Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Holidays

Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Original poster

France with teenagers best mobile home sites?

15 replies

Slambang · 14/01/2011 18:15

We have been to la Garangeoire. The dcs loved it and we want to go back to similar in Brittany or Vendee. We have a limited budget so are looking on the Matthews type sites rather than Key Camp and Canvas Hols end of the market.

Our wish list includes:
Me - close to pretty french town or village with nice cafes
Dh - a shop and a bar
DS1 - table tennis, pool table, other teenagers
Ds2 - walking distance to a beach

So, we're not asking for too much really! Confused

Can anyone recommend anywhere?

OP posts:
Original poster
Slambang · 14/01/2011 21:34

bump

OP posts:
dreamingofsun · 15/01/2011 12:31

chateau des ormes near dol is good for teenagers i imagine. they do a disco each night and there's lots of pools and activities - its quite a large site. not walking distance to the beach and they are a drive - prob same distance as la garangeoire.

local town is nice, site has shop and bar and things for ds1.

there's a site in carnac that has all the things you request - sorry can't remember the name - its right in the town which has some lovely bars/beach. i've not been there but it would have all the things you want. i think the pitches might be a bit small. i suggest it because we've been to la grande metairie - which is not walking distance to beach and i thnk might be bit manic in aug - carnac and area is beautiful - much nicer than vendee and weather's pretty good as very south brittany

GnomeDePlume · 15/01/2011 19:58

Hi the campsite dreamingofsun is talking about is Camping les Menhirs. We have stayed there a couple of times. It is walking distance to Carnac which is a lovely old fashioned seaside town with an excellent icecream shop (more flavours than even Heston could imagine).

It would meet your requirements however the shop was not great and there wasnt much of a takeaway. I just asked DD1 (aged 15) what she thought and she couldnt remember it!

Our view was that the standing stones are well worth seeing but we wouldnt be rushing back to that site.

AgentProvocateur · 15/01/2011 20:12

We went to Les Sables (Carisma Holidays) last year with our teenagers, and they're desperate to go back this year.

The site was right on the beach and on the coastal cycle track. It was about 1km to the nearest town, from where it was a couple of minutes in the ferry to Les Sables d'Olonne.

It was a smallish site, but there were plenty of teenagers, and they hung out at the pool all day, and went to the disco etc at night. They also went into Les Sables with the other teenagers in the evening a couple of times.

The only thing missing was covered table tennis tables (like at the Garangeoire) - the ones at Les Sables are outdoor and concrete, and the see breeze made them difficult to use.

If you want any more information, just ask.

Milliways · 15/01/2011 21:46

Our Teens had a fab holiday at Bretignolles (with Matthews). It is right on the beach, had a chip/snack bar outside the entrance and a few walkable restaurants. Not far into the village for the market etc.

At the top of the road is a park really aimed at younger kids but a crowd of teens took themselves off the day & had a whale of a time. There is also an indoor heated pool with flume if the weather is bad.

Downside: Matthews & Carisma are the ONLY BRitish companies on site, so Brits are a real minority, but because of that they all found each other & made friends. DD was almost fluen French then so also made French friends, and the Dutch kids also spoke fluent English.

There was not much in organised entertainment if you like that, but the teens took to the pool & table tennis rooms, or just hung around the "square" chatting. There was never any trouble or rowdyness :)

dreamingofsun · 15/01/2011 21:57

gnome - did you not enjoy the bars/resturants in carnac that you can walk to from the site? what about men du beach - this is one of our favourites anywhere and we live by the coast?

interested in what you thought of the site as we would love to go back to carnac.

Original poster
Slambang · 15/01/2011 21:58

I told dh Mumsnet would help. Thanks everyone!

OP posts:
GnomeDePlume · 15/01/2011 23:33

DreamingofSun - oh yes, definitely enjoyed the restaurants & cafes in Carnac. Carnac itself was really pleasant. The campsite was okay for a week to see the sights but I wouldnt have wanted to stay longer. I guess because of the proximity of the town, the campsite shop/takeaway was pretty poor. There was a supermarket within a longish walk but not really convenient if all you want are a few bits & pieces for a scratch lunch.

I dont know men du beach and will look it up.

dreamingofsun · 16/01/2011 09:59

gnome - men du beach is the local one to the campsite - rock pool down the right and the sort of spit of rock/sand that goes into the sea on the left.

i know carnac pretty well as we have been there four times. its the campsite i was most interested in as it seemed in such a good position for the beach/bars.

what were the pitch sizes like? how quiet/noisy was it at night? Is there somewhere the kids can play football? do men have to wear speedo type gear in the pool?

GnomeDePlume · 16/01/2011 19:20

Camping des Menhirs - pitch size was fairly small probably because of proximity to town (100m2). Quiet in the evenings. There was an all weather sports pitch but I dont think there is a field to play football informally on. It is a fairly cramped site. The pool was okay but had the usual problem of not having much space around it. I would recommend it for its position but have stayed in many campsites with better facilities.

Having said all that the standing stones are amazing. Not sure if you know it, there is a set of stones away from the main group which are on a path through woods. You can touch these and climb on them. It was really magical and there were few people when we were there in the height of the season.

dreamingofsun · 17/01/2011 08:47

gnome - thanks for description of site, not sure its for us. we've always been to grand metairie before but as you say i liked the position of menshirs. yes know the rocks you are describing as they are just down from metairie. we always get a detailed map when we go to france as you see all the hidden things like that and really quiet beaches - sat in field by deserted beach eating our pick-nick last time surrounded by orchids.

GnomeDePlume · 18/01/2011 22:10

Sounds wonderful dreamingofsun

askar · 29/01/2012 20:38

Ty Nadan is great for teens, many activities and a social scene. 'Best holiday ever' our boys said. But no beach in walking distance.

Portofino · 30/01/2012 13:28

Siblu La Carabasse would tick alll the boxes I think. We went there last year. The beach, bars and restaurants all within easy walking distance, plus a massive fun fair and crazy golf. Good pool complex and lots of activities going on all the time.

Goodluckcharlielover · 05/02/2012 20:46

Le Vieux Port - big site in pine forest so feels private.

Me - close to pretty french town or village with nice cafes
Vieux Boucau, walking distance/flat for cycling within 10 mins walk or Hossegor - 20min drive

Dh - a shop and a bar
Both on site and plenty in walking distancce

DS1 - table tennis, pool table, other teenagers
Plenty, plenty, plenty

Ds2 - walking distance to a beach
Over a gorgeous sandy dune

New posts on this thread. Refresh page