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

Ninesell · 13-10-2019 6:45pm

I had a short stay in La Rive near Biscarrosse. We used Brittany ferries into Roscoff as it arrived in earlier in the morning than the other options (shorter crossing too!). It’s a long drive and I think you need that early start for breaks with kids if you are not stopping overnight.

MorganIRL · 13-10-2019 7:48pm

@ninesell how did u find the place? We'll be going with a 9, 7 & 3 yr olds. Stops will be key and I can't forsee not stopping overnight for that length hence looking at cork-santander option

54and56 · 13-10-2019 8:25pm

MorganIRL wrote: »

@ninesell how did u find the place? We'll be going with a 9, 7 & 3 yr olds. Stops will be key and I can't forsee not stopping overnight for that length hence looking at cork-santander option

Drive from Roscoff or Cherbourg to Biscarosse is very do-able especially if there are two of you to do the driving. We stayed overnight in La Rochelle (I think) one year and regretted the wasted day.

Our trip is essentially:-

10:30 - Off the ferry and I drive 3 hours until we get to this McDonalds just south of Nantes.

14:15 - my wife takes over the driving while I take a nap and drives 2.5 hours to this motorway service station where we top up on Diesel (it's about €7 more per tank filling on a motorway station) and get coffee, use the bathrooms etc etc.

17:15 - I get back behind the wheel and do the last 150km to La Reserve which is at the southern end of Lake Biscarosse arriving +/- 19:00 or so in plenty of time to unload, set up the mobile and grab a table at the campsite restaurant to start the holiday.

Ninesell · 13-10-2019 10:52pm

MorganIRL wrote: »

@ninesell how did u find the place? We'll be going with a 9, 7 & 3 yr olds. Stops will be key and I can't forsee not stopping overnight for that length hence looking at cork-santander option

It was our overnight stopping point! :pac:

We just had one full day there. From what I remember, the kids loved the pool and lake. We had takeaway pizza and I think the shop was a reasonable size. On approach, there was a lot of traffic coming the other direction from the lake. I believe it is a busy spot with excellent water sports facilities.

If you can’t face the journey in one go, it might be easier to stay a night in something like the b&b hotel chain or Eurocamp if you have a loaded car than a longer potentially rough crossing to Santander..

MorganIRL · 13-10-2019 11:53pm

Ninesell wrote: »

It was our overnight stopping point! :pac:

We just had one full day there. From what I remember, the kids loved the pool and lake. We had takeaway pizza and I think the shop was a reasonable size. On approach, there was a lot of traffic coming the other direction from the lake. I believe it is a busy spot with excellent water sports facilities.

If you can’t face the journey in one go, it might be easier to stay a night in something like the b&b hotel chain or Eurocamp if you have a loaded car than a longer potentially rough crossing to Santander..

Ya wife isn't keen on the ferry at the best of times, so when I mentioned Santander, it wasn't a great response. We'll be going with another family so a stop either side of hols, might effect hol length, I'd drive it on my own but the other driver wouldn't be as comfortable, and I suppose we have to think of the kids..

54and56 · 14-10-2019 10:15am

MorganIRL wrote: »

@ninesell how did u find the place? We'll be going with a 9, 7 & 3 yr olds. Stops will be key and I can't forsee not stopping overnight for that length hence looking at cork-santander option

@MorganIRL, did you book via www.campinglarive.co.uk?

MorganIRL · 14-10-2019 10:37am

54and56 wrote: »

@MorganIRL, did you book via www.campinglarive.co.uk?

Haven't booked yet with anyone, waiting to see if any deals come nxt month.

Deeman83 · 14-10-2019 1:10pm

54and56 wrote: »

Do you know if there are good and extensive cycling paths accessible from the campsite?

We stop in Domaine Des Ormes every year on the way home.
We love it and the kids love it.

Its almost a theme/water park type resort which caters for all ages.

Its very very busy which can put some people off.
Lots of Irish, but mostly Dutch.

There are great cycling routes around the resort (no roads) which we use our mountain bikes on (5km and 8km trails).
There is a little old village called St Leanards which is almost traffic less and very quiet which is worth a visit.

54and56 · 14-10-2019 4:09pm

MorganIRL wrote: »

Haven't booked yet with anyone, waiting to see if any deals come nxt month.

Can't blame you. It looks like a nice site but prices seem incredibly expensive. I checked pricing for 3 weeks in July in one of the mid range "Confort" mobiles (3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms etc) and the "discounted" price was €5,198 down from the RRP of €6,110.

