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I have read through the past threads which has given me a few pointers.  My plan is to take night ferry from Portsmouth to St Malo.  According to Mapquest is it then a 5 hour drive to Bordeaux.  1st question: is this an accurate estimate of driving time?

I'm flexible on destination but fancy being close to the beach.  Having been warned in a number of previous messages that a lot of sites close, 2nd question: does anyone out there know of sites that are stll open?  If anyone has some good recommendations that aren't by the sea i would be delighted to hear, we are party of two adults and two young children (6yrs, 4yrs)

The ferry quote I got was almost £400 including a cabin on the outward journey for a car and small trailer, 3rd question: Does this seem about the right price?

We've never camped overseas before!

Thanks for any help

Mel

Bois Soleil, St George de Didonne nr Royan is open until Oct 29th.

It's a very popular site, right by the long, sandy beach. Because it is at the mouth of the Gironde estuary, the sea is not so fierce as further up the Atlantic coast. Heated modern shower/toilet block. Close enough to the zoo at La Palmyre for a good day out, without the traffic associated with summer crowds. Easy trip to supermarkets, or the covered indoor market at Royan. Does this sound like the type of site you would like?

Mel127

We are going to bordeuax in Oct too, but having spoken to several people who have sailed from portsmouth to saint malo i have now changed to the portsmouth-caen crossing, roughly same price as you for overnight with a cabin, then 350 miles to twin lakes (about an hour north from bordeaux)

http://www.twinlakesfrance.com/pages/thesite.htm near the beaches, i have e-mailed them several times, they always reply to me and have said the weather is normally quite mild in oct.

We were advised that the p-malo crossing is very long and extrememly rough in oct, don't know if this helps you out.

Hi there.

Yes I'll still be here........

Looking forward to seeing you here Mel127..the kettle will be on - see you soon

San

Thanks for the advice I have checked out the ferry route to Caen and will do that.  i have emailed Twinlakes for some more information on tent pitches and, if they have room, it is a deffo possibility for us.  Bois Soliel sounds good too - we like small, quiet sites, do you have a web link or something so we can get more info.

I'm getting quite excited about going on holiday in Oct half term, we've not had a family holiday over the summer as OH has been working, it looks like he can join us for October! Brilliant!

Mel

Hey prob see you there, we are planning on sailing sat 7th oct on the overnight and spending 2 weeks there.My first time camping abroad too. Me hubby and 1 teenager going.

Hi, we've just returned from Twinlakes and are going back again Oct half term. It's lovely. We got a very warm welcome from Sandra & Garry and had a very enjoyable holiday. The kids loved the pools, hubby loved the fishing lakes and I found out I can't drink stella without falling over.

We would definately recommend Twinlakes, try San's beef bourgignon (sp?) while you are there and the weekly night market at Montendre, also the man made beach and watersports at Montguyon which is not too far away.

Have great hols,

Sue & Neil