Hi everyone, we're very excited/bit daunted(!) to be doing our first ever camping trip to the Dordogne in August with our two boys 8 and 5. We are looking to break the journey just south of Orleans both ways. (We don't want to stay in Orleans). We'll be taking the A71. We would ideally like to stay somewhere with a bit of character rather than a motel. I'd really appreciate it if anyone has any recommendations? Thank you!
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If only there were motels ! We toured New Zealand staying in motels, and came home saying Why can't we have them too ?
But it sounds as though you are looking for an overnight hotel rather than a campsite. Am I right? www.accor.com will give you the practical answer - a range of their hotel brands at a range of prices. And the Alistair Sawday websites will give you examples of one off, very special, individual hotels - at a price of course.
You can have a look at the Gites de France website, too, for Chambres d'Hote (often just that bit more interesting than a budget hotel, and occasionally not any more expensive).
I've just had a look and there looks to be a nice place in Ferte St Aubin, just south of Orleans, which is a pretty little place, with a lovely chateau and parkland. Two persons, 53 euros, but sleeps up to five peopls.
We've had lots of short breaks in France and have found some fabulous places from the Gites website, though actually doing the search and getting through to the booking process isn't as quick as it could be - lots of links within links!
Friends stayed in a Logis de France in Sologne (where the campsite mentioned above is situated) and they enjoyed their stay there. It wasn't too expensive either, but I'm sorry I don't have the name.
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
Thanks for the replies, this site is so helpful! We are definitely looking for accommodation rather than a campsite. As have 2 weeks under canvas in the Dordogne and as this our first trip we just want easy stop overs especially with our lively boys in tow!
If you want easy, then just go for the budget hotels, we mostly use "Premier Classe", for our two overnight stops, on the way down to the Southern Ardeche, with it being a 900 mile drive, from just North of Manchester.
Fact is for an overnight, you get little chance to do any sight seeing, you just need a bed for the night, and a decent eatery close by, for your evening meal.
When our kids were a similar age we used Novotel's as you can get both kids in the room with you - and still not be too cramped (plus you have en-suite).
There is one in the southern suburbs of Orleans at La Source - very handy for the A71. There is also nearby the Parc Floral which is well worth an hour or so - there is a menagerie, flamingos and a butterfly house as well as extensive gardens - our kids loved it.
If you're prepared to stray a bit further from the A71 I'd also recommend the Hostellerie du Chateau in Chaumont Sur Loire - right in the middle of the village by the Chateau gates - the annual Garden Festival is well worth a visit - and you're only a hundred yards or so from the river.
In the area between Orleans and Tours we've also used Novotels at Blois Sud (again handy for the Garden Festival), Amboise (which has a lovely view over the town) and the Holiday Inn in Blois which is very handy for some pretty gardens with a stunning view over the Loire.
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
I'm not a fan of Orleans but it is where a break needs to be taken so we find ourselves stopping there time and time again. We use the charmless Hotel BB 4 person family room.
Ensuite, aircon, right next to motorway junction and a VFM eat as much as you dare breakfast
We try to use the Logis de France chain of small hotels to break up a long journey.They usually have a little more character and almost always have a good restaurant onsite.
Two years ago on our way to Bel Ombrage we stayed at the Hotel La Promenade in Coings, 5 minutes off the A20, just before Chateauroux. It took us 6 and a half hours from Calais with 2 good breaks. We had a large family room for the 5 of us for 58 euros. We ate our evening meal outside by the pool and the children ran off ALOT of steam in the vast gardens and on the swings and climbing frames.A really lovely way to start the holiday, we would stay there again.
It was only 3 hours onto the Dordogne the next day.
On our return we stayed at the less traditional Kyriad in Evreux, still a very comfortable family room for 49 euros but nowhere to run!! Then only 3 hours onto Calais the next day.
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: France Stopover recommendations please!
