Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Holidays

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

Original poster

Brits who have been to the vendee...

53 replies

dogonpoints · 17/09/2009 17:43

How long did it take you drive from St Malo (or wherever) to teh Vendee (around St Jean de Monts I asm thinking) and was it a hellish journey or not?

OP posts:
Original poster
dogonpoints · 17/09/2009 18:08

I thought half of mn had been to the vendee?

OP posts:
LIZS · 17/09/2009 18:13

We went via Calais and it took just over 7 hours driving. Would n't do that again tbh.

Original poster
dogonpoints · 17/09/2009 18:16

oh really? Not a good trip?

Hmm. I am wondering whether to spend a lot of money and fly and hire a car or save the money and take our own.

Hmm. Although Calais is much much further away than St Malo.

ANyone driven from St Mao?

OP posts:
LIZS · 17/09/2009 18:21

The slog back was just a bit too much, also the crossing was very rough. We went via DLP so not so much in one go to get there. The crossing and Vendee part was "free" (courtesy of MN ) but it was end of season so much started to close and the weather became pretty windy . Nice area and palce to stay though. If we went there again I'd go earlier in the summer and do a longer crossing/shorter drive as you suggest.

LIZS · 17/09/2009 18:21

or fly/drive from Nantes

MissisBoot · 17/09/2009 18:23

We went via calais and took about 6 - 7 hours.

Journey not a problem as dd is fine on long journeys - both me and dh shared the driving.

Have done the journey both through the night and day time and both easily do-able.

You could always stop over en route. How far away are your from your nearest airport and ferry? St Jean is about 90 mins drive from Nantes airport.

We are in East Anglia and the whole journey took 10 hours door to door. Pretty good I thought and no hanging around at the ferry etc.

MamiBabi · 17/09/2009 18:24

We go from Cherbour to Longeville sur Mer and it takes us about 5 hours with a half hour break and a toddler - next year we will be doing the journey with a toddler and a 9 month old. We go late June and the journey is fine, crossing from Portsmouth.

MrsBadger · 17/09/2009 18:25

we went Porstmouth - Cherbourg, drive is about 4h, v manageable

if you live W of London I urge you to do the same

NoahDear · 17/09/2009 18:25

drivign in france is fine not on the first and last weekend in august.

we ferry to Caen and it takes us 7 hours9 if no breaks_) to get south of bordeaux

Original poster
dogonpoints · 17/09/2009 18:26

Yes, I am particularly apprehensive of the drive home.

We have to drive to portsmouth from scotland (which is tedious), overnight ferry and then I wondered how long from St Malo to Vendee.

On teh way back I don't know ho w it will work as we can only get a ferry that takes all day from St Malo to portsmouth

OP posts:
Ivykaty44 · 17/09/2009 18:27

It is a good night crossing to st malo and then a really easy peasy drive to St Jean de Mont. No peage and easy roads.

The only slight hitch would be directing through Nance - possibly but certianly not a difficult ride.

It is 300 miles from St Malo to calais and thats not a bad drive.

Also no lorries ever on a sunday (apart from freexer types) so motor ways clear to calais.

I would sail to st malo and drive you will be there for mid morning coffee

Original poster
dogonpoints · 17/09/2009 18:27

Hmm. If 4 hours from cherbourg, then probably only 3hrs from st malo. Or we ferry to cherbourg.

OP posts:
MrsBadger · 17/09/2009 18:28

oh god scotland

I would fly

(NB Noah our MN-sanctioned La Garangeoire trip was so good we are going to Bel La Tranche next year and taking mates)

Original poster
dogonpoints · 17/09/2009 18:28

peage?

OP posts:
LIZS · 17/09/2009 18:29

peage = toll roads

Original poster
dogonpoints · 17/09/2009 18:29

yes, mrsB, flying is tempting but part of me would rather blow the money on food and fun than flights.

OP posts:
MrsBadger · 17/09/2009 18:29

toll road

(you pronounce it pay-arge... because you have to pay)

NoahDear · 17/09/2009 18:29

did oyu like le garangeoire?
we didnt.
yes with peage

Ivykaty44 · 17/09/2009 18:29

Get a night crossing on the way and then coming home get a ferry from cherborgh (?)sp

it just 100 miles from St Malo to Cherborgh so not much further and get a morning ferry on the way home.

By the way St Malo is really a lovely place to sat overnight if you need to.

Original poster
dogonpoints · 17/09/2009 18:29

You are all so knowledgable

OP posts:
Original poster
dogonpoints · 17/09/2009 18:30

yes, we went to st malo the last time (and first) we were in france.

It reminded me of Aberdeen, though, so not my favourite place

OP posts:
Original poster
dogonpoints · 17/09/2009 18:31

And it was as cold and windy as Aberdden

OP posts:
MrsBadger · 17/09/2009 18:31

i see your point

how old/many kids?

but when you add up cost of portable dvd player for car, snacks at services, fuel, ferry crossing, hotel in portsmouth etc which is actually cheaper?

Original poster
dogonpoints · 17/09/2009 18:31

Different ferry journeys - I hadn't thought of that

OP posts:
NoahDear · 17/09/2009 18:31

its taking all the stuff that is good
sister flew this time and you can hardly take ANYTHING.

Swipe left for the next trending thread