Camping in France

[nku]

Hi, just looking for some advice please. We are hoping to go to France for the last week of August this year. There will be 4 adults, a 5 yr old & a 3 yr old. We quite like the idea of staying in a 'supertent' or equivalent.

Ideally we don't want too far to travel from port once we get there. Can anyone recommend a good campsite? Also, has anyone ever traveled with Keycamp, Eurocamp, Vacansoleil or such like?

Thanks in advance!

[hcddurkin]

domaine des ormes. it is part of a large chain of campsites all through france, in bretagne, only about 30 minute drive from st.malo ferry port (not sure which port you were thinking of). I've been going since i was younger, 3 pools, one huge one great for children. zip line courses, horse riding, paint balling. there's a great restaurant too (quite cheap) a family bar. a games room with pool etc and a table tennis room. if you go with keycamp/eurocamp they have kids clubs for the children during the days, treaure hunts etc. not heard of vacansoleil, sorry! but keycamp and eurocamp are both very good. hope this was a help!

[puzzled54]

Have been with Eurocamp loads of times, which ferry port will you be arriving at?

[Lil O'lady]

It is worth checking the rating that tour operators give campsites against the Michelin camping and caravanning guide (get one from the library). This gives a neutral view of what facilities are available.
Domaine des Ormes is fab but is gigantic - there are literally hundreds of smaller sites and with small children you need somewhere on the coast, with a good pool. If you use the michelin guide, you can see which sites hire out their own mobile homes etc - much cheaper than going through the Keycamp etc route. Email addresses are usually also included.

[nku]

Thanks for answers. I think the closest port to us is Poole, which I think goes to Cherbourg or St Malo. We have looked at some packages through Keycamp etc, which inlcude Dover to Calais ferry.

[puzzled54]

I think Keycamp and Eurocamp are the same company but still produce separate brochures. With Eurocamp you can pay a supplement to travel on other ferry routes, so you could choose to go to Cherbourg or St Malo, then you are ideally placed for a holiday in Brittany. Benodet and La Trinite (near Carnac) are both good. All the sites in the brochure (can also look online) have good pools and most run childrens clubs and have play areas.

[ojread2]

We've used Keycamp many times and can;t rate them highly enough
Well kept, clean sites and the brochures describe them just as they are
Vacansoeil, though, are better VFM - or they were last time I looked. However, once you travel with KC or Eurocamp you then become eligible for a loyalty discount if you use them again
We love Berny Riviere - you can also book direct with this site for a cheaper option but then you will have to pay for your own ferry crossing so it's swings and roundabouts
You get money off when sailing from somewhere other than Dover (mind you it's only about 3 hours from Dover to Poole so you could manage it ). Berny Riviere is a further 3 hour drive from Calais
My absolutel favourite sitge in France is here
http://www.caravancampingsites.co.uk/france/77 /courtillesdulido.htm
Very quiet, enclosed and ideal for children to run around. Beautiful site as well, near a train station although you can;t really hear the trains and near the Seine. Also lots ot do in the surrounding area - about a 3 hour drive form Calais
Should you choose Berny Riviere give me a shout - I have a shed load of information for you

[ojread2]

We've used Keycamp many times and can;t rate them highly enough
Well kept, clean sites and the brochures describe them just as they are
Vacansoeil, though, are better VFM - or they were last time I looked. However, once you travel with KC or Eurocamp you then become eligible for a loyalty discount if you use them again
We love Berny Riviere - you can also book direct with this site for a cheaper option but then you will have to pay for your own ferry crossing so it's swings and roundabouts
You get money off when sailing from somewhere other than Dover (mind you it's only about 3 hours from Dover to Poole so you could manage it ). Berny Riviere is a further 3 hour drive from Calais
My absolute favourite site in France is here
http://www.caravancampingsites.co.uk/france/77 /courtillesdulido.htm
Very quiet, enclosed and ideal for children to run around. Beautiful site as well, near a train station although you can;t really hear the trains and near the Seine. Also lots ot do in the surrounding area - about a 3 hour drive form Calais
Should you choose Berny Riviere give me a shout - I have a shed load of information for you

[ojread2]

Ah, sorry didn't think it posted first time - at least I managed to repair typo's for the 2nd post lol