Anbody cycle camped with kids around the Bordeaux area?

[GraemeG]

We are planing a cycling camping trip around Bordeaux taking in the Atlantic coast and Dorgogne area. travelling as a family (2 boys 11 and 10 years) during August for a couple of weeks. Not wanting to book camp sites but keep a free agenda. I have heard the coastal campsites are big and busy. would like small camp sites which we hope will have space when we turn up, I am informed that such camp sites exist further inland and that on the whole best to keep away from the coast.
Does any body have experience of cycling around here, would apprecaite tips on where to stay, best places to be etc.

 

[Brains]

Aye, about 8 years ago - a nice site well inland, it was fine.
It was in the middle of the national Gascoine Parc
The whole area is flat as a pancake, sandy, pine trees, few roads, fewer villages, and closer to the sea, miles of dunes.
We even cycled 30 odd miles to the coast one day (flat all the way) had a swim and then 40 miles back

 

[Kirstie]

A friend of mine did this last year with his family and kids of 9 and 11. As far as I know they had a brilliant time, and didn't have too much trouble finding somewhere to camp. I'll ask him whether he booked ahead or not. They did a two week ride.

 

[GraemeG]

THanks Brains for your comment, I'll look up the park you mention. The flatness of the area is what attracted me to this - knowing my kids quickly get disheartened at the slightest hill. But am thinking now to be more adventurous and get in land to the Dordogne area as well

 

[GraemeG]

Thanks Kirstie, would be great to hear back from your friends since their kids are similar ages to ours. In my time I have done much cycle touring, but this would be the first time with my kids, so want to make sure it is a good experience for them and that I don't turn them off completely!

 

[blockend]

We've cycle camped around Bordeaux and your perception of things is correct GraemeG, busy on the coast, less so inland. The coastal sites tend to be large and in summer holidays at least, packed and often full. They do have things most children look for, pools, shops, games, lots of other kids but aren't really compatible with cycle camping. We woke one morning to find our two man tent sandwiched between giant campervans.

One issue might be the inland section is a bit boring.

 

[andym]

I think it would be worth spending some time trawling the interweb listings so you have a list of possible sites. Most websites will tell you the number of pitches at a site.

For example the ACSI website lists 'great little campsites':

http://www.eurocampings.co.uk/en/europe/france/aquitaine/

- some of these seem to be very small.

Alan Rogers is also useful. The campingqualite.com (IIRC) website is worth looking at.

There's also the Bienvenue à la ferme website which lists small campsites on farms:

http://www.bienvenue-a-la-ferme.com/en/

and Accueil Paysan which is a similar thing:

http://www.accueil-paysan.com/PagesEn/formules.htm

 

[GraemeG]

Thanks Andym, i will look at these site good info! must say I am very impressed with everybody engaging with my request. I am busy trawling if i can be of help to anybody else!

 

[bilboburgler]

Graeme, I'm not sure if this is any help but I'm about to upload (next couple of days) part of a website which shows loads of info around Bordeaux Biking. The link you will need is http://www.mybikeguide.co.uk if you wait a couple of days it may be useful.

The coast will be crowded in August, the rivers can be a bit damp/foggy in the morning but there will be more space.

 

[GraemeG]

Graeme, I'm not sure if this is any help but I'm about to upload (next couple of days) part of a website which shows loads of info around Bordeaux Biking. The link you will need is http://www.mybikeguide.co.uk if you wait a couple of days it may be useful.

The coast will be crowded in August, the rivers can be a bit damp/foggy in the morning but there will be more space.

Nice website, looks very useful. will wait for your Bordeaux update, but now temped by Yonne!