Thinking of going to Vendee in last two weeks of August next year. we went last year as soon as school broke up (last week July and first week August) and found it OK, roads not too bad. I am wondering why the prices drop so much from say 20th August onwards? is it because the French holidays finish 15th August? Any suggestions as to why this time is so much cheaper and whether anyone else has been there at our planned time would be appreciated. We thought of going for about 10 days to be back well in time for school term starting Thanks
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You are correct, the prices drop because the holiday season is over. The school hols in France & neighbouring countries start in early July so folk go on their hols from then, most have gone home by the end of Assumption day(Aug 15)week, so the campsites will be much quieter.
I doubt you will need to book a pitch, so you will have a better choice of campsites.
We always hoiliday the last 2 weeks in August. Sites are still busy enough to enjoy. I cant compare the traffic on the roads as we have never used them outside those 2 weeks but we have always found them to be jam free and quiet. The weather is still very good and everything still open with plenty of tourists still around and we have never had a problem parking or getting in anywhere. The French by tradition have always ended their summer hols on the nearest weekend after Assumption day as Kabbes says.
For the first time this year, we holidayed in France in the last 2 weeks of August. Like the OP, we used to always go as soon as school finished. However, because of buying the caravan this year we decided to wait a bit and go mid-August.
Hubby and I really preferred it; as our holiday went on, the site gradually became quieter and quieter, as did the surrounding area. The boys said they missed having loads and loads of friends to hang out with, they were glad to have each other for company. We had the pool to ourselves for half an hour one day! The wash blocks were quieter too. We were amazed to see how the site emptied after the Bank Holiday weekend (15th). The weather was brilliant, although the evenings were shorter so we made sure we ate a bit earlier. We hadn't considered it would be cheaper later in August so were pleasantly surprised with our bill, as we'd paid less than the previous year, and had stayed 2 nights longer too. We always go to the same site, but I'd imagine that you wouldn't need to book a pitch as there were loads vacant on ours at the end of August.
Last but one week of Aug is usually 3/4 blast but last week is definitely 1/2 blast. lots of sites reduce facilities. One way to maximise the chance your kids will have other brit kids for company is to stick to the big sites where keycamp etc. operate -
I would love to go when it's a quieter but working for an FE college we have to back mid-August and leave is blocked until mid-September... July for us again cross fingers we'll find a site we like. My sister has just come back from St Jean de Monts and the weather had been in the 30s apparently.
------------- Camping - emotional resilience in action, a triumph of hope over adversity and antidote to virtual reality.
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
Hello bridgeywidge, we are in the same FE boat as you. We go last week of July, after the yr 10 and yr 11 summer schools are over. Then we have to be back for the week before bank holiday monday at the end of august, to enroll the next lot of delightful students in a great rush, even though about a third of them are still on holiday until after the bank holiday.
Quote: Originally posted by colinlob on 28/9/2009
Then we have to be back for the week before bank holiday monday at the end of august, to enroll the next lot of delightful students in a great rush, even though about a third of them are still on holiday until after the bank holiday.
Yup, bummer ain't it???!!!!!! Can't go away in September either as boss always takes the week after enrolment finishes... grrrr. Only good thing is they close between Christmas and New Year. Oh, and pay a salary I guess to keep me in tents
------------- Camping - emotional resilience in action, a triumph of hope over adversity and antidote to virtual reality.
We did end of Aug last year had great time, tried first 2 weeks of aug this year and wont be doing it again! Too much traffic and never got a sunbed round the pool once! lol
We also prefer the quieter but still busy second half of August, the first two weeks can be a bit mad particularly at larger sites, definitely not conjusive to relaxation.
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: France in late August?
