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

CheerLouth

Trying to plan next years trip. Thinking Pin Parasol or Les Genets - anyone any feedback on Les Genets? I know plenty of people rate Pin Parasol.

munchkin_utd

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122496580#Comment_122496580

If you find nothing through the booking websites then check Accor and hotel b b websites as sometimes they only sell rooms off their own website

Hotel b & b almost always have proper family rooms, the Accor group has family rooms in ibis or ibis budget, rooms for 2 adults 2 kids in Novotel and often offers a second room for 50% off deal when booking direct

As mentioned above, booking 2 rooms might need to be done but ibis budget or hotel b b can be dirt cheap if you’re lucky and as cheap as a family room if it were available

Deeman83

Has anyone sailed in October to France? (Halloween)

I am assuming there is a much higher risk of rough seas and storms. They tend to sail anyway and baton down the hatches, send passengers to the cabins?

danfrancisco83

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122497351#Comment_122497351

We want to park the car near the train station in Les Sables d'Olonne and get a train to Nantes for a day trip or maybe stay overnight. Is there any free parking near the train station? There's a car park beside the station that's around €16 a day, which is not bad, but free is better 😃

Heroditas

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122497351#Comment_122497351

The leClerc in Tourlaville, Cherbourg is a good one and is only 10mins from the ferry terminal.

the_amazing_raisin

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122497405#Comment_122497405

Funny enough the I looked at two Ibis budget hotels and they didn't have any family rooms

Might have just been the short notice

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122496848#Comment_122496848

Yeah I suspect incorrect details were also a factor. A lot of the hotels in the area were also glorified guest houses, which is fine but it does tend to mean they work with what they've got

I suppose now that we've a bit more time we can afford to look around a bit more. What happened in the end was we were able to stay in Les Ormes for a bit cheaper than a hotel so we just stayed put

10-10-20

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122497351#Comment_122497351

Atlantis in Nantes is just off the Western arc of the ring-road and has it all.

Paridis on the North-Eastern side of the ring is slightly smaller and has good access.

Alma in Rennes has been mentioned a lot here previously, and it's massive altogether.

the_amazing_raisin

How would people rate La Garangeoire or Le Pin Parasol for local sightseeing?

We did a few days trips from Les Ormes this year and it worked out really well so we're thinking of doing the same next year

I'm under orders that a maximum of 1 WW2 battle site and 1 cathedral are allowed 😁

Puy du Fou is definitely one place to visit, I'm wondering if there's other options around

10-10-20

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122498203#Comment_122498203

The sub pens in St Nazaire aren't technically a WWII "battle site"… so there's that. Also the Passage du Gois is an interesting way to drive out to Noirmoutier island…

yiddo59

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122497486#Comment_122497486

Have travelled Rosslare to Cherbourg a few times in October. Mostly it's grand though obviously a bit bumpier than in summer but nothing excessive to worry about.

The only really bad experience we had was on Stena Horizon when the bar and restaurant had to close at about 8pm due to it being unsafe to move around. Everyone just headed back to their cabins. The very rough seas lasted til around midnight. Arrived safely on time in Cherbourg to a beautiful autumn morning.

yiddo59

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122497351#Comment_122497351

Auchan on the outskirts of Cherbourg is worth a visit.

https://www.auchan.fr/magasins/hypermarche/auchan-hypermarche-cherbourg/s-55

the_amazing_raisin

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122498294#Comment_122498294

Well the missus' exact worlds were "war stuff" so I guess the sub pens count 😂

Probably on the more interesting side of things for the kids so would definitely be worth checking out

josip

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122498527#Comment_122498527

Well there's always the "peace-keeping sub" on the opposite side of the harbour in that case.

Heroditas

Has Camping Club MS Les Brunelles been mentioned here at all? Just looking at it this afternoon as a potential option for next year and the pool complex looks huge

10-10-20

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122498527#Comment_122498527

As far as I can recall, there's a dearth of proper cathedrals over that side of France, so she needs to be honest and let you feast on WWII while you famine on cathedrals.

