Advice needed: holidays in France

[crystal7]

Hello!

Planning on driving to France this summer with E who will then be 17/18 months. Has anyone been anywhere close-ish (we want to minimise driving time for obvious reasons), with nice scenery, pref on the coast (maybe the West Coast?) that's suitable for a toddler? Better still does anyone have a recommendation of a place to stay (self catering)?. Was thinking of the Dordogne but might be too far...

Sorry a bit vague but thought I'd pick your brains whie I find the time to read the Lonely Planet guide!

[sophiechristophy]

This is a really good website for accommodation:

www.sawdays.co.uk

:)

[filmmaker]

When my twins were 4 months we drove down to Carcasonne and at 18 months we took them to la Vendee and Ile de Re. Ile de Re is lovely for a few days but couldn't spend a week there. but have visited many times for short stays.

[verds]

If you don't want to drive too far, there are some lovely bucket and spade-ish beaches round the ports - Around Caen, and also into Britanny/Dinard. It's also the same weather as here (or a bit warmer if you're lucky) so not too hot for little ones.

[littleEDfamily]

We've had a similar challenge - we adore the Basque corner or France, but too far to drive with littlies unless you're very brave! Would recommend St Jean de Luz though if flying (into Biarritz with Ryanair).

Not coastal, but one idea may be the Loire Valley - lovely, but not that exciting. (Unless you're getting plastered on le vin.)

[catgirl]

We've done Eurocamp several times in France with the children at various ages. Staying in a mobile home means you get a bathroom and toilet if you don't fancy 'proper' camping. All the campsites have fab swimming pools and playgrounds etc.(last years had a bouncy castle!)and loads of other chilcdren around to play with. Also lovely outdoor living and the sites all have shops with fresh bread, croissants etc in the morning and restaurants and take aways too. We tend to go for the smaller sites but there's loads of choice depending on your preferences. In fact, last couple of times we've picked sites from the Eurocamp brochure and then booked a chalet / mobile home direct with the campsite as it's cheaper and we've found the EC reps to be pretty rubbish so not worth paying the extra for.

We've done the Dordogne which was a long drive but feasible in a day with an early ferry and few stops (easier if children still in nappies!) and also Loire which was obviously very easy in a day. The Castels chain of campsites in France are all great - Eurocamp go to most of these and there is at least one very good one in the Vendee as well as Loire.

[gnulover]

We used www.totstofrance.co.uk last year and are going again this summer. Have places all over France (although they do seem to be very popular over the summer months so you may be out of luck this year). Great because you don't have to take all the usual stuff you carry - they supply cots, bed guards, baby baths, high chairs, monitors, sterilisers, blenders, stair gates, toys, etc and most places also have outdoor equipment to keep them busy - swings, sand pits, wendy houses. We took our 6 month old and 3 year old last year and had everything we would need (although we still managed to fill the car to the rafters!)

Jx

[Gubodge]

We went with Key Camp to Camping de la Baie, near Trinite-sur-Mer on the south coast of Brittany when our two were around 18 months and 3. It was perfect. They loved the ferry over and we only had a two hour car journey the other side. The campsite is ideal for small ones with a wide sandy beach just across the lane, a small playground and a swimming pool and toddler pool. We were lucky enough to be right at the far end of the site, in a sort of cul-de-sac which meant our kids and the ones in the neighbouring caravans could charge about in a little gang without us worrying about the (few, slow) cars coming in and out of the site. Best of all was the playground right next to the bar, so the parents could relax with an evening drink and watch the sunset whilst the smalls got rid of the last of their energy before bedtime.

My husband was horrified at the thought of a caravan park holiday, but even he accepts that it was a great holiday.