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

the_amazing_raisin

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

We went to Domaine Des Ormes last June for our first Eurocamp holiday. Overall it was great with lots to see and do and the kids (7 and 4) didn't get too cranky

It's about 2-3 hours from Cherbourg port, I think it's similar from Roscoff

As regards weather, it depends on your tolerance for heat. Brittany is kind of like Ireland on a good summers day, but you wouldn't be out sunbathing most likely

There's plenty to do in the area, St Malo and Mont St Michel are both must see attractions

Most operators like Eurocamps rent a space on a campsite and put their mobile homes there. Many sites seem to have multiple tour operators plus they might do direct bookings, and some have a mix of tents and mobile homes (les ormes being an example of all the above)

In terms of holiday experience, I think it's great as long as you accept a few realities. One is that the mobile homes are generally pretty flimsy and will likely be worn out. Ours had a broken lock on the bathroom door and the oven was crap

The restaurants onsite were a bit hit and miss we found. Generally we did the cooking ourselves, just put some pasta on and a pizza or somethiout. I'm not a fan of dining out with the kids anyway so I'm happy to save some money most days to spend on a couple of really nice meals out

In general we all had loads of fun and are planning to go to another campsite next summer if we can

BlazingSaddler

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122962260#Comment_122962260

Hi, we’re considering La Sirene next summer. The kids will be 18/16/10, are the waterslides good enough to keep the 10 year olds happy please?! and is there anything for the older ones in the evening? Do you think we’d get away without a car if flying to Perpignan?, and how much would the transfer cost please?!! One final question!, is there much to do outside of the camp?, restaurants, beach etc within walking distance? Sorry that’s a lot of questions!!! We’ve done many campsites over the last 15 years so must have become quite fussy!

Thorny Queen

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122999896#Comment_122999896

I'll repay others who gave me great information about La Sirene.

We went with 4 children- baby, toddler and 8 and 11.

We flew to Perpignan and had a taxi transfer booked a week in advance. I wanted car seats but they only provided one toddler seat! Cost about €80 each way.

The water parks are excellent and will keep older children happy.

The evening entertainment is excellent...mostly shows like Lion King, Abba tribute, Magician etc. Not sure if it would appeal to older kids but mine loved it. Very liberal. We got cute and started taking in our own wine and sangria. Bar was very expensive.

There isn't much to do nearby the campsite…My children are younger so was too long to walk into town. We got a taxi in one day and couldn't get one back for ages. Had to get French couple to mediate with taxi company. There are lots of lovely cafes and restaurants in Argeles Sur Mer.

There is a Go Kart track that my children just loved about a 5 min walk from La Sirene. Great for all ages.

I'm sure there are other activities for older children but mine are that but younger.

La Coillure is the one town we didn't get to visit without a car and I heard it's lovely. That's my one regret not seeing.

Thorny Queen

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122999932#Comment_122999932

Oh and I forgot there is a nightclub onsite...I just didn't get to frequent it!

BlazingSaddler

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123000289#Comment_123000289

Thank you so much, I know you said you didn’t walk into town but is it walkable? (without smallies!) Is the beach nearby?

Gavlor

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123000500#Comment_123000500

It’s a 40 min walk to the main restaurants, 25 to old town and about 20 to the beach. It’s a great site but too far out for our liking. There is a road train but it’s a bit irregular and can be really busy in the evenings. You’d need a car for serine unless you plan on staying on the site. also note that there’s no sunbeds by the pool, Astro surface is the best bet.

RocketRaccoon

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122999932#Comment_122999932

Absolutely loved La Sirene last year and tbh, there's not really a need to leave the site itself, the closest town(argeles sur mer) was very "meh". Would highly recommend a car for anyone wondering, if only to go to the supermarkets which are off site.

We also did the same with drinks, got bottles in the supermarket there and just brought them into the arena for the shows and it seemed like everyone else was doing the same.

Already looking forward to going back this year.

Gavlor

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123000967#Comment_123000967

Surely you went to coullier and banyuls sur mer if you had a car?? So many nice spots within an hours drive.

Would highly recommend figueres over the border, the Dali museum is a must see. Our kids loved it despite not being one bit interested in art or museums!

_Brian

How are folks finding ferry prices…

Was looking at crossings to France in mid September… Non flexi is €700 and with flexi options its over €800

Thats campervan and two adults..

Heroditas

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123005992#Comment_123005992

We're going Rosslare to Bilbao this year and then staying in the south of France for 2 and a half weeks before driving back up to stay more northerly and then back through Cherbourg.

It might be because of the weekend but heading one way from Cherbourg to Dublin at the beginning of August is nearly €1,000.

Both ferry trips are coming in around €1800 which is similar to what we paid for Dublin to Cherbourg return in 2924 at a similar time last year. Prices always seem to drop in late spring but you won't get Speedy Exit.

Fann Linn

€897 for car plus two adults on the Rosslare Bilbao run.

Going out last week in August returning on 13 September.

Booked almost immediately in August/September when bookings opened. I'm a 'bird in the hand' type of bloke who prefers to have everything nailed down straight away and just pay off the fare over the proceeding year.

gabbo is coming

Hi, anyone recommend a good campsite near san Sebastian

And one near la Rochelle please?

Teens and a 7 yo

Going to bilbao and then home cherbourg

chases0102

Hi folks,

Would anyone here recommend a campsite for a family of 4 (8 and 5) in summer? Looking up prices of ferries here and trying to nail down some dates, and locations, etc.

Last two years we went to La Rive last year, which was awesome to be honest, with a few drawbacks.

Year before that we went to Ars-en-Re, which was a quieter but probably more comfortable experience.