Fr Tod Umptious

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122493226#Comment_122493226

Before I start I must preface this that it was our first time on a ferry to France so I don't really have anything to compare it to and we did not have a pet.

Anyway, got Stena Line from Roslare to Cherbourg in early June.

Went out on the Vision came back on the Horizon.

The cool thing about the Vision was that it had multiple decks with a balcony at the rear (stern) of each, which were nice to just stand on and look out at the sea.

The one on our deck was for pets also so a good few people were out there with their dogs.

There was also as of sun deck with a bar and seating, a lovely place to watch the sunset, actually I sat out there until beyond midnight sipping for bottles of Italian beer which were two for the price of one.

There were at least two restaurants, one with table service the other a carvery type place.

I only got a few bowls of chips in the carvery one, the kids brought pot noodles with them and that was plenty.

There was a room with video games but half of them were out of order.

There was also a big soft play area for smaller kids.

We could not book a 6 berth cabin so the six of us squeezed into a small four berth, it was not ideal but worked out.

There was also a spa.

The Horizon on the way back was a smaller ship, but the six berth cabin we got was huge, it could have been an eight berth and still had more room than the four berth on the Vision.

There was one carvery type restaurant and we found it decent value.

There was also a cinema.

Overall it had much less "bells and whistles" than the Vision but was still a very pleasant and adequate ship.

The staff on both ships were excellent.

Peckham

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122498673#Comment_122498673

Am currently lying on a sunbed in that pool complex as I type this!

Great site, and quality of everything is excellent. Feels fresh and new.

The pool complex in particular is very impressive, plus not too far from a reasonable beach.

Very French, with few Irish/English around the place, although that may be different earlier in the season. Kids Clubs, mini discos, shows etc entirely through French with no translation which I guess would put some people off.

Let me know if any particular queries.

Heroditas

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122498824#Comment_122498824

This thread never fails to deliver 😍

What are the pitches like? They look quite cramped compared to other sites.

Is there a games room on the site?

What's the shop on site like? The one in Bonne Anse Plage was the best we've experienced to date

Is it walking distance to the nearest town for a nice bakery or is it a cycle and the last question, are there many cycle ways and/or cycle paths in the area?

idontknowdoyou

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122498673#Comment_122498673

We stayed there last year - last week June first week July there's were a lot of Irish. Pool area big and clean, very well kept, but you wouldn't swing a cat inbetween the mobiles. They are very close together.

Just to mention big spread out pool areas can be a bit of a pain if you have smaller kids who you need to stay with. I must have did the lazy river 100s of times over the 2 weeks with our youngest. We went to Bonne Anse Plage this year which has a much smaller single pool but it was great as I could sit and watch kids as they werent splitting up going to different areas, sometimes simple can be better.

Peckham

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122498875#Comment_122498875

Pitches are tight alright. We're quite lucky as our pitch faces onto a road and our deck overlooks it so we feel like we've plenty of space, but the one behind us is pretty close to ours and there are two more behind that. Not sure if they let you pick a pitch number when booking.

No games room, but shop is good enough. Average from my experience of sites. Decent bakery in it. Campsite restaurant is reasonable too

Not much around the site in terms of shops/restaurants, certainly not within walking distance, but probably could cycle to one.

Very good cycling paths, with a nice forested area beside the site with good walking/cycling/running trails that bring you to the beach. It appears to be part of a larger Vendee cycling network.

Peckham

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122498880#Comment_122498880

Based on the reg plates around the site I'd say it's currently about 80% French with the remainder evenly split between Irish, English, Belgian and Dutch.

idontknowdoyou

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122498875#Comment_122498875

We stayed in Bonne Anse Plage this year and would rate it as being so much better than Les Brunelles (its the only place so far we've rebooked) , in terms of location Bonnes Anse Plage is much much better. There's not much around Les Brunelles. Cycle paths also not as good as those around La Palmyre.

