Beach holiday in France - October half term

[GoneIsAnotherSummersDay]

This wasn’t the plan at the outset - it was supposed to be a summer holiday but due to DD being very unwell I had to shift our ferry bookings to France to October half term. The country and the dates are therefore fixed and we are excited about our first holiday to France since 2019!

Despite it being the end of October we want a beach holiday even if it’s not hot enough to spend hours sitting on the beach. Other activities we’d like to do are bike rides, exploring, buying food at the market to cook etc. It would be a bonus if there are any indoor places like museums or aquariums nearby for rainy days.

I’d like some suggestions of where to go. The original holiday was planned for Ile d’Oleron as I like how self-contained it is and that you can travel around safely on bikes as there’s a brilliant cycle path network. I fear Oleron might feel cold and windy If we’re unlucky with the weather.

Are there more sheltered spots on the West coast I should look at? My hunch is we might be best heading to the South coast but it is one hell of a drive and I think would necessitate breaking the journey (inconvenient but not the end of the world) as I’ll be the only driver.

Our crossing is to Caen arriving very early in the morning so might get down there in a day but on the way back the ferry is 5pm from Cherbourg which could get a bit stressful!

Have a look at Lac de Biscarrosse. It’s drivable in a day and it’s sheltered.

We had a mobile home in Ronce Les Bain, right by Oleron. We have had some very very cold October half terms there but usually beautifully sunny so beach walks, cycling etc all possible but it won't be a 'beach' holiday IME.

Lovely area, miss it.

We have been to Ile de Re. Same weather issues as Oleron, as it is just up the coast. In Oct, the bridge toll is half the cost of the summer price. The island has loads of cycle paths abd cycle rent shops. Lots of history, some good beaches. Easy to ge to La Rochelle for a day in the city of the weather isn't so good.

Like you, I wouldn't fancy driving all the way to the south of France - but I do want to try the sleeper train to the south coast. You've booked the ferry so you probably want to stick to ferry and car, but if starting from scratch I would've suggested Eurostar to Paris and sleeper train to the south.

I don't know if the north coast (channel) would get better weather than the west coast (Atlantic) in October... I guess both could be rainy. I'd be looking for somewhere with good indoor options like indoor pools, aquariums etc as you say.

We've been to St Malo a few times - stopped there when travelling to SW Brittany - and it's a nice place with a fantastic pool (Aqua Malo) and an aquarium too I think. Not sure about the beaches there.

What kind of accommodation do you have in mind?

La Rochelle area is your best bet for October warmth without trekking to the south. I would suggest taking rain jackets wherever you go though but it's a stormy time of year and very unpredictable. I've done late September with proper heat but never risked October

Thank you all for your thoughts. I'm reconsidering the islands or La Rochelle.

I've also realised that as our idea of a holiday includes swimming that it might be sensible to go somewhere that has an indoor pool as the beaches are unlikely to be life-guarded at the end of October. So maybe South coast isn't as necessary if I let go of the idea of sea swimming a bit.

I agree with PP that the best way to get to Collioure is on the train which I've done previously and is on my to do list with DD, However for this holidays we have a ferry booking we must use so we have to stick with that.

If anyone can suggest campsites with indoor pool and chalets to rent or a holiday apartment complex that would be brilliant.

"If anyone can suggest campsites with indoor pool and chalets to rent or a holiday apartment complex that would be brilliant."

Look at Yelloh Village and Sandaya. They are top end campsites with indoor pools and various accommodation options.

The weather in Brittany/Vendée is not a lot different to Cornwall. I wouldn't plan a beach holiday there, or anywhere other than the Mediterranean, in October. You might get lucky, but you might well have day after day of 13° maximum and rain. Plan for the latter rather than the former.

Les Ormes has a large indoor pool that'll be open in October (the outdoor pools will be closed): www.lesormes.com/en/holidays-and-stays/activities/piscines

And there are two Yelloh Village campsites in Normandy with indoor pools that are open in October: www.yellohvillage.co.uk/choose_your_campsite/by_department/calvados

We were in Nice in February where it was warm enough to play on the beach. If you don't mind multistop, you could go to Barcelona. Spend a couple of days in the mountains, few days on the beach