My kids do well with the usual, entertainment in the evening and some cool pools/slides…

Fann Linn

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123012486#Comment_123012486

A couple of hours up the motorway from Bilbao is the Eurocamp La Ruisseau. Just outside Biarritz it's got a great waterpark, is situated on a lake and is ideal for young children and close to a beach.. It's a while since we were there with our kids but it's in a lovely part of SW France and close to the Basque country too. Great sightseeing if you're into that. Biarritz, Bayonne, Saint Jean de Luz and Hendaye.

Heroditas

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123012486#Comment_123012486

We stayed in Bonne Anse Plage in 2024 which is about 45mins from La Rochelle. It's a Siblu site so you can only check in/out in high season on a Saturday if you book through Siblu. Lovely site though but might be a bit too far from La Rochelle for you?

ECO_Mental

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123012486#Comment_123012486

Can also Reccomened Bonne Anse Plage a bit south of La Rochelle but fantastic site. Stayed there over 10 years ago but the town is lovely and lively, loads to do and the campsite is on the cycling track. You can cycle to the Zoo..

Looks like you are doing same trip I am doing this year ..We are getting the Ferry to Bilbao and then coming home from Rosscoff. Its just me and misses for 2 and half weeks in very early June but the kids (21 & 19!!)are coming out for 4 nights when we are staying near Bordeux.

Like you I struggled to find a campsite in Northern Spain but since it was the two of us and we will be mostly visting towns in Northern spain eg San Sabestain, Bilbao etc we decided to just book hotels (have nothing booked yet for this). Planning to spend 4/5 nights in one or two hotels then move on to France.

Then we have booked La Rive near Bordeaux for 5 nights after that we have booked 5 nights on Ile de Re (La Grainetière) just over the Bridge from La Rochelle, Ive never stayed here so cant give a reccomendation but looks ok. Then a final night near Roscoff in a hotel as I didnt want to be rushing up for the Ferry, I'm also bringing an EV so I want to rushing that!

Going this early I got great deals on the caravans and the Ferry, eg 5 nights in a Ultimate Mobile home in La Rive for €393!! no cleaning etc. Getting the Commadore Cabin on the way back and Commadore lounge out as well….got a taste of the Commadore cabin last year when we went in September and cant go back now….only thing is you have to go off peak or be a millionare😉

ECO_Mental

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123023148#Comment_123023148

Im going to La Rive in early June this year, what are the drawbacks you mention….

If you are looking for somewhere try Bonne Anse Plage near La Palmyre, its a Siblu site. La Palmyre is a fantasitic town miles and miles of bike paths, loads of attractions for kids, it has Zoo you can cycle to, great beaches etc. Its the only place we stayed a few times. Also its not too far down from Roscoff etc but far enough the weather should be good.

chases0102

La Rive, by and large, was excellent - my biggest qualm was just how tightly together the mobiles were. We stayed for 10 night, and after 2 or 3 nights I asked us to be moved - we were also very poorly located, right across from the pitches and games area which was quite loud!

Restaurant and bar we found to be expensive, but I am fairly certain that is everywhere in France.

Only other minor drawback was that the campsite is quite isolated, there is no easy town/village to walk to - saying that, you could rent bikes and cycle to Sanguine - we had a three year old in our midst, so the cycle was interesting to say the least!

Overall - great campsite, water park is sensational and don't underestimate how cool the lake is! We only really explored the lake and the water options there towards the end of the holiday, as the kids were so taken by the pool area.

BullBauld

FYI Brittany Ferries have added another ferry sailing to Rosslare for days where the original sailing is either sold out or nearly sold out. Mainly seems to be return journeys mid July. Good early bird prices.

Jerry Atrick

Brittany Ferries cancelled our inward and outward sail dates, what a pain. Do they have to honour the original rates if booked within a reasonable time frame?

Fann Linn

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123080249#Comment_123080249

What month?

Jerry Atrick

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123080313#Comment_123080313

End of June outward, back mid July

Salvadoor

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123080621#Comment_123080621

From Cork or Rosslare?

CuriousCucumber

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123081239#Comment_123081239

Just checked their website, and they are still taking bookings from Cork for Jun 28th and back on July 11th

Jerry Atrick

Rosslare, had to amend bookings at extra cost to different dates to travel and also incurred extra cost for accommodation. As usual, the customer is bottom of the pile!

webpal

any experience I’ve had with ferries being cancelled by the ferry company, I’ve not been out of pocket. You should check T&Cs and ring them

Fann Linn

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123081460#Comment_123081460

Same here, has happened once years ago but I recall getting choice of other dates or voucher to value of cancellations plus a voucher for onboard spend.

Heroditas

We've finally booked our holiday. Out via Rosslare to Bilbao and spending 3 nights in San Sebastian before hitting Yelloh's Sylvamar just north of Biarritz for a fortnight. Then up to La Rochelle for a night and then 2 nights near Mont St Michel before heading back to Dublin via Cherbourg. I am going to be absolutely skint after this holiday because we left booking Sylvamar so long and it's eye-wateringly expensive in that region of France in the middle of July. 😭

Still, can't wait for it now.

jopper

Has anyone been to Sunêlia Le Fief near Saint-Nazaire? Mainly interested what’s peoples opinions on what it is like for young children under 5? Thanks in advance

rex_turner

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123154697#Comment_123154697

It's been a few years but we've been there twice - I'd say it's excellent for that age group. Lovely indoor pool area that is shallow and has plenty to keep them entertained - the biggest problem was trying to get them to come outside if we wanted to sit outside! The outdoor pool is well set up for younger children as well.

There are several small playgrounds dotted throughout the campsite all suitable for smallies. There is a baby/toddler club that we didn't use but it looked like a nice building and I think it was free outside of high season.

It's a nice sized site - not too big.

There is a nice walk/cycle along the foreshore into the village, which we only discovered the second time we stayed there.