Tots to France

[Fruitymama]

Good evening everyone. This is my first time so be gentle with me!
Has anyone used this travel company. We are thinking of using them and wondered if they were any good. Also is the Dordogne region of France any good? Not been before and would like some recommendations. Thanks

Hiya, Tots 2 France are an independant agent offering holiday accomodation in France. The owner Wendy Shand visits each property to make sure its suitable for families with children and also gives advice to the property owners in how they can improve. As they say on their site they don't actually guarantee a 'padded cell' but they can highlight areas that may not be ideal for your family and can personally find a property to suit you. Its a very personal service and they obviously give an independant view of the properties, which can give you a certain level of security, but you pay for it as they are an agent. The other alternative is to go independantly as it works out cheaper - just tap in child friendly gites into google and see what comes up or whatever search you want like child friendly villas in dordogne. Just make sure you ask lots of questions, make sure you see loads of photos and make sure they can provide all the things you need like travel cots and highchairs and don't just depend on emails - give them a call too - you can tell a lot from someones voice and the way they are with you on the phone.

Dordogne is beautiful, very picturesque but can get very busy in peak season and full of tourists. Try some of the lesser known areas - cheaper and less touisty.

Thanks for that. Very useful. Could you suggest any lesser known areas as we are complete novices to this area of France.

Poitou Charente is just north of Aquitane which includes Dordogne, so actually less of a drive if you are planning to go by car or there are several airports like La Rochelle, Poitiers, Limoges you can fly to. The region is split into 4 departments, the Charente Maritime is the one which borders the coast so thats good if you want to go to the beach/coast - but stay inland a little bit as its cheaper and less tourists. Then theres Deux Sevres, Charente and Vienne which are all inland. You can drive from St Malo in 4hrs. But if you arn't really fussy about where you go to but more fussy about what you want out of the holiday - luxury, child friendly, activity, relaxation etc then best putting those into your search. Don't not go to the Dordogne - its gorgeous, thats why its so popular ! But you will find prices are cheaper in lesser known places. Also the coast is always expensive as its not just british tourists who want to go there, its all the french and germans too. The Belgiums tend to stay inland a bit !

Thank you that has been most helpful

Thank you for that. You are all being so helpful. I don't know why I did'nt join earlier!

Or why not take a look at our place www.grangedumoulin.com which is in the Poitou Charente that christyfeur was talking about

Once again thank you for information.

Hi There,

We too have a very child and baby friendly gite in Normandy with a pool.

We are easily accessable from the UK.

Feel free to have a look around using our virtual tour website.

www.labellepetitemaison.com

Thanks
Rach

Hi, sorry, I came to this thread a bit late!
We have a gite in Brittany, and looked at using "tots to France" to advertise with, as I thought it was an excellent idea,(having stayed in some very dodgy places in France with DC's!) however, the commission they wanted from owners to advertise with them meant it wasn't worthwhile for us at all...(although we met their criteria) I'm not sure whereabouts or what time of year you are looking for (we only have a couple of weeks left until Sept) I also agree with asking dozens of questions & phoning the owners to find out as much as you can too! Good luck anyway, and hope you have a great time....www.gitegorvello.com

oops link did not work
www.labellepetitemaison.com

I can highly recommend Tots to France - if you aren't sure of where to go, call Wendy and she can talk you through all of the properties.

Also look at their new sister site www.totstoitaly.co.uk - as it's new, the villas might have more availability if you're wanting to go over summer. They have two in Tuscany or several in Le Marche region (real Italy, off the beaten track type stuff).