Eurocamp-type holidays
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derrick
The Glue that binds us together.
- Location
- On the edge of London
Canary islands, always nice.
Beebo
Firm and Fruity
- Location
- Hexleybeef
i've been on a couple with Keycamps.
We went to the Vendee coast which is a managable days drive from Calais. But I live in South London so I can be at dover in an hour. We leave early, get a 5am train and arrive in France at about 7am (you have to add an hour as the clocks go forward). Then staright down the toll roads with a few good stops takes 6-7 hours. We go via the tunnel, it is more expensive but so much easier.
You cant guarantee the weather but everytime we have been it has been more sun then cloud. It is a trade off between driving distance and weather.
To save money you can approach the camp site direct and book through them (it is easy via the internet), it will be cheaper but you may get an older style caravan and you cant use the kids clubs as they are provided by the travel agents, although you will have full access to the pools etc.
Most vans are very modern with ensuite bathrooms, some have decking and BBQ's so most nights we just cooked outside.
We went to the Vendee coast which is a managable days drive from Calais. But I live in South London so I can be at dover in an hour. We leave early, get a 5am train and arrive in France at about 7am (you have to add an hour as the clocks go forward). Then staright down the toll roads with a few good stops takes 6-7 hours. We go via the tunnel, it is more expensive but so much easier.
You cant guarantee the weather but everytime we have been it has been more sun then cloud. It is a trade off between driving distance and weather.
To save money you can approach the camp site direct and book through them (it is easy via the internet), it will be cheaper but you may get an older style caravan and you cant use the kids clubs as they are provided by the travel agents, although you will have full access to the pools etc.
Most vans are very modern with ensuite bathrooms, some have decking and BBQ's so most nights we just cooked outside.
Andrew_P
In between here and there
I been 3-4 to La Palmyre in the Charente Maritime, if you are taking bikes and kids it is great! 30km of Cycle only tracks all along the Cote Sauvage, has great beaches. Very close to Royan and La Rochelle. Do able in one night even from Brum.
Without bikes during the French national holidays it can get very busy on the roads. I have been to France using Keycamp, Canvas and Siblu. By far the top end Siblu mobile homes with terrace are the most consistent quality. On the whole I rarely use the on-site bars etc and just use it as a base camp and the pool.
Vendee is okay near Les Sable D'lonne, Brittany is beautiful but weather very british.
Never had brillant weather for the full 2 weeks I would guess you would need to get to the med coast for that. But plenty to do, if you do not wantto lug bikes loads of hire ones
normally on site.
http://www.royan.bernezac.com/La_Palmyre.htm
Without bikes during the French national holidays it can get very busy on the roads. I have been to France using Keycamp, Canvas and Siblu. By far the top end Siblu mobile homes with terrace are the most consistent quality. On the whole I rarely use the on-site bars etc and just use it as a base camp and the pool.
Vendee is okay near Les Sable D'lonne, Brittany is beautiful but weather very british.
Never had brillant weather for the full 2 weeks I would guess you would need to get to the med coast for that. But plenty to do, if you do not wantto lug bikes loads of hire ones
normally on site.
http://www.royan.bernezac.com/La_Palmyre.htm
jayonabike
Powered by caffeine & whisky
- Location
- Hertfordshire
My mate drives to the south of France most summers and always has cracking weather judging by the photos he's shown me.
DCLane
Found in the Yorkshire hills ...
- Location
- Dewsbury, West Yorkshire
For the past 3 years I've been to the Vendee on a holiday camp near Le Fenouiller, but in a mobile home on site. It's been hot 2 of the 3 years and OK-ish last year. Not a bad drive, although the rest of the family fly whilst I drive down since it saves them time and is cheaper.
Is it a cheaper camp? Not sure, since I've not tried Eurocamp but I'm led to believe it's a bit cheaper, with lots of kid's/other activities thrown in for free. There's a whole group of us go out riding every morning though
with a coffee stop and SWMBO doesn't complain 
. The downside - it's a Christian camp, which may put some people off (not me) but you don't need to join in anything that's religious. It's called Le Pas Opton, run by Spring Harvest Holidays; http://www.springharvestholidays.com/ .
Is it a cheaper camp? Not sure, since I've not tried Eurocamp but I'm led to believe it's a bit cheaper, with lots of kid's/other activities thrown in for free. There's a whole group of us go out riding every morning though
with a coffee stop and SWMBO doesn't complain . The downside - it's a Christian camp, which may put some people off (not me) but you don't need to join in anything that's religious. It's called Le Pas Opton, run by Spring Harvest Holidays; http://www.springharvestholidays.com/ .
Hicky
Guru
We camp in France and have done for a few years, drive to Le Mans and stay in a municipal site(v cheap and good quality) for a few days/week depends when our "holiday" campsite is booked and breaks up the trip.....then onto the Vendee(Bretignolles).
We have gone from the above to Manchester in one trip home 13 hours total....v tiring, both wife and I are confident continental drivers.
Over the past few years over a two/three week period we've averaged a couple of days poor weather compared to shorts/teeshirt from 9 in the morning to sundown.
We book direct with the site and have never had a problem, I believe you can buy vouchers for many sites and be more independant of package setups.
If you havent been then be aware the sites usually have lots of dutch, the kids are loud and can be bolshy however when I've had cause to speak to them they listen and are polite and normally have decent command of our language.
