Returned from nearly 4 weeks amazing holiday, travelled non toll via Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland to Annecy, wow, what stunning scenery en route and some super free Aires. Loved Annecy, beautiful and yes, busy but simply stunning. Found a simple campsite in sevrier €18 per night with electric. 5 mins from lake and about ,,10 mins to cycle to Annecy town. Stayed at lac du bourget for a night, equally stunning and slowly mooched back up north for a fab couple of nights in Bruges and then some moving ww1 visits, Ypres, Tyne cot Dunkirk included. Thoroughly loved it all. Now to plan for next year! Am looking for small sites within walking distance of beach, no frills is fine but would love to find a beach we can take dog to. Thinking south Brittany or Vendée area but can only find big sites with huge pools etc, there's only two of us n we like to chill out. Haven't booked sites in advance before but as we are tied to school holidays thinking we may stay in one place for a while so might book ahead. Thanks for help...Again😀
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
Go a bit further down the west coast to depts of Gironde & Landes. Do some internet research. All down that bit of coast are cheaper campsites some that are municipals a bit of a cycle ride from the sea. Plenty of cycle tracks as well so safe riding. Search Aire Naturelles. These are cheap campsites but sanitaires can be a bit basic though.
Its an easy drive down from Calais going Rouen Chartres Tours Poitiers Bordeaux & as toll free as you want it.
When we have taken the dogs with us we have headed to the Ile D'oleron off the coast between La Rochelle and Royan and accessed by free bridge.
There is a fantastic aire at the north of the Island at St Denis Doleron which is an old municiple campsite - it's €12 0r €13 per night but you can set up your awning and furniture and there is plentiful free electric, clean but basic loos and showers and even a laundry room. you can stay as long as you like.
A 10 minute walk to beaches where the dogs are welcome and the town has a market, marina and small supermarket.
There is a vet en-route to the mainland who speak english and were reasonable priced for the passport checks.
We get an evening tunnel, overnight at Baie de Somme, days drive to Le Mans area (recommend municiple campsite at La Flèche) and then drive on to final destination.
------------- It's only an expensive hobby when it's parked on your Drive....use it, love it , live it.
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
There is a great municipal on Oleron - Bree les Bain ( i think thats how to spell it). The back gate leads to the beach and two mins walk to the market. It is about 20 euros a night and beach was great for the dog. We love ved the area.
Hi Lizzie is that in Bree or St Dennis? - St Dennis municiple also has gate to the beach and pitches in The dunes for smaller motorhomes and caravans.
From what I remember in Bree les Bains there is a small roadway between the campsites and beach with pétanque and volleyball pitches along with a couple of beach bars (huts).
Both areas are lovely with a cycle path / promenade linking the two resorts.
------------- It's only an expensive hobby when it's parked on your Drive....use it, love it , live it.
We have booked our ferry to Cherbourg for next year. We are walking Cherbourg to Mont Saint Michel, camping except for a hotel in Lessay. The high point will be walking across the bay from Genets.
We will mainly be using municipals but think the bigger sites will be able to squeeze a backpacking tent in. The only booking will be the hotels in Lessay, the Mont and cherbourg.
The area around Lessay seems devoid of campsites.
Thanks for your replies, really like the sound of oleron and the fact that we could use a beach with the mutt in tow!! We love municipal sites and Aires as when there's only us two (tied to school holidays because of my job!) We like the simplicity of them and kind of begrudge paying for sites offering entertainment, pools and activities which we don't use. We are happy to mooch about, a walk or cycle n then chill with a bottle of vin!
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: Now for next year!
