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

browne_rob5 · 26-03-2026 09:47AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124341248#Comment_124341248

Le Grand Défi is close by and well worth a visit. Could easily spend a half day there. There is some food onsite bit I'd recommend bringing a packed lunch.

We went to Planète Sauvage and really enjoyed it. Its 1 hour each way though but we did it on a rainy day so didnt mind.

Grande Plage in Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie is a nice beach with a strip of bars and restaurant close by.

josip · 26-03-2026 10:26AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124341328#Comment_124341328

Same with the wine stash here, I think I'm down to my last 20 and soon all the red will be gone. All I'll be left with will be the 10 bottles of white I got because it's hot when you buy in France and a chilled bottle of white has a certain appeal at the time, but less so in Ireland in March :(

Jack0125 · 26-03-2026 11:34AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124341248#Comment_124341248

Being there last 3 years, really great site.

Grand Defi nearby is brilliant, if you have kids 9 years to teenage, the bouncy castles in the lake and the tree climbing and zip lines are excellent. We did 3 or 4 half days each year.

Puy de Fou is within a 2 hr drive. Very good. If you there in June before school holidays its cheaper and quieter.

There are weekend markets in Croix de Ville in the old town and then a pedestrians shopping street with a nice restaurant in the square with the church at the end of the pedestrians area.

Our favorite beach was near Brem Sur Mer. Near this location. Toilets there, some food options, car park can get busy

Breteam Surf Club - Google Maps

St Jean de Mont is a good spot for resturants and promenade walk some evening

CuriousCucumber · 26-03-2026 02:17PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124341328#Comment_124341328

Mine ran out a few weeks ago. I take that as a lesson for this year - buy more :D

fits · 26-03-2026 04:47PM

😃. it really is a massive perk to have nice wine to hand. We bought lots more white than red in error too and agree it’s a lot more attractive option in summer than winter.
Top tip from me. The boxes of wine can be very nice too at least for white wine. Get the more expensive ones. Easier to transport as well. We bought two boxes last year and they lasted ages. They are good for six weeks after opened I think.

The Ging and I · 26-03-2026 05:02PM

Not to burst anyones bubble but Diesel is 2.28 -2.32 euro today. I got it yesterday in Lyon airport for 2.09.

fits · 26-03-2026 07:03PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124342665#Comment_124342665

everyone will be bringing EVs soon. ( brought ours to South twice and it’s fine).

Sixtoes · 27-03-2026 12:09AM

https://www.puydufou.com/france/en/must-see-france

John_Rambo · 27-03-2026 06:30PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124342626#Comment_124342626

Great tip.

Another good tip, keep an eye in the supermarkets, we got a BOGOFF offer on St-Émilion and they were priced under €5. That's unbelievably good value. Now I'm like a hawk in the supermarkets looking for bargains, but they go quickly.

Benedict XVI · 27-03-2026 07:16PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124201232#Comment_124201232

Sorry poster I can't help you because I have the same question, I'm just giving this post a bump.

Has anyone been to Le Russeau ?

We are going in early June, flying to Bilbao and renting a car.

It looks good.

redoctober · 29-03-2026 09:59AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124345968#Comment_124345968

Hi there. I was in le ruisseau in 2008. At that time it was a good site but I was only camping in a tent.

westgolf · 30-03-2026 10:59AM

Has anyone experience of appealing a speeding ticket on a rental vehicle. I received notice recently of an increased fine following a time limit. Problem is that I had never received the original fine notice. I did the online appeal process straight away once I received the increased fine notice but I haven't heard anything back so far. I don't mind paying the original fine of €45 but not the increased fine of €180

For reference I was 10kph (60 in a 50 zone ) over the limit, headed to the airport on the way home.

redoctober · 30-03-2026 02:27PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124350483#Comment_124350483

Don't know how it is for France but some advice I read online for fines picked up in Italy was that the people collecting the fine are debt collectors and actually don't have powers to prosecute you in your home country but just to threaten you. So they basically send the letters out every so often for a few years before giving up. If you received it directly from the authorities then that would be different.

Fann Linn · 30-03-2026 02:28PM

I've just received an email from Eurocamp stating that one of their technical services providers have been hacked. It's stating that although banking details are secure, names, addresses, email addresses, phone numbers and holidays booked and paid for may be impacted.

Be aware if you get emails from Eurocamp and don't click on any links which appears to be in the message.

lee_baby_simms · 30-03-2026 04:14PM

I’m fully expecting fuel surcharges in May for our ferry to Bilbao at the end of June.

Fann Linn · 30-03-2026 04:35PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124351234#Comment_124351234

Fuel surcharges will probably be the least of my worries considering the Government is considering who gets fuel when it comes to be rationed.

Might be lucky to get to a port in the first place.

Peckham · 30-03-2026 05:24PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124351234#Comment_124351234

But if you've already booked they can't change the price.

Also, I booked flights to Italy, travelling in July. Booked them a month ago before this all kicked off. Same flights are €30 cheaper if booked today.

Seems like Ryanair purchase their fuel far enough in advance!

lee_baby_simms · 30-03-2026 05:45PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124351415#Comment_124351415

Depends on who you travel with. Britanny Ferries and Irish Ferries can impose surcharges even if you have already fully paid.

Ryanair’s t&c don’t allow them to do it.

Peckham · 30-03-2026 06:55PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124351476#Comment_124351476

Wow. I wasn't aware of that t&c

beggars_bush · 31-03-2026 08:52AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124350483#Comment_124350483

Yes. One followed us home a few years ago for turning up the wrong way up a one way street in a tiny mountain village in Italy.

The swiss based rental car company took about 5 months to pass on the ticket and it was given to a debt collection crowd before it even got to me. I paid the original fine on an Italian website and never heard from debt collectors again

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

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