For more advice have a look at ukcampsite(or pm me), great site and full of travel advice......make every effort to try to speak French you'd be surprised how much they appreciate it....I've seen French people ignore/refuse to help stereotypical tourists(ie shout louder for help). Prices similar except for eating out.
We have gone from the above to Manchester in one trip home 13 hours total....v tiring, both wife and I are confident continental drivers.
Over the past few years over a two/three week period we've averaged a couple of days poor weather compared to shorts/teeshirt from 9 in the morning to sundown.
We book direct with the site and have never had a problem, I believe you can buy vouchers for many sites and be more independant of package setups.
If you havent been then be aware the sites usually have lots of dutch, the kids are loud and can be bolshy however when I've had cause to speak to them they listen and are polite and normally have decent command of our language.
For more advice have a look at ukcampsite(or pm me), great site and full of travel advice......make every effort to try to speak French you'd be surprised how much they appreciate it....I've seen French people ignore/refuse to help stereotypical tourists(ie shout louder for help). Prices similar except for eating out.
DCLane
Found in the Yorkshire hills ...
- Location
- Dewsbury, West Yorkshire
I was going to mention your holiday site Hicky, but thought you'd be along. It's probably about 5-10 miles south of where we go.
I'd echo the attempting to speak French. Even a basic attempt to speak it helps.
oldfatfool
Guru
Have a look at:
1) Gites
2) B&B (chambre d'hote)
1) = greater luxuary and will be cheaper than £800 pw depending on what you pick
2) = Could be cheaper especially when you factor in food cost and ease.
1) Gites
2) B&B (chambre d'hote)
1) = greater luxuary and will be cheaper than £800 pw depending on what you pick
2) = Could be cheaper especially when you factor in food cost and ease.
Crankarm
Guru
- Location
- Nr Cambridge
Some years ago I worked for Eurocamp. I would NOT go on a Eurocamp holiday.
Eurocamp now comes under the HolidayBreak Group who also have Keycamp in the group as well. HolidayBreak were trying to sell the camping arm of Eurocamp a few years ago as they wanted to ditch tents in a move upmarket to Eurovillage cabins and villas which sound frigging awful, mini housing estates and inclusive complexes - yuck!
So I would steer clear of Eurocamp and if you must stay in pre-prepared campsite accommodation either tent or mobil homme then book direct with the campsite as it will be cheaper and you still get all the campsite facilities just not the Eurocamp specific ones which is not a great loss.
Or take your own tent and go to a proper French campsite with no Eurocamp or Keycamp on, even better.
HTH.
Eurocamp now comes under the HolidayBreak Group who also have Keycamp in the group as well. HolidayBreak were trying to sell the camping arm of Eurocamp a few years ago as they wanted to ditch tents in a move upmarket to Eurovillage cabins and villas which sound frigging awful, mini housing estates and inclusive complexes - yuck!
So I would steer clear of Eurocamp and if you must stay in pre-prepared campsite accommodation either tent or mobil homme then book direct with the campsite as it will be cheaper and you still get all the campsite facilities just not the Eurocamp specific ones which is not a great loss.
Or take your own tent and go to a proper French campsite with no Eurocamp or Keycamp on, even better.
HTH.
Monsieur
Senior member
- Location
- Lincolnshire
Carnac Plage in southern brittany - find website and book direct with campsite. Good mobile homes, cracking pool, short walk to a stunning beach and enough variety of shops and restaurants to please all.
Fab Foodie
hanging-on in quiet desperation ...
- Location
- Kirton, Devon.
If you have kids, love rock-pools and surfing may I recommend this place on the N. Spain coast?
http://www.eurocamp.co.uk/sites/spain-costa-verde/cv011-playa-joyel.html
You can Eurocamp/Canvas etc there (and we have) but we've also camped there several times (including last year) too and it's just fabulous. Worth the extra effort.
Drive down over 2 days and bunk-out at a F1 or Cruise across to Santander.
The site is right on the beach and shops are an acceptable walk away, prices still good in Spain. Great countryside with Picos mountains nearby and Guggenheim Bilbao the other.
If you camp, book everything via Caravan and Camping club to save some useful wedge. If interested PM me for more info.
http://www.eurocamp.co.uk/sites/spain-costa-verde/cv011-playa-joyel.html
You can Eurocamp/Canvas etc there (and we have) but we've also camped there several times (including last year) too and it's just fabulous. Worth the extra effort.
Drive down over 2 days and bunk-out at a F1 or Cruise across to Santander.
The site is right on the beach and shops are an acceptable walk away, prices still good in Spain. Great countryside with Picos mountains nearby and Guggenheim Bilbao the other.
If you camp, book everything via Caravan and Camping club to save some useful wedge. If interested PM me for more info.
Trembler49
Veteran
- Location
- Portimao, Portugal
I have Keycamped and Eurocamped and had great times.
Brittany and Vendee are good but weather not guaranteed. South of France better, but you need a stop halfway.
Brittany and Vendee are good but weather not guaranteed. South of France better, but you need a stop halfway.
swee'pea99
Squire
We did a Canvas Holidays years ago in the south of France, had a great time. No idea of comparative costs/facilities or anything like that, but as an affordable holiday in a nice place with young kids (who get company and have a big safe place to explore) it was great.
