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

Original poster

3 weeks in France...where to start

24 replies

longshot · 26/03/2018 21:45

We are thinking of doing a 3 week trip to France in August, we have been the last few years and stuck to the West coast mainly due to having friends living there who have since moved. We like that coast very much and have also been to Ile de Re a few years ago.

This year we would like to try somewhere new, perhaps one week 'inland' and two on the coast, coastal wise we haven't been to Biarritz and DH is keen on that so we may do a week or so there but where else would people recommend for young DCs? The heat could be an issue (been fine the last few years) but it's puts me off going too far South towards Spain if we are not on the coast. I have never been to the Loire or the Dordogne, any tips on those regions?

OP posts:
Original poster
longshot · 26/03/2018 22:06

I should also say we like cycling (ideally quite flat), water (lakes or sea!), castles /chateau, eating and drinking. Some kayaking would also be good but from what I can see this is mainly further towards the Ardeche sort of area but hopefully I am wrong!

OP posts:
samlovesdilys · 26/03/2018 22:13

Canoeing in dordogne area is fab, you can canoe not only the main river but tributaries such as the vezere. Also canoeing further south on the Lot east of Cahors... always a lovely trip, enjoy 3 weeks, very jealous!!

Ricekrispie22 · 27/03/2018 06:17

I agree that the Loire valley would be lovely. There are lots of companies that hire canoes and kayaks for both unescorted and escorted trips on the Loire river. There are often bike tracks that run parallel to the river banks, offering both good views and easy pedalling! It's a great area if you like chateaus and wine.
family-twist.com/blog/10-great-things-to-do-with-kids-in-the-loire-valley/

TSSDNCOP · 27/03/2018 06:20

Biarritz is fabulous!

coffeeagogo · 27/03/2018 06:35

en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cap_Ferret

We went here last year, was lovely. Coast, forest and lakes - loads of off-road cycling on flat(ish) forest tracks and a giant sand dune.

WhereIsBlueRabbit · 27/03/2018 08:37

How about the Landes area? Pine forests, beaches and quite flat (from memory). Around Arcachon, sort of west from Bordeaux.

mirage937 · 27/03/2018 08:54

how about the alps ? a lot of ski resorts run activity holidays in the summer months, we had a lovely trip to the ardeche a few years ago too plenty of canoeing/kayaking

queribus · 27/03/2018 08:57

The Aude, especially around carcassonne and limoux. It's fabulous!

rumblytummy1 · 27/03/2018 09:04

The Dordogne is a long way from the coast, but you can swim in rivers, lakes, and pools. IMHO nicer than the sea. Tons of chateaux, lots for children to do, especially in August. Cycle Along the river valleys, although the rest can be hilly.

ppeatfruit · 27/03/2018 09:06

The Loire around Tours is lovely (we live quite close part of the year) It's not too hot or too crowded. The river is glorious esp. near Amboise which has the last place that Leonardo lived; there is his chateaux , little medieval streets, good food etc. etc.

SnowOnTheSeine · 27/03/2018 09:39

How old are your DC?

Mine are 4 and 6. In the last few years we've enjoyed:

  • La Palymyre (west coast - fantastic beaches and waves, plus a lovely zoo)
  • Cap Ferret (as PP said) - but for cheaper accomodation aim for Andernos-les-bains then you have the choice between a very calm sea and the huge waves of Cap Ferret
  • Biarritz / St Jean de Luz (but it's very south, long way to drive)

We didn't like the Dourdogne very much. Would have been fab without DC (and the lakes were great for swimming) but poor DS1 is travel sick and all the winding roads made him sick every day.

We're early birds so tend to get to the beach around 9.30am. When DCS were smaller we'd leave about 1pm and then just chill in the garden in the shade. Now we tend to leave around 3.30/4pm.

We cover them well, add lots of sunscreen and drink lots of water. They've never got burnt.

Hairyhat · 27/03/2018 09:41

Watching with much interest

ppeatfruit · 27/03/2018 09:45

if you haven't booked a gite` or B&B or wherever yet I would get a move on because August is the busiest month.

HarryStylesismycrack · 27/03/2018 09:45

Love love love The Dordogne. Canoeing along The Veziere, visiting Sarlat and Padirac le Gouffre. So many swimming lakes, some with inflatables etc for kids. Was fantastic and I’d do it again tomorrow. Although this year we’re heading south to Gorge du Verdon in Provence. Can’t wait. I love France!!

Pootlebug · 27/03/2018 09:58

Landes, specially Biscarosse or the lake just north if it (there are two lakes but the northern one is much nicer).
Loads of off road cycle tracks, the beaches at the lake are by the forest so beaches often shaded in places, the shoreline slopes very very gradually so kids can play in the water without getting out of their depth, and if you want to go to the Atlantic beaches it is only 15 mins drive.

MinnieMousse · 27/03/2018 10:20

Are you driving? Biarritz is a very, very long drive. I would say if you were going there then you could combine with a week inland in the Pyrenees. I haven't been to either but they're on my wish list!

Dordogne and Loire valley are both very nice. Lots of historic places and places to canoe etc. Better chance of good weather in the Dordogne. I like the area around Sarlat. The trouble is both places are a long way from the coast if you wanted to combine with a beach holiday. I think the Landes area (Arcachon/Mimizan) would be the most doable, but at least 2.5- 3 hours I should think. From the Loire Valley, you would have to go North to Normandy or West to Southern Brittany/Northern Vendee, again about 3 hours.

We stayed in Charente Maritime a few years ago, but about 30 minutes away from the coast and enjoyed visiting some of the inland areas such as Saintes/Cognac. You could stay further inland, towards Angouleme, then do a fortnight on the Charente coast, but if you've been to Ile de Re you may know that area already. We stayed quite far south, past Royan.

Original poster
longshot · 27/03/2018 11:51

Sorry should have said, we are flying. Definitely home from Bordeaux but not sure where we are arriving into yet, options are La Rochelle, Toulouse, Nantes or Bordeaux I think. We will hire a car for the duration most likely.

OP posts:
ppeatfruit · 27/03/2018 11:55

I love La Rochelle and surrounding areas but it really is packed to the gills in August.

ProfessorLayton1 · 27/03/2018 13:33

We have been to Languedoc and Dordogne- fabulous and would thoroughly recommend both.

mirage937 · 27/03/2018 15:22

colliure is a beautiful town and many lovely areas nearby

Eve · 27/03/2018 15:33

we went to ile d'oleron for 2 weeks last year, I really liked it but we did nothing for the 2 weeks other than wander to the beach and lots of lying around reading.- its a very French holiday place - so lots of tourists but all french.

ppeatfruit · 27/03/2018 15:36

Yes all french and mainly on bikes! Eve ! .

Original poster
longshot · 27/03/2018 16:51

Looking at flight prices and availability I think we will have to fly into La Rochelle and out of Biarritx or Bordeaux. So does that restrict where we can go somewhat?? Probably don't want to drive all the way down to the Ardeche!

What are the best bits to the East / South East of La Rochelle? We have done the coastal side before and although I love it there would like to go somewhere else as we have three weeks (last week will definitely be on the coast in Biarritz).

OP posts:
ppeatfruit · 27/03/2018 16:56

Check it out on Google there are lots of places that will welcome children, that I don't know about,t there's Futuroscope nr Poitiers and many child friendly camp sites or whatever.,

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