We’re doing a big trip for all of June as ill health means it might be our last and would appreciate some thoughts on the return leg. Heading to Caen and then on via La Tranche Sur Mer and Ile d’oleron to Bordeaux and then the Dordogne. We’ve then got just over a week to get back to Cherbourg. Any suggestions of must visit towns and villages on the way back? We’ve done a bit of the Loire before but thought of stopping just east of Tours for a couple of nights, and then west of Le Mans (we’ve also done a fair bit round there before) and back to Granville for the last night. Aim to spend a couple of nights on each stop; we have ACSI and use CCP aires too. Site recs welcome but also nice places to spend time; husband uses a powered wheelchair so need civilisation close by or level paths. Thank you
------------- Seeking luxury in unexpected places
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Been to the E of Tours for stopovers on numerous occasions.
The Chateau at Chaumont sur Loire between Tours and Blois hosts an international garden festival every year and has got increasingly popular over the last 15 years.
About 9 years ago we took my father in law in his wheelchair (not powered).The showgardens were difficult as the paths were mainly small pebbles. Other parts of the grounds were easy - good paths and pretty flat - the South West and East sections of the map linked below (also details of disabled access). Home to a number of art installations.
Have you been to the Mont St. Michel?
We often stop at Pontorson on our way back up to Cherbourg (Camping Haliotis). There is also a big motorhome aire at Beauvoir.
Rather than cross over to the Mont itself we tend to go to the Barrage (dam) viewpoint and view it from there - looks different every few minutes in
the changing light conditions.
If you wanted to go across, there are shuttle buses over to the island and pedestrian access via the causeway, which would be no problem for a powered wheelchair.
Have you been to the Abbey at Fontevraud? I can't say how accessible it is, but it's a popular tourist spot so should be. We enjoyed it, cool inside on a very hot day.
I think we went there from the campsite at Montreuil Bellay, an interesting town. The campsite is down by the river, but we found a supermarket carpark at the top of the town which made it easier to visit.
Post last edited on 09/04/2025 09:34:04
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I have not camped in the area, however, I went to Sancerre for a French language course some years ago and stayed in a hotel in the area, and would love to go back there one day.
DK
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Lots here to choose from. My 'twopennath' .... from the Dordogne I'd go for a stop at Brantôme - Camping Peyrelevade walk into town market Friday. ACSI accepted. From there a visit to Loches - Camping la Citadelle walk into town- heated indoor pool - ACSI also within striking distance of Anboise ( chateau and Clos Lucé for Leonardo da Vinci). Maybe the close enough to Caen depending on crossing time, if not the A28/D338 has many sites available just off the motorway up to Alençon - we usually stop at Beaumont sur Sarthe municipal. I presume you have a site for the Dordogne in mind - if not, try Camping Le Cinq Chateaux - new name for camping la Cabane... right alongside the river and very welcoming - just don't pinch my pitch!
Quote: Originally posted by jaiash on 09/4/2025
Lots here to choose from. My 'twopennath' .... from the Dordogne I'd go for a stop at Brantôme - Camping Peyrelevade walk into town market Friday. ACSI accepted. From there a visit to Loches - Camping la Citadelle walk into town- heated indoor pool - ACSI also within striking distance of Anboise ( chateau and Clos Lucé for Leonardo da Vinci). Maybe the close enough to Caen depending on crossing time, if not the A28/D338 has many sites available just off the motorway up to Alençon - we usually stop at Beaumont sur Sarthe municipal. I presume you have a site for the Dordogne in mind - if not, try Camping Le Cinq Chateaux - new name for camping la Cabane... right alongside the river and very welcoming - just don't pinch my pitch!
Can't recall either the chateau in Amboise or the Clos Luce being wheelchair friendly given the flights of steps.
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
I don't know if it's too late, but if I was in your position, I would instead re-book the ferry home from Bilbao or Santander, and go to the Pyrenees and / or the Spanish Basque region and / or the Picos and Cantabria instead - the Dordogne is closer to the Spanish ports than it is to Cherbourg.
Ironed , If this really is to be your last trip I send good wishes and hope it goes well. But believe me, there is another world out there. and we have discovered some really smart and comfortable hotels as well as holiday houses to rent. Best regards.
Thank you Netherton, that is kind. We have done a few hotel-based road trips å deux and with friends and do enjoy them but even in this 'equality-minded' age there are often a few surprise steps, unsuitable bathrooms etc ! At least in the moho we can mange his energy and comfort more easily. We're not giving up just yet, but in a similar way that we have some amazing memories of our last two trips to the USA before he started to find flying uncomfortable, we want this one to be special !
Hey Ironned,
For us Nantes was pretty amazing especially the Iles de Machine (ride the elephant) and the art trail. Then there was the Angers Apocolypse taspestry.
Just a thought but have you thought about travelling by train?
My Oh and myself caught the Euro star to Paris stayed for a few days and then and then shot down to Barcelona. It was lovely and comfortable, on time and the food was good, much better than flying. We then went on to Barcelona by SNCF and we were amazed about how easy it was to travel, very fast and a lovely way to see the country. It was also cheap 60 euros each for a single ticket and it only took 6 hours.
WE did consider that we could use this method of travel when we could no longer manage the drive.
We did notice that at the Paris station for departures that trains were going all over Europe direct.
It was much less stressful then flying and an easier then packing and driving, but then again you would n't have your own rig, you would have to book accommodation.
Best of luck with your choices.
------------- sueze
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Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Return route ideas
via mobile 09/4/2025 at 8:50am
