Having now cancelled eurotunnel in our van and booked to go with P&O instead I can finally get excited about our trip to La Guyonniere Saint Julien Des Landes and was wondering for those of you who have already stayed/know this area what would you say are 'must do's/see's' for us. We are a family of 2 adults and 4 children aged 11,7,5(but has Downs Syndrome so development/mobility camparable to about 2 ish) & 2. We do love the beach & body boarding when the weather permits, but feel as we have never camped in France before and have travelled so far we need to make this holiday feel a little different to our British ones and see some of the area too - would include Castles, Waterparks, theme parks, National Forrest type parks etc
Any information to help maximise our enjoyment would be appreciated
------------- Nat
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
Not far from La Guyonnaire is the Chateau at Apremont, this is a lovely place, nice chateau, lovely patisseries in the town, and plenty of places for picnics by the river. You can hire canoes and go down the river. Along with this is the Lake at Apremont, perfectly safe for the children to swim in, and lots of sand to play in.
Le Puy du fou is a firm favourite of many people here, just google it and see what you think. We didn't go last year, but am determined to go this year.
I brought a book by Angela Bird on The Vendee and that also helped.
Hope you have a lovely holiday
i would second the advice about lac apremont. There is a roped off section for swimming in the lake, a sandy area for pic nic's and a water slide. We also take our canoes along this stretch but i believe there are ones to hire.
Another place to go is oceanile waterpark. its about an hours drive towards noirmoutier (sp??) but on the way back- (if you are not too late leaving) you can drive accross the causeway which is only accessible twice a day when the tide is out. Sounds scary but it is great, lots of people are about fishing and collecting cockles and muscles. There are many many different beaches to choose from which is great too. We didnt get to the place last year but i believe there is a forest place nearby ish that do the tree tops.When are you going to la guyionerre?
------------- Tony N
LR Defender - Best4x4xFar
Virgin caravaners
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
I have VERY fond memories of La Guyonniere, we went four years on the trot, with two tents then a caravan, great for kids, lots of space and the tractor rides if they stil do them were a lovely way to meet other people. If you like to visit a town you can't beat St Gilles Croix de Ville, about 20 minutes drive as I recall, and if you get there before 12 you can usually park for free really centrally. It has a cheesy tacky fair, a great marina to wander round and look at the yachts, a lovely touristy but very French high street over the bridge with great browsing - but it all opens at 3 and comes alive. There is also a market day - can't remember when. Great pizza restuarant just off the waterfront( yes really) and reasonable moules frites - great kids meals too - the burgers are not like maccy d that's for sure. The usual supermarkets are there too - a massive leclerc.
Have moved on now to the Ardeche - more guaranteed weather but much further to go, but I loved La Guyonniere and I am sure that you will have a wonderful family time. Enjoy! ps The owner is the guy who looks like The Hof!
As previously mentioned just behind the beach at La Normandeliere, Bretignolles is a man made pool where the sea water has been pumped back to create a safer beach enviroment - i.e. no currents, not too deep, sheltered from the Atlantic winds but the same experience as being at the beach. The beach itself at Bretignolles is just as good. There is also a small, but perfectly formed play park on the path between the inland pool and the beach and ice creams and chichis on sale on the road behind.
The Parc Des Dunes at Brem Sur Mer is a favourite of all our kids. Pack swimwear and a picnic. The park is divided into two halfs - we usually spend the morning in the first half, have a picnic lunch (although there is a cafe) and the afternoon in the second half. There is stuff here for all ages, including adults.
Each year we also have a lunch out at St Gilles Croix de Vie. There is a market here in the morning (can't remember which days) loads of family friendly places for lunch along the river and a two storey carousel for all of us to take a post lunch ride on. Beach nearby.
I would also second the Chateau d'Apremont, the zoo at Sables D'Olonne and the most amazing Puy De Fou. There is a great Aquarium at La Rochelle but the journey there is pretty horrific and La Rochelle very busy.
We did go to the Vendee Miniature last year, a large model village in Bretignolles. Whilst being quite a remarkable model village it was quite a lot of money for not much reward (i.e. £25 for us to get in for less than an hour). I wouldn't go back. We also went to the Jardin des Vents at St Jean des Monts a couple of years back, very pleasant but again probably not worth the drive (or the fact that you have to go to St Jean des Monts!) to warrant the hour or so you will spend there.
This year we want to try the Velorail and some of the beaches beyond the forests south of Bretignolles.
I also have Angela Birds book on the Vendee - worth getting.
Hope this helps and apologies if I have repeated other posts.
Le fete de Lac du Jaunay - this is usually near the beginning of August and a short walk from the campsite. They have food on sale and a band playing followed by a fantastic firework display. It does go on until quite late though (fireworks after 10pm). Take warm clothes and blankets to sit on. Oh and a bottle of vino. The kids can run around or little ones can crash out. You will need a torch to get back through the forest to the campsite.
A little later in August (too late for us last year) is the Fete du Boeuf and des Battages at Landevielle about 10 mins drive away. This goes on all day and is a lovely little French festival. Food and drink on sale (lovely cider), agricultural and craft demonstrations, dancing etc with a big hog roast in the evening.
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
>>This year we want to try...some of the beaches beyond the forests south of Bretignolles
Those beaches are very nice when you get there but the lengthy walk through the forest is a teeny bit sinister and isolated. It may just be me but there were not many families in evidence the day we visited.
Take a fishing rod for the site and for the lake behind it, Fireworks are let off from Le Pin which is across the lake I seem to remember on a Sat or Sun.
Le Puy De Fou was a great day out although quite expensive.
Beaches are good for bodyboarding although some more than others, just explore the different ones.
Oh and go to the beach around lunchtime, you'll see all the French in the forests etc having the large family picnics, they then decend to the beaches around 2ish at that point you will be mobbed and wont be able to park for miles!!
We enjoyed Guyonaire, its a great site, big but with a small friendly feel to it.
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: La Guyonniere Saint Julien Des Landes
