Driving to France for Hols - help please

[pottedcabbage]

We are travelling with young kids in august for a week at a holiday park.

We have the option of either near Bordeaux or in Champagnat which is in the east side of France near border with Switzerland.

Either option will involve stopping en route for an overnight layover.
(Either Reims or Le Mans in each case.)

We have no knowledge of either location.
The one an hour from Bordeaux is about 1.5 hours from the coast.

The champagnat one is obviously inland.

Which is a nicer area?
I get the impression that the Bordeaux area is more interesting or am I wrong?

Sorry for dumb question.

Is any of those 2 areas known for better weather?

Where would you go??

The Bordeaux one is likely to be hotter and dryer. Nearer Switzerland is in the mountains or nearby? Then cooler and could be wetter.

I've done both areas for a holiday as a kid. Loved both.

The area around Bordeaux is very interesting for history , fabulous Romanesque churches and abbeys. The castles and other military sites are good, too, it was a great area of conflict in the Hundred Years War so strong connections with England.

The wine isn’t bad, either!

I much preferred Le Mans to Reims, the historical centre has been restored in a very unusual and sympathetic manner, though I don’t suppose you will be going into the middle? If you want to, there is a fast tram service from the outskitprts.

Thanks for the quick replies !
We don't have an air con option in one of the locations . Would that sway you if going in august?

If it was Bordeaux yes.

A few years ago we went to Perigeaux in august and it was 40 degrees!

I love both places; especially Bordeaux (might be biased though, as I was born and bred there ;-) ). Reims is far from Switzerland; about 6 hours drive. It can be very hot in the summer (but usually not as hot as in the South West of France). Reims and its surroundings are beautiful, plenty of sightseeing in Reims (I would also recommend Epernay).

Bordeaux is one of the most popular tourist places in France. The city itself is gorgeous, especially the old part of the city, and there is also plenty to do around Bordeaux. It is not far from the sea. Perhaps I could recommend places close to Bordeaux such as La Rochelle (1h30 drive, but please be warned that it is very crowded in summer), or stay/visit places between Bordeaux and Angouleme.
Also if you go to Bordeaux, may I kindly suggest a trip to the small town of Saint Emilion? It's very famous for the wine but it's also very picturesque.

Both places are gorgeous, but you mention you have young children. In my humble opinion, you might have more choices of things to do as a family in the Bordeaux/Aquitaine area.

I hope this helps, and don't hesitate to send me a message if you need further info.

Have a great time in France!

Sorry, I've just read your last message OP. If you want to avoid heat in August then you might want to choose to stay in the Reims area (usually less hot than in Bordeaux)

Wherever you go op please get roadside assistance with European cover might just have learned this the very very expensive way

Very jealous of your plans!

I don't know the East but love the Bordeaux area. Why these two options only though? The west coast is popular and you would get some sea breeze. I have stayed overnight in Reims several times and it was very nice.

We do want the heat as we will be in the pool a lot. I was just wondering if it would be unbearably hot for sleeping without ac

Thanks for your post x

Thank you so much for all that info!