I have stopped panicking about the drive.....I need recommendations for sites in VENDEE or BRITTANY

[SnowMakesSnowmen]

I think I have narrowed it down to:

Chateau Des Ormes (Dol de Bretange - this would be our only Brittany consideration for various reasons). Big site. Lots of onsite stuff. Is there lots of local stuff too (preferrably not all History)??? Has hte plus that it is 200km less driving cp to Vendee

Acapulco (St Jean de Monts)...good reviews...good complex....close to beach...loads of local family stuff how big is St Jean de monts (on a scale of Brighton-Weston Super-mare-Hastings...something I have heard of please)?

Le littoral (Sables d'olonne) I like the look of it but mixed reviews, not close to sandy beach.

But not averse to considering
Le Bois Masson (which i believe is very British)
La Bahamas beach (I quite like the idea of the little fishing village but complex is a lot smaller with fewer facilities)
L'Oceano D'or (which looks as though it has a bit more of a rural feel - although perhaps away from family stuff a bit?)
Can't do Les Biches or Garangeoire or Chaponnet as we can't do 10 days there.

Any comments on teh Camping Life Parks in Vendee welcome.

St.Jean de Mont is probably about the size of Hastings - it's very long and has an amzing beach. I'v only been there in October half term- my inlaws have a place in Bretignolles sur mer just down the coast.
As a town I'd probably prefer Sables d'ollonnes because it has an old harbour and more going on generally - it's more of a town than just a beach resort

I have been to Dol de Bretagne (camping). we enjoyed it as there was plenty to do, including riding, and 3 or 4 nice pools including one indoors. It is well located too. Toilet and shower blocks very basic but OK if you are used to camping.

The local towns are not very big but good for a half hour wander and something to eat, but you really have to be prepared to get in the car and drive to Mont St Michel, Dinard, Dinan or St Malo for stuff to do. They are all easy to get to (about half an hours so we did each as a day trip)

Things to bear in mind - the food on site is eminently missable. Breakfast bread and croissants from the on-site supermarket are good otherwise plan to cook yourself or eat out.

It is quite expensive for all the activities apart from swimming (which is free). Everything, even pedaloes costs money. I would say grab a price list on day one and plan a couple of paying activities across the week and say up front that is it.

Are you looking for a mobile home or bringing your own tent?

If you are looking for a mobile home I can recommend a great website that books direct with the campsite and is far cheaper than going with Keycamp or similar. They do at least a couple of the sites you are considering and also have a link with O'Hara Vacances (a French company) which do some of the others. We went with them last year ( to a site in La Tranche Sur Mer) and were really happy with it - mobile home looked brand new and was far the nicest on the site. The staff are very helpful and if you email them the dates you want to go they will let you know what is available.

www.camping-france-direct.co.uk/index.html

Thanks Grapefruit Moon. We are having a caravan courtesy of Tesco clubcard....will cost us about £300 for 10 nights

From a tent putter-upper horse's mouth:

St Jean de Monts and St Hilaire are not really that big - I would imagine more like a village than Brighton

Who are you looking at Euro camp or key camp?

Les S'ables D'olonne is a bit more like Brighton I guess - still poss smaller

I'm sure there is quite a bit to do - it's not that far from Mont St Michel or Loire etc. after all

We are going with Camping Life - paying with club-card vouchers.

SMS - I've been to some of these and would recommend Acapulco! It's in agreat location and is a lovely site. We are definaitely gonna go back there. Had no problems at all, nothing to complain about! August will be busy but it will be everywhere and I'm sure you'll have a great time!!!
This year we went to Camping Les 2 fontaines with French Life and it is lovely - the pool area is MUCH better than the phot in the brochure - they haven't updated it. There are loads of beaches in the area to choose form too so may not get as croded as big resorts.

A frend stayed at le Littoral and loved it. the beach close by is not sandy but had excellent rock pools so something different to do.

We can also recommend Camping Mane Guernehue in Baden Brittany if you wanted to reconsider other parts of Brittany - it had a fab pool complex and great restauarant. But you could be at the top or bottom of a big hill and you have to drive to a beach.

Acapulco and les 2 fontaines you can actually walk to a beach.

Acapulco - there are loads of places arpound better than just going into St Jean itself! Although it has a superb beach and a lovely market. We preferrred St Gilles CRoix de Vie which is about 10 mins drive away which is beautiful and great for people watching. The site there tho - Bahamas Beach has a not so good pool complex - very basic and quite old.

From your list I would stick my neck out and recommend ... ACAPULCO!!!!

i have been to all three. the first two are excellent choices and have been memorable holidays for us - the third one was pants with little but bingo foing on in the evening the pool complex was ok .

have you made a decision yet? Keen to hear which one you went for!