St. Nazaire Suggestions, help, Ld Lines, campsites

ScouseMouse

Hiya all.

So, after discussing with powers that be on boards, about spinning off a thread from the bargain alert LDlines ferry, I did it and hopefully something will come of it.

I am travelling myself and trying to research the trip, am looking for recommendations, tips, tricks, whatever.

So a recap.

Some of us got a giveaway deal online from LDLINES ferry company.

We know its a basic boat, not a Rolls Royce, but functional and to the point.

Some are looking hotels and campsites, lets hear you recommendations.

Some campsites are in the RDS at the Holiday Show, heres some free tickets courtesy of Chill Insurances.

ALL I ASK, is no crap about other ferry companies and comparisions, WHO CARES!

Cheers.

Superscouse

ScouseMouse

Right, heres my plan.

Ferry 27th June.

Load up granny, wife, and two kids into car and head for Rosslare. Stop in Enniscorthy and have a feed in The Bailey. Gluten Free required so cannot trust the boat.

Onboard, unload into cabin and meet with fellow boardsies for "boozy boards on board"

Arrive over there and maybe stay overnight in one of the hotels mentioned on the other thread, or possibly drive overnight down south or maybe even go to the campsite someone mentioned which is supposed to be 19 minutes away.

A lot of camps have off peak rates but plan to speak directly to them at the holiday show next week and see what they can offer me face to face.

Whats everyone else doing.

MidlandsM

Great thread SuperScouse, so MM Chiming in

Well, I travel with my crew June 20th.

I've pm'd everyone my campsite details that wanted them, my entire holiday for ferry and accom is coming in round €800 - a quare bargain!

On our last day of the holiday, we've got to depart the campsite around 10am, and the the ferry's not boarding till late in the day, so I got a day to organise to keep herself and the 3 kids happy......so, In this thread, I'm keen to learn of any great places to visit, shop and dine in, in and around St. Nazaire, also somewhere for me to buy some wines and fill my roofbox!

a good google today revealed this -

Good Reviews here on something to do in St.Nazaire:

A Submarine museum, with a real sub.

http://www.tripadvisor.ie/Attraction..._la_Loire.html

Big Nelly

hey will post here instead of other thread, first time going to france and will probably book with LD Lines

Looking for ideas in France for accommodation.....do people stay in area around where boat stops or head south?

Below are details on people travelling....

2 adults and 2 kids, one child is 13 and the other will be 1

Travelling in June.....no complications....just looking for holiday without flights

MidlandsM

Big Nelly wrote: »

hey will post here instead of other thread, first time going to france and will probably book with LD Lines

Looking for ideas in France for accommodation.....do people stay in area around where boat stops or head south?

Below are details on people travelling....

2 adults and 2 kids, one child is 13 and the other will be 1

Travelling in June.....no complications....just looking for holiday without flights

my campsite i booked i just a mere 19 mins away from St.Nazaire. It seems to have everything we wanted (2 adults, 3 kids) its 5 star and gets good reviews and they did me a cracking deal on price for booking early.. I'll pm you details.

Big Nelly

MidlandsM wrote: »

my campsite i booked i just a mere 19 mins away from St.Nazaire. It seems to have everything we wanted (2 adults, 3 kids) its 5 star and gets good reviews and they did me a cracking deal on price for booking early.. I'll pm you details.

Hey thanks, I just sent you a PM but you had already sent details:p

Cheers!

MidlandsM

The bridge that takes you southbound in france from St.Nazaire looks AWESOME!



the port is right beside it, see this pic.....



awesome!

billie1b

MidlandsM wrote: »

The bridge that takes you southbound in france from St.Nazaire looks AWESOME!



the port is right beside it, see this pic.....



awesome!

I've been on this bridge, my legs turned to jelly while driving

Moonbeam

I would not be able to cross that bridge!
We are not going with LDlines as Celtic Link were cheaper.
Heading over for 3 weeks with the husband and 4 kids (5,3,1 and around 2 months old by then)
Booked a mobile home on a fancy site:)
We are going as far as Carnac but no further.
I think I need ot buy a roof rack and roof box as I am used to using my 3rd row of seats as a boot!!

For anyone going further south ,I love Les Pirons in Les Sables d'olonne and it is very reasonable.

alastair

superscouse wrote: »

Whats everyone else doing.

