South of France

[Sa2 jack]

I love the South West of France, it's my favourite part of the country. Went to Colioure for a long weekend last summer and it was fab. Next April, myself, the missus, two German and two French friend are hiring a boat for a week on the Canal du Midi. it's a one way trip starting in Aigues Mortes and ending in Le Somail.
I know from several recent visits to France that it's an expensive destination these days. Costs of everything you need as a tourist have shot up - accommodation, eating out, drinks, fuel. hence the recent 'gilet jaune' protests. They were reacting to the recent steep rise in the cost of living.

You negotiated the locks in Beziers?

 

[Professor]

Been to La Palmyre twice when kids were young. Some great beaches through the pine forest. Plenty to do ( if open of course). Good places to eat in Royan . Worth visiting Oleron and La Rochelle too. Local wine is OK and can be picked up cheaply.

Stayed Puits de L'auture.Oysters sold outside the site.Not pour moi.

Happy day there Prof.

Ile de Re is something else too although rich Parisians are a pain there

We stayed in a mobile home in Les Charmettes- one of the big places in the pine forest. Was great for the kids with kids clubs and pools etc.. They were both under 5 and was excellent at that age. Oyster stall a few times a week. Nice enough but the Breton ones are much better.

Had amazing seafood pizza on Oleron and a massive bag of shrimps that I could not peel quickly enough for my then 18 month old son (Now 14 taller than me and still in bed).

Royan market has amazing produce too-
Spreading warm boudin noir on a fresh baguette is a quiet joy.

 

[Jackfath]

Stayed Puits de L'auture.Oysters sold outside the site.Not pour moi.

Happy day there Prof.

Ile de Re is something else too although rich Parisians are a pain there

We stayed in a mobile home in Les Charmettes- one of the big places in the pine forest. Was great for the kids with kids clubs and pools etc.. They were both under 5 and was excellent at that age. Oyster stall a few times a week. Nice enough but the Breton ones are much better.

Had amazing seafood pizza on Oleron and a massive bag of shrimps that I could not peel quickly enough for my then 18 month old son (Now 14 taller than me and still in bed).

Royan market has amazing produce too-
Spreading warm boudin noir on a fresh baguette is a quiet joy.

Is this the place you're referring to?

http://www.siblu.com/camping-les-charmettes

 

[Professor]

We stayed in a mobile home in Les Charmettes- one of the big places in the pine forest. Was great for the kids with kids clubs and pools etc.. They were both under 5 and was excellent at that age. Oyster stall a few times a week. Nice enough but the Breton ones are much better.

Had amazing seafood pizza on Oleron and a massive bag of shrimps that I could not peel quickly enough for my then 18 month old son (Now 14 taller than me and still in bed).

Royan market has amazing produce too-
Spreading warm boudin noir on a fresh baguette is a quiet joy.

Is this the place you're referring to?

http://www.siblu.com/camping-les-charmettes

It is. I reckon 2007 we went there.

 

[Sa2 jack]

We stayed in a mobile home in Les Charmettes- one of the big places in the pine forest. Was great for the kids with kids clubs and pools etc.. They were both under 5 and was excellent at that age. Oyster stall a few times a week. Nice enough but the Breton ones are much better.

Had amazing seafood pizza on Oleron and a massive bag of shrimps that I could not peel quickly enough for my then 18 month old son (Now 14 taller than me and still in bed).

Royan market has amazing produce too-
Spreading warm boudin noir on a fresh baguette is a quiet joy.

Is this the place you're referring to?

http://www.siblu.com/camping-les-charmettes

Ive stayed there too.Its slightly out in the sticks but worth it.
Weather is not as reliable as the Med but better than here.
South of the Loire and you should be ok

 

[Pegojack]

I love the South West of France, it's my favourite part of the country. Went to Colioure for a long weekend last summer and it was fab. Next April, myself, the missus, two German and two French friend are hiring a boat for a week on the Canal du Midi. it's a one way trip starting in Aigues Mortes and ending in Le Somail.
I know from several recent visits to France that it's an expensive destination these days. Costs of everything you need as a tourist have shot up - accommodation, eating out, drinks, fuel. hence the recent 'gilet jaune' protests. They were reacting to the recent steep rise in the cost of living.

You negotiated the locks in Beziers?

Yes mate, done it twice before. Looks scary, but it's ok if you keep a cool head and have your crew organised!
View attachment gettyimages-144776698-612x612.jpg

 

[Pentyrchjack]

Biarritz and/or Bayonne are worth a shout and you can really see the Atlantic swell there.

Not far from Pamplona over the border in Spain which is well worth a visit.

 

[Longlostjack]

As Pego and the Professor have pointed out SW France is better than heading straight south. Mind you, I have fond memories of the walk up from Cassis to the youth hostel at the top of the Calanques - the pit stop half way up will never be forgotten - enough said

 

[jack_lord]

Biarritz and/or Bayonne are worth a shout and you can really see the Atlantic swell there.

Not far from Pamplona over the border in Spain which is well worth a visit.

The popular choice is the South with the wife focussing on Monte bliddy Carlo. I was looking at the area south of Beziers but hadn't considered the West coast. Maybe the Atlantic is putting me off? My family stayed in Royan when I was small but can't remember anything apart from the pine smell walking to the beach and "chi chi's"? which were delicious donut type things.
I have driven to the Costa Brava a few times and it is a long journey. We thought that maybe we would get an evening ferry and drive a couple of hours in to France and a BB's would be great for a quick stop and early off.

 

[Pentyrchjack]

Biarritz and/or Bayonne are worth a shout and you can really see the Atlantic swell there.

Not far from Pamplona over the border in Spain which is well worth a visit.

The popular choice is the South with the wife focussing on Monte bliddy Carlo. I was looking at the area south of Beziers but hadn't considered the West coast. Maybe the Atlantic is putting me off? My family stayed in Royan when I was small but can't remember anything apart from the pine smell walking to the beach and "chi chi's"? which were delicious donut type things.
I have driven to the Costa Brava a few times and it is a long journey. We thought that maybe we would get an evening ferry and drive a couple of hours in to France and a BB's would be great for a quick stop and early off.

I’m not sure if the Portsmouth / Plymouth to Santander ferry is running at moment. If it is, then it’s a great journey as it goes from midday to midday and is like a one day cruise. Getting to Biarritz, Carcassone or the Spanish Pyrenees is a dawdle from there.

 

[WxmJax]

The Lost Wave, being shown on Saturday nights on BBC2 at the moment was filmed about 70 miles north of Biarritz. Apart from the beach there's not a lot to do, they're basically villages that open for the tourist season. Cracking beaches though, great for body boarding. Southern Brittany around Quimper/Benodet has some lovely beaches as well as a bit more to see/do.

 

[jack_lord]

The popular choice is the South with the wife focussing on Monte bliddy Carlo. I was looking at the area south of Beziers but hadn't considered the West coast. Maybe the Atlantic is putting me off? My family stayed in Royan when I was small but can't remember anything apart from the pine smell walking to the beach and "chi chi's"? which were delicious donut type things.
I have driven to the Costa Brava a few times and it is a long journey. We thought that maybe we would get an evening ferry and drive a couple of hours in to France and a BB's would be great for a quick stop and early off.

I’m not sure if the Portsmouth / Plymouth to Santander ferry is running at moment. If it is, then it’s a great journey as it goes from midday to midday and is like a one day cruise. Getting to Biarritz, Carcassone or the Spanish Pyrenees is a dawdle from there.

Apart from the Spain bit which will activate the 14 day quarantine

 

[Professor]

The Lost Wave, being shown on Saturday nights on BBC2 at the moment was filmed about 70 miles north of Biarritz. Apart from the beach there's not a lot to do, they're basically villages that open for the tourist season. Cracking beaches though, great for body boarding. Southern Brittany around Quimper/Benodet has some lovely beaches as well as a bit more to see/do.

Quimper is nice. I would go further to the Golf de Morbihan. Sheltered and much warmer. Lot’s of interesting things to do around there. Great seafood and cider

 

[K23]

I've driven through France a good few times but haven't stopped in the country for any length of time.
What's the story in the South of France?
Where are the decent places to stay?
Is it expensive to eat out?
Any recommendations?
TIA

I'm sure you would keep abreast of these developments but a heads up just in case - read in this morning's paper that France might be removed from the airbridge list meaning a 2 week quarantine on return to UK.

 

[jack_lord]

I've driven through France a good few times but haven't stopped in the country for any length of time.
What's the story in the South of France?
Where are the decent places to stay?
Is it expensive to eat out?
Any recommendations?
TIA

I'm sure you would keep abreast of these developments but a heads up just in case - read in this morning's paper that France might be removed from the airbridge list meaning a 2 week quarantine on return to UK.

Based on that we ended up flying to Venice. Staying on the Lido to get the beach bit done and in Venice for the last few days (for anniversary) - any top tips while we are here?
Pizza is fairly reasonable but second course seems expensive wherever you go. Limited choice of food if you are wheat intolerant. Beer is same price but local prosecco is around 10 euros a litre.