France Ferry & Campsite info (use Search function) mod warning post 1

garden

This might be helpful for anyone thinking of going to vendee

https://www.in-vendee.com/good-deals-special-offers

garden

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120271088#Comment_120271088

We went there last year kids were 12, 8 and 6 we loved it. We all did the war trenches but your 4 year old would be too small. The bird show and viking shows were spectacular. It rained for us so and the seats were wet so maybe bring cheap ponchos for just in case.

Don't miss this place beside Pin Parasol https://www.grand-defi.com/ we had an excellent day out here.

McSween

We are going to book Camping Sandaya Côte de Nacre for Easter. It looks lovely. Has anyone stayed there. 90 minutes from Cherbourg.

jon1981

Folks,

Could anyone recommend a campsite which within walking distance of a town? Anywhere between Vendee and La Rochelle. I'm thinking I might get camp fever and would love to be able to talk to a town for a stroll without taking the car.

cheers

J

Heroditas

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120314683#Comment_120314683

Bel in La Tranche sur Mer but it's a very small site

10-10-20

Going on from the recommendation for Puy du Fou, anybody in the Nantes/Loire-Atlantique with kids would be well recommended to visit Les Machines Des Lile.

https://www.lesmachines-nantes.fr/en/

I was there with an 11 year old last year and she thoroughly enjoyed it. It's a great day out and good value too. Book in advance for the elephant ride.

garrethr

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120314683#Comment_120314683

Staying in camping du jard in La Tranche sur Mer this year. It's a small bit out of town but they have a shuttle bus. Camping Bel also meant to be good, closer to town.

monkeybutter

does anyone know if say you had booked in a larger car on the ferry but were now taking a smaller one with less height and length you can put on a roof bag, maybe a bike rack, if it falls withing the max size booked?

McSween

Where is the best place to get the equipment needed for driving. Triangles, high visibility vests etc. do we still need lights to be adjusted?

10-10-20

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120357332#Comment_120357332

Mick's garage for much of that stuff, but for the light alignment I understand that it's not a requirement on all vehicles as light design changed (or so I'm told). I think it might be based on whether you have in-cabin light adjusters or auto-leveling. You would be best off checking in the vehicle's handbook or with the main dealer as the beam-reflector companies will tell you that all vehicles need adjustment.

Seth Brundle

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120357332#Comment_120357332

In terms of high-viz, you can get them free from the RSA: https://www.rsaorders.ie/index.php?route=product/category&path=71

As for lights, many modern cars now have adjusters where you can easily switch from LHD alignment to RHD and back. As @10-10-20 said, check your handbook.

Some cities (Lyon, Aix-Marseille, Toulouse, Nice, Montpellier, Strasbourg, Grenoble, Rouen, Reims and Saint-Étienne) will require you to have a clean air sticker for your car called Crit'Air vignettes. You can get the sticker from the following government link (English page version available) - ignore any agencies that offer this service!

https://certificat-air.gouv.fr/

McSween

Thanks both of you. We will be staying on the Normandy beaches, north of Caen. And not planning on visiting anywhere except Honfleur, Deauville maybe.

ordered the vests and will check the car book to see about lights.

loyatemu

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120359196#Comment_120359196

Bayeux is worth a visit if you're into historical stuff. Obviously the tapestry is the main attraction and really worth going to see, but the town itself is very nice as well.

JimboJones99

Heading to La Ruisseau Campsite in Bidart, near Biarritz, for a week in late June with 2 kids and 2 grandparents. Hoping it will cater for all ages!

Is there anything that anyone would recommend to see or do in the surrounding area? Thanks

josip

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120360619#Comment_120360619

In Biarritz itself there's a nice 2-3 hour coastal walk on the south of the town, staring around the the surf club and up to the old harbour.

San Sebastian is worth a half day trip.

Depending how old the kids are (10+) they could try surf lessons. Cap Breton further up the coast is good for newbies and little uns. Not sure what Biarritz is like for them.

necstandards

Need some advice. 6th year getting ferry cork to roscoff in July for 2 weeks, but this year we've booked to 2.5 week (getting Tuesday ferry back from roscoff). Typically we stay in the vendee region. Now that we have a few extra days at the end, im not sure how to spend these. Was thinking of Disney land (lads are 6 & 8) but thats decent drive, so not sure..

Getting slightly board of the 12 nights in a campsite by the sea.. would there be any recommendations on something between Nantes & Paris for a few days?

