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

I completely agree with you! We were in La Garangeoire two years ago and it was wall to wall GAA jerseys. We were then in Carnac for a week and it was the exact opposite. Funnily enough, Carnac was wall to wall GAA tops last year so we said feck it, let's abandon Eurocamp, the kids don't need kids club and we went with Siblu instead

yeah we stopped off in Normandy for a few nights on way home last year and it was horrible and a waste of time as well as bad weather. My only experience of a euro camp type place and I’m afraid to ever try another.

Thanks so much for all the helpful responses. My other option is to travel in the first two weeks of August. Would that make a difference to people as regards their recommendations?

The thing I'm concerned about is a long car trip. My kids are reasonably good in the car but I'm just thinking... they'll have a two hour trip to the ferry... whatever amount of time on board and then packing them in to a car again... i love my kids...but they don't take confinement well! I'm thinking a max two to three hours after the ferry would be loads... but I also don't want crappy weather. Is that a possibility if I travel in August instead of June?

I've been in far south west in August and had rain, and Vendée in late June early July and had days of 40°. (Happened several times actually) Used to take breaks there of 4 to 6 week blocks and it was random from time to time. You just couldn't tell. Last year was Vendée in mid July, had low, mid and high was, some days into 30°.

Sure the weather anywhere is better than Ireland so just take the chance :).

As above the ferry itself is fun for the kids, they can just run around.. I had horrors of even letting the kids out on deck ( I have images of me hooking myself to a door with a bungee rope, hanging onto the kids with life jackets wrapped around them, just for fear they would get close to the edge :) )

Needless to say no worries, the upper deck is well blocked off and well yeah you have to watch them but it is very safe.We were on the older ship last year and while there was not a lot to do there was enough.If the kids like dolphins ye might be lucky enough to get a glimpse of them which is great so plenty to do on board to keep them happy. There are plenty of places close to port.. Pick how long ye want to drive and take it from there otherwise you'll drive yourself nuts trying to pick. Make sure the car has air con too (made that mistake last year). This was the last place we stayed on the way back https://www.campingdelileverte.com/en/ It was grand had nice places close by the visit, and was very relaxed.. Small pool all that goes..The mobiles were great there very nice, people need a bit of work but ok..

With the car journey maybe pack a case for each kid, put maybe a lollipop (no need to rant on choking), those magic eraser boards, have a bingo game set for yer drive of things to spot on the way it can be done.. Also, Air Fryer if ye have one ye should bring that is one thing a lot of the mobiles for not have ovens

A few years ago we did it.

Ferry to Cherbourg and drove to B & B just beside disney. Then had 2 nights in the Disney Davey crockett ranch - this gave us 3 days passes with golden hour for the parks. Whee we arrived at the B & B the lady there told me I could go and check into Davey Crockette for the next day and get my passes so I drove to Davy crockette and picked up my passes - that gave us 2 hours early access to the parks on day 1 before our accommodation was ready. We didnt have to arrive at Davey Crockette until 8pm the next day so got full use of the park.

After that did croix du vieux pont for 10 days and it was excellent. Drove home via Dover and UK.

Urgh, we're heading up to Caen from La Palmyre on the 26th. Hopefully it won't be too bad because we'll (for the most part) be heading away from the main areas 🫣

Hopefully you'll skirt most of it and use Google Maps or even better Waze.

Quick question, anyone recommend La Rochelle for a day trip? Ive heard it highly recommended as a destination for adults but wondering if 3 kids between 5 and 9 would be too much. It would be a 60min drive each way so the drive itself is fine.

As spuddy said, La Rochelle is one of the better small cities in that region to take a day-trip to. The port is fantastic and the general relaxed nature makes it an easy visit. As for kids, i know that my two were tricky at that age, so maybe they'll agree to a trade-off - bring them to the Aquarium (which is supposed to be good enough) for a whinge-free rest-of-day.

Never used Waze but might give it a go this time. Getting fed up with Google Maps sending me different ways off the beaten track to save 2mins and then I end up losing 20mins. When we left Cherbourg we were sent an alternative way on D roads for 45mins. Early lost the rag because we were on 80km roads stuck behind an effing caravan for most of it. Lost a good 20mins because of that.

Also, any tips for places to visit in La Rochelle will be gratefully received. We're hoping to head there next Tuesday.

Waze will do the same as Google maps, it just doesn't say how much time you are saving.

They both tell me to turn off the M50 at tallaght & again at belgard to save a minute. Stay on the M50 & the time goes down when you pass the junction.

I'd say Google maps would be better because it gives you the option of staying on the original route. Waze doesn't seem to do that.

Waze is owned by Google, they're two sides of the same coin. I prefer G Maps but like the speed camera notifications from Waze. Neither will steer you far wrong (pardon the pun).

Yea the aquarium in La Rochelle is brilliant. We just strolled around otherwise. They seem to to boat sightseeing trips from the harbour, worth a look maybe. Plenty of lovely restaurants and bars to relax at. Enjoy.

I’m tempted by the ferry to Bilbao except for the amount of time spent on board. On the WB, a lot of the time is spent sleeping which suits me.