an alternative needed to camping...p&V holidays??

[chipandbiff]

Hi, I am looking for some suggestions....my DH is desperate to go camping in France next summer, and I am equally desperate not to. (Went camping very year as a child and loved it, but now that I have had my own DC I like need to be within 3 metres of my own washing facilities (ideally including washing machine)...sad, I know....I have the beginnnings of OCD but I actually quite enjoy it.. I need to get out more

DH wants to go camping somewhere in France for 2 weeks at the end of the summer hols, and while I am happy to go to France, I would prefer the southern areas, (guaranteed weather, I like the sun) and would like a heated pool.....

The only alternative I can find is Pierre et Vacances holidays, but I have no experience of them....Does anyone out there???

Or alternatively, does anyone have any more suggestions? We are a family of 4, - two primary aged kids......

Thanks for any suggestions in advance!

We 've used P & V in Northern France and Normandy. They are fairly basically equipped (no wm in the house/apartment nor kettle in one), almost Disneyfied in style complexes but perfectly functional and clean with good facilities. Worth getting accommodation that on paper seems one size larger than you need.

I would recommend a gite complex.. We stayed here last yr and booked for nxt yr... www.bestfrenchgites.co.uk.. I think they r booked for sch hols nxt yr.. But there are lots of similar places eg lavendange.com or livingfrance.org

We have boys aged 8 and 5 and they loved it. Always had someone to play with so we could relax too!.

We stayed at P&V Les Restanques de St Tropez a few years ago in a "bastide".

The site itself was lovely - great pool complex etc, but the accommodation is quite basic for the money you pay. We had a dishwasher but no washing machine. Last year we stayed with Siblu at La Carabasse in an Excellence mobile and that was much more luxurious and DID have a washing machine - I was dead impressed. Plus 2 shower rooms and a covered terrace with wi-fi.

We're planning a Gite complex in the Dordogne next summer with wifi, UK tv, washing machine, dishwasher, play barn and shared pool. This is actually cheaper than the 2 hols above.

our canvas mobile had a dishwasher. washing machines on site. ukcampsites have reviews. we stayed in a gite and our kids got bored (and that was when they were toddlers).

wow!! thankyou everyone- this has opened up a load of options I hadn't even considered!!

Will start researching straight away - much appreciated, thanks again! Am strangely excited about going to france again now!

Putrifyno - Do you mind saying which gite complex? it sounds fab.....

here But the first 2 weeks in July are MIN£!!!

After 12 nights with siblu this summer, we stayed here for a week on the way home. It has bittersweet memories as it rained all week, and an hour after arriving, dd fell off the swing and broke her wrist! Otherwise, I really WOULD recommend it. Lovely gites, lovely owners, great pool etc. And Cognac has a really good hospital .

You're a genius PortoTreasonAndPlot and you should think of working as a travel consultant!! We are looking for August, so we aren't competing for accommodation!!! I'm waiting to hear back from Le Banquet....but Cognac Gites are fully booked already.

Just how organised is everyone??? I thought I was being super organised by booking next years holiday, but so many people have beaten me to it!! (Hope your dd recovered well, btw?)

Thanks again everyone, having assistance with my holiday arrangements is another reason to love mn!!

Also from my bookmarks:

here

here

www.peyrecaty.com/

Thankyou! I have been through the websites and sent off my enquiry emails, so I will just wait.....and keep my fingers crossed! Are you available for 2013 holidays too (please!!)?!!

I am a frustrated travel agent

Hi there,

I went to Le Banquet (www.lebanquet.com) in the Dordogne last year, it was fabulous, the gites were wonderful (a washing machine in every one!) loads of facilities, great pool and games room for the kids and the hosts Karen & Rob were really nice, I would highly recommend it!!
Kirstie

That's good to know! I have booked for next summer!

Thankyou!! lebanquet is already full, weep weep.....it looked fab though, so a strong contender for summer 2013 I think (probably have to book it now though!)
PortoTreasonAndPlot...get yourself registered with ABTA / ATOL and away you go!!

Look on Holidayrentals.co.uk, or Cottagesforyou. You can put your dates in.

I am most tempted to go into business as "Porto's Tours" My friends already know me by a similar monika as I LOVE organising a trip. I wanted to BE a travel agent and had a place on a BTEC in Travel and Tourism back in the 80s. My parents poo-poohed it as it didn't involve shorthand typing! I swear I would have been running First Choice by now.....

Get yourself onto a course!!! I was alternatively thinking that you sounded like a good party planner / events planner???? not that I am trying to book your services to help with future events...honest!!

Hmm. I am 43. I keep thinking that I must discover that NICHE market before dh retires in 10 years. I think I have business/negotiation skills and don't need a course as such. It doesn't help being abroad where there is a language issue. See my thread in Chat today I seem to be GOOD at it but only when we are not talking money.....

omg. portoTreasonAndPlot you have a gift!!! Please promise me you will never change your username as I will be hounding asking you for travel advice from now on.

Surely there is money to be made as a personal travel consultant???!!

Um - I changed my name (back)