France Ferry & Campsite info (use Search function) mod warning post 1

Juggler101

BailMeOut wrote: »

Does that include your berth as if it does then that's a good price on Brittany. We typically pay around €1300 for a car and an outside berth with four beds return. They also rarely if ever discount.

Yes, the price is for 5 people, and the cheapest 4 berth, inside cabin each way. We paid 650 for the same on Irish Ferries for June, so it's interesting to price the competitors to see how they compare! I've never priced an Easter trip though, so maybe the prices are high for the school holidays.

Juggler101

Je_suis_Jean wrote: »

Just checked the Friday we plan to return from France next year (July 19th) and BF are quoting €723 one way for a 4X4 with regular 4 berth cabin. I think €1,200 is the max I've ever paid for the return trip in high season and usually get it for circa €1,000.



I'm of the opinion that BF are betting that the IF cockups this year will motivate enough people to book early and pay them a premium for next year hence the early launch of their 2019 schedule.

I'm equally hoping that with the extra capacity IF will have next year when the WB Yeats finally launches and their desire to prove they are over their mechanical and logistical problems of 2018 that we'll see some competitive pricing and/or some flash sales from IF as they ramp up their 2019 marketing campaign which should start soon after the WB Yeats is (finally) launched.

Fingers crossed anyway as there's no way I'm paying €723 one way, regardless of how nice the Pont Aven is!!

I'm banking on that too! Although, I do want to try one way Cork-Santander for the summer trip. Apparently the route will be for sale in September. It'll be interesting to see the prices...

josip

Ferry companies may also be predicting extra demand, especially from hauliers from April 2019 onwards, once Brexit kicks in.

Gavlor

December2012 wrote: »

Can anyone tell me the prices of hiring bikes in La Sirene in Angeles Sur Mer? I can't bring one of the adults bikes and one of the kids bikes, so I would love to know
a) if I can hire bikes there and
b) how much they are per week ( we are there for a fortnight).

Don’t rent on site!

This place was very reasonable with quality bikes. About a 5 min drive from serine across the road from the hypermarche. No deposit required but you will need to leave a passport/driving licence.

http://www.guidon-fute.com//

54and56

Juggler101 wrote: »

I'm banking on that too! Although, I do want to try one way Cork-Santander for the summer trip. Apparently the route will be for sale in September. It'll be interesting to see the prices...

Santander would save us almost 400km / 4 hours driving to La Reserve Vs Roscoff or Cherbourg so would be worth considering. I'd rather spend an extra 8 hours on a ferry in exchange for 4 less hours driving but I'm not sure the trade off will be that good.

The LD Lines ferry to Start Nazaire in 2014 was a gift for campsites in the Jean de Monts area. It was mega cheap (€168 one way for a 4X4 Inc A4 berth cabin) and only an hour's drive from Jean de Monts.

average_runner

Je_suis_Jean wrote: »

Santander would save us almost 400km / 4 hours driving to La Reserve Vs Roscoff or Cherbourg so would be worth considering. I'd rather spend an extra 8 hours on a ferry in exchange for 4 less hours driving but I'm not sure the trade off will be that good.

The LD Lines ferry to Start Nazaire in 2014 was a gift for campsites in the Jean de Monts area. It was mega cheap (€168 one way for a 4X4 Inc A4 berth cabin) and only an hour's drive from Jean de Monts.

I would take the driving route any day. Get there quicker and less time stuck on boat:) But's just me

Toots

Does anyone know how/where I can find out how much the tolls will be in the UK? I'm doing the land bridge. Also, can you pay with a credit/debit card like you can in France/Spain or is it cash only if you don't have a tag?

josip

Toots wrote: »

Does anyone know how/where I can find out how much the tolls will be in the UK? I'm doing the land bridge. Also, can you pay with a credit/debit card like you can in France/Spain or is it cash only if you don't have a tag?

The only UK tolls that we're aware of for Landbridge via Holyhead are the M6 at Birmingham and the Dartford crossing if you skirt London to the east.
The Dartford Crossing is payable online within 24 hours.
The M6 one is avoidable and I think is free late at night?

BailMeOut

Juggler101 wrote: »

PS, are there any BF discount codes going?

Not usually. I have been using BF for last six years and have never seen any discounts.