Heading over on the same ferry as yourself.

Booked into the Holiday Inn Express in St Nazaire for the first night - opposite the submarine pens. Expect to do a bit of grocery shopping the following morning in Carrefour, but it's a bit unclear after that. I've tickets for the Le Mans Classic 24 hour race from the 4th to the 6th of July, and booked into a campsite for the duration (we're bringing our own tent), but we'll probably head down towards Bordeaux first off. Any pointers on cheap but cheerful hotels or campsites suited to a couple, or spots worth checking out en-route much appreciated. We like most stuff old, scenic, tasty or cultural, and herself is fond of a vineyard visit.

We'll be driving a thirsty 43 year old car, so not planning on anything too epic, journey-wise. The original plan was to take it to Scotland for a driving holiday this year, but the launch deal on the ferry was just too much of a bargain to let go, and hopefully the weather will be kinder to us.

irishrver

We are also take the ferry on the 27 June the campsite we stay is called les ecuriles near st hailer de riez it is about 82km from the ferry it is family run with 3 pools and slides we have been going there on and off for the past 15 years it is just across the road from the beach over the sand dunes then you have about 12kms of beach, the camp site is a mix of French Dutch Irish and English, key camp are also there but it is cheaper to book direct with them, plenty of shops near by some you can walk to the bigger centers are about 6kms away.
I am no help in regards hotels as we have a camper van but there is plenty to do in the Vendee region from sailing to zip lining tons of cycle tracks you can rent bikes all over the place even cooking lessons to make bread and crossiants and some fantastic wine co-ops where you can bring empty bottles and fill up or buy ready bottled all cash no cards.in from the coast there are farmer markets in every town and village.
Looking forward to trying LD lines see you on board.

ScouseMouse

Got a load of options and seeking general thoughts.

With this boat only doing 1 trip a week, I have an 11 day holiday. A few parks I spoke to think this means charge for two weeks - I dont think so.

Some private mobile home owners on donedeal, owners direct and others think the same.

One camp seems to have deals like this 7 days for the price of 6 with extra nights on a per night basis.

Another camp ( I THINK this was recommended by another poster - I may be mixed up) seems to be offering good deals when you talk to them directly. I am looking forward to speaking to them face to face next week. If I am standing there with euros, I will get good deals.

I did have another idea. One option I got was a week in a camp and the balance at disney. By going into disney french site, I found a deal which was roughly four days park tickets for 3 adults and 2 kids for 950 euro. There was a discount as one child was 4 so free on that date. That was to expensive but then found there was a deal of Davy Crockett ranch INCLUDING the passes for disney for about 1150 euro. Gotta try and find that again now.

There does seem to be difference between the disneyland france and disneyland ireland price quotes.

As a tip, if you use google chrome, the website can detect its in french and convert it into english for you. I did notice it had some limitations though.

I am looking at all options so please share your ideas folks. Obviously, I want the best bang for my buck. Its been a bad year and need to get the best deal I can.

Anyone know anything about gluten-free food over there? We did a few days with Celticlink last year and hit the normandy beaches. People were nice once we said "SAN GLUTEN"

Over to you folks.....

dockleaf

Gluten free food is not great in France, unfortunately. Depending on the supermarket you will find g-free pasta and some types of bread but not much variety and we have better products here and better value. We tend to bring enough pasta and bread with us for the hols, sure when you have the car it's just as handy. Last year I did find a gluten free macaroni in Leclerc which was nice, but the heinz one that is available in Superquinn here is nicer, so is the tesco free from fusilli.

I have my card from the Coeliac society in french ready to hand in in restaurants if necessary but I've never had much of a problem with contamination.

Moonbeam, have you considered a trailer?

Qwerty?

billie1b wrote: »

I've been on this bridge, my legs turned to jelly while driving

Yeah, it's Class. Myself and the kids loved it, herself was not to impressed thou
We are sailing on the 11th July. Probably going to stay in Nante in an Etap, used it before, cheap and cheerful, but spotlessly clean.

Then head down to the Gascony Region for over a week with Eurocamp, then back up to Gironde for another 11 nights to a lovely site we stayed in last year with Campotel. Finally visit friends for a few nights, and back to Ireland.

