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Original poster

French holiday help!

50 replies

chochol1000 · 18/04/2023 14:17

Going to France this august with family

We've been let down by the place where booked the villa so now we have nowhere to stay and have booked train, hotel there and back as it was a long drive from calais

Can anyone recommend any nice areas for maximum of 7 hr drive from calais pls ?

Would like somewhere driving distance of the beach, walking distance of shops/restaurants/markets etc as a minimum

Thank you Mumsnetters!

The location we had was perfect but sadly no accommodation now available for what we want

Villa for 7 people

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Original poster
chochol1000 · 18/04/2023 14:18

Travelling with 2 babies one 11 yr old so posted here on this section if anyone has been to west France or knows it well

OP posts:
Mycatisaqueen · 18/04/2023 14:24

There are probably options in Normandy or Brittany, but here are some places on the west coast that I know quite well:

La Rochelle, Ile d'Oleron or Ile de Ré (a bit posher)

Wallywobbles · 18/04/2023 14:26

Dates?

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

General parenting Holidays
TwoBlueFish · 18/04/2023 14:27

No beach but my Dad lives in the limousin region of France (basically middle of the country) there’s lots of lakes with beaches, cafes, pedlos, lifeguards. Very French towns and villages and about a 7 hour drive from Calais.

QuickNameChangeForMeToday · 18/04/2023 14:31

Where have you booked a train to? I’m confused about the long drive but a train bit.

mac1974 · 18/04/2023 14:32

Are you on Facebook? There's a good page called
Holiday Gites to rent in France
You could ask on there

mac1974 · 18/04/2023 14:33

The St John de monts area is nice. You could check vrbo

TwoBlueFish · 18/04/2023 14:41

QuickNameChangeForMeToday · 18/04/2023 14:31

Where have you booked a train to? I’m confused about the long drive but a train bit.

I presume she’s booked the Chanel tunnel crossing

MollyRover · 18/04/2023 14:53

Somewhere around Nantes? You would get something in a campsite probably.

gogohmm · 18/04/2023 14:54

Look in the vendee. Or southern Brittany.

I stayed at this place years ago

Manoir Pres de La Baule

Can't guarantee it's still as good but it was amazing when I went

Crikeyalmighty · 18/04/2023 15:00

Le Touquet is very nice and a very short drive but it is northern French coast so can't guarantee it roasting -

OakleyStreetisnotinChelsea · 18/04/2023 15:05

Maubuisson in the South West is my happy place though that's more like 10hrs drive from Calais. The lake has a sandy beach and its perfect for little ones and there are shops and restaurants then it is an easy cycle or drive to the ocean.

You could look further up the coast though, Noirmoutier, Les Sables-d'Olonne sort of area would be around your 7hr limit.

Or stay Northern and go somewhere like Le Crotoy just an hour from Calais. Lots to potter around.

eurochick · 18/04/2023 15:26

The Loire. It's beautiful and there is plenty of see.

Original poster
chochol1000 · 19/04/2023 07:34

QuickNameChangeForMeToday · 18/04/2023 14:31

Where have you booked a train to? I’m confused about the long drive but a train bit.

Eurotunnel train

Then villa was 7.5 hrs to La Rochelle

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Original poster
chochol1000 · 19/04/2023 07:35

mac1974 · 18/04/2023 14:32

Are you on Facebook? There's a good page called
Holiday Gites to rent in France
You could ask on there

No I'm not on Facebook but some great ideas on here

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Original poster
chochol1000 · 19/04/2023 07:35

MollyRover · 18/04/2023 14:53

Somewhere around Nantes? You would get something in a campsite probably.

Not campers - looking for a luxury villa style

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Rainallnight · 19/04/2023 07:36

Île de Ré. Perfect for families.

Original poster
chochol1000 · 19/04/2023 07:36

Crikeyalmighty · 18/04/2023 15:00

Le Touquet is very nice and a very short drive but it is northern French coast so can't guarantee it roasting -

We love it there but everything villa wise in our price range ( around 4k ) has gone

Happy with a 3-4 hour drive maximum road trip

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Original poster
chochol1000 · 19/04/2023 07:37

Thanks all, will have another look today with all your help

1-8th august

Need to get it booked assp

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Original poster
chochol1000 · 19/04/2023 08:10

Thank you it does - since my post we've now changed to a 3/4 hour maximum drive then we can take off the 2 hotels we had staying down on the way saving £500 and cutting the journey in half as it's our first holiday with babies then all being well we will go further down south next time

But port blanc does look beautiful

Think we are looking around trouville sur mer and surroundings x

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