France late October

[Allswellthatendswelll]

We are looking to go to France in October half term. Hoping to get the ferry to Caen and drive somewhere max 4 hours away. Previously we've done Normandy and Brittany but I wondered about the weather in October. We have a toddler which may or may not be relevant.
Any ideas appreciated!

Look at centre parks in France you have a choice of a few within 4 hours of Caen . Plenty to do for a toddler.

Or head to the Loire Valley.

Yes leaning towards the Loire Valley. I have been before a few times but not since about 2011! Any particular towns that are nice?

There is a centre parcs in the Loire valley, it's amazing. Les bois aux daims, had an amazing time in May.
There is a Facebook page for European centre parcs for brits.

We've got a static near La
Rochelle. We go in October but it can be bloody freezing. Sunny but cold. Most of the resort is shut down. You won't get anywhere with a 4 hour drive with 'holiday' weather.

Saumur and Chinon are lovely.

Weather can be variable. Sometimes we're still having summer then, but this year has been very strange.

Plenty of châteaux, Vallée des Singes, cycle paths, museums etc

Futuroscope isn't too far from the Loire and I'd highly recommend that.

Yours is a nice town, and I also liked Azay-le-Rideaux

*Rideau

I think Villandry is nice too.

If you're interested in châteaux, I don't think you can beat Chenonceaux

you won’t be able to rely on ‘holiday’ weather in the Loire by late October. You can get nice days, but it is only a few degrees warmer than England, and it can be very stormy. You have never seen hailstones until you have been in a storm on the banks of the Loire.

I have. We had to rescue two Polish girls whose tent had collapsed in the hail. They were sheltering in the toilets.

Last year the rain started on 18th October and didn't stop [bar 3-4 days when it only rained a little] for 7 and a half months. And we are 6 hours south of Caen.

Ah OK interesting. I wasn't expecting hot weather but not sure about rain! Maybe we might go to Belgium instead as a shorter drive.

Weather an awful lot worse in Belgium!

I’ve booked Domaine des Ormes for Oct mid term, it has huge indoor pool, slides etc. got a great deal with Eurocamp.

I came on to say look at campsites with indoor pools !

TBH I doubt there's anywhere you can drive to in 4 hours from Caen where you'll get guaranteed good weather in October.
You could drive overnight to Côte d'Azur and have much better weather.

If you’re wanting ‘holiday’ weather in October you’re looking at the Canaries really not sure a ferry and a bit of a drive onto the continent will give you what you are looking for.

Hi all just came on to say thanks for the tips. We are not looking for holiday weather just not worse than the UK! Not interested in flying or indoor eurocamp places. I'm considering the dordogne but that is a 7 hour drive. Or we just accept it will be like the UK and stay up on the North Coast.

we regularly go down to the Tarn et Garrone, which is a lot further south than you are thinking of, and in October the weather would be autumnal like UK.

At school we learnt - Warm wet westerly winds bring rain to mediterranean regions in winter. It really does. The country side is green and lush in the autumn because of the weather.

As it is in October it might be well to wait until there is a better idea of the long range weather predictions and then book your accommodation.