Seth Brundle

Stay in a campsite in the Loire valley? Have done it many times and there is loads to see and do.

I'd say that your two lads would love the likes of the Tank Museum in Saumur (it is an enjoyable few hours for all).

BailMeOut

Has anyone done the Roaslare to Bilbao trip? How was the full day on board and in July were you able to just hang out on the deck in the sun or is it still very breezy and chilly?

Juggler101

We did Cork to Santander a few years ago. We found the time went by easily, the novelty of the boat, and exploring it always passes an hour or two. We always bring a laptop too for movies. We've never spent much time on deck, as it's often quite windy. We go out for a peek and then back in. Maybe if you've got jackets, scarves etc you'll manage if it does turn out to be cold or windy?

medic112

necstandards - not exactly in between but ZooParc de Beauval is excellent for 2 days. Got a good 3 nite package with there hotel Les Hauts de Beauval too but had booked months in advance. Really enjoyable seeing the panda bears.

necstandards

Just wondering if anyone has been to Camping Les Chouans? Not seeing alot of reviews.

https://www.in-vendee.com/campings-en-vendee/camping-les-chouans/saint-hilaire-de-riez/hpapdl0850112529

webpal

Haven’t stayed but I did look into it before. Seems nice, not sure on clientele as you would never come across it here so guessing that there would not be too many Irish. Nice area across from forest and Dino park but probably would need a bike (bike path outside gate) or a car as shops etc would be a bit away. I think at the time we chose camping Les biches which we thought was too far out but it was a toss of a coin. Have passed it many a time since as we since stayed in Solagogo a few times and the slides look good

positivenote

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120069739#Comment_120069739

Hi

we are travelling to Frejus for the first time. Were staying in an apartment for 10 days prior to spending 10 days at La Baume. Any recomendations on getting from Nice airport to Frejus (should we book a transfer in advance? approx cost?) and also any advice would be most welcomed. feel free to pm me

Cheers

yiddo59

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120360619#Comment_120360619

St Jean de Luz about 10 miles south of Biarritz is well worth a visit. Beautiful beaches and a really nice town with some lovely Basque houses.

Colm82

Trying to work out budget for our trip to domaine des Ormes for 10nights in July. Three small kids staying in euro camps aspect lodge. Never been on this type of holiday before and I have read conflicting information about what comes included in the price with regards kids activities etc. Likely will eat out for lunch or dinner most days and cook the rest. Anyone have idea of a daily/weekly budget? Not looking to scrimp but want a decent idea of a daily budget. Thanks

BlazingSaddler

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120392723#Comment_120392723

Hi. We stayed at La Baume last year and used a guy called Olivier for the transfer. Not cheap, €140 each way but was a nice air conditioned Mercedes 6 seater. If you want his number feel free to pm me.

Jack0125

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120393789#Comment_120393789

My experience of other Eurocamp sites,

The Pony trekking (13euro a head for an hour i think) or mini golf (4euro). Zip lining or go carts might be additional as well.

Food wise, Im going to be more shrewd this year (Naive last year). The carrefours and super u's are same price as Irish premium supermarkets (if not more expensive for things like chicken and beef).

This year I will definitely be focusing on getting a big lidl shop. Get the own brand ice creams and snacks. Avoid having to buy ice creams out everyday. Eating out, especially for a family of 5 not cheaper than Ireland in my opinion. (France is not cheap for eating out, for example like Spain would be).

I think you could budget food from your Irish food lifestyle as it currently is. Regarding activities, last year we found we did no day trips as the campsites/kids clubs kept you on site most days with an odd morning or evening at the beach.

Domaine des Ormes would have some nice part day trips to Mont St Michel or St Malo and the only cost would be parking.

Colm82

Thanks Jack0125 lots of useful information there.

tickingclock

Have gone Brittany Ferry for many years and this time with extended family we are sailing to Cherbourg this year. Grandparents won't travel beyond 1 hour from the ferry!!

I'm finding it impossible to find any camp sites with decent pool facilities. We started on campsites with a few pools, slides, lazy rivers etc and the options close to Cherbourg look dismal pool wise.

Would anyone have any suggestions please within an hours drive of Cherbourg?

ollaetta

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120398103#Comment_120398103

Can't vouch for them personally but this one gets very good reviews and is certainly less than an hour from Cherbourg. That part of the Manche peninsula is very nice.

https://www.campingetangdeshaizes.com/campsite-france-manche-leisures