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Holidays

Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Original poster

Request for help with recommendation for where to stay in france for self catering holiday?

21 replies

lisalisa · 29/01/2009 22:15

We are thinking of staying in a villa in france this August for 2 weeks. WE have chosen France as we'd like to drive - mad that we are!!!

Trouble is I don't know France that well and would be very grateful for some recommendations as to region and location.

our priorities are these:

1 Private pool.

2 Hot weather - so guess northern france is out?

3 Not too isolated - as we will have young children and one will inevitably need some knid of medical attention - happens every time nearly taht we go away and odn't fancy being completely stranded in the baack of beyond so no more than one hour from city or town

4 Deosn't need to be near beach.

5 If poss within half hour drive of something for the kids - play area/museums etc for when tehy get bored of the pool[never]!

budget is no more than £2,000 for the 2 weeks and we are 7 people.

Oh - and the last thing - if poss - we are jewish and we would like if poss to be reasonably near a synagogue or jewish community if that is opssible so dh can pray and we can have access to kosher food. If not though its not a problem as we can fill up the car and live on fresh fish and veg and pasta and dh can pray at home.

Thanks all

OP posts:
PuzzleRocks · 30/01/2009 08:56

Bumping for you.

aznerak · 30/01/2009 12:26

Hi there

Are you tied to August? Its just my parents rent out their villa and it would tick all your boxes but unfortunately its fully booked in August so if you are able to consider another month or maybe keep it for next year?!?!

They have an advert here on the Mumsnet Small Ads and they offer discounts to mumsnetters!

Alternatively, send them an email at [email protected] and get on their mailing list and they will notify you of special offers etc.

Good luck!

Portofino · 30/01/2009 12:56

This one?

Portofino · 30/01/2009 13:07

Or this?

I could look at holidays aall day

Another one

Portofino · 30/01/2009 13:15

I better stop now before I get depressed!

Original poster
lisalisa · 31/01/2009 22:01

Puzzlerocks =- thanks for bumping. you really area amazing - how you find threads that haven't been answered and bump them!! portofino - thanks - I had found that site and was a bit bweildreed by the choice on offer hence I wanted some general guidance as to region rather than villa itself.

Anyone any general guidance?

thanks

OP posts:
aznerak · 01/02/2009 10:35

I would def recommend the Languedoc. The weather is fantastic and it is cheaper than its neighbour Provence.

There is tons to see and do and some lovely beaches, inland lakes and rivers.

Original poster
lisalisa · 01/02/2009 21:30

Thank you aznerak - I know nothing about languedoc and am off to google.

OP posts:
sunandstars · 02/02/2009 18:29

I had a quick look and it looks like near Marseille or Toulouse is your best bet for sun and access to a jewish community and kosher food.

We stayed near the Marseille area in the Luberon,Provence which is lovely but expensive.Don't remember anything specific for children although there is lots to see/visit in this area.

Area around Toulouse is also good for rentals but have only stayed over a hour north or south of here.

Perhaps see if anyone can recommend a villa in either of these areas?

Original poster
lisalisa · 02/02/2009 21:12

thanks sunandstars - that is so sweet of you to spend time doing that - I am trying to avoid expensive areass though as budget is severely limited by credit crunch this year.

I suppose I envisaged somewhere pretty deserted ( therefore cheap hopefully) but with pool and not too far from civilisation /kosher shops etc ( 1 hour even would be ok).

OP posts:
nellyfin · 02/02/2009 21:29

We stayed here last year. It has a lovely pool (shared with 1 other villa), sleeps upto 8, located in beautiful french countryside (the sunflower fields are absolutely AMAZING!) yet only 20 mins from a big town with a hospital. Website has lots of ideas for the kids. There is a discount for the 2nd week atm, so should come in on budget...

Original poster
lisalisa · 02/02/2009 21:39

Oooh nellyfin - have just clicked on your link and it looks great!!! Am exploring the site now!

OP posts:
Original poster
lisalisa · 02/02/2009 21:45

nellyfin -the only 2 rthings I saw that were a bit on the negative was teh lake and the fact that the pool wasn't private. I am concerned about these two - how far away was the lake and is it fenced off or easily reached by inquisitive kids?

the pool being shared is a pita sicne it depends if you get nice sharees. If you get a topless woman for instance my dh wouldn't be able to sit there!!!

OP posts:
nellyfin · 02/02/2009 21:46

well, we really, really loved it. very chilled out. huge gardens for the kids to explore (theyve also got a garage full of bikes you can use) id highly recommend it

nellyfin · 02/02/2009 21:51

the lake - well we took a 7 year old, 5 year old and 18 month old and it was absolutely fine. It's not fenced in but is in full view of the gite and i didnt feel wary of it.

The pool is shared with the other gite. It wasnt a problem AT ALL, rarely in it at the same time. Luckily, the family in the other gite were lovely and we all got along great (including the kids) so it made the holiday even more special. What age are your children?

Original poster
lisalisa · 02/02/2009 21:54

Thanks Nelly - they are 12,9,7,5 and 3 yrs. The lake does worry me actually as part of what I envisaged was me and dh relaxing by teh pool watching the kids play all day.....If there's a lake looming ( and there's a lot of kids inour family) that's a p[otential pressure point for me and if another family thrown into equation too many unknowns. I am going to bookmark it though as another fmaily may want to come with us so if they take the other gite that would solve that problem.

thanks so much nad I can see why you heartily recommend it. The location looks second to none.....

OP posts:
OllieWollieWoo · 02/02/2009 21:55

Can def recommed the Poitiou Charente or Vendee regions of France esp if you don't want a v long drive - we always use the Owners Direct website as you can search by available dates so don't have the agony of finding somewhere perfect and then seeing its not available! Other friends have used the Tots2France website but think that availability in August may be a bit of a problem for many of the ones listed on there - they seem to get booked up so far in advance!

nellyfin · 02/02/2009 21:55

hmm. we were lucky we got nice sharee's. I think that the type of place it is, in that type of location isnt going to attract your thong loving, topless, cocktail swigging young beauties though. Tis very family oriented and quiet.

We normally have villas with private pools but i must say i quite enjoyed having the social element this time..

nellyfin · 02/02/2009 21:57

i know what you mean about the lake... i'll have another think, we've been elsewhere in france too..

Original poster
lisalisa · 02/02/2009 22:17

thanks olliewolliewoo and nellyfin. Nelly - if your thoughts bring up anything like the firstr place I am seriously interested.........!!

I'll try ownersdirect too although recall that not too many photos on their website?

OP posts:
aznerak · 03/02/2009 07:46

have you tried Tots To France? They specialise in family friendly properties all over the country and Clair is SO helpful and will do her best to find something for you

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