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

Booked Saint Avit today as dates suited...thanks all

Myself and the missus went to Ile de Re this year for a week in early June and it was magical, loved the place and well suited for two adults. Its all about the cycling though so I dont know how that would work with a dog. But EVERYONE cycles it like a sperate secret world, we did about 200km of cycling in the week using Electric Bikes so it was easy and a pleasure, didnt use the car once for the week. Loads of cafes and resutraunts along the cycling paths Even though the place is busy it was very relaxed, the cycling does that. Thinking of going back again for another week next june.

If you are going mid summer like july August I woudl imaging it would be slammed as it very popular with the French…for a good reason 😎

I originally stayed in Ile de Re in 2004 and 2005 so might not be the same vibe now going back. I loved it then , but might be over touristy now. My claim to fame is I met johnny depp in a restaurant in St Martin. At the time Oleran was very unspoilt, though the recent terrorist attack there is off putting.

Yes the slides will definitely keep them occupied! Mine were 13 and 10 this year and loved them. Also the shop on site is well stocked and there's another within walking distance that's quite good. You could also hire a bike and cycle into Labenne to get some stuff in the shops there.

I saw plenty of people with suitcases getting transfers/taxis to and from airports (Biarritz I think). It's very doable. Friends of ours also overlapped on our trip by a couple of days and they had flown to Biarritz and got a taxi/minicab from Biarritz airport to the site

Not at all! Ask as many questions as you need 😊

It's a very lively campsite, mainly because it's huge! They have a very large amphitheatre which backs onto the manmade volcano/pool which holds about 500-600 people. That's where the entertainment is done every night. Some of the shows are very professional. They had a foam party there one evening and another foam party out on one of the sports fields another night. They put on very high quality shows every night.

There's always the few usual french teens "hanging out" in the basketball court but everyone is always well-behaved and polite.

There's an ice cream/waffle parlour and a couple of casual restaurants very close to the campsite. There's also a night market in the field beside the campsite a couple of times a week.

I also think you can go onto the other campsites and sample their evening shows but Sylvamar attracts loads of people from other campsites for their evening entertainment!!

Irish Ferries are advertising 20% Ireland to France routes

For us, 2 Adults & 3 kids travelling end of June start of July Dublin to Cherbourg
Price quoted: €1,895.00
Discount:€267.00
Total:€1,628.00

Got it last year for €955 with Stena from Rosslare, but that's not an option anymore.
I'd say this is probably as good as we'll get

Yes I did it last year and doing it again next summer... It was great... Hot breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks all day... As much as you wanted. They also put on free wine on tap for lunch and dinner. For about 3 hours around those times.. You could get hammered but I paced myself😁 great value, nice lounge area as well. Toilets are a class above steerage as well. Go for it... That reminds me to book mine tonight..

Yeah didn't put my hand in my pocket for the day and half I was on the ship. They have pastries, little sandwiches out all day in-between the hot servings, including chilled San Pellegrino at all times. Good times👍

You got me in the mood and I Just booked my ferry again for late May next year. Doing the same as last year going out to Bilbao and coming back through Roscoff. Getting the Commodore cabin and the way back and priority boarding (which is the best €15 you'll ever spend... Feel like a rock star getting first on to the ship and off when I'm Cork) going early in the year so it's not mad expensive.

Given the prices now for the ferry to France, it may well be worth to just fly and renting a car at the other end.

Same here, I love the freedom it affords to bring bikes, golf clubs etc and to be able to fill up with wine and spirits on the way home.

I love the ferry too and also brining home the wine. I doubt we would get the opportunity to fly for another while because we don't exactly "travel light". It's like the Gantt-Whitman Train at times when we pack. 🙈

last year I got return flights to Spain for 400 euro for 5 return. Ferry was nearly 3 grand. I like the ferry a lot but it’s getting very pricey