I'm new to this site and confessions first, have not got a tent or a caravan. We've always stayed in statics although looking in envy at the touring vans. I expect some of you used to stay in statics before getting your own though, and were wondering if any of you had stayed on a Carisma Holidays site in France (Brittany or Vendee). I've only come across Carisma by searching on the web so any comments would be welcome.
Also, it seems strange that looking around French sites (and gites) they all seem to be available for the week beginning 27 August. I have never stayed in France before at this time. Is this when everything shuts down, or is the time for the Mistral?
Hope you don't mind a non-camper joining in but this site looks great and so much info on it.
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
Hi Jandan, welcome to UKCS! It IS a brilliant site, and NO you don't have to have a tent, a caravan or 'owt to join in the fun here.
I've never heard of Carisma Holidays, but I'd suggest they're all pretty much of a muchness? Britanny and the Vendee are two very different 'Departments' in France. Britanny has a climate similar to that of say, Devon & Cornwall in the UK. The scenery is very rocky, with granite outcrops all over the place. The area is famed for its 'Pink Granite' rock formations. There are some stunning beaches, great resteraunts, and fantastic people. The Vendee is further south, much flatter but with long sandy beaches backed by pine forests. The weather here can be alot warmer, but is still unpredictable. The beaches generally are westward facing, so offering great surf, while some are a little more sheltered, giving safer bathing for the kids.
Le Mistral doesn't really affect these two areas, it tends to run down the Eastern side of the Massif Central, through the Luberon, Provence, and down to the Med coast.
Whichever you decide, you'll be sure of a great holiday.
Hi Jandan, and welcome.
There is nothing wrong with not being an owner of a tent or van. Others on here will be in the same situation due to either being inbetween 'second homes' or because they haven't yet taken the plunge.
Self drive camping can be an ideal way to get the feel for campsite life, find out if the lifestyle is suitable for you and also allows you to travel greater distances without taking all the equipment with you.
I've used many of the companies that offer tents and statics that are already set up for you and each have different qualities, prices and locations.
Take a look at my web site Self Drive Camping which gives a good idea of what to expect. Don't worry, I don't sell holidays, it is simply a collection of articles, experiences and pictures from this type of holiday. Look particularly for 'What's Involved' and 'Life in a Tent' as these explain more than anything what to expect.
The reason everthing is available from 27 Aug-is because by then the French hol season is over--should still be warm tho & prices will be back down to off season rates & of course there will be less crowds---
------------- Every day should be a holiday!
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
27 aug is just about the end of French holidays plus after the school holidays of other countries, so it becomes more quiet.
The mistral exists in a certain region only south or mostly south-east and part of the more southern Alpine areas. E.g in the Jura there can be winds which are a by-effect of the 'Mistral du Midi'. The ones I experienced with a tent, were strong winds, but we could cope very well. An FC had problems erecting his trailer tent, but that was mostly due to ignorance on his side. He tried erecting his FC facing the strong wind, instead of back (maybe the side) to the wind, so the wind blew in and they could not hold it. When I helped him, correcting the facing of the FC first and than assisted erecting he was OK, althoug some corner part of the frame already had damage, fortunately not damaged heavily (just a ltle crack in the corner frame), so further camping was well possible.
Problem with the side effects of the mistral du midie overthere is that by day the winds blow in the vally strongly, than around 6 pm it will be silent for one hour or so, and afterwards the winds will turn 180 degrees and blow backward just as heavy as by day. One has to position his/her tent to catch the wind on the side, i.e. facing the hill, not the valley, as the wind will follow the valley day and evening.
We went to Les Sables with Carisma last year at the end of August, and had a brilliant holiday. They are by far the cheapest operator for Mobile homes and I would highly recomend them. The campsite its self is fairly small which in my opinion is a good thing, in the evening it was quiet and my childen loved the pool and crazy golf. They also loved the kids club and made lots of friends. You can also hire bikes. The reps were very friendly and helpful. The only down point on this site is the beach which is made up of fine gravel rather than soft sand, the waves were also very big when we went. But saying that you could walk a bit further down the beach 1 mile or so to a really nice beach. Les sables its self is nice with good fish restaurants. The only reason we are not going this year with carisma is that they don't do 3 bedroom mobile homes. I would also say go for the carisma 30 model if you can.
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
i`m new here too, have had several holidays with carisma and they are a lovely company to go with, helpful and knowledgable we are the same as you though we need a 3 bedroom mobile home as my daughter is now 13 and cant have a bunk bed with the boys anymore, dont want to tie up the lounge so need 3 rooms its silly for them to say there not needed as just on this message board thats 3 people not travelling with them for the same reason!! am struggling this year as we,ve left it late the ones we wanted are all booked up, best of luck though
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: French sites
