Some of the comments on here made me think of a comment our rep made when we went with Eurocamp to the Vendee (which wasn't too bad but it was June - full of French but it was the Bison Fute - equivalent of start of holidays over here)
The rep said he had someone who came every year, but didn't want to be in a tent next to any French people!
We quite liked it, and as I say out of season wasn't too packed, but can't comment in season. Loved watching the French kids collecting snails one morning!
We are returning to the Vendee this year . We were there in 2002 and 2003. I agree with a lot of the comments made but I though it may be worth letting others know why we are going back there incase anyone else going there is now dreading it.
In 2003 we went to the Loire and loved it. Weather was great (year of the heatwave) and the site lovely. In 2004 we went to Brittany and the weather was not good, also we did not like the site. In 2005 we went to Germany and had a fantastic time. Last year we had three weeks in the Dordogne. We were really looking forward to this and although the site was great the weather in August was very disappointing and it was also quite a long drive. We had a lot of rain and when we went out to go anywhere it was always packed, we always spent ages trying to park the car anywhere.This wasn't the Dordogne I remember from 20 years ago. The scenery was still great but everywhere was so busy and the shops now sell tourist stuff just like other places. On the way back we stayed in the Loire again and felt like we had finally escaped to proper France!
We know what to expect in the Vendee but have chosen to go here because the kids want to go to Garangeoire as it has football coaching sessions and the drive is very easy. We are also near good beaches and Puy de Fou. We are in the middle of having major building work done and just want to go somewhere that has things for the boys to do so we can get a bit of a rest. We're not bothered about days out this year, we did enough of that last year and the boys would still rather stay at the site and play if given a choice
We have learnt over the years that a holiday is largely what you make it, we enjoy being away and having quality time as a family and it doesn't really matter where we are or what the weather is like if the site is good we are happy!
We stayed at le pin parasol and thought it was fantastic. No at all over commercial but set in a rural area with large swimming pool and slides, childrens play area, small shop and bar and games room. Good mix of brits and other nationalities. Not too far to travel anywhere but far enough away to be peaceful. Lovely lake and plenty to do in the area. Would definitely go back.
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
Went to Vendee- St Julien des Landes, 2005 with hubby and two boys age 5 and 7, absolutely loved it, went to Southern Brittany last year for two weeks and hated it, then spend another two weeks in the Dordogne and loved it.
I think that the Vendee is more suitable for young families, while the Dordogne is better for more mature people as there are more suitable 'activities and sights' , better food choices, lovely scenery etc.
St Julien des Landes was fairly quiet and full of all nationalities, but definitely not 'Essex by the Sea'. Did visit St Jean de Mont and was a little bit horrified at the amount of British tourist enjoying their typical 'british holiday'.
any holiday is only as good as what you make of it. Have been to the Vendee many times to various locations. The area itself has lots to go for and if you're just going for a laze about I can't think of anywhere better. You could buy the Caravan Clubs book on European sites called Camping Europe. This lists all the sites in France that have been visited by their members with their comments, so you can read what the different people think as well. It's a good guide to have if you are planning more trips.
Surprised there's been no mention of Les Sables D'Olonne here so far. Def a place worth considering, it isn't very British at all really, not like St Jean de Monts at all - although it's a bit more of a French version of a typical seaside town so it's not for everyone.
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
Have a look at this one. We stayed there for four days a couple of weeks ago, nice and quiet (a bit too much so as we had teenagers with us) but very pretty surroundings, about 100 pitches.
We stayed at le pin parasol and thought it was fantastic. No at all over commercial but set in a rural area with large swimming pool and slides, childrens play area, small shop and bar and games room. Good mix of brits and other nationalities. Not too far to travel anywhere but far enough away to be peaceful. Lovely lake and plenty to do in the area. Would definitely go back.
Totally agree, we went To Le Pin Parasol last year and loved it however I would agree about the comments about St Jean du Mont. We ended up here last year on one of our "lets head off and see where we end up days" and hated it, reminded me of Clacton on sea which is what we went to France to get away from.
Some quite harsh comments and huge generalisations in this thread in my opinion. And it's clear that it is not possible to say with any certainty what a holiday in the Vendee will be like. Came back from a small place called Brem-Sur-Mer (about 10kms south of St Gilles Croix De Vie) 2 weeks ago. Stayed at a quite large site called Le Chaponnet and did not meet any English in the whole 2 weeks we were there. And if I had it wouldn't have changed anything! Mostly French, then Dutch, then Irish, then other European, then us (Scots! two families).
We were prob about 20 miles south of St Jean De Monts (the area that for a few weeks in high season is a bit more 'English'), and could not have had a more different experience. I fail to see how anyone can say they did not like the Vendee, unless they've been all over, tried all parts of it, etc. Bit like saying 'I tried England and will never go back' - quite bizarre.
i agree with a lot of the comments here. not very keen on the vendee. does seem to have a tired feel about it, have been there a few times and won't bother again.
i would go inland if you want smaller sites
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
I agree with Arthurdent about Les Sables d'Olonne - went there six years on the trot as a teenager and have been back a couple of times since and we're off there again on Friday, although staying a few miles inland. Very French feel to it and often you can't hear any English voices on the beach - lovely. The Vendee is like anywhere really in that you have to be picky about where you go and if you don't do your homework first you might well end up in St Jean de Monts and hate it, but that is only the same as writing off the whole of East Anglia just because you ended up in Great Yarmouth or Clacton (apologies to anyone who lives there).
Susie
------------- Live every day as if it's your last - don't waste it
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: Site recomendations for Vendees area?