BlazingSaddler

Toots wrote: »

Does anyone know how/where I can find out how much the tolls will be in the UK? I'm doing the land bridge. Also, can you pay with a credit/debit card like you can in France/Spain or is it cash only if you don't have a tag?

https://www.rac.co.uk/drive/advice/legal/a-guide-to-uk-toll-roads-bridges/

I did landbridge a few weeks ago, the only UK toll road I used was the M6. Cost me about £6.40 I think and I paid by credit card. Careful for the average speed cameras, they're all over the place in the UK now.

kippy

Heading to Le Clarys Plage next week. Really looking forward to it now.
Haven't been there before but have been to Domaine Des Ormes a few years ago.
Three kids in tow, 7,4 and 1.

It looks like a great site with plenty options not to far away either.

I just had a few queries that folk who have already been there might be able to answer in advance of us going,
There is a golf course nearby - has anyone played it? Any comments? Can clubs be rented etc?
Are there any interesting spots in Sait Jean Du Monts itself that might entertain the kids for a day?

Cheers for all the info on this thread - it's been a great resource.

Toots

josip wrote: »

The only UK tolls that we're aware of for Landbridge via Holyhead are the M6 at Birmingham and the Dartford crossing if you skirt London to the east.
The Dartford Crossing is payable online within 24 hours.
The M6 one is avoidable and I think is free late at night?

BlazingSaddler wrote: »

https://www.rac.co.uk/drive/advice/legal/a-guide-to-uk-toll-roads-bridges/

I did landbridge a few weeks ago, the only UK toll road I used was the M6. Cost me about £6.40 I think and I paid by credit card. Careful for the average speed cameras, they're all over the place in the UK now.

Thanks guys!

BlazingSaddler, did you use the card only lanes on the M6 toll?

With the average speed cameras, can they fine you after you return home or how does that work? My husband has said he'll do the drive down through the UK to give me a break, but he tends to be a bit more speedy than I would be.

feedthegoat

Just back a while following a 2 week stay there.

Didn't see the golf club so cannot comment.

We rented bikes in local bike shop behind the Super U, just at the roundabout, and cycled to St Jean de Monts thru a woodland pathway. Explored the wood on the way. Beautiful beach in St Jean and kids enjoyed the 40 metre ferris wheel. One street was pedestrianised and had a whole selection of touristy shops which kids enjoyed perusing. Plenty of restaurants down near the informative tourist office. Cycled home along the coast road.

Following day cycled to St Gilles - really beautiful coastal cycle , a bit longer than previous day. Seafront here was commercialised but again we all enjoyed it, you need to keep cycling all the way over the bridge to reach it. Stopped at a beach on the way back.


The lady at the bikeshop was really helpful and answered any Q's we had, will give you a bungee to secure a bag on the carrier and locks for the bikes.

Super U in Le Clary's very expensive but handy - supermarkets in St Jean better value.

Went to Poy du Fou - really worth the 90 min drive and cost , we all really enjoyed it, go early and stay late.

On way to Cherbourg came back via Mont St Michel, kids enjoyed this too.

Le Clary's was really good - busy, clean and well run. Bar and pool kept us entertained. Burgers and pizzas from takeaway there were tasty the odd evening, good quality fast food.

PM me if you need any further info, enjoy.

josip

Toots wrote: »

Thanks guys!

BlazingSaddler, did you use the card only lanes on the M6 toll?

With the average speed cameras, can they fine you after you return home or how does that work? My husband has said he'll do the drive down through the UK to give me a break, but he tends to be a bit more speedy than I would be.

In the UK I've only ever seen the average speed cameras around road works and it would be difficult not to notice/be aware of them.


Not sure about speeding fines and how easy it is for them to go after you, but for privately operated tolls, the companies running them supposedly sell the unpaid fines to various European debt collection agencies at a big discount.
They then go after you in your own country to try and recoup what they can.

BlazingSaddler

Toots wrote: »

Thanks guys!

BlazingSaddler, did you use the card only lanes on the M6 toll?

With the average speed cameras, can they fine you after you return home or how does that work? My husband has said he'll do the drive down through the UK to give me a break, but he tends to be a bit more speedy than I would be.

No problem. I think I used a cash and card lane and paid by card but could be wrong, I also used the Port tunnel and with the tolls in France all of a bit of a haze now! The average speed cameras were on the M42, M25 and M20 I think. I agree with Josip that could be where the roadworks are with the M42 being the exception. I would be careful as I think they can track you down now. You’ll notice drivers in the UK do take them seriously so the speed of the traffic will tell you if there actually are cameras. I only went this way though as was stopping in the midlands on the way to visit family.

Toots

Would I be off my rocker to consider going down the M5 and then the M3? I was wondering would we have a shot at seeing Stonehenge. Even if we couldn't get in to it, it might be fun to drive by.

54and56

kippy wrote: »

Heading to Le Clarys Plage next week.