The further south you go, the better the weather is likely to be. We stayed in Brittany 2 years in a row, and it can be hit and miss with the weather. Past the Vendee you are less likely to see a lot of rain. (Well except when the Thunder and lightening arrive - which is an awesome experience)

On Saint Nazaire - the area around the Port has a number of interesting exhibitions.
The Submarine Espadon is well worth a visit. You get to wander through the real submarine.
The Escal'Atlantic, the Ocean Liner Experience is brilliantly done, and not to be missed.
Unfortunately, I didn't get to do the Airbus A380 as you need to book that in advance, to allow for Security checks etc. This year hopefully.
Further info :- http://visit-saint-nazaire.com/rubrique/2

unkel

The Scintu is dead, long live the Norman Atlantic

juneg

Superscouse , For anyone looking at Disney you could stay in one of the campsites and rent a mobile home for a few days. I have stayed here and it is lovely.
http://www.paris-campsite.com/

PRO: cheaper than Disney hotels , Bring your own picnic and eat in the Disney picnic area . You are not tied to Disney and can go off into Paris on the Metro. Fabulous day out for any family
CON : 30 mins drive and pay daily rate in Disney car park €15 I think. Not the full Disney atmosphere but you'd get sick of that lol!

Or you could rent an apartment in or near Val d'Europe. Prob just on a weekly rate though.

Disney tickets can be bought here. You can pay off over a period of time too which helps the budget!
http://www.attractionticketsdirect.ie/europe/disneyland-paris-tickets

juneg

Superscouse you could do the Paris leg of the holiday first as it would be slightly off peak and you might get better value. Do Disney on week days when The locals are working and Paris on the weekend when they are in Disney! And be sure to get Fast pass on your tickets or you will be queueing all day for the more popular rides in the park. It's still slow but worth it. Queues usually 30 mins at least. Bring nintendos for the kids in the queue. I'm serious!

mrsoft

Great idea re thread.

Thanks to midlandsm for the pm re campsite however as Im going in July it seems a lot more expensive. Ah well. Anyone any info on Le Clarys Plage or Camping Acapulco? Both in St John De Monts.

redmissb

We are travelling over on the 26th July, staying in St Nazaire the first night and driving down to La Palmyre on Sunday. I booked 17 nights in L'Oree du Bois with Quest en France, their prices were good compared to some of the others...well as good as can be expected in July/August. We were in the same area last year and it's a beautiful spot, the beaches are fantastic.

wextipp

mrsoft wrote: »

Anyone any info on Le Clarys Plage or Camping Acapulco? Both in St John De Monts.

We have booked Le Clarys Plage as a good few people recommended it. We are going with two boys under 11 so it looks great for them. We were looking at booking direct first but had to book two weeks starting on a Saturday. Booked then through Campotel and got 9 nights starting on Sunday. We will spend the first night in Holiday Inn in Saint Nazaire and we will will spend the last night in a hotel up near the historical theme park Puy De Fou

frash

Booked to go out on July 18th - July 30th
5 of us for €325

Some people saying booking with the campsite directly is the cheapest option but what are you missing out then by not going through EuroCamp / KeyCamp / KelAir?

Never been on one of these holidays but I want the kids (8, 6 & 3) to be able to do the kids clubs that would be offered by EuroCamp / KeyCamp / KelAir.

mrsoft

wextipp wrote: »

We have booked Le Clarys Plage as a good few people recommended it. We are going with two boys under 11 so it looks great for them. We were looking at booking direct first but had to book two weeks starting on a Saturday. Booked then through Campotel and got 9 nights starting on Sunday. We will spend the first night in Holiday Inn in Saint Nazaire and we will will spend the last night in a hotel up near the historical theme park Puy De Fou

Le Clarys Plage looks the job ok. Its 1500 for the 11 nights. Thats good or bad? Dont mund going somewhere decent because of savings on ferry.

wextipp

mrsoft wrote: »

Le Clarys Plage looks the job ok. Its 1500 for the 11 nights. Thats good or bad? Dont mund going somewhere decent because of savings on ferry.

We were taking the same view as regards getting some where nice as we had saved so much on the ferry. We are going at the end of August so it is getting a little cheaper. 1500 sounds OK to me

vienne86

unkel wrote: »

The Scintu is dead, long live the Norman Atlantic

I'm dithering about going over on this route in March/April. Has anyone here travelled on it yet?