Never thought I'd see a mobile home anywhere on planet earth which cost €1,732 a week to rent :eek:

Much and all as I love our French campsite holidays if I was prepared to spend the guts of €7,000 on a holiday (which it'd be with ferry + diesel to get there and back) I don't think I'd be renting a mobile home!!

average_runner · 14-10-2019 4:51pm

54and56 wrote: »

Can't blame you. It looks like a nice site but prices seem incredibly expensive. I checked pricing for 3 weeks in July in one of the mid range "Confort" mobiles (3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms etc) and the "discounted" price was €5,198 down from the RRP of €6,110.

Never thought I'd see a mobile home anywhere on planet earth which cost €1,732 a week to rent :eek:

Much and all as I love our French campsite holidays if I was prepared to spend the guts of €7,000 on a holiday (which it'd be with ferry + diesel to get there and back) I don't think I'd be renting a mobile home!!

Ah sure we take two of them:D:D:D:D:D

MorganIRL · 14-10-2019 10:48pm

54and56 wrote: »

Can't blame you. It looks like a nice site but prices seem incredibly expensive. I checked pricing for 3 weeks in July in one of the mid range "Confort" mobiles (3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms etc) and the "discounted" price was €5,198 down from the RRP of €6,110.

Never thought I'd see a mobile home anywhere on planet earth which cost €1,732 a week to rent :eek:

Much and all as I love our French campsite holidays if I was prepared to spend the guts of €7,000 on a holiday (which it'd be with ferry + diesel to get there and back) I don't think I'd be renting a mobile home!!

Jaysus... We'd be going in June, to keep in the cheap fares.. don't think when I looked that they were much more than any other site.. I think there is more chance in me spending that much money then getting wife and kids onto Santander ferry lol..

54and56 · 15-10-2019 10:25am

MorganIRL wrote: »

Jaysus... We'd be going in June, to keep in the cheap fares.. don't think when I looked that they were much more than any other site.. I think there is more chance in me spending that much money then getting wife and kids onto Santander ferry lol..

June should be much cheaper as in my experience the sites are a lot quieter in June. We went in June last year but switched back to July this year as there were very few Irish/UK kids my daughters age (13) for her to make friends with in June. July is totally different and much more vibrant.

If I was going to spend close to €7,000 on a holiday I'd want a lot more comfort than a mobile home, particularly the contortions of getting in, out and around the small double bed you typically have to put up with!!

MorganIRL · 15-10-2019 12:05pm

54and56 wrote: »

June should be much cheaper as in my experience the sites are a lot quieter in June. We went in June last year but switched back to July this year as there were very few Irish/UK kids my daughters age (13) for her to make friends with in June. July is totally different and much more vibrant.

If I was going to spend close to €7,000 on a holiday I'd want a lot more comfort than a mobile home, particularly the contortions of getting in, out and around the small double bed you typically have to put up with!!

Tour de France is happening last weekend of June and first 2 wks of July and is in the Il de Re region 6,7,8 July in that area. Might explain the high costs.

If we go, our friends with similar age kids will keep them entertained.. bringing babysitters.

raddo · 15-10-2019 12:50pm

MorganIRL wrote: »

Tour de France is happening last weekend of June and first 2 wks of July and is in the Il de Re region 6,7,8 July in that area.

Great, heading to Bonne Anse Plage so just around 30 / 40 mins from Le Tour!!!

raddo · 16-10-2019 12:26pm

raddo wrote: »

Great, heading to Bonne Anse Plage so just around 30 / 40 mins from Le Tour!!!

The Tour de France is actually passing right outside the gates of Bonne Anse Plage on 7th July 2020!

Baybay · 16-10-2019 4:21pm

raddo wrote: »

The Tour de France is actually passing right outside the gates of Bonne Anse Plage on 7th July 2020!

Been on the route for a few of the tours & it can be quite entertaining even though the riders whizz past!
Road restrictions tend to be well enforced & in place from what seems quite early on, in relation to when the riders are expected to pass. Times & restrictions are usually signposted in advance of the day on affected roads so do plan ahead if you’re going to need your car that day.
Roads do tend to reopen very quickly once the race has passed.

medic112 · 16-10-2019 10:43pm

See Brittany Ferries are open for 2020 bookings, for me €200 cheaper! than IF.

54and56 · 17-10-2019 11:39am

medic112 wrote: »

See Brittany Ferries are open for 2020 bookings, for me €200 cheaper! than IF.

Came in at €1,370 for me which is almost €100 more than Stena and Rosslare is an easier spin for me.

Charliebull · 17-10-2019 3:36pm

anyone flown to bordeaux

campsite cote d'Argent in Hourtin Plage

SusanC10 · 17-10-2019 4:33pm

Charliebull wrote: »

anyone flown to bordeaux

campsite cote d'Argent in Hourtin Plage

We stayed at Cote d'Argent last summer but drove. Got Ferry Dublin to Cherbourg.

