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

manshay

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122798024#Comment_122798024

In May, low-cost airline Irish Ryanair announced it would close its base of operations in the French city of Bordeaux. The airline will end its operations at France's eighth largest airport, Bordeaux-Merignac airport, on October 27th following a failure to reach an agreement about fees.20 Sept 2024

from thelocal.fr

CheerLouth

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122797848#Comment_122797848

Would you recommend a particular pitch or are they all the same pretty much?

CuriousCucumber

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122799645#Comment_122799645

We stayed near F4 on the following map - haven't booked a particular pitch for this year

Most of the Cottage colours seem close enough to the middle

garrethr

Hi,
I'm looking at the three valleys based on some of the reviews here. Looks great to be fair.
Can only go first week in June and wondering if that's too risky weather wise?

Doug Stamper

Hi all,

Would anyone be able to share how a typical day visiting the Tour de France stage works in reality while on holiday?

We'll be staying 2hrs away from one of the stages next year and I would love to take the kids to see it live, we'll have the car with us. We watch the daily highlights every morning and kids have there favourite riders etc. It would be nice to soak up the buzz, see the riders & team cars and they'd like to get merchandise etc.

I think for the first visit we'd go to a roadside somewhere rather than the start or finish lines. Are there sites that give good locations to stop along the routes?

Any advice would be great.

Baybay

IMG_0627.png

Not sure if this photo will be visible. For some reason I can’t link this previous post I made in response to another query re the TdF.

Doug Stamper

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122819931#Comment_122819931

Great, thanks for the info Baybay. That's exactly what we are hoping for. Small village and see it all go by... even if it's all a blur!

I notice that screenshot is from a dedicated TdF thread, I never thought of looking up the cycling forum... I will track that down and have a look there too. Thanks again.

beggars_bush

You will need to be there up to 2 hours in advance.

It will zip past in about 30secs unless you are on a long climbing section.

Munsterbhoy

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122817694#Comment_122817694

We're going june 7th to 17th and the weather didn't even cross my mind. Go to timeanddate.com and put in your dates. I've had a quick look for the previous 3 years and it shows mid to high 20's. When your that far south you'll get a odd day of rain but mostly you'll be by the pool..

josip

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122824941#Comment_122824941

Agree with BB. Watching a tour event has to be the least return for minutes waited of any sports event I've been at. There's a reason criteriums are popular. But if you go to a mountain stage, it's a full day commitment as there are no access/escape roads and you've got to get there before the roads close. It's a sport that's ideal on TV but the only thing you get from watching in person is an appreciation of the speed they maintain.

Doug Stamper

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122824941#Comment_122824941

Thanks, that will help with the planning

Doug Stamper

Thanks Josip, plenty to consider

raxy

I have 2 €25 Eurocamp vouchers that expire 31 Dec 24.

We won't be using them so I'll pass them on.

The mail said 1 voucher for me & 1 for a friend so I'm guessing they can't be used on the same booking.

CuriousCucumber

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122830656#Comment_122830656

Hi Raxy,

I'd be happy to take one off of your hands if they're still available

mr_edge_to_you

Hey folks

Thinking ahead for next year. We've done 3 years in Le Pin Parasol. For us it's an amazing site and highly recommended. It is a bit remote but it's fantastic.

Our kids will be 13 and 10 next year. We've previously stayed in Les Ecureils and Sol A GoGo (a lovely site which we visited twice, close to the beach and perfect for small children).

Anyway, the one thing we have missed is cycling in the evening - out for dinner and a few drinks so looking for something closer to the towns. I have heard Clarys Plage are doing a big job so that might be worth looking at. Anyone any other recommendations or ideas?

Open to going to a little further south too.

Cheers.

Beaufort Boy

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122885477#Comment_122885477

We went to Bonne Anse Plage two years ago, cycle paths along the coast are just out the back gate of the campsite, you can cycle into La Palmyre without ever going on the road. Last year, we stayed in La Grainetière on Il de Re, you can cycle to your pick of towns around the place, really relaxing campsite but maybe not great for teenagers.

Doug Stamper

I'm trying to book a hotel for 2 nights at the end of our holiday next summer, somewhere near Rennes. 2 adults and 3 kids under 10.

Don't fancy booking two rooms, does anyone have any experience of finding a family room for 5 in France?

webpal

it’s a nightmare looking for one room, have tried unsuccessfully many times. Try Airbnb or a mobile. Eurocamp etc may have a minimum number of nights requirement but it still would be cheap enough. Direct bookings with campsites might take any number of nights bookings.

shanec1928

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122889516#Comment_122889516

post here if you do find something, weve given in to the idea of just booking two rooms and splitting all up for a night.

