France, but where shall we go?

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Birdy67

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We have just booked our ferry to Calais for the 5th June. Have around 1 month to mooch about and think most of this time will probably be spent in France. But we have made zero plans. I quite like the idea of cruising down the west coast but that's about as final as things get.

What would be your one, must not miss, place? We'll be happy to use a mixture of Aires and campsites. We have ACSI and CCP set up. Cycling will be something we intend to do lots of. It's just me and the Wife. Mid 50's. No dog or sprog!
 
I'd suggest the Le Mans 24 hour race (that's where we are going) but it's sold out.

After that we are thinking of Brittany.

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With such a loose (good) plan, you may want to narrow it down a little.

There are a number of threads on cycling for middle aged persons of a certain vintage who may enjoy partaking in beer and wine.
Here is a link to the thread, within the thread are links to the actual thread of the cycle route and somehow, somewhere there is a link to the journals where there is a map (with link to the thread and journal) https://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/forum/threads/the-disused-railway-line-and-voie-vert-thread.265926/
And the journal map https://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/forum/journals/blog/the-voie-verte-disused-railway-map.307/map

If I were trundling down the the west coast I think the islands would be my "Not to miss" and a bit of a toss up between Re and Oleran. Oleran probably wins as I can stay on there free of charge and dont have to pay for the crossing.
Then this journal might be of interest as well. https://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/forum/journals/blog/west-coast-france-dordogne-and-back.324/ At the top there is an option to select "map" which may be the easiest way of seeing where things are and if they interest you
 
suavecarve said:
With such a loose (good) plan, you may want to narrow it down a little.

There are a number of threads on cycling for middle aged persons of a certain vintage who may enjoy partaking in beer and wine.
Here is a link to the thread, within the thread are links to the actual thread of the cycle route and somehow, somewhere there is a link to the journals where there is a map (with link to the thread and journal) https://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/forum/threads/the-disused-railway-line-and-voie-vert-thread.265926/
And the journal map https://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/forum/journals/blog/the-voie-verte-disused-railway-map.307/map

If I were trundling down the the west coast I think the islands would be my "Not to miss" and a bit of a toss up between Re and Oleran. Oleran probably wins as I can stay on there free of charge and dont have to pay for the crossing.
Then this journal might be of interest as well. https://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/forum/journals/blog/west-coast-france-dordogne-and-back.324/ At the top there is an option to select "map" which may be the easiest way of seeing where things are and if they interest you
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Brilliant, thanks mate. Just what we need.
 
Gaston aires said:
As above. Puy du Fou would be my first choice, it’s near Nantes and a 3 day ticket is a must, for around 90€ each a bargain. There’s an excellent aire on site. You will not regret it. 👍
Phil
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Seriously? We're two mid-50's adults with no kids. Never really been into theme parks. What's so good about it?

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Birdy67 said:
Seriously? We're two mid-50's adults with no kids. Never really been into theme parks. What's so good about it?
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Read my post on MHF and look it up on their website. Themepark doesn’t describe it. Trust me. It’s more an array of amazing spectacles and you don’t need to have kids to justify it.
Phil
 
Birdy67 said:
Seriously? We're two mid-50's adults with no kids. Never really been into theme parks. What's so good about it?
Click to expand...
We have never been but I have watched the youtube videos of the shows and it doesn’t attract us either.
 
www.motorhomefun.co.uk

Puy du Fou.

This is the second time we have paid a visit to Puy du Fou near Les Epesses In the Northern Vendee. Its description is a Theme park but That doesn't describe it properly. It has many spectacular events from Roman coliseum chariot races, Viking attacks, French Revolution epics, A bird show from...
www.motorhomefun.co.uk www.motorhomefun.co.uk
 
Birdy67 said:
We have just booked our ferry to Calais for the 5th June. Have around 1 month to mooch about and think most of this time will probably be spent in France. But we have made zero plans. I quite like the idea of cruising down the west coast but that's about as final as things get.

What would be your one, must not miss, place? We'll be happy to use a mixture of Aires and campsites. We have ACSI and CCP set up. Cycling will be something we intend to do lots of. It's just me and the Wife. Mid 50's. No dog or sprog!
Click to expand...
We stayed on a lovely Acsi registered site in a lovely party of the Dordogne last year. It's just outside of the Bastide Village of Domme, the site was on the river bank too. Lovely pool bar and restaurant, very peaceful and easy to get to. The Medieval town of Sarlat is about 15 mins away and well worth a visit.It was called Camping Le Perpetuum.
The whole area is beautiful.
 
As 2 60+ people who also cycle a fair bit I must say the Puy du Fou is not your normal theme park it's a series of set historical shows not really based on any truth but absolutely immersive, we have been 5 times our kids 35 years have been twice and would all go again.
If you like cycling I can recommend camping Le Venice Verte near Coulon, miles of scenic cycling around the Marais Poitevin.

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Puy de Fou.
Probably the only "Top notch" place we havent been to in France. It just doesnt tickle my fancy. HOWEVER, never heard anything from anyone who has been that hasnt loved it
 
You are going across D-Day week so first week in Normandy is not to be missed, all the villages around the landing beaches and WW2 sites will have events going on and being the 80th they will probably open up fields for free camping.
 
We try to make Camping Saint Louis or first/last stop. Close to tunnel and a lovely campsite.
www.camping-saintlouis.com

Séjournez au camping près de Calais

Découvrir les Hauts de France, ça vous tente ? Le camping Saint-Louis vous accue
www.camping-saintlouis.com www.camping-saintlouis.com
Takes ACSI. Website is a bit fiddly for reservations, but you can call or email them.
 
I’m sure someone has already mentioned, but, Sarlat can get very very busy, but don’t let that put you off, you’ll regret it if you don’t include in your itinerary. Lots of nice places to eat. Enjoy your trip.
 
suavecarve said:
With such a loose (good) plan, you may want to narrow it down a little.

There are a number of threads on cycling for middle aged persons of a certain vintage who may enjoy partaking in beer and wine.
Here is a link to the thread, within the thread are links to the actual thread of the cycle route and somehow, somewhere there is a link to the journals where there is a map (with link to the thread and journal) https://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/forum/threads/the-disused-railway-line-and-voie-vert-thread.265926/
And the journal map https://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/forum/journals/blog/the-voie-verte-disused-railway-map.307/map

If I were trundling down the the west coast I think the islands would be my "Not to miss" and a bit of a toss up between Re and Oleran. Oleran probably wins as I can stay on there free of charge and dont have to pay for the crossing.
Then this journal might be of interest as well. https://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/forum/journals/blog/west-coast-france-dordogne-and-back.324/ At the top there is an option to select "map" which may be the easiest way of seeing where things are and if they interest you
Click to expand...
Nourmontier too
 
Birdy67 said:
We have just booked our ferry to Calais for the 5th June. Have around 1 month to mooch about and think most of this time will probably be spent in France. But we have made zