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Holidays

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

Original poster

Static caravan parks in South of France

26 replies

Willabywallaby · 13/02/2011 15:21

Hi,

I'm hoping to book a week in a static caravan park in the South of France the last week in July. Will probably drive down from Cherbourg over a few days.

We have a 5YO and a will be 3YO boys, so need somewhere with a little playground, shop and fun pool, slides etc would be great.

Has anyone got any recommendations? I've just ordered the Thomson Al Fresco brochure, but cheaper alternatives gratefully received!

Thanks

OP posts:
chibi · 13/02/2011 15:24

if you do siblu you can pay part or all of it with tesco vouchers - worth it

we booked our hols when the vouchers were worth 4x value, we are away for 4 nights i think and the actual cost is about 30£

can't get cheaper than that!

we haven't gone yet, so it may well be crap, but it will be cheap crap

Original poster
Willabywallaby · 13/02/2011 15:50

I have about £100 of tesco vouchers, thanks for the tip. When do you go and where?

OP posts:
chibi · 13/02/2011 16:08

we are going to the mid atlantic coast, driving as i hate to fly

we are going may half term, the price was about 400£ ish iirc

vouchers are still worth 3x, so worth it

there are reviews of all the parcs on tripadvisor, and they have parcs on the med

Original poster
Willabywallaby · 14/02/2011 12:12

Any recommendations out there?

OP posts:
JaxTellersOldLady · 14/02/2011 12:15

about 10 years ago we went to Beaune in South of France, near Dijon with a couple who booked the holiday.

It was beautiful and we spent a lot of time going from vineyard to vineyard tasting wine and eating gorgeous food. Wasnt commercialised at all and was a lovely holiday.

Not sure what it will be like now though, but had lots to do for the children. Think it was a Eurocamp place.

sorry, not much use really am I?

Original poster
Willabywallaby · 14/02/2011 12:21

I've been to Beaune on the way to the South. Not South enough for the week, but thanks!

OP posts:
FluffyMummy123 · 14/02/2011 12:23

the matthews holiday supposed ot be good

Original poster
Willabywallaby · 14/02/2011 12:28

Siblu brochure ordered, will google matthews now.

OP posts:
Original poster
Willabywallaby · 14/02/2011 12:30

They don't seem to go to south coast Sad

OP posts:
Anjelika · 14/02/2011 13:44

Hi

We stayed at Camping Douce Quietude near St Raphael in 2009. We had our 2.5 year old DS with us and had one of the best holidays ever! We went with Canvas Holidays - the 2 bedroom mobile home was air conditioned and fine for our needs - the 2nd bedroom would actually sleep 3 children.

The site has 2 big swimming pools and one of them has a slide going into it but it was a bit big for my DS at the time. We used to hang out more by the toddler pool which had a sort of climbing frame in it.

St Raphael is a short drive away and has a nice beach and there's a nearer beach at Agay.

Anjelika

ENormaSnob · 14/02/2011 20:25

Willaby, how did you order the Thompson al Fresco brochure?

Can't get the website to work.

Thanks Smile

Original poster
Willabywallaby · 15/02/2011 09:33

It was fine, it's Thomson without the p, but sounds like the site was playing up. Will try the canvas one too!

But anymore recommendations gratefully received Grin

OP posts:
Original poster
Willabywallaby · 15/02/2011 11:00

Canvas brochure ordered, I love looking at holiday mags and planning Grin

OP posts:
Tupperwarewolf · 19/02/2011 10:11

Hi Op - this thread caught my eye because you started it when I was also looking at caravan parks in SF a couple of days ago. You probably know this already but it's well worth checking out reviews on tripadvisor.com if you see a place you like the look of - also it seems that it's often cheaper (and you get a better pitch) booking direct with the site or a company called Venue seem to be cheap too (depends whether you want the children's clubs the various operators provide). Sorry if that's teaching you to suck eggs :)

I wanted a park that's quite small, quiet and close (walking distance) to a town for more eating options etc and can't find one, so think we've abandoned caravan parks for now in favour of a small villa/apartment with shared pool as they seem to work out the same price.

inthesticks · 19/02/2011 12:48

Just a trivial comment but worth knowing if you have teenagers.

I was on the point of booking when I read the small print about swimming pool rules. Apparently they won't allow swimming shorts and insist on speedo type trunks. Hell would freeze over before my DSs would wear those Wink.

Portofino · 20/02/2011 13:26

You get a MN discount with Siblu! We went to Lac des Reves a couple of years ago. It was lovely and there is loads to do nearby.

We are off to La Carabasse this year.

And speedos were not required!

Original poster
Willabywallaby · 12/03/2011 07:33

Just looking at Carabasse now....

OP posts:
greedygoose · 13/03/2011 13:54

We are going there in July - have heard it's great!

welshdeb · 13/03/2011 15:01

Get your brochures from canvas, keycap eurocamp, Thompson etc and draw up a shortlist.
Have a look on the zoover website which is a Dutch website with holiday reviews which include campsites there are a large number in English. Also look on the uk campsite web site forum this had a section on statics, and a campsite finder and reviews.
When you find one you like have a look to see it it had it's own website most do. Most have their own statics which you can rent direct from the site. Compare the costs - it's not always easy as the tour operators include an element of the ferry costs, but it's usually cheaper to book direct. Obviously you have to find your own way over but you can book with the ferry companies or eurotunnel and use your tesco vouchers.
The only downside to booking direct is that you don't get the branded patio umbrella and free back pack etc and you can't use the clubs for the kids.

scrappydappydoo · 13/03/2011 21:31

Hiya, just to say my MIL owns a caravan at la carrabasse and you can usually use the kids clubs there without going through siblu - you just buy a 'fun pass' at reception which will also let you use the pool and others stuff.

Portofino · 14/03/2011 11:53

greedy - we will be there from 4th - 16th of July. How about you? I will hang a FruitShoot from our decking! If you recognise the sign, feel free to drop in for Wine Grin

Original poster
Willabywallaby · 14/03/2011 13:34

I was looking at mid ton late July as soon as DS1 finishes school but it looked cheaper to go for end of August start of July.

Do you think a fruitshoot should be the universal sign of MNetter?

OP posts:
Portofino · 14/03/2011 13:53

It would make you stop and wonder though eh? Grin A mooncup could be easily missed.

Original poster
Willabywallaby · 23/04/2011 07:47

Just wanted to update!

Booked through Canvas going to a site in Tours for 3 nights then down to Serignan Plage for 7 nights and back up via the same one in the Loire. Long drive but hopefully it'll all be fine.

Thanks for the advice.

OP posts:
Portoeufino · 24/04/2011 21:12

I'll still be hanging a fruitshoot off my decking....

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