And re the bridge at St Nazaire - looks very like the one in Nantes. I don't have probelms with this sort of thing, but when on it, you actually don't always see a whole lot as you are basically on a six lane busy road.

juneg

frash wrote: »

Booked to go out on July 18th - July 30th
5 of us for €325

Some people saying booking with the campsite directly is the cheapest option but what are you missing out then by not going through EuroCamp / KeyCamp / KelAir?

Never been on one of these holidays but I want the kids (8, 6 & 3) to be able to do the kids clubs that would be offered by EuroCamp / KeyCamp / KelAir.

many of the bigger campsites have their own kids clubs too all of les castels have

bbam

vienne86 wrote: »

I'm dithering about going over on this route in March/April. Has anyone here travelled on it yet?

And re the bridge at St Nazaire - looks very like the one in Nantes. I don't have probelms with this sort of thing, but when on it, you actually don't always see a whole lot as you are basically on a six lane busy road.

Yea.. its the same bridge..
We've crossed it a few times now and the kids find it very exciting indeed.. Wife hates it as she's afraid of heights..

I find you need to watch the traffic, its quite fast and the "tourists" tend to wander lanes a bit..
I'll have the caravan in tow this year, just to add to the fun..

First Up

frash wrote: »

Booked to go out on July 18th - July 30th
5 of us for €325

Fantastic deal.

wextipp

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=APBOEoSM0Hw

clint_silver

Moonbeam wrote: »

I would not be able to cross that bridge!
We are not going with LDlines as Celtic Link were cheaper.
Heading over for 3 weeks with the husband and 4 kids (5,3,1 and around 2 months old by then)
Booked a mobile home on a fancy site:)
We are going as far as Carnac but no further.
I think I need ot buy a roof rack and roof box as I am used to using my 3rd row of seats as a boot!!

For anyone going further south ,I love Les Pirons in Les Sables d'olonne and it is very reasonable.

moonbeam, we expanded to 4 last year and ferried it with the 4 kids in the people carrier, baby was 2 months old. (zafira) got a roof rack and box on adverts, baby and 2 others in the middle row, buggy in the boot, packed a load of stuff on top of it, filled the roof box, couldnt believe how much space we had in it and 3 bikes on the back on a rack as well!!

longest part of the journey in the car was down to rosslare. we were only going to wales, found an amazing park, heading back this year. 20 minutes off the ferry.

frash

mrsoft wrote: »

Le Clarys Plage looks the job ok. Its 1500 for the 11 nights. Thats good or bad? Dont mund going somewhere decent because of savings on ferry.

Can I ask your dates & who you booked with.

Got a price of €1720 from KelAir for the 11 nights in July.

You can't book directly unless going in & out on a Saturday which I'm obviously not with the LDLines crossing days.

redmissb

frash wrote: »

Can I ask your dates & who you booked with.

Got a price of €1720 from KelAir for the 11 nights in July.

You can't book directly unless going in & out on a Saturday which I'm obviously not with the LDLines crossing days.

Don't know if they have Clarys Plage but Venue Holidays have flexible dates as do Quest en France. They seemed to be the cheapest when I was looking. Alan Rogers worth as look too and Lifestyle Holidays.

ScouseMouse

frash wrote: »

Can I ask your dates & who you booked with.

Got a price of €1720 from KelAir for the 11 nights in July.

You can't book directly unless going in & out on a Saturday which I'm obviously not with the LDLines crossing days.

I have noticed the issue of the check in day as well. I wonder how long until the sites realise there is a whole new feed of guests who need flexability?

tvc15

Would it be a bit mad to consider this ferry in April with a toddler and grandmother along for the journey? Would the weather be good enough to get anything out of the stay?

Qwerty?

mrsoft wrote: »

Great idea re thread.

Thanks to midlandsm for the pm re campsite however as Im going in July it seems a lot more expensive. Ah well. Anyone any info on Le Clarys Plage or Camping Acapulco? Both in St John De Monts.

