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

We got to La Garangeoire and Les Ormes every year now. La Garangeoire is excellent with its own repeat regulars that go at the same time every summer.

Les Ormes is a very busy site but excellent in its own style. Great for walks, fishing, cycling and the indoor water park is fantastic.

Any sign of Irish Ferries posting their 2022 schedule to France? I see Brittany and Stena have theirs up already...

Checked a few dates on Stena (Jun/July) and, despite the eye-watering prices, a lot of the cabins are sold out already. I think most of Europe will be on the move next Summer, there's a lot of pent-up credit to be spent.

I'd see it as something to do on either the way to or from the campsite at the start or end of the holiday, rather than a day trip from the campsite itself.

The beach itself is long and sandy - bit like Curracloe not too far from me here in Wexford (which is why I suppose they filmed Saving Private Ryan there in the first place!). However, have never seen it used much by families for a "regular" beach trip (i.e. swimming, sandcastles, etc.). Then again, that's probably because we were generally there during slight off-peak season (June or September) rather than July or August.

The nearby cemetery is a very solemn and moving place to visit, and is well worth a visit by any adult with an understanding of these things. However, probably not ideal to bring young children who'd be likely to run around, shout, and play.

Don't know where this leaves you as regards visiting there or not, but that's my take on it anyway!

I did it a few years back with 4 girls in their early to mid teens. Did a few of the museum's and then picked up a guide and followed a route which brought me to partially destroyed gun emplacements, fire observation posts built into cliffs overlooking the sea and ammunition depots buried partially underground. Paid a visit to the Allies graveyards and visited the German one also.

I brought a picnic with us, set off early in the morning, and the kids didn't mind the break from the waterpark in Dol.

We were there mid June and the place was full of enthusiast's with Jeeps, Armoured cars, half tracks etc and they were only too happy to show the kids their vehicles and let them in and take photos etc.

A trip well worthwhile.

Also booked a Flexi option today for 3 adults + car + outside 4 berth cabin departing late July returning mid August and total was €1,093.

Last year for similar dates and cabins etc going out with IF on the WBY was €778 (including circa €100 for the very enjoyable lounge) and back on Stena was €695 so €1,473 in total.

Happy with €1,093 for next year unless a better offer, particularly on the WBY comes along. I do like the Stena ferry, its comfy and practical but particularly on the way out I really like the WBY.

@Crumtrin No idea, but it is always pretty late. Can even run into November.

Carnac is a buzzy (for France) tourist focussed resort, great beach, old town nice, excellent market, plenty of restaurants, some nice shops, cool craft night market too. We did trips to L'Orient and Saint Nazaire. Trinity sur Mer is just down the road and nice as well. Quiberon is lovely, we actually holidayed out there one year, it was a great spot with idyllic beaches. You can visit the standing stones. We also did Foret Adrenaline, kids loved it (zip wire place)

It is v busy. There are a lot of Irish and English. Personally, I actually preferred Quiberon, it wasmuch more French, the beaches were more interesting to explore, and the campsites were more low key. However ymmv, it entirely depends what you like and your kids etc etc!

Otherwise in more alarming news, our chosen campsite for our preferred two weeks is already booked out!! I can see it's going to be a total scramble for a holiday next year...

you can use the ACSI websites to find campsites across France and you can also book many of them through the website if that’s what you want.

if you’re going in high season then you would need to use the main website, the English language version is:

eurocampings.co.uk

if you’re going in off season then you can join camping card ACSI which gives you great discounts at several thousand sites, the English language website for that is:

campingcard.co.uk

i hope that helps, I have been caravanning in France now for many years and I can be pretty sure that you’ll love it, you have much more freedom than booking on-site accommodations.

Thanks newonhere, we will be heading in August so high season. The cost of using companies has basically made us go this route. We will be going with another family who don't have a caravan so we will be looking for a site that cater for mobile home hire and also have good pool entertainment for the kids. I'll use both those sites and spend the next while trawling through them. 👌🏻👍🏼

Good to know sites book up quickly..I'll be researching for the next month.. Thanks again.

Am returning to something that was touched on a little while ago - how so many cabins are already sold out on Stena sailings from Rosslare to Cherbourg next summer. For example, there's not a single cabin available on any of the Saturday departures next July.

We're facing the choice of booking a Saturday (our preferred departure day) and having to settle for trying to sleep on reclining seats if no cabins become available in the meantime, or else sailing midweek instead.

Just wondering if anybody here has experience of spending a night on reclining seats on that Stena ferry, and what's it like? To be honest, I'd expect it to be grim enough and the prospect of it doesn't exactly appeal to me, but it's a possibility we have to face up to....

Thanks.

Does it have to be Stena Line? Have ye tried IF or Brittany Ferries? I booked both legs a few weeks back with Brittany Ferries for next year and there were plenty of choice.

He would if he was Greek.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6k7eXrK9m3w

If that’s the only difference in the pitches then I’d say that it’s way too much to pay just to have water and drainage on the pitch, they are never very far away from the pitches normally. It’s always handy to have them on the pitch but €200 per week seems excessive to me.

It may be worthwhile checking that there is no other difference such as the serviced pitches being in a much more desirable location or much bigger which may make you think more carefully about the option.