France within driving distance self catering with good beaches

[jenkel]

I havent been to France since I was a child and we are thinking of going this year during the kids summer holidays. We would like to drive and take our bikes, will be going with a 4 and 5 year old, nice beaches are a must and dh isnt too keen on camping (bad experiences as a child) so it will need to be self catering accomodation, with other children around for the kids to play with. I know this is a big ask but has anybody else been anywhere that they sounds like it could fit the bill, any advice will be gratefully received. Thanks

Ile de Re by La Rochelle is fab. Only been there on day trips from La Rochelle but its a really great island. Not too big with loads of cycle tracks. I can remember going to the main village on the island where there was a harbour- sorry can't remember the name although St Martin rings a bell. Great restaurants and cafes. Loads of self catering properties. HTH

Forgot to say dd was 3 when we went and coped fine with the journey with the help of dvd player

we stayed near Carteret in Normandy last year & loved it. Boat from poole - Cherbourg. 40 min drive. Gorgeous beaches & dunes. We used to live in france & know the country well but have always gone much further south so Normandy was out of character for us but like you didn't want to drive far. We rebted a gite which wsa ok. I saw some lovely ones online when booking last year but because we had alot of extended family coming too they were too small. Thoruoghly recommend the area. Great seafood"!

Carteret is the 'Manche' area of France on the Cotentin penninsula. If you google in 'gite Manche' you should get quite a few responses.

Go to Normandy , Omaha Beach is lovely (& unspolit at the eastern end). Have a look at www.gites-de-france.fr

Brittany and the Vendee are lovely with fab beaches. can you not persuade DH to look at camping? Some of the mobile homes are better than apartments/chaets and the facilities are superb for the kids. We wouldn't do villa or anything like that cos the kids adore the social aspect of the camp sites. We go every year and stay in a mobile - wouldn't contemplate a tent as we like our own running water, toilet, shower and proper rooms etc!!