We're considering selling our caravan after Christmas, and due to health/lifestyle changes probably not buying another one until 2020 at least. But we'd still like a holiday with some of the benefits of caravanning, June or August next year. One option would be to look for a site with nice chalets/statics that would suit two people rather than a large family. Sea views and a restaurant on site would be good and we're probably looking at Brittany/Normandy/western side of the Vendee as we've decided very hot weather is not for us! We accept that sites with statics tend to be family oriented and busy but any suggestions?
------------- Seeking luxury in unexpected places
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Have a look at Les Sables Blanc in Concarneau. We tent but remember the statics/chalets to be on the beach side of the site and terraced to give sea views. Good views from the pool and hot tub too. The bar/restaurant is lovely and often frequented by locals which is a good mark of the quality.
We've used mobile homes and chalets extensively in the last few years. They are everywhere. The best and cheapest option is to pick any site you want, then go direct to the site and book your mobile home through them. French sites nearly always have mobile homes for rental. Even some municipals have them. Keycamp / Canvas / et al are always a lot more expensive for the same sites.
The only trouble we've had with this approach is that sometimes a site will only accept the deposit by BACS transfer, not credit card, and that can be expensive. That is becoming less common though.
Can recommend Les Pirons in Les Sables D'Olonne (Vendee), we stayed there last month in a nice enough 1 bedroom mobile home. Onsite bar and pizza / burger takeaway plus a couple of restaurants within 10 mins walk, 5 mins walk to the sea and a nearby bus service into town.
If you have the option of June I would expect the site will be much like it was in September - child free and quiet apart from the weekends when people visited their own holiday homes.
One other thing to note, if you decide to use mobile homes it opens up the possibility of flying instead of driving. It needs to be to a destination that has great public transport, like Manor Farm in Interlaken or Cappuccini on Lake Garda so once there you can use buses / trains / lake ferries and also taxis for supermarket shops.
Forgot to add, if we are driving we tend to bring a sleeping bag with us to save on the linen hire, but we also bring a self inflating mat to use as you just never know what the mattress is like, and it's easier to just use your own mat than try to get a mattress replaced or shift to another mobile home. Also bring your own kettle.
In addition to being dedicated tenters we often take an autumn break in a static.
We have used Canvas holidays as they have some great deals early or late in the season. Also we always look at a site's own website to get a price for their own statics and they are usually more expensive.
With regard to what to take with you we always take a decent knife for cooking, a bath mat and our Tassimo coffee machine.
Our latest excursion was to Camping St Gilles at Benodet. A really nice site next to the beach and for the first week in September we paid around £200 for the week.
We always take our duvet and pillows from home as well.
------------- I can remember when this was all fields.
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We have used statics for the last few years - can't tow a caravan with a motorbike!
There are superb bargains to be had out of season. Book direct and book early for discounts. I search via Google Maps and Eurocampings. We rent bedding (and towels if possible.)
Some sites want hefty breakage deposits, up to 350 Euros. Some want this in cash as you sign in - check the small print.
The last one we stayed on was a Yelloh Village site. Superb facilities. Even had a masseur to sort out all the ancient guests aches and pains. But it was very much geared up to mobile homes. The touring pitches were nothing to write home about.
Like Alan, we go to Europe on a motorbike and have stayed in statics for the last few years.
Normally, I book direct with the site but last month we went to Austria and I booked a static through Eurocamp.
On arrival they never took a security deposit, whether they forgot or already had my card details I don't know.
On the way home I wanted to break up the long haul and booked something different.
We stayed for 3 nights in a Gypsy caravan and fell in love with the campsite.
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: French site with good statics
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