camping in europe for a family.any info ?.

redfan

thinking of taking the gang to france camping . has anyone done this with small kids. youngest 7 11 13 and 16.
would be a lot different and more family time etc..

archtech

We've done France a few times staying on a campsite in a mobile, doing the land-bridge across Britain. Heading off this year with a caravan, but cut out the land-bridge, taking the ferry straight to France. Age wise your kids should be fine, we did it with younger ones. Doing the "package" type with the likes of keycamp means there's normally a kids club, which you can bring the kids for activities. Sites normally have playgrounds swimming pools etc.

Planet X

Three years to France. Tent. 8,12 & 16 year old kids. Vendee twice, same campsite, Garangeoire (Google it) Superb. Loire Valley, Saumur, Etang De La Breche. Went three years ago and going back this month. Superb. Kids will meet other kids immediately if they're fairly outgoing. Not a problem. most good sites will have two / three pools. Shop and restaurant etc. Do it. You'll be converted.
We book directly with the sites. Rent a pitch in advance. No Keycamp or other operator middleman.
Yes, ferry from Rosslare. Pricey but quicker.

Carawaystick

we started going back in the day with campotel, i was 10, sisters were 8,&5 you got an already pitched tent and beds.

folks got a chalet type tent after a few years, but needed a roofbox to fit everything in (including chairs - no slumming it)

we went as far south as Catalonia, Pals, one year. near Royan a few years, Dordogne, 2 times, vendee first year Germany another, Provence and Chamonix Mont Blanc another.

mostly 4 star sites, nearly all had pools, except in chamonix, which was more climber/hiker oriented then for kids.

I'd recomend britany ferries from Cork to Roscoff. Brittany is nice, ie Kerry is nice, when the sun shines. go further south to get better weather.

Eru

Went to France and Italy as a kid with the parents year in year out.

Going this year with my partner and daughter for the first time in ten years. Tried all the usuals (Keycamp, etc) then got put in touch with Yello Village! and saved a tidy sum plus got better accomodation at a great site (genuine wood cabin).

You have to book everything seperately but the hardest part is making sure your arrival and departure dates from the site conicide with your travel.

BIRDCAGE

Planet X wrote: »

Vendee twice, same campsite, Garangeoire (Google it) Superb.

We just got back from our first camping trip to france yesterday and stayed in la garangeoire campsite, what an unbelievably brilliant campsite, our kids are just 2.5 and 5 and they both had a ball. We went with eurocamp (as they were a lot cheaper then keycamp for the same accomadation), we flew over this time but are already considering returning next year and bringing our own tent and doing the ferry thing............. can't wait.

Planet X

Glad to hear it.
Just back from Etang De la Breche last Monday. 19 days. Superb. Would recommend it also. Book early.



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