First Trip To France

[AG 2602]

Hello Everyone,

I know that there are many post about trips down through France and I have been reading through them but just end up wanting to go everywhere!!

We are heading from Portsmouth to Caen on the 6th June just the two of us and an 11 yr old dog (Bailey)!

We have booked one campsite for a couple of nights which looks pretty good!

Camping Sous Les Étoiles Normandie · La Groudière, 14350 Souleuvre en Bocage, France

★★★★★ · Campsite

www.google.com

We are not really looking for a road trip (only have two weeks) more a time for a bit of R&R.

So we are thinking Brittany south as far as Poitiers and west over to La Rochelle and up to Brest/St Malo. We will probably be looking to spend minimum 3 nights in each location.
What we like to do....
Walking with the dog (not so far these days maybe 3 miles)
Lake/forest locations (no mountains)
Close to village with decent bars/cafes/bakers
Coastal is OK but not busy and dog friendly beaches (terrain has to be pretty flat)
As we will be sticking around in each location we would probably prefer campsites so that we can get the tables and chairs out.

Hopefully you seasoned travellers can give us some good recommendations.
Thanks in advance...

 

[lorger]

Set out a rough plan and then just head in the general direction, if you keep it flexible you'll enjoy it more.

 

[Jake Royd]

Arromanches is well worth a visit if you like that sort of thing , plus the new memorial is in that area.
Three is both an Aire and a municipal campsite there.
Many other places of interest in the locality.

 

[cliffanger]

Don’t stop long in La Rochelle, but go to the Ile de Rey - just beautiful.

Ile d’Oloron is just as nice, but in a different way.

 

[AG 2602]

Arromanches is well worth a visit if you like that sort of thing , plus the new memorial is in that area.
Three is both an Aire and a municipal campsite there.
Many other places of interest in the locality.

Looks like a good/interesting place to end the holiday on our way back.

Thank You

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[AG 2602]

Don’t stop long in La Rochelle, but go to the Ile de Rey - just beautiful.

Ile d’Oloron is just as nice, but in a different way.

Both look great thanks they are on the list!

 

[WillH]

Another vote for Ile de Re.

 

[John Barrett]

Hello Everyone,

I know that there are many post about trips down through France and I have been reading through them but just end up wanting to go everywhere!!

We are heading from Portsmouth to Caen on the 6th June just the two of us and an 11 yr old dog (Bailey)!

We have booked one campsite for a couple of nights which looks pretty good!

Camping Sous Les Étoiles Normandie · La Groudière, 14350 Souleuvre en Bocage, France

★★★★★ · Campsite

www.google.com

We are not really looking for a road trip (only have two weeks) more a time for a bit of R&R.

So we are thinking Brittany south as far as Poitiers and west over to La Rochelle and up to Brest/St Malo. We will probably be looking to spend minimum 3 nights in each location.
What we like to do....
Walking with the dog (not so far these days maybe 3 miles)
Lake/forest locations (no mountains)
Close to village with decent bars/cafes/bakers
Coastal is OK but not busy and dog friendly beaches (terrain has to be pretty flat)
As we will be sticking around in each location we would probably prefer campsites so that we can get the tables and chairs out.

Hopefully you seasoned travellers can give us some good recommendations.
Thanks in advance...

We stayed there last Autumn for three nights. Lovely spot, good food and great English/American hosts!

 

[AG 2602]

We stayed there last Autumn for three nights. Lovely spot, good food and great English/American hosts!

Great John thanks for the heads up looks like we are off to a good start!!

 

[ChrisL]

And another vote for Il de Ré, i was there in March, my third time, especially if you like seafood.

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[HKF]

Dog-friendly beaches are few and far between in France, although the locals just seem to do as they please.

Be careful going to forest locations, due to Processionary Caterpillars. They are a concern for humans and dogs.

Beware of stinging hairs from processionary caterpillars!

In forests or gardens, on the ground or on tree branches, certain caterpillars may be seen following each other in single file. These "processionary" caterpillars are insects with stinging hairs. The inflammatory reactions they can cause in humans and animals are sometimes serious.

www.anses.fr

The processionary: summer enemy of dogs and cats

Seemingly harmless, processionaries are dangerous for dogs and cats. In case of contact between processionary and dog what to do? Here is a guide.

www.kippy.eu

They are in the UK, too.

Dogs, cats and toxic oak processionary moth caterpillars

Dogs, cats and toxic oak processionary moth caterpillars | Blue Cross https://www.bluecross.org.uk/advice/pets/health-and-injuries/dogs-cats-and-toxic-oak-processionary-moth-caterpillars

www.bluecross.org.uk

 

[AG 2602]

Il de Re looking like a certainty! Love seafood but my better half not keen!! I'll keep that quiet for now
Are there plenty of sites there? Any favourites?

 

[Pikeman]

Noirmoutier-en-l'Île; seafood, beaches, flat as a pancake.

Vannes; medievil town, good food and bars, flower camping at Conleau is a nice site. Lovely boat trips around the bay of Morbihan.

Concarneau; Another lovely town, good food/bars inside the old citadel.

Camaret sur mer; A few nice sites around there, great views, nice beaches.

Rose granite coast; stunning scenery.

Good luck,

Keith

 

[AG 2602]

Noirmoutier-en-l'Île; seafood, beaches, flat as a pancake.

Vannes; medievil town, good food and bars, flower camping at Conleau is a nice site. Lovely boat trips around the bay of Morbihan.

Concarneau; Another lovely town, good food/bars inside the old citadel.

Camaret sur mer; A few nice sites around there, great views, nice beaches.

Rose granite coast; stunning scenery.

Good luck,

Keith

Thanks Keith I've heard good things about the Rose Granite Coast so will definately get to that at some point. Like the sound of Vannes sounds perfect for us! Great food and wine is high on the list!!

 

[ChrisL]

Il de Re looking like a certainty! Love seafood but my better half not keen!! I'll keep that quiet for now
Are there plenty of sites there? Any favourites?

They do other types of food besides seafood, but it really is great for seafood, in some restaurants you even have a choice of who's oysters your eating. The little purple label tells you the grower and the size. There are several places to stay, both campsites and aires but the island is popular so if you haven't booked anywhere then turn up early. On this trip i stayed at the municipal campsite at St Martin electric and water on every pitch.

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[ChrisL]

Something else I thought of is Puy du Fou which is near Cholet, this is a theme park with a historical basis have a look on YouTube to get an idea, i found it very entertaining and you'd probably need a couple of days to see everything, their is an Aire there as well.

 

[AG 2602]

Something else I thought of is Puy du Fou which is near Cholet, this is a theme park with a historical basis have a look on YouTube to get an idea, i found it very entertaining and you'd probably need a couple of days to see everything, their is an Aire there as well.

Looks great but not sure the dog would be up for it!

Hopefully useful for others though Thanks

 

[AG 2602]

Noirmoutier-en-l'Île; seafood, beaches, flat as a pancake.

Vannes; medievil town, good food and bars, flower camping at Conleau is a nice site. Lovely boat trips around the bay of Morbihan.

Concarneau; Another lovely town, good food/bars inside the old citadel.

Camaret sur mer; A few nice sites around there, great views, nice beaches.

Rose granite coast; stunning scenery.

Good luck,

Keith

Well after a rainy start in Normandy we decided to head south and ended up camping Conleau. We are just on our second night so moving on tomorrow.
Great walk into Vannes today following the coast line. What a beautiful place and weather has been great!

 

[Simon Meadwell]

Second vote for concarnue