010 14:21

. I feel like i'm in on a secret destination/club! As soon as payday arrives I'm going to book THAT site as it looks fab. thanks all. I think pop-ups will do for us on the way there and back. Am so..so.. excited. I hope its not fully booked by pay day tho !

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Batteryhuman · 08/02/2010 20:29

How exciting! We are there from 8/8 for 2 weeks. How old are your DCs? My DSs are 18,16 and 8 and the youngest would be very happy to know there are some other kids around to play with while his brothers catch up on sleep and his parents hit the wine.....

Thanks for the tips re overnights on the way dwon. i can't face the thought of driving for 10-12 hours and then having to put a tent up.

MarionCole · 08/02/2010 20:31

Oi! Stop being secretive! You have a moral duty to share good campsites with fellow MNers.

MarionCole · 08/02/2010 20:34

Sorry, just followed your clues!

mzmum · 08/02/2010 22:02

Hi Batteryhuman, see you there! Sorry my DS will be 4 and DD 18 months so not much fun for your 8 year old but am sure he will find lots of playmates as it's an extremely friendly and chilled out site.

Lucycat · 09/02/2010 16:50

Ok then all of us going to the same site in the summer, can you post a photo of your tent on here so I can spot you all and say hello (share a glass of rose)!!
my dd's will be 10 and 7 and love looking after little people!