Eurocamp Dordogne - never been to France or driven abroad

[LJ29]

Hi, I'm thinking of going to one of the Eurocamps in Dordogne next year but I've never been on holiday to France before let alone driven abroad. Am I mad? Does anyone have any useful tips/advice? i'm interested in the best places for me and 3 DCs, best time of day to go, driving hints etc.

Sarlat on a saturday.

Lascaux caves.

Rocamador

Cahors.

Les eyzies de tayac (Can't remember how its spelt)

Bordeaux

bergerac

roc gageac (I think)

Domme (Used to have EPIC ice creams)

Haven't been for yonks, but as a family we loved it so much we bought a house there.

Make sure you take lots of suncream Can't think of anymore but in my humble opinion its the best place EVER!

We stayed in Les Eyzies this year. It really is lovely round there. Market in Sarlat in wonderful. Great to see real cave paintings - Rouffignac, Font de Gaume. Les jardins de Marqueyssac and la roque gageac are awsome. The chateau at Castelnaud also. Coming from the UK - I would probably drive as far as Rouen and stop overnight. Don't go via Paris - it is mad.

The french motorways are great generally with plenty of places to stop. Get a dvd player for the car and look at getting a doodah for the tolls. here. You get a little gadget for the car which lets you through the express lane at the tolls and debits your card. So no change needed and much less queueing.

Get the biggest, best mobile home you can afford - it is always worth it. Decking and aircon is usually worth paying for. Shop round the different companies - Eurocamp/Keycamp/Canvas/Select/Thomsons Al Fresco to get the best deal. Unless the kids clubs are a big factor, you might get a better deal renting a gite. We stayed on a complex with shared pool and games barn - and got all mod cons - DWasher, washing machine, tv, dvd player etc etc for less than the cost of a mobile home.

I would avoid August if at all possible - it gets very. very busy.

Just back from the Dordogne - definitely pay for air con, it was high 30s when we were there.

We priced up mobile homes versus gites and found that a gite was cheaper but didn't have all the shared activities that they would have at Eurocamp. There are loads of things to do like Portofino has mentioned it's truly a wonderful part of the world.

Thanks for the messages. I think I'd like to go to the Dordogne but also looking at Vendee. Trying to work out the best routes. I like the idea of the overnight ferry from Portsmouth to Caen but seems quite expensive. Chunnel is cheaper but adds on a couple of hours driving.

we used to do it every year - i'd go closer for a first trip - its a bit of a treck to the vendee, and it would be worth staying over night somwhere if you can't share the driving that is.

We live in the Dordogne and it is fantastic but boiling at the moment, you will not survive without aircon. It has been 40+ degrees all week.

DS and i are sitting indoors with shutters shut and fans on till it cools down. Last 3 days we have been to the lake every afternoon to swim.

Best times to visit are late august, things seems to die down as there are fewer french on holiday. You have to get up very early (be out of the house by 9am) as there is a lot of traffic to visit all the site as listed above.

Don't know about Eurocamp, but these sites are usually big and busy, so worth seeing if you can get a gite to rent; you have a year to look around and get a good deal. We have a caravan and tend to pick smaller quieter sites, also out of season.

Not trying to put you off, but for a first visit to france, why not try the vendee. It is a closer drive and probably not quite as hot. You are near La Rochelle which has a massive aquarium, port and loads of fantastic restaurants and shops. you can also visit ile de re and ile d'oleron (the latter has loads of facilities) and of course you are near the sea.

Romilly you are so lucky to live there! It just looks so beautiful.

Watching with interest.

thanks LJ29 it is very pretty, fantastic weather and great for DS. However rural France is a huge change from where i used to live (in London) Used to it now though!

We went for many years Eurocamping with our two children - both to the Dordogne and to the Vendee - loved both places and always had a fantastic time. The children loved camping and made many friends.

We still talk about the times we went canoeing down the Dordogne - great fun even when the children were quite young - as long as you and they wear lifejackets.

I'm sure you will enjoy yourselves.

Its booked! I opted for The Vendee in the end with Eurocamp. & nights and crossing with the Eurotunnel for £250 in June! bargain in my eyes. When I factor in toll road fees and petrol (using very helpful route planner on website) it comes to about £500. I will travel down to folkstone the night before, stay in a cheap hotel and then get the tunnel first thing. Can't wait!!!!!!

We have booked a gite complex not far from La Rochelle next summer. I am already excited.

Portofino, which gite complex have you booked? I'm looking for inspiration for next summer.

This is the campsite we have booked. we have booked a Supertent but the do mobile homes too (I'm particularly attracted by the kids clubs and babysitting service!)

www.eurocamp.co.uk/sites/france-vendee/vn011-le-clarys-plage.html

www.eurocamp.co.uk/sites/france-vendee/vn011-le-clarys-plage.html

LJ, I tried this and it was about £400 including the eurotunnel. Did you get a special offer?

I'm going in the 3rd week of June in a tent not a mobile home, thinnk I got an early booking and single parent discount.

femme - I have booked up here Shared pool, wifi, play area etc and 15 mins from the beach.