Charente or Gironde?

[Fargoer]

Where would you stay? Similar quality of accommodation. Gironde gite has a pool but no AC- would it be too hot in august with no AC?

Charente gite has no pool but when we’ve stayed in the area previously (3 times) in august we found it too cold to swim 90% of the time. Haven’t been to Charente for 4 years, never been to Gironde with kids. It’s about £500 cheaper for a week.

We are driving over a couple of days so obviously Gironde is further but still doable- we’d allow an extra day to travel.

Both have bikes, games room etc.

Anyone with insight of where to go with kids aged 5-13 gratefully received!

I thought this was a names thread- what a relief!

where in the world are those places?

Haha wee

They are regions in france

I think Gironde has more to offer what with Bordeaux nearby. Be aware though that there were huge fires last year in Les Landes forest.

Thanks… I am hoping that was a particularly unusual year…
would we cope without AC?

Me too.

OP always go with AC in August.

We really like the Charente region. We stay at a place owned by friends of PIL and it has a pool - we use it most days later on. It's not far from the Atlantic coast and Cognac. Big rivers, pretty small towns, lots to do.

I live on thé Gironde. I think it would depend where abouts in Gironde or Charente you'd be. A lot of the Charente is the back of beyond which is fine with little kids. Surprised it's been too cold to swim in August, you must have had a bad year. Be careful your accommodation isn't too close to a farm - flies in August. We once stayed somewhere in the Charente where it was impossible to go outside in the evenings because of mosquitoes.

In the Gironde, I'd avoid Lacanau in August as it can get rowdy. My neighbour rents her house on Airbnb and when it's English families with kids, I often wonder if they're on Mumsnet!

In not on etc etc

We've had lots of great holidays in Charente. Lots to do ..Saintes, Angouelme, Cognac, Jarnac, La Rochelle, Marennes, Il d Re/Olerons, Rochefort. Puy De Foy and Vallee des Singes both within easy driving.

But with kids 5-13 you need a pool.

Thanks all.
@Bagatella we have been 3 times in august and each time we had to force persuade the kids to use the pool because it was unheated and freezing! It was definitely generally cardigan weather. So although like @mellicauli i thought a pool was imperative, we mostly didn’t use it.

For the Gironde we were looking at a place between Bergerac and Libourne and for the Charente, near St Jean d’Angely.

We holidayed in St Jean D'Angeley twice when children were younger. We loved it. Had great weather. There is a lovely lake where you can hire boats. Visited Cognac. Port Miniature de Saint Savinien is well worth a trip 😊

Went to both in 2019, though in June and without children. Would say Charente probably better for what you are looking for.

I like Charente too. Have been twice. We stayed just south of Saintes which I thought was a good location to be based. Gites are usually old stone built farm buildings and tend to be cool. We managed in once last year with no AC and it was 38+ degrees every day. Ask for fans for night time though.

Thanks all.
Mixed opinions! We haven’t been to Charente in a while, not averse to going again just worried about lack of pool.
I wasn’t expecting to go away this summer so choice of place is limited booking this late.