Doug Stamper

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122890722#Comment_122890722

Will do, I'll keep searching and look up Airbnb as Webpal suggested also.

kindalen

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122889516#Comment_122889516

https://all.accor.com/hotel/B7B2/index.en.shtml#section-rooms

Not stayed here, an Accor hotel with "apartment" for up to 6. Might suit.

Doug Stamper

That's a great find, thanks Kindalen.

raxy

I still have 1 €25 euro voucher for Eurocamp if anyone will use it.

It expires Dec 31st.

Doug Stamper

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122893038#Comment_122893038

Thanks again @Kindalen, booked ourselves in for 2 nights €390, paid an extra €10 late check out (3pm) before travelling to Roscoff. Location is good with a bus into Rennes just outside. @shanec1928, it might suit you also.

the_amazing_raisin

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122890939#Comment_122890939

Try searching for aparthotels, there's a few around Rennes that I could find

This one seems hopeful

https://www.appartcity.com/en/

Grey123

I'm not sure if there is a guide post I should have read but I have some very basic questions. Not familiar with this type of holiday and it seem overwhelming.

When people refer to camping and campsite are they talking about places where you pitch a tent or have something like a mobile home / chalet? Or are they a mix?

I think we are more interested in the chalet / mobile home style.

We will have a two year old so we're thinking of September to avoid summer prices. Is it generally warm enough.

Is there any guide to regions? Ideally we wouldn't travel too far on the other side.

Where do people go to search? I have heard of eurocamp and Yellah mentioned here. As he will only be two he will make limited use of some facilities obviously.

Would be nice to have stuff near by also, maybe I could get out on the bike for a few hours or we can go to a local town?

Do people generally just go for a week or longer?

CuriousCucumber

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122961237#Comment_122961237

I'll do my best to help you here, but I've only organised one of these holidays so far

1. Camping/Campsite - From what I know, the campsites all generally have fixed mobile homes/chalets that you can rent from them, as well as sites, where you can setup tents, or bring your own campervan. There are shower/toilet/washing clothes facilities available on site
2. Is it warm in September? Depends where you go. The further south you go, the warmer it will be. Not been smart, but google the name of where you are thinking of going, and September weather. I brought a 4yr old, and a 1yr old to France in late June. Week 1 was very hot. Week 2 was a lot cooler. Kids were absolutely fine
3. Guide to regions? If you're taking the ferry, then you will most likely need to drive at least 4 hours to be sure of good weather. There are campsites in Britany, but I've never been
4. Where do people search? Last year, I contacted Kelair travel, and got all of the advice from them, and booked directly with them. You can also just book directly with campsites. The most popular companies that I've heard of are, Eurocamp, Sandaya, Yellah and MS Vacances
5. Most, if not all campsites will have bikes for rental
6. Some people for 1 week, others go for 6. It's up to you. We're doing 2 weeks again next summer, and splitting it across two campsites

I'd recommend you personally start with a travel agent.

Baybay

#CuriousCucumber has been very helpful.

This type of holiday is very family friendly but certain sites may be more suitable than others, depending on what your family needs. For example, kids clubs may not be high on your list whereas a kids pool or onsite restaurant might be. Some larger sites will be well geared towards teenagers with water slides or evening entertainment & others will be quieter.

Maybe have a look at Siblu or Eurocamp, just to get a feel for the types of accommodation. Most usually there will be a few types of mobile to choose from. An extra bedroom might be nice or decking instead of grass, sometimes aircon etc. Not all sites will have a pitch your own tent option but some offer large tents of their own with good bathroom blocs & maybe bbq facilities nearby.

Be aware that in September on most sites, things will have started to wind down for the season. As they wont be as busy, kids clubs might only operate once or twice a week, the bar might only open for lunch or in the evenings etc

The weather will also be cooler generally so consider going a little bit further south than you might expect if you’re hoping for a more summer type of holiday.

There are many discussions on here about flying or driving & which is better. Both have their strengths. Flying is easier for distance but the car is wonderful for all those things that you want to bring you or bring home.

rex_turner

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122961237#Comment_122961237

When we were at the same stage as you ( one toddler, holidaying in September), we stayed in Benodet (Brittany) in Escale Saint Gilles - thought it was ideal for that stage, little beach across from campsite, pool good for toddler, short stroll along the seafront into a nice town and reasonable journey from Roscoff. You will compromise on the weather though - could be lovely but also could be slightly warmer rain than Ireland!

If you want to travel further Il de Re might be worth a look as should still be a little bit of buzz about and nice cycles. Lots of campsites there.

Gavlor

Flights to Perpignan would be very reasonable at that time of year and weather should be much better than the north west of France. Some great sites in argeles sur mer to choose from (la chappelle, le serine) and you won’t need a car. The beautiful town of Collioure is a short boat ride away. PM if you opt for there and I’ll give you the number of an airport transfer guy.