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

Hey there, we're currently in Le Bois Dormant and we have 4 nights left.

Like every campsite we've been to over the last 11+ years, none of them have everything but all of them have that one thing that sets them apart, for this one that thing is the location, absolutely stunning walks outside your front door, beautiful beaches as far as the eye can see and multiple pretty towns a short spin away.

Unfortunately what let's this site down is the animation team and entertainment program, if you plan on staying in your mobile home drinking cheap beer and wine at night then this is for you, if like us you enjoy going down every evening for a different show and taking in the atmosphere then stay away, I'm honestly pricing other campsites nearby for the last 4 nights.

There is absolutely no attempt from the animators to speak English, they will at the welcome drinks and at their big money maker the bingo night but that's it, last week we went across the road to Mason for the early fun bingo and the animator needed a member of bar staff to explain the rules and to call out the numbers in English.

I understand Siblu are a predominantly French campsite as this is our 5th time staying with them but in other Siblu sites like Domaine De Kerlann the entertainment is far superior and they cater for English speakers, my eldest has grown out of kids camp but our youngest two only went once this holiday as only one of the animators spoke English to them and there was only one other English speaker.

The pool doesn't close for a siesta this time of year but that is the time you should go there as before 12 and after 3pm is pandemonium with little to no loungers, as mentioned the pool is basic with only two slides but my kids liked it.

Unlike a previous poster I actually preferred the bar in Dormant to Mason as there's a lovely outdoor area looking over the pool, whereas Mason is like an old barn shed that only opens at 5pm, and the stage in Mason is indoor and stuffy but Dormants is outdoors.

While the pool doesn't close for a Siesta this time of year the shop does from 1pm to 4:30 but you're honestly not missing out on much, the shelves are embarrassingly bare and extortionate.

Before anyone says that we need to make ourselves known and tell them we speak English, we did it on the welcome night and at two shows, last night the entertainer came over to my 8 year old son with the microphone and spoke French to him so my son responded in English, he spoke back to my son in English but didn't speak one more word of it for the night or included him.

As I said the location is Le Bois Dormants selling point and my problems might not be problems for other people but you just need to know as much as you can before you book because I wish I did.

My top 5 campsites over the last 11+ years in France

Le Littoral- Talmont Saint Hillaire

Les Mouettes - Carantec

Des Ormes - Dol De Bretagne

Saint Gilles - Benodet

l'Océan Breton - Plobannalec-Lesconil

Enjoy your holiday wherever you book.

As I said, our problems may not be problems to everyone depending on your personal requirements.

And yes you're 100% correct, we don't expect French people in bars, restaurants, shops, markets etc to speak English as the equivalent in Ireland wouldn't be able to speak French.

But what I do expect is the staff of a company who offer their website in English, who post the weekly entertainment, activities & kids camp schedules in English to speak English.

Thanks for that - I didn't book it in the end as was seeing mixed reviews! The lack of English speaking doesn't bother me really as I speak French but it's not so much fun for the rest of the family if only one person out of 5 understands what is happening.

We are torn now between Clarys Plage, Les Genets & Sol a Gogo. Apparently Sol a Gogo is going to be a Marvilla Parks site next year.

Eldest will be 10, youngest 5. We've booked Les Ormes for a week next year but looking to go a bit further south for our second week, in the hopes of slightly better weather! We've been in Carnac this year and last & weather was a bit hit and miss.

We were in Clarys plage a few weeks ago. Hated it. Cabin was nice but they're crammed in. The restaurant is a takeaway hut that serves pizza & burgers. Had to que for 45 minutes to order & then wait another 40 minutes for the food.

The pool area looks great on the pictures but it's quite run down & uneven from what looks like bodge jobs repairing the flooring around it over the years. Main complaint was the splash park did not work for almost the entire 5 days we were there. It worked for ~ 10 minutes the day we arrived & then the last hour on our final day. The ground was covered in algae/slime & very slippy. The main pool was too crowded as well, maybe down to the splash park not working.

I've seen others recommending it but I wouldn't go back.

It's our first time sailing on the Pont Aven since they pushed back the departure time to 23:00, just wondering what time the shops, restaurants and duty free close? Thanks

That's very frustrating to have no cabin at that late hour. I assume it's something to do with the outsourcing of staff that turn the cabins over after each sailing. I noticed it before boarding Cork this year, and again in Roscoff coming home. Loads of workers entering the ship and then coming back off again,both sides.

I noted earlier that the Pont Aven was a different experience this year, I saw a lot of cutbacks,ittle by little over the years, been sailing every year since they introduced the PA but this year the lack of staff was really noticeable. Disappointing as the premium cost of sailing always reflected the sailing experience, but not as much anymore. Even the Cork office is redirected to the UK since covid times. It's the little things.

we stayed in a four star campsite in Normandy last year and it didnt suit us at all. It was huge with indoor and outdoor pools and lots of eurocamp chalets.

Small natural and friendly touring campsites with a few mobiles or safari tents seem to suit us a lot better. Any recommendations around northern Spain or southern France. Would like to try something beside the sea for a change. Might try bring our own camping gear this time.

Not beside a village, shops or public transport though. You will need a car if you want to get out and about

When we were there in late June a few years ago the place was half empty which made everything easier

Just booked Saint Avit Loisirs in the Dordogne last night for this time next year with Eurocamp. Lots of slides and pools for kids etc and surrounded by lovely villages and towns.

Driving up from Bilbao.

Hi,
We’ve just returned from a fantastic three-week Eurocamp holiday at Les Ecureuils in the Vendée. There were five of us, plus our dog. We’re looking to book for next year but would like to venture a bit further south to explore more villages. We loved the size and feel of Les Ecureuils.

We have three kids: twins who will be 11 next year and our eldest, who will be 13. He’s on the autism spectrum (ASD), and a quieter campsite really suits him, which is why we chose Les Ecureuils.

He loves the swimming pools but isn’t into water slides. The twins are up for anything—soccer, horse riding, go-karting, etc. We’ll also be bringing our small dog.
We’re looking for recommendations somewhere between Les Sables-d’Olonne and Royan. Ideally, we’d like a location within walking distance to a sandy beach with waves suitable for jumping and body surfing.