We've been to Le Clarys Plage two years in a row. They have a fantastic Pool area for kids, and a large supermarket right beside it. The site itself is grand, nothing special, but the pool area made up for it, and made us go back for another year. The actual village it's in isn't very nice, but there are lots of nice areas near by.
Prices of €1500-1700 for 11 nights seems a tad dear. We got 11 nights in Sequoia Park for around that with aircon, and there is no comparison between the two sites. Sequoia is streets ahead.

Other posters have asked about going with Campsite directly or through an agent. This year we are using Kelair, and Eurocamp in two sites, as they both have 2 bedroom mobiles with 3 beds in the kids room. Most of the campsite mobiles don't offer that option - so you would need a 3 bed (alot dearer) or use the couch for the 3rd child. (which imo is unsuitable.)
Also TBH I have found the campsites to be dearer or as dear as using the Irish agents and as already stated they aren't flexible with checkin dates.

vienne86

tvc15 wrote: »

Would it be a bit mad to consider this ferry in April with a toddler and grandmother along for the journey? Would the weather be good enough to get anything out of the stay?

Funny, I'm thinking of April too, but without a child or a granny! I think it could be a long day on the boat - leaving St Nazaire at midnight, and not getting in to Rosslare till 9 p.m. ish.

Does anyone know about the cabins on this boat? In the picture there are four beds - two sets of two bunks. I am wondering if the top bunks can be folded away - if they can't it would make sitting in the cabina very awkward.

billie1b

vienne86 wrote: »

Funny, I'm thinking of April too, but without a child or a granny! I think it could be a long day on the boat - leaving St Nazaire at midnight, and not getting in to Rosslare till 9 p.m. ish.

Does anyone know about the cabins on this boat? In the picture there are four beds - two sets of two bunks. I am wondering if the top bunks can be folded away - if they can't it would make sitting in the cabina very awkward.

Yeah they fold into the wall, I did a couple of crossing in April, 14 hour crossing though, first one was rough leaving Cork as it was windy and rough, about two hours into the sailing it was perfect, the next time it was perfectly calm the whole journey

tvc15

billie1b wrote: »

Yeah they fold into the wall, I did a couple of crossing in April, 14 hour crossing though, first one was rough leaving Cork as it was windy and rough, about two hours into the sailing it was perfect, the next time it was perfectly calm the whole journey

How was the weather in France once you got there, was there anything open? We wouldn't be travelling too far from the port

billie1b

tvc15 wrote: »

How was the weather in France once you got there, was there anything open? We wouldn't be travelling too far from the port

I arrived into Roscoff, drove to Biarritz, foggy and dull in Roscoff, down near Nantes it turned good, sunny and warm, at bordeaux we got torrential rain, after that it was 21 - 25 degrees the whole 2 weeks that we were there. Everything was open as we went for the Easter Holidays in France

dockleaf

tvc15 wrote: »

Would it be a bit mad to consider this ferry in April with a toddler and grandmother along for the journey? Would the weather be good enough to get anything out of the stay?

Have you checked the Irish Ferry prices for easter? It shouldn't be that expensive as it is low season then and the crossing times would be easier. We've often gone during the Easter holidays and tend to stay around Normandy. Weather can be much like Ireland but you can get a few nice days and even in Normandy it is quite mild at Easter time. Certainly mild enough to enjoy the walks, combing the beach for seashells and going to a few attractions like zoos, petting zoos and places like http://www.angemichel.com/

or even Mont st. michel etc. Also as you have a toddler, the camps won't be as attractive so check out www.abritel.fr or www.leboncoin.fr for self-catering. Again in Easter it should be much cheaper

Forgot to say as well that with irish ferries you'll be able to do a sat to sat rental which a lot of self catering places do only.

mrsoft

Sorry guys couldn't get on earlier.

I booked today with Hello France. Three bed mobile for 11 nights for 1560. To be honest I got sick of looking at websites and just went for it.

vienne86

dockleaf wrote: »

Have you checked the Irish Ferry prices for easter? It shouldn't be that expensive as it is low season then and the crossing times would be easier. We've often gone during the Easter holidays and tend to stay around Normandy. Weather can be much like Ireland but you can get a few nice days and even in Normandy it is quite mild at Easter time. Certainly mild enough to enjoy the walks, combing the beach for seashells and going to a few attractions like zoos, petting zoos and places like http://www.angemichel.com/

or even Mont st. michel etc. Also as you have a toddler, the camps won't be as attractive so check out www.abritel.fr or www.leboncoin.fr for self-catering. Again in Easter it should be much cheaper

Forgot to say as well that with irish ferries you'll be able to do a sat to sat rental which a lot of self catering places do only.

