We bought the vango vista 800 last year and have had two camping weekends in the uk. This year we are venturing to france for two weeks...As a new camping family i was wondering does anyone have any advice on essetial buuys or tips for while we are away. Our boys are 2 and 4 so still quite young. looking forward to it but stightly nervous.
Thanks
Gillian
------------- Gillian
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
A phrasebook! The first time we went I taught my OH and the kids some phrases on the drive down to Dover and we got a good little phrase book. I assured him that the french are really much nicer if you make the effort. He tested it out in a restaurant and now doesn't leave the tent without it. Definitely changed the way he viewed the French with just a little bit of effort from him Unfortunately the first time my eldest son attempted he said "Bonjour" to a young lad about the same age. Lad turned to his Dad and said "I can't understand what he's saying" turned out he was from Manchester and they ended up being great mates!
Where in France are you going? Have a wonderful holiday!
Hi, we're heading near carnac at the beginning of july. My children are (just)3 and 4 1/2. We've been to carnac once before and were camping with the children over here just a few weeks ago. My big new purchase for this season is a portaloo. It saves those trips to the loo block in the middle of the night, or the urgent ones at any time really. Definitely worth it!
We really loved the french campsites and last time when the children were much younger they still really enjoyed just running around and meeting other children of all nationalities. We are going to try to take their micro scooters this year if we can fit them in as they will come in handy.
I'm also collecting a small bag of new toys which I can gradually unveil at appropriate moments when they are beginning to drive us bonkers. Just things like colouring books and packs of usbourne snap (diggers for my son and fairies for my daughter).
Hope this helps. We are still quite new to family camping too so learning more every trip.
------------- Easter 2011 - Lincoln Farm Park nr Oxford
July 2011 - Camping de la Baie, la Trinite sur Mer (near Carnac). Yippee!!
5 years ago me (single parent) with first ever caravan, 13 yr old and 12 yr old boys and daughter aged 8 set off for france . Best thing we ever did.
Tips: Take swimming trunks, (french pools will not allow swimshorts), make sure you have somewhere safe to stash your passports (got handbag nicked out of swimming pool locker, not funny as passports were in it. Also take euro breakdown insurance (about £40 for two weeks from axa) as one year the clutch failed.
Other than that enjoy the fabulous sunshine, the amazing food, lots to do and lovely french lifestyle. The french really know how to run a seaside town, pretty, clean, smart with fantastic facilities on and off the beach
Carnac is fab we have stayed there several times. Which site are you going to. Beaches are fab.
Land train trip is good past the megaliths.
Vannes and auray are great for days out. Lots of lovely creperies and your kids may even enjoy moules et frites. Ours did at that age.
Have a lovely holiday
Hi warbis66 (clare?) We're staying at Camping de la Baie in La Trinite sur Mer. We went there with Eurocamp 2 years ago and loved it so much we were determined to return with our own tent. We haven't explored too much of the area yet but can't wait! It's perfect for the children.
------------- Easter 2011 - Lincoln Farm Park nr Oxford
July 2011 - Camping de la Baie, la Trinite sur Mer (near Carnac). Yippee!!
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
Oh lucky you I love that campsite. Brilliant location. Evening strolls on the beach . The creperie on the beach is lovely with fab views over the ocean.
There are so many lovely coves around there for swimming. Have a really fab time.
Over the last couple of years I've started doing some camping in France, and can really recommend the municipal campsites - most medium-size towns have one, they're well maintained, have toilets/showers/washing-up stations, are often used by the french when they go on holiday themselves, and they're cheap and often really well located!
Definitely worth consideration, and a lack of pre-booking didn't cause six of us (with three tents between us), in July last year any problems at all :)
It's also worth noting that if you have more than one tent you can still often share a (typically spacious) 'emplacement' so that it works out cheaper still.
Thanks everyone for your replies. I will have a look at the threads.
Fortunately we are familiar with france and french its only the camping which is new to us!!! We are staying in domain de kerrlan in point avon (Brittany). Really looking forward to it but just hope we have right kit. We have bought and electric coolbox which i have since read on here are rubbish :-(. Also trying to source an extension to our vango vista 800 without much sucess.
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: first camping holiday in france
Unfortunately the first time my eldest son attempted he said "Bonjour" to a young lad about the same age. Lad turned to his Dad and said "I can't understand what he's saying" turned out he was from Manchester and they ended up being great mates!
