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

Hi,
We’ve just returned from a fantastic three-week Eurocamp holiday at Les Ecureuils in the Vendée. There were five of us, plus our dog. We’re looking to book for next year but would like to venture a bit further south to explore more villages. We loved the size and feel of Les Ecureuils.

We have three kids: twins who will be 11 next year and our eldest, who will be 13. He’s on the autism spectrum (ASD), and a quieter campsite really suits him, which is why we chose Les Ecureuils.

He loves the swimming pools but isn’t into water slides. The twins are up for anything—soccer, horse riding, go-karting, etc. We’ll also be bringing our small dog.
We’re looking for recommendations somewhere between Les Sables-d’Olonne and Royan. Ideally, we’d like a location within walking distance to a sandy beach with waves suitable for jumping and body surfing.

...

Hi folks. We're planning our first trip to France next July. Hope to sail from Dublin to Cherbourg, and drive no more than 4 hours or so on the other side. So maybe somewhere like Clarys Plage.

This thread is a gold mine, and I'm slowly working my way through it from page 300.

On question I haven't seen an answer to, is is there any need to / benefit in booking this far in advance? Or would it not make much difference if we leave it to January or so?

It looks like Irish Ferry are around €2,000 for a car and "family" cabin, out on Saturday 05/07 back on Sunday 20/07 at the moment, but offer a 20% "early booking" discount on that when I get to paying. Is there any rush to take up this price? I've seen people recommend paying extra for flexi tickets, and cancelling and rebooking if price drops, so I'll probably do that.

Then, one of the reasons I kind of want to get the ferry booked, is so that I can book a campsite, but again, is there any benefit or urgency to do that now? Or could we wait until the new year?

I'm looking at more expensive saturday and sunday sailings, because I suspect some campsites, only allow chek in / out at weekend. Do any of you sail mid week?

Finally, I can't really figure out the differences between the different cabins on the Irish Ferries site. Particularly size. We'll be two adults, a five year old and a three year, so I'm thinking we need a "family" cabin. Would any of you move up or down for any reason? "Club" doesn't sound worth it for us, but maybe there's some reason to consider it.

Thanks in advance.

I can't help specifically with your questions re Irish Ferries but in my experience the Brittany Ferries sailings from Cork at the end of June/start July book out quickly particularly the cabins, this is because Irish schools are on holiday but French schools aren't so campsite prices are cheaper. We have traveled midweek during this period and have been able to book our accommodation accordingly but usually restrictions on Sat-Sat/Sun-Sun stays can kick in after the first week of July which is when high season prices can kick in.

We travelled with Brittany ferries this year, with a 4 and a 2 year old, and got the basic 4 person cabin. It wasn't great because we didnt do our research. My wife took the 2 year old into a bottom bunk with her, and barely got any sleep, as she was moving about all night. The 4year old took the other bottom bunk, and I took a top bunk, as I was doing the driving the next day

We're booked in again for next summer, in the same size cabin, and my plan is as follows:

Take the mattresses off of the two bottom bunk beds.

Lay these on the ground, and fold away the bottom bunks.

Let the 3yr old and 5 yr old sleep on the mattresses on the floor, and my wife and I will sleep on the top bunks

Does anyone have a recent update of Sandaya's Sequoia Parc or Chateau les Marais?

I've read reviews from a good few years ago (200o, 2014, etc) that said there were big problems with mosquitoes, but if anyone had a more recent review itdtbe greatly appreciated! Thanks!

You won’t be disappointed. I had suggested that route to my husband but he’s not a fan of the really long boat journey. We had a really long road journey instead 😂

Went last year to Sequoia Park, Mosquitos were a big problem. Lovely site but wouldn't go back as we were eaten alive.

I used to go the long drive down but I'm happy now to sit eat sleep on a ferry to Spain for between 28/30 hours as opposed to the 17/19 hours on the Rosslare/Cherbourg/Roscoff run and then face the long drive through France.

Are you sure the bottom bunks will fold? Did Brittany ferries at Easter and Irish Ferries (back today!). I have not seen bottom bunks folding on any of them . Only ever seen top bunks folding!

On the WB Yeats, the bottom bunks fold away to create sofas and that makes a load more room in the 4 person interior cabins anyway

we were on Pont Aven this year .only one of the bottom beds folded up . The other flipped over and became a couch

Hi all, any advice on a nice town to stay about 2 hours from Cherbourg en route from the Vendee region? Just want yo split up the journey back so we are closer to Port on final day. Would prefer not to stay anywhere too busy as trying to keep the stress of driving in traffic to a minimum.

smappen is a great place to start:
https://www.smappen.com/app/map/0cXoBbQIYVZqx2ee

Rory's Travel Club are advertising the 2 adults + 3 kids - €999 deal with Kelair for next May again, ideal if your kids get a week off in May

departure dates

6, 8, 13, 15, 20, 22 May 2025

WHAT is Included

· Return ferry crossing with car & passengers – 2 adults /3 children (under 15 years)

· Irish Ferries – Dublin Cherbourg on board W B Yeats

· 1 x 4 berth Inside Cabin each way

· 7 nights Mercure mobile home with decking & Gas BBQ

· Available at Domaine des Ormes (6,8,13,15,20,22 May 2025 departures) – 2.5hrs drive from Cherbourg.

· Available at Camping Les Genets & La Yole (22 May 2025 departure) – 4.5hrs drive from Cherbourg.

Optional Extras:

· Upgrade to 3 bed Model - €10 per night per party.

· Upgrade to 3 Bed 2 bath with A/C €30 per party per night

· Upgrade to window cabin €20 each way.

· Possibility to extend your stay.

· We supply duvets with Duvet covers – you can bring your own linen & Towels, or a pack is available to rent- prebook (family of 5 €100