That's a good point about Easter. I usually travel off season as I am not tied by school holidays. I think this St Nazaire ferry would only be marginally cheaper than Irish Ferries in April, but it would knock 230 Km off my journey.

dockleaf

vienne86 wrote: »

That's a good point about Easter. I usually travel off season as I am not tied by school holidays. I think this St Nazaire ferry would only be marginally cheaper than Irish Ferries in April, but it would knock 230 Km off my journey.

Yeah, we've booked LD lines for summer, because we got a really good price, but if you go at Easter you really have to weigh up the pros and cons- IF will get you there on a Saturday, the times are better, but LD will bring you further south. There won't be entertainment on any boat at Easter anyway.

frash

Qwerty? wrote: »

We've been to Le Clarys Plage two years in a row. They have a fantastic Pool area for kids, and a large supermarket right beside it. The site itself is grand, nothing special, but the pool area made up for it, and made us go back for another year. The actual village it's in isn't very nice, but there are lots of nice areas near by.
Prices of €1500-1700 for 11 nights seems a tad dear. We got 11 nights in Sequoia Park for around that with aircon, and there is no comparison between the two sites. Sequoia is streets ahead.

Can I ask what's so bad about the village it's in?
Also I believe Clarys Plage is around an hour from the ferry - how much further is it to Sequoia Park?

Edit: actually looked this up & it's 1hr 12 mins versus 2hrs 19mins

redmissb

Those of you staying in St Nazaire the first night, what hotels have you booked? I've been looking at the Accorhotels site which seems to be the cheapest. We have four kids although one will be in a cot we're probably going to need 2 rooms so it's working out a bit expensive. Formule 1 are pretty cheap, anyone used them before?

Qwerty?

Check it on Google StreetView. Its just there was nothing particularly nice about it, in comparison to so many of the pretty Villages around. Make sure to see St Hillary De Riez and St Jean De Mont near by, two lovely places. As I said we went back there last year again.

Sequoia would be more like 3 hours I would say. Their park is out in the Countryside, but is beautifully landscaped, nice playground etc, and has great nighttime entertainment. Les Castels campsites have much more entertainment in the evenings than other sites.

Qwerty?

redmissb wrote: »

Those of you staying in St Nazaire the first night, what hotels have you booked? I've been looking at the Accorhotels site which seems to be the cheapest. We have four kids although one will be in a cot we're probably going to need 2 rooms so it's working out a bit expensive. Formule 1 are pretty cheap, anyone used them before?

Some have family rooms if you ring to book. They don't have them on the websites

frash

Question for you regular ferry users...
I booked the car in as being under 1.85m

I'm now thinking of bringing a roofbox which will probably push it over the 1.85 (according to WikiPedia my car is 1.635m.
Will I get away with this or should I let them know?

Qwerty?

frash wrote: »

Question for you regular ferry users...
I booked the car in as being under 1.85m

I'm now thinking of bringing a roofbox which will probably push it over the 1.85 (according to WikiPedia my car is 1.635m.
Will I get away with this or should I let them know?

Definitely check, as they normally assign your car to a particular level on the ship depending on your car height.

frash

Qwerty? wrote: »

Definitely check, as they normally assign your car to a particular level on the ship depending on your car height.

Figured that alright so sent them an email via their website.
Will get a reply within 28 days!! :eek:

irishrver

I do not really know how to put this but all of you with small kids staying at camp sites please remember that there is no life guards at the swimming pools and at some of the large campsites the pools get very busy while we were there last year there was one death and a serious injury in one of the sites so please keep an eye them we tend to relax when we are on holidays

juneg

irishrver wrote: »

I do not really know how to put this but all of you with small kids staying at camp sites please remember that there is no life guards at the swimming pools and at some of the large campsites the pools get very busy while we were there last year there was one death and a serious injury in one of the sites so please keep an eye them we tend to relax when we are on holidays

Totally agree with this, you have to watch them every minute in those busy pools as you dont know what messing is going on with differing age groups. Also if your children are not competent swimmers, stand at the bottom of waterslides as they go right under the water.