I just had a few queries that folk who have already been there might be able to answer in advance of us going,
There is a golf course nearby - has anyone played it? Any comments? Can clubs be rented etc?

I'm an avid golfer and recall looking at the cost of green fees at The St Jean de Monts Golf Club. During high season it was circa €70 + club hire which IIRC was circa €25 so you need to budget €100 per person if you are hiring clubs and buying a few balls etc. That's a bit too expensive for me and more than it costs me to play some absolutely top courses like Druids Glen!!

kippy wrote: »

Are there any interesting spots in Sait Jean Du Monts itself that might entertain the kids for a day?

Your kids might be a little young to really get the most out of it but our two over the years we stayed in Jean de Monts (aged from 6 to 13) always enjoyed spending at least half a day at Explora Parc which is really well run, safe and the staff were friendly and professional. If you bring lots of cold drinks and a little picnic you can spend a great family day there.

Van.Bosch

How long on average would you expect to take getting off the Oscar Wilde without the speedy pass?

54and56

Van.Bosch wrote: »

How long on average would you expect to take getting off the Oscar Wilde without the speedy pass?

30 minutes??

josip

Toots wrote: »

Would I be off my rocker to consider going down the M5 and then the M3? I was wondering would we have a shot at seeing Stonehenge. Even if we couldn't get in to it, it might be fun to drive by.

Stonehenge is well worth a drive by.
You get almost as close in the car as you do on the official tour.
The official tour is a bit like Newgrange.
Visitor centre a bus trip away, but that's the only way to get in around the site.
Not a bad way to kill a couple of hours though and the visitor centre is very informative.

1perriwinkle

Any recommendations for a campsite in Brittany? Must tick all these boxes:
(a) have French families
(b) lots/some/any teens
(c) a pool
(d) be a site where we can actually camp, as we are bringing our tent

Heading over this month with 2 teens in tow. Last year we did a quiet campsite which they really enjoyed but as it was run by an English couple, it was almost exclusively English people. This year they've said they want 'action', and to practise their French (but hopefully the language and not the kissing!!).

Not all that fussy about location, anywhere in Brittany will do. And don't mind if the campsite is big or small or has a mixture of cabins, pitches etc. Just humouring the 2 for a few of the days that we are there, the rest of the holiday will be dictated to them by the paying adults :-)

webpal

1perriwinkle wrote: »

Any recommendations for a campsite in Brittany? Must tick all these boxes:
(a) have French families
(b) lots/some/any teens
(c) a pool
(d) be a site where we can actually camp, as we are bringing our tent

Heading over this month with 2 teens in tow. Last year we did a quiet campsite which they really enjoyed but as it was run by an English couple, it was almost exclusively English people. This year they've said they want 'action', and to practise their French (but hopefully the language and not the kissing!!).

Not all that fussy about location, anywhere in Brittany will do. And don't mind if the campsite is big or small or has a mixture of cabins, pitches etc. Just humouring the 2 for a few of the days that we are there, the rest of the holiday will be dictated to them by the paying adults :-)

I stayed here when I was a teenager. It was like a summer residence for Quimper folk and as a result had loads of teenagers whose parents sometimes visited. Lovely beach close by too. For the adults, Quimper is definately worth a visit as well as benodet and the old town in concarneau. Beg meil is small and wouldn't have the same mix as some of the other bigger resorts but I certainly learned a lot about the French people and way of life when I was there.

ONY

Hi, Looking for some recommendations please. I have searched and came across one site (Bonne Anse Plage) but it might be too far with a pair of three year olds.

Stayed in Les Mouettes this year and loved the site - especially the pools. However we missed having a busier town nearby, and some ability to cycle outside the campsite safely. There was very little in Carantec and while we did cycle it was very tough for me with a toddler on the back.

Ideally good pools (splash zone would be great)
Near enough to cycle to a nice town
Not interested in entertainment and would appreciate it being quieter in the evening
Travelling May/June
Suitable for three year olds

54and56

ONY wrote: »

Hi, Looking for some recommendations please. I have searched and came across one site (Bonne Anse Plage) but it might be too far with a pair of three year olds.

Stayed in Les Mouettes this year and loved the site - especially the pools. However we missed having a busier town nearby, and some ability to cycle outside the campsite safely. There was very little in Carantec and while we did cycle it was very tough for me with a toddler on the back.

Ideally good pools (splash zone would be great)
Near enough to cycle to a nice town
Not interested in entertainment and would appreciate it being quieter in the evening
Travelling May/June
Suitable for three year olds

If cycling on safe dedicated cycle paths to a local town is important to you then I can certainly recommend Bonne Anse Plage. It has a rear entrance which is only accessible via a dedicated bike path which goes many KM's in each direction along the coast/beach.

At a very leisurely pace you can cycle from Bonne Anse Plage to the local town of La Palmyre in 10-15 minutes max which has a good selection of restaurants and one of the best Zoo's we've ever visited - http://www.zoo-palmyre.fr/en

micks_address

1perriwinkle wrote: »

Any recommendations for a campsite in Brittany? Must tick all these boxes:
(a) have French families
(b) lots/some/any teens
(c) a pool
(d) be a site where we can actually camp, as we are bringing our tent

Heading over this month with 2 teens in tow. Last year we did a quiet campsite which they really enjoyed but as it was run by an English couple, it was almost exclusively English people. This year they've said they want 'action', and to practise their French (but hopefully the language and not the kissing!!).

Not all that fussy about location, anywhere in Brittany will do. And don't mind if the campsite is big or small or has a mixture of cabins, pitches etc. Just humouring the 2 for a few of the days that we are there, the rest of the holiday will be dictated to them by the paying adults :-)

We have stayed in Domaine Des Ormes last two years. Highly recommend.
You can camp their as well. Have a look at their website. We are changing next year for something different further south but would go back to Les Ormes no bother. Son 15 and daughter 11. Lots for them to do and met other kids etc.

ONY

Je_suis_Jean wrote: »

If cycling on safe dedicated cycle paths to a local town is important to you then I can certainly recommend Bonne Anse Plage.

Thank you - I will check that one out in more detail

average_runner

Je_suis_Jean wrote: »

If cycling on safe dedicated cycle paths to a local town is important to you then I can certainly recommend Bonne Anse Plage. It has a rear entrance which is only accessible via a dedicated bike path which goes many KM's in each direction along the coast/beach.

At a very leisurely pace you can cycle from Bonne Anse Plage to the local town of La Palmyre in 10-15 minutes max which has a good selection of restaurants and one of the best Zoo's we've ever visited - http://www.zoo-palmyre.fr/en

Would have to agree here, this area is very good for cycling. Les Charmettes is in the same area just a bigger site. Lovely forest link between les charmettes and Bonne Anse Plage.

Deeman83

Van.Bosch wrote: »

How long on average would you expect to take getting off the Oscar Wilde without the speedy pass?

20 mins in Roscoff and 12mins in Rosslare.
Thats with a caravan on Deck 3, maybe longer if you are on lower or higher decks,

Deeman83

kippy wrote: »

Heading to Le Clarys Plage next week. Really looking forward to it now.
Haven't been there before but have been to Domaine Des Ormes a few years ago.
Three kids in tow, 7,4 and 1.

It looks like a great site with plenty options not to far away either.

I just had a few queries that folk who have already been there might be able to answer in advance of us going,
There is a golf course nearby - has anyone played it? Any comments? Can clubs be rented etc?
Are there any interesting spots in Sait Jean Du Monts itself that might entertain the kids for a day?

Cheers for all the info on this thread - it's been a great resource.

There is a monster truck/motorbike show on at the minute. Kids would love it.
There is a zoo futher south at des Sables d'Olonne. There are plenty of golf courses around, not sure about how to book, rent clubs but im sure it wouldnt be a problem. Lots of cycles routes in forest and along the promenade at the beach.
You can hire bike cars which is good fun. There are a lot of creperies along the beachfront. St jean de monts has a market every wednesday and saturday which is good to see. All sorts of things for sale.
Take a day trip to St Gilles De Croix, an excellent touristy fishing town with lots of restaurants and bars and an amazing marina,

54and56

Deeman83 wrote: »

There is a monster truck/motorbike show on at the minute. Kids would love it.
There is a zoo futher south at des Sables d'Olonne. There are plenty of golf courses around, not sure about how to book, rent clubs but im sure it wouldnt be a problem. Lots of cycles routes in forest and along the promenade at the beach.
You can hire bike cars which is good fun. There are a lot of creperies along the beachfront. St jean de monts has a market every wednesday and saturday which is good to see. All sorts of things for sale.
Take a day trip to St Gilles De Croix, an excellent touristy fishing town with lots of restaurants and bars and an amazing marina,

If you're in the JdM area and looking for a unique little trip to do Passage du Gois is really cool. It's a 4.3km road which can only be crossed 1.5 hours before and 1.5 hours after low tide so you have to time your visit according to the low tide but IMHO it's really worth it. My kids still talk about the couple of times we did it!!