Heroditas

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122499136#Comment_122499136

That's very useful. We were also in Bonne Anse so good to get that perspective.

Also thanks to @Peckham for the very useful feedback. Much appreciated 😊

sparrowcar

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122498798#Comment_122498798

Brilliant, many thanks.

Peckham

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122497488#Comment_122497488

Sorry, no idea. My only experience is that we drove into Les Sables d'Olonne yesterday afternoon and parking was not easy to come by.

Deeman83

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122498203#Comment_122498203

Saint Gilles de Croix de Ville is worth a visit, lovely seaside town with marina, nice restaurants, market, ice cream etc. Kids loved the hired self drive electric boat trips up the canal beside the coast.

flyer_query

Any recommendation for a camping site 1hour south of La Rochelle? Have 3 young kids who like mixing with other Irish kids (kids camps in English and at their young age they struggle to communicate with non English speakers) so a site popular with Irish would be preferred.

We were originally thinking Sequoia Parc (Sandaya) but from reviews mosquitos seem to be mentioned a lot.

idontknowdoyou

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122501516#Comment_122501516

I'd suggest looking around the town of La Palmyre. It's beautiful. We stayed on siblu site and can't recommend them enough. Great to deal with.

We stayed in Bonne Anse Plage (a few Irish were there when we were there) and would recommend (but kids club and entertainment mainly in french).

We passed an MS campsite La Cote Sauvage but it seemed more remote (right beside the beach but futher away from the town). Siblu also have Les Charmettes campsite in the area.

CheerLouth

Any opinions on Le Bois Dormant? Just got a price off Siblu for next year & it seems extremely good value for a high spec mobile.

Iscreamkone

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122498203#Comment_122498203

We stayed at La Garangeoire two years ago. We visited Le Grand Defi (twice) - super fun for all the family. Tree climbing, zip lines, paintball etc. Only 5 minutes drive from the campsite.

Fann Linn

Don't mind me asking but did you have to ask Siblu specifically about this site for next year's prices as their website is only active up until 2024?

ShamoBuc

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122503171#Comment_122503171

It's a nice site. Only a couple of slides, if that's important but you have full access to Le Bois Masson, 250 yards up the road which has a few more, much nicer bar and a fine restaurant. They are sister sites and reasonanly big. Check-in on a Saturday is an absolute DISASTER - be prepared to wait a couple of hours if that is your arrival day. Fine location, big supermarkets 5 minutes drive away. The beach in St. Jean de Monts is as good as you get anywhere, probably one of my favourites. Not too long a spin from Roscoff either, 4 hrs 15 mins approx.

Iscreamkone

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122498673#Comment_122498673

Just home from here.

Pool area is unbelievable- 3 separate tower slides+ lazy river, wave pool, indoor pool, kids pools and smaller slides. Found the surrounding area not as good as our first week further south in Camping Cote D’Argent (Hourtin)- but each campsite will have its own highlights.

shanec1928

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122503758#Comment_122503758

ring the specific site and make a booking over the phone. It’s €50 deposit with siblu. Have the site map open if you want to pick your pitch or know where it will be on the site.

CheerLouth

Yes, I emailed to find out when the bookings opened and they replied to say they are open now. I might ring them tomorrow as while the price looks great its not clear what's included

Fann Linn

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122449958#Comment_122449958

What site did you use in the Dordogne and can you recommend it? My wife and I are looking at that area of France as we've never been there before and will be using it mainly as a base for touring around. Thanks.

fits

we have used two lovely sites in Dordogne and I’d recommend both. They aren’t large campsites and don’t have slides etc. one of our children has special needs so we look for places that are super relaxed. We rented a safari tent in lestaubiere and a mobile home in maissoneuve.