If you have specific questions ask away.

kildarecommuter · 17-10-2019 8:26pm

Charliebull wrote: »

anyone flown to bordeaux

campsite cote d'Argent in Hourtin Plage

Bordeaux airport is a nice size easy to get through etc

54and56 · 18-10-2019 9:13am

Charliebull wrote: »

anyone flown to bordeaux

campsite cote d'Argent in Hourtin Plage

Bordeaux airport is a nice size regional airport which is easy to get through but a bit tricky to get to if driving depending on what direction you are coming from. We holiday in La Reserve and over the last few years our oldest has flown in and out for a week with a pal during our stay. Bordeaux Airport is about an hours drive and handy enough most of the way bar skipping across a couple of motorways and some tricky roundabouts and exit ramps as you approach the periphery of the city.

Drumpot · 18-10-2019 1:09pm

I’ve always brought my car cause if does feel like you have more freedom and can bring more over.

But has anybody flown (young family aged 5-10) and found that they didn’t look back or miss the ship? Suppose just looking to see if some year we should just fly!

average_runner · 18-10-2019 1:21pm

Charliebull wrote: »

anyone flown to bordeaux

campsite cote d'Argent in Hourtin Plage

Flew out from Bordeaux a few years ago. It's an ok airport

average_runner · 18-10-2019 1:23pm

Drumpot wrote: »

I’ve always brought my car cause if does feel like you have more freedom and can bring more over.

But has anybody flown (young family aged 5-10) and found that they didn’t look back or miss the ship? Suppose just looking to see if some year we should just fly!

We started flying 3 years ago, best thing ever. Extra 3 days holiday at the site, kids prefer it. Kids were 4 & 6 when we first flew.

Also found it cheaper than the ferry, even with car rental

fdevine · 18-10-2019 1:32pm

Drumpot wrote: »

I’ve always brought my car cause if does feel like you have more freedom and can bring more over.

But has anybody flown (young family aged 5-10) and found that they didn’t look back or miss the ship? Suppose just looking to see if some year we should just fly!

Prefer flying to ferry TBH. Did Brittany on Rosslare-Roskoff ferry a few years ago and it was an awful experience, especially with young kids and no cabin in one direction.

Did Union Lido in Italy and used public transport from Treviso. Very doable & didn't miss the car at all.

Did Salou & bused from Barcelona. Absolutely no need at all for a car.

Did Duinrell in Holland last year. Suntransfers to get to the site and public transport after that.

Back on the ferry this year for Brittany. Time will tell if we ever do it again.

Miley Byrne · 18-10-2019 2:11pm

fdevine wrote: »

Prefer flying to ferry TBH. Did Brittany on Rosslare-Roskoff ferry a few years ago and it was an awful experience, especially with young kids and no cabin in one direction.

Did Union Lido in Italy and used public transport from Treviso. Very doable & didn't miss the car at all.

Did Salou & bused from Barcelona. Absolutely no need at all for a car.

Did Duinrell in Holland last year. Suntransfers to get to the site and public transport after that.

Back on the ferry this year for Brittany. Time will tell if we ever do it again.

Not to drag off topic but what did you think of Duinrell?

Deeman83 · 18-10-2019 2:20pm

fdevine wrote: »

Prefer flying to ferry TBH. Did Brittany on Rosslare-Roskoff ferry a few years ago and it was an awful experience, especially with young kids and no cabin in one direction.

Did Union Lido in Italy and used public transport from Treviso. Very doable & didn't miss the car at all.

Did Salou & bused from Barcelona. Absolutely no need at all for a car.

Did Duinrell in Holland last year. Suntransfers to get to the site and public transport after that.

Back on the ferry this year for Brittany. Time will tell if we ever do it again.

A ferry without a cabin is like a plane without a seat.

loyatemu · 18-10-2019 2:24pm

fdevine wrote: »

Prefer flying to ferry TBH. Did Brittany on Rosslare-Roskoff ferry a few years ago and it was an awful experience, especially with young kids and no cabin in one direction.

Did Union Lido in Italy and used public transport from Treviso. Very doable & didn't miss the car at all.

Did Salou & bused from Barcelona. Absolutely no need at all for a car.

Did Duinrell in Holland last year. Suntransfers to get to the site and public transport after that.

Back on the ferry this year for Brittany. Time will tell if we ever do it again.

at least get a cabin this time.

Charliebull · 18-10-2019 3:04pm

Drumpot wrote: »

I’ve always brought my car cause if does feel like you have more freedom and can bring more over.

But has anybody flown (young family aged 5-10) and found that they didn’t look back or miss the ship? Suppose just looking to see if some year we should just fly!

flew last couple years, 3 kids 5-12, will never go boat again, much easier on all concerned and cheaper too. You can also pick parks which are only 1 hour away which is a godsend

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

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