Days out/things to see in Normandy

[emdanmum]

We're off to Litteau, Normandy at the end of the month for 6 days..............any suggestions for days out/things to see? We have 2 DC-7 and 4.
This is our first abroad holiday-very nervous and excited, but worried I've forgotten to organise something major........anybody suggest a checklist I can follow to see if I've remembered everything?

Hi, Normandy is a lovely place, we've just come back from 2 weeks there. I have 3 children, similar ages to yours and found plenty to do.

The beaches are beautiful and there are many to choose from. My DH really wanted to see all the landing beaches and war stuff. Amorranches (sp??) beach is nice and there are bunkers on the cliff top that you can go round for free, the dc loved exploring this.

We saw leafets for theme parks, zoos and all the usual stuff you would get in England but we didnt try any of it as we found plenty to do anyway.

On the coast road heading west directly from Caen there is karting for the younger children, pony trecking and you can also hire family bikes which seat between 4-8 people which we found really fun.

There are always markets on in different towns.

Mont St Michel is definitely worth a visit, but, it gets very busy so I would suggest going early.

To be honest, there were loads of places we would have liked to have visited and more things we wanted to do but the site we stayed on was so good that the dc were happy to just stay there and go to the beach.

Oh, and I wouldnt worry about forgetting anything. There is pretty much nothing you cant get over there anyway, and the large supermarkets stock more or less everything.

We went to Normandy at the beginning of July with our 2 year old and had a lovely time. We mainly went to the beach, or swam at the campsite. We did have one day out to Festyland though which was really good fun. I'd recommend it, especially to families with younger kids as there were lots of suitable rides.

I second the suggestion of markets. We spent a morning looking round a covered market in the local town and found loads of yummy things for lunch.

Are you self-catering? I have a massive packing list which seemed to cover most eventualities! But as wagonwheel says, as long as you've got passports/tickets/money sorted (and those healthcare cards that replace the E111 - EC something I think) then you'll be able to get anything you need here.

Have fun!

Healthcare card??
I'm a real novice

Sorry, have dug it out of my purse now so I actually know what I'm talking about. It's called the European Health Insurance Card and you can apply here

Great thread emdanmum - we're going to Normandy at the beginning of September so I'm interested in people's recommendations too.

Borntofolk - our ds is 2 this month - do you think Festyland would be suitable for him?

Thanks for the suggestions.
Think we're hoping that beaches/swimming/markets can occupy most of our time..........just wanted some standby ideas (in case of bad weather-which I can almost guarantee we'll get )

wagonweel-Mont St Michel was on our list.....will put it towards to top-thanks for the tip-off re. gets busy. Also, will check out Amorranches if we can find it!
BornToFolk-we're self catering, but think we'll take the essentials and do the supermarket when we get there. Thanks for suggestion of Festyland........may have to give it a go!

Thanks BornToFolk-hadn't considered ill health on holiday.........so glad you mentioned it
paddypoopants-have you been abroad before, or are you a virgin like me?

BornToFolk-thanks for the link.
All done

Paddypoopants, I'm sure your 2 year old would love it! There are lots of rides for little ones - trains, cars, etc that are very gentle and slow. The only downside is that they have to be accompanied by a parent and it's a bit tricky squashing yourself into them! They also have a big, clean ball-pit and climbing frames etc.

Take a picnic though as the food was not great. Everything had meat in too so we (all vegetarian) ended up having chips, Orangina and ice-cream for lunch. DS loved it!

Not sure how good Festyland would be in bad weather though as it's mostly outside.

Do I need to take car V5, insurance and driving licence with me?

I am just back from a siblu camp there! Our kids are 4 and 2 and were more than happy in the pool, playpark and sand pit! We did visit here www.chemin-fer-miniature-clecy.com/ which is an hour away but had a brillaint bouncy castle and a fab model railway. Its the one thing my kids talk about. We also visited the much closer chateau de balleroy with a hot air balloon museum...the museum was a bit dry for the two year old but the grounds of the chateau were wonderful for a run around. www.chateau-balleroy.com/
I would definately recommend the tourist place Maison de la Foret - a wooden cabin on the main roundabout. Loads of information and English speaking. We also checked out a maze and go -karts near the siblu site which we planned to go to but never made it...looked good though. We didn't go to the beches or Mont st Michel at all!

Aliarse, which Siblu site were you at? Just been looking at potentials for next year (bored at work and reminiscing about holiday!)

emdanmum, yep, take all car documents. You'll also need a warning triangle and high vis vests to carry in the car. I think the Halfords site had information about what you need to do/take when driving in France.

Aliarse-that's where we're going!!
Was a bit unsure, because they're upgrading the pool........but am I right in saying that that's done now?
Did you enjoy the park?
Ooohh-can't wait now
Was there much info. at the park re. things to do?

BornToFolk-just found a list on Halfords site.......cheers!

Can I just add that European Breakdown cover for your car is a good idea too - you can extend your AA/RAC cover (or whatever you have), but it's quite expensive - I found it cheaper doing it with this lot -

www.vehicle-rescue.com/

We had a fortnight in Normandy end June/early July and had a fantastic time. Lots of good suggestions up there. For me the markets always win hands down.

StormyWeather-sorted cover last night.........not as cheaply as on your link though
Definitely going to a market or 2!

Emdanmum- I have been to France before but not with kids and I'm surprisingly nervous about it especially the travelling as we are going on the ferry overnight from Scotland. I've been to Normandy years ago and enjoyed vast amounts of fab local cider. Not likely this time as I'll be up at 6am as usual no doubt. I found the locals really friendly and they were very patient with our v crap French - they are well used to English speakers. I hope you have a great holiday!

paddypoopants-I'm also very nervous.
Crikey-how long's the ferry trip from scotland?
That's reassuring about the locals being patient...........none of us are gifted linguistically!!
Hope you have a good time too!

You also need to insure your car for France!

I read a very scary article about a family who were in France and their car was swept away by floods. Apparantly most peoples' cars are only insured 3rd party not fully comp when abroad so they got nothing from the insurance company. Was a 10k car.

The amount of times I've driven to France with no thought to extra insurance.

Check the small print of your document/ring them up and ask.

emdammum and borntofolk we were at Domaine de Litteau Siblu park.

Its small, lots of French and Dutch own their homes there. Its perfect for younger kids - the playpark and big sandpit were a magnet. The kids club was ok but for older kids really. The parents entertainment sounded a bit lame (we didnt bother)

bad points
The shop is very basic. The food in the pub is truly dire (supermarket pizzas heated up for seven euros.) Be warned the reception closes between 12 - 2. No TV in homes

good points
the pool is finished and fab. BBQs at every caravan. Wi-fi (but not free). Some info in reception on local attractions and I think a trip runs from the park to Mont St Micheal (takes hour and a half) but better info at the Forest place I told you about. Small enough to be friendly. No TV in vans

Oh and 3 and a half hours from Calais on the pay roads! (Just after you think you are there...)

But you can buy baguettes and croissants from reception in the morning if you order them in advance the day before or get down early and nab some at 9am!

the garden of water surprises - brilliant and surprising fun!! cant remember where it is but try googling - well worth the effort. just keep your wits about you and send the kids down all the paths first!

www.vendeuvre.com/

Thanks Aliarse! Was there a beach nearby?