Hi,
Calling on all of you who are used to touring France.
Next summer we are planning to get to Le Havre, and then visit Monet's garden, then on to Versailles, Guedelon castle.
We then need to work our way over to the south west coast, Royan.
I was wondering if anyone knew of any lovely interesting places to visit or stay on the way?
Any idea's would be great.
Thanks.
------------- sueze
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You will pass through the Loire on your way to Royan and there are so many amazing chateaux. We like Villandry the best because of the garden but building wise, Chambord is spectacular and Chenonceau is fairy tale like. There are loads of other lovely smaller chateaux as well. This site has a great map of where they all are https://souvenirs.vincent.voyage/loire-valley-map/
So many options within an hour or so of Guedelon castle…..IF you want another super garden go to Apremont sur Allier. If you want white wine go to Sancerre. If you want a historic city go to Bourges, And if you want wild life and lonely lakes go to the Brenne national park. Your choice.
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Chartres has a campsite from where you can visit the town, has a 'son et lumiere' every night from about April to October.
Plenty of places on the Loire plus Fontevraud Abbey.
Old places with campsites are Montreuil Bellay, Parthenay, Airvault (has a free museum). See my reviews on here.
Guédélon is a must see. Just to echo others, Chambord is a stunner; Fontevraud I loved. You could look at Lascaux II, Futuroscope; I know many rave about Puy du Fou, but I’ve not been. On a sabre note, Oradour-sur-Glane is within reach. Niort and Saintes are great cities too, slightly off the tourist trail. Hope you’ve got plenty of time, there’s a lot to see and do.
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Lived in France (Dordogne) for the last 7 years and holidayed their for a good 20 years prior.
Loire valley and chateaux are a must see on the way. We always liked Le Sabot in Azay Le Rideau as it is close to both N/S routes and E/W.
Chateaux already mentioned - Chenonceau, Amboise, Villandry (for the gardens) are the best - plus the one at Azay next door to the campsite and Chinon (more a ruined fort) where Joanne of Arc met Charles VII are well worth the visit.
We've never used Royan - our preferred destination is the Ile de Re (sunniest place in France outside the Med) just off La Rochelle. Have used Camping Intelude a dozen times - 50 yards from a gently sloping and mainly sandy beach - good on site restuarant and snach bar - free bus into the village of Bois Plage which has a good market, esp the 4 fish stalls at the back. Less than 10 mins drive over to St Martin (the islands "capital") which has LeClercs, Intermarche and a Lidl just to the E on the road to La Flotte . Harbour in St Martin worth a visit if only for a the ice cream parlour. Local wines have improved no end in the last 10 years - the sparkling "Trousse Chemise" is IMHO one of the best non champagne sparklers in France at less than half the price of champagne. The red "Petit Sergent" and the Rose "Rose du Dunes" are both vg value for money.Buy it in the supemarkets or from the wine co-op on the main road into Bois Plage from the bridge - prices on the site, market etc are about 3 euro a bottle more.
Site is pricey July / Aug like much of France and island can be pretty busy although slackens off from last week in Aug.
Wow, this is fantastic!
It has given me a lot of things to consider.
Thank you very much for your replies, now to work out how this all meshes together (this is the bit I really enjoy).
We always camp for about a week in the Marais Poitevin (Venise Verte) ... wonderful area of multiple canals and cycle tracks ... if you like boating/kayaking and bikes/walking, this is the best area in Europe ... west of Niort ..
This year we went to Puy du Fou ... the spectacular entertainment park near Cholet. It is the most extraordinary complex I have ever been to, beating the hell out of Disney, Asterix, Futuroscope et al ... the play to develop a huge new complex in the UK over the next few years.
You need two days to 'do it all' ... memories will last a lifetime!
If you’re looking for a stopover on the N10, Vendome is a lovely old town with a good municipal. Not sure if you would be coming that way but we stopped there last night and it is probably worth a couple of nights.
------------- lizzie
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Which ferry port are you thinking of returning from?
Le Havre is a bit of a slog from the SW of France and the toll on the A28 from Alencon to just NW of Rouen is, as we discovered this time last year when our Caen sailing was cancelled and we were moved to Le Havre, among the most expensive in France.
Also found signage to port poor, and not helped by driving into setting sun (overnight crossing).
Thankily-doddle doo, lots to think about and possibly detour to or add in.Now I have the boat and campsite deposites paid I can get on with planning my summer adventure. Thank you everyone.
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: idea`s for interesting and lovely places
via mobile 21/9/2025 at 12:45pm