1.camping lestaubiere near Bergerac. Run by a French family. Beautiful swimming pool and activities for children. Very friendly vibe on this site. Lots of Dutch clientele. On top of a hill so you have to drive to get anywhere. Lovely area and I really like Bergerac

2. Camping Maissoneuve near Castelnaud La Chapelle also run by a French family. Beautiful open site on the banks of river Ceou. Can swim in pool and river. Have a band on Thursday nights. No organised kids activities. Can cycle or walk to castelnaud. Hiking trailhead also nearby. Less friendly than lestaubiere but very convenient in terms of lots to do without getting into car. Also mainly Dutch clientele.

I’d go back to either.

Fann Linn

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122507161#Comment_122507161

Appreciate that. We've passed our time for bringing children with us and so lack of play amenities etc won't upset us at all. Relaxing in beautiful locations in good weather is what appeals to us now. Thanks again.

fits

lestaubiere had lots of older couples in it when we were there early last July. Really lovely vibe. Mostly tourers and tents.

Bummer1234

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122503915#Comment_122503915

Exactly what Shamobuc said above, Stayed here for a week (le bois dormant) in June and could not fault it at all going with a 14 month old. Mobile homes are modern but can get very warm in the day so maybe bring your own fan or get one with air con if in the depts of summer.

Laundry on site aswel with a small shop - Speaking with other irish they found that the kids club was very french and at the time didn't cater for non french speaking people as much but that was when french schools where still on so might be different during the summer.

Bar and restaurant was good but we said why go to the bar and spend €5 a pint when we had our own drinks in the mobile and cheaper from the supermarket.

Just small things - The pool closes every day at 12.30 - 2 for a siesta(Misses wanted to stay all day every day),That can be a bit of a pain - As ShamoBuc mentioned about the check in…Our boar got into cherbourg at 1pm and stopped along the way but got to the site at 7(When reception was closed),But they had out key in the box and they give you the pin for the box in a email, Next morning i went to reception to give a deposit and get wristbands for the week for all so prob best to arrive late and do all the next day.

We didn't bother going across the road to the sister site as we had everything we needed.

The beach also in SJDM is lovely…If bringing a car bring stuff for the beach…We brought camping cars and picnic sheet and was great…Parking was easy got the day we were there.

Citizenpain

I tried looking but the search function is awful.
looking for recommendations for Île de Ré , July . Do people typically stay on the island or do day trips ?

Tks

10-10-20

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122509094#Comment_122509094

Use Google to search boards like this:

https://www.google.com/search?q=site%253Aboards.ie+ile+de+re+france

Peckham

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122509094#Comment_122509094

Both, I'd say.

We did a day trip there this year, but would love to go back for a longer visit. Spent day on Île de Ré, and then into La Rochelle for the evening for a wander around and dinner before the hour or so drive back to our campsite.

In addition to ferry, it deems feasible to fly to La Rochelle then taxi to campsite and rely on rented bikes for getting around.

Citizenpain

thanks ! Ferry booked already 😀

Paranoid Mandroid

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122509094#Comment_122509094

We just spent 6 days in camping municipal le remondeau with the caravan......a 3 star place. We were sad leaving, had a great time. Access to the beach was perfect and a really nice town close by made it. Handy shop near too. The cycling on the island is fantastic and as above an evening in la Rochelle is great. St Martin is another beautiful town to visit there.

murt101

...

murt101

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122507139#Comment_122507139

We stayed in St Avit Loisirs, only place we've ever gone back to twice. Excellent site, great pools/slides/kids clubs and a great base to explore the region.

beggars_bush

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122509094#Comment_122509094

Île D'Oloron is much nicer in my opinion

Fresh oysters farms everywhere, you can ditch the car for a week it's so flat and just cycle everywhere with loads of paths.

Lovely beaches and great markets

Fann Linn

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122509721#Comment_122509721

Same here. Have the Rosslare Bilbao run booked for this time next year.

Munsterbhoy

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122511962#Comment_122511962

+1 for St Avit Loisirs. Great site.