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Original poster

Eurocamp in France - HELP ME!!

27 replies

tonysoprano · 26/03/2009 15:30

Hi all, we are planning a credit crunch holiday this year so have decided on a mobile home in a French campsite. However, I am completely confused about where to go. I have been looking at the Vendee region but some of the reviews on some websites describe it as very toruisty and a bit tacky. Is this true of the whole region of just certain parts?

Anyone been to the Vendee or indeed can recommend a Eurocamp destination whici has a nice beach, good clean facilities and a town that's we can eat in the evening (but no karaoke bars!!)

Any other suggestions would be gratefully received.

OP posts:
Ivykaty44 · 26/03/2009 15:34

Vendee is touristy and there will be lots of English there on the campsites. St Jean du Mont is ok with places to eat etc. The beaches are ok and clean.

La rochelle a bit further south is divine and very posh, Ile de rea is lovely with camps and cycling, boats galore.

I have never ever seen Karaoke bars in france so think you will probably have to look much further afield for those

Original poster
tonysoprano · 26/03/2009 15:37

Brilliant thanks so should aim for further south than Vendee? Is St jean du mont better than St Hilaire de Riez?

OP posts:
JudithChalmers · 26/03/2009 15:38

yes go south of Bordeaux Imo. Better weather too.

JudithChalmers · 26/03/2009 15:38

most sites are near a town tbh - not many within walkign distance by the nature of what they are.
Most beaches will be a drive away

Ivykaty44 · 26/03/2009 15:46

I liked st jean du mont slightly more than st hilaire de riez - not much in it, both have markets, both have supermarkets. Best ever almond coissant in St jean du mont (I like my food )

But would rather travel further south La Rochelle or Bordeuax - but that is just me there is nothing wrong with the vendee it is good seaside french holidya stuff and most campsites are pretty good with pools etc on site and some have cafes. I have had some good holidays in this region.

JudithChalmers · 26/03/2009 15:49

too many brits imo.
decide what kind of site you want first. ALthough we liked the idea of a quiet one in the end the kids like one with a "bar" a crepe take away and the odd disco.
As long as you are not on top of it it can be diverting at night

If oyu want aboslute silence then ring the company and ask for the quietest.

Ivykaty44 · 26/03/2009 15:51

I didn't like Royan - I wouldn't go back there either. Apart form that I like this coast and anywhere between St Jean and les sables will make a good holiday.

JudithChalmers · 26/03/2009 15:52

no i didnt like les sables or royan

Original poster
tonysoprano · 26/03/2009 16:02

Judithchalmers why didn't you like these areas? The kid of site I want is modern, bit of life at night i.e. buzzy not rowdy. plenty to do for the kids 6 and 3. Don't mind driving to a beach but would prefer to have access and would like to be near restaurants. Any suggestions?

OP posts:
BoredWithWork · 26/03/2009 16:13

TS - we're going to camping Bel in la tranche sur mer with keycamp, same as eurocamp i think. fairly quiet and near the town so access to all the usual things. been there years ago seemed okay. We went for vendee rather than bordeaux as it's less travel time, ds will be 20mths. west coast of France is lovely where ever you go.

JudithChalmers · 26/03/2009 17:34

I found them too full of brits and a couple of years we had crap weather

Ts are you new or a name changer?

waitingforgodot · 27/03/2009 17:56

Is it true the guys have to wear speedos in Eurocamp swimming pools?
Sniggering to myself here at thought of DS in speedos

bigTillyMint · 27/03/2009 17:58

Oh dear - we are going to Royan for the first time this year - what didn't you like about it and where did you stay?

bigTillyMint · 27/03/2009 18:01

Also, we have stayed near St Jean de Monts (I think!) - near St Gilles Croix de Vie, which is a nice little town.

waitingforgodot · 27/03/2009 18:01

sorry that should have read DH in speedos!!!
Duh!!

Ivykaty44 · 27/03/2009 21:16

bigtillymint - I was in royan really early in the season about 10 years ago, so I probably didn't see it at it's best. The campsite we stayed on was a bit naff.

I think in the hight of season it will be very crowded and lively.

Do take the trip up to la rochelle for a day and let the dc go on the carosells

Portofino · 27/03/2009 21:18

We've booked for St Avit Loisirs in the Dordgone. Looks lovely. Nightlife if you want it, culture galore. Having a credit crunch day today though so hope we can still go.....

uptomyeyes · 27/03/2009 21:22

Don't know if you could be enticed over to the Alps and Lake Annecy. We had a wonderful holiday there last year on a eurocamp site (La Serraz - we are going back again this year. Very sophisticated, loads to do, relatively easy to get to. Eurocamp and Canvas on the same site. have a look in the brochure.

Ivykaty44 · 27/03/2009 21:30

uptomyeyes - tell me more please, or do you have a link to the site you stayed on?

uptomyeyes · 27/03/2009 21:42

Not sure how to do a link but if you go to either Canvas or Eurocamp websites and scroll down to Region - Alps, Annecy, La serraz you will get there. Alternatively you can go straight through to the site tself by just googling Le serraz. We had a wonderful fortnight there last year - great cycling, swimming in the lake (sounds odd - but it is really geared up for it see Talloires village beach) In the winter the area is a ski resort and lots of the ski lifts and cable cars are open through the summer to take walkers to the top of the mountains. We had DS3 in a three wheel buggy but were still able to do lots of hill walking. Annecy itself is a gorgeous french spa town, old markets, great places to eat, boat hire, etc etc I'm signing my two older boys up for climbing lessons this year and sailing. Annecy nestles amongst the mountains and though cool in the evenings (all relative all you need is a fleece with your shorts), it isn't as hot as the med region or further south during the day either. Saying that it was in the 70's for the fortnight we were there.

Ivykaty44 · 27/03/2009 21:47

this on

Ivykaty44 · 27/03/2009 21:52

Thanks - have just looked and it doesn't open till after easter!! was thinking for April this year Maybe in the later summer thanks

uptomyeyes · 27/03/2009 21:52

Thats the one. There is another eurocamp further down the road that is a bit busier - more to do for older children I think. Though mine are 11, 7, 2 and had a ball on La Serraz. The region itself is just lovely. Just remembered - the summer luge - was a big hit last year (summertime sledging!), a beaver reserve at the egde of the lake...aaahhhh lovely. {smile}

Ponders · 27/03/2009 21:55

"Is it true the guys have to wear speedos in Eurocamp swimming pools?
Sniggering to myself here at thought of DS in speedos"

Guys have to wear proper swimming trunks in French pools - no swim shorts allowed.

uptomyeyes · 27/03/2009 21:55

Maybe see you end of August then