Please can anyone recommend a family friendly holiday in France?

[littlestar]

We're hoping to go away for a week in June or July - myself, DH, DS (aged 3) and DD (who will be almost a year old). We want to go abroad but can't face flying. We're looking for somewhere self catering (preferably not camping, although we are on a budget) that we can get to easily by car from SE London, say within half a day.

Our ideal holiday would include sunshine, a nearby beach, maybe a pool, a bit of sight-seeing, a couple of easy day trips, and lots of family friendly places to eat. A baby-sitting service would be a bonus but isn't essential.

We've never been to France and I don't know where to start. Someone has recommended Le Touquet... has anyone been there, or can suggest anywhere else that might suit us? Our last 2 (brilliant) holidays have been booked after recommendations by mumsnetters so we're hoping to make it third time lucky!

Try totstofrance.co.uk I've never been but they look great, very detailed website, I heard about it on here. Also, siblu, look good aswell they look like big static caravans and I think they do apartments as well, they are on holidya parks so I think most of them have pools, and V.family friendly, the price includes your ferry trip. There is a discount from mumsnet and you can pay with tesco vouchers if you have any.

Always think this one looks pleasant:
here

Thanks, these sound great!

Have a look here as well...one week left still in July.

That looks perfect! It's a shame June is all booked up as it would have been so much cheaper

I'm sorry littlestar! Most of June was booked up really early by people who were here last year, it's good for little ones then as it's paddle-weather, but not too scorching hot (usualy) I feel really bad telling people we're full when they want to come...

we've had very postitive experiences with keycamp - have found sites near the beach and been very lazy. we go for the most deluxe mobile homes complete with air con.

Don't worry jenpet, I know there are lots of families out there who are way more organised than us! I always plan to book our holiday well in advance but somehow never manage it.

Has anyone been to Brittany? That sounds nice.

If you go in July many more attractions such as open-air pools will be fully open
A lot of France still treats June as basse-saison and only opens for weekday business on a Wednesday, when the schools are off

Will post more later - Gites de France is a good, inexpensive option