[LILL]

We hope to get a couple of weeks away in France end of August into September and are looking for names of sites within a couple of days easy travelling of Calais. We went down to Provence in May and don't want to do a long trip again for this short stay.
We would like a site on or near coast or river, within walking/biking distance of a town or village.We love the coast of Picardy round the Somme but have not been to the Normandy coast.The Loire is that bit further South so we may get better weather which would be a bonus but we cannot decide on a site there!
We may end up going back to the Ile de Re which we love but if someone can suggest somewhere inbetween there and Calais that would fit the bill - we should be most grateful!

On another point - particularly of note to those who like to cycle into a town or village from a site.In May we spent a few days at Pertuis near Aix en Provence; the site was chosen for its proximity to the town. We failed to look at the contour lines on the map and a super down hill run into town turned into a mini Alpe d'Huez on the return trip!The site turned out to be on the only hill for miles around.
The already long list of criteria in the search for a perfet site now includes flat roads!

[JanB]

One of our favourite sites in the Loire area is Camping L'Etang just outside Brissac sur Quince. Easy to get to, peaceful out of season, largest pitches I have ever seen, swimming pool, small river at side of side plus lake in centre of site, great cycling countryside, easy ride into town.

Brissac is a lovely town with a chateau, very good market 2 days a week, brilliant butcher, small supermarket, 2 good restaurants. Oh and the best is the campsite has its own vineyard opposite the entrance and there are 2 good caves just a short cycle ride away (one actually has a bar in the cellar for tastings of its lovely wines plus a very friendly owner) - guess what we did one afternoon!!!!

Brissac is an easy 2 day drive from Calais - we don't use motorways - or a longer one day journey is possible.

Here is the link:

http://www.campinget...m/en/index.html

[Challenger]

We have just come back from the Loire last month. We intended to stay just a week and go down to the Dordogne but as the site was so nice we stayed over a fortnight.
Try this one www.campingchantepie.com

It is not far from Saumur and is on the Loire itself. Has a heated swimming pool and a well stocked shop. It is a very quiet site (we went when the schools were on holiday).
Also has cheap Wi-fi and the english speaking staff are very friendly. Lots of places to visit and some great Chateau. There are some larger pitches and they take the ACSI card
It is quite good cycling country too. There was a big rally when we were tere. Hundreds of cyclists!!!!!
If you want anymore info PM me.

[jaymac]

I've been to L'etang and Chantepie but my favourite in the Loire is still La Citadelle at Loches. It takes camping cheques and is in the town, just a few minutes from the town centre.

[LILL]

Many thanks to all of you - it's good to have personal recommendations. Research will begin forthwith - I have to say that ACSI may win the day but Brissac does sound ideal.Most sites do reduced rates in low season anyway don't they.

[JanB]

LILL, on 01 August 2010 - 10:22 AM, said:

Many thanks to all of you - it's good to have personal recommendations. Research will begin forthwith - I have to say that ACSI may win the day but Brissac does sound ideal.Most sites do reduced rates in low season anyway don't they.

The site at Brissac accepts ASCI cards too - we used it the whole time we were there and friends who did not have one were sold one by the campsite to get the benefit of the hefty discount.

[twooks]

how about Mont St Michel - can't guarantee the weather - but most people swear by Haliotis at Pontorson
and you can bike down to the Mont from the back of the site
and I think they take Camping Cheques - not sure of the dates tho

[curzon]

JanB, on 30 July 2010 - 08:06 AM, said:

One of our favourite sites in the Loire area is Camping L'Etang just outside Brissac sur Quince. Easy to get to, peaceful out of season, largest pitches I have ever seen, swimming pool, small river at side of side plus lake in centre of site, great cycling countryside, easy ride into town.

Brissac is a lovely town with a chateau, very good market 2 days a week, brilliant butcher, small supermarket, 2 good restaurants. Oh and the best is the campsite has its own vineyard opposite the entrance and there are 2 good caves just a short cycle ride away (one actually has a bar in the cellar for tastings of its lovely wines plus a very friendly owner) - guess what we did one afternoon!!!!

Brissac is an easy 2 day drive from Calais - we don't use motorways - or a longer one day journey is possible.

Here is the link:

http://www.campinget...m/en/index.html

I`ll second that ....... 1st year in the last 7 that we havnt been