France in October half-term - where would be nice and warmish but not touristy?

[Katisha]

If we went to France in late Oct, without actually going all the way down to the south, where would be a good place? Would quite like to be near the coast.

We usually go to Brittany and Normandy,self catering in gites, not camping. I am a bit vague about the rest of France...

West of Nantes is quite nice. I spent two October's out there and we were in the mid twenties for the majority of the time. Otherwise Loire Valley is lovely at that time of year. If you'd be willing to travel half way down I can happily recommend "I'le D'Oleron"

Hope that helps.

That does help Claire - thank you very much! I will get googling forthwith!

No worries!

Nantes wise St Naziare, la Croisic are nice. I'le D'Oleron would be my favourite but longer drive (about 3 hours longer depending on which port you arrive in)

Ile de Re is right next to Oleron and is lovely. We went in August and it was like Piccadilly Circus (apparently the whole of Paris decamps to the Ile de Re in August) and I kept thinking how absolutely lovely it would be with far fewer people.

Policywonk! How did you get on?

We went to I'le d'Oleron this summer - I didn't realise it was so popular!

Hey it's you! Hello.

It was very nice (your taxi man was waiting for us at the airport and was very pleasant and chatty). I thought it was very pretty and the towns were charming (where were you based when you were there?) - the big downside was the crowds. We went on lots of cycle rides, including a 25km roundtrip from Le Bois Plage to the mainland (over the bridge obv.) and back - no mean feat when you're pulling a six year old.

Wow!!! My father used to holiday on the I'le D'Re with his parents I think they were based outside St Martin, in the early 60's. However we go to I'le D'Oleron, normally in late June. It isn't as touristy as Re and doesn't attract the number of Parisians escaping. Just so pretty, relaxed and the locals are exceptionally friendly (they enjoy a good laugh when I pronounce certain words wrong!) Really glad you enjoyed it :-)

Thanks again for all your help - it was such a relief to see the sign with my name on it at the airport. I don't think I could have coped with trying to work out how to get to the island at that point.

Not a problem, I'm very glad you had a lovely time, if you go again next year buzz for a translation!

OK so in October - Re or Oleron? Don't like crowds but I assume they'll be gone by them anyway?

Will late October be hopelessly out of season with seafood restaurants shut and things all closed down depressingly?

The Languedoc region is fantastic - Med Sea as the coast, close to Pyrenees, loads of old towns to vist, not to mention the very cosmopolitan Montpelier. Possible to do a day trip to Barcelona from there; the autorote follows the coast all the way.

From what I remember most restaurants close down in November as french kids get between 10-14 days holiday in October so most things stay open. What type of accomodation are you looking at?

DH would like a smallish hotel. I prefer a pretty high-end self-catering place. We don't actually self-cater and always have dinner out and a picnic-type lunch, but I like the freedom of not having breakfast at a set time.
The ideal place would have grounds for the DSs (9 and 7) to go and play in while I come to in the morning, maybe other apartments on the site but not a complex, a pool if it's still warm enough for it, and to have proper furniture! Don't ask for much really...

Ok we've only ever done hotels on Oleron but will list a couple of places:

Novotel at St Trojan. is classed as 3 star but is lovely. As you will see from the site it is literally on the beach. To the rear of the hotel there is a childrens play area (within the grounds, swing, seesaw, slide and a wood balancing trail) We used to play on the beach while Mum or Dad watched us from the hotel terrace while enjoying a leisurely breakfast. They added an extra section on recently that has really lovely, spacious family rooms. website

This I'le D'Oleron website will point you in the direction of all different kinds of accomodation. Oleron Website

You won't be able to count on good weather at October half-term unless you go to the far south.

I would go to Spain where the weather will still be lovely

Thanks vey much CLaire - I shall look into all that!
Hello Anna - I know - it's a bit of a risk isn't it...Hmmm. Thing is DH not keen on flying.

we were in burgundy for the whole of October and lovely sunny days...

We had a totally exceptional Autumn this year . You never can tell!

Sorry, I will try again. Have you tried Poitou-Charentes, I have been there in October half term and July, Oct was really warm but not busy at all. Here are a couple of suggestions that might suit you:

La Garenne: near Aulnay, Charentes-Maritime - there are six 2-3 bedroom gites which are truly beautiful and highly recommended on mumsnet. They have a kids club and a catering service

Les Hiboux, Crezieres - there are 3 cottages at this 18th century farmhouse

Chateau de Gurat, Gurat, Charente/Dordogne border - there are 6 self-catering cottages and you can get pampering and they offer a babysitting service.

I hope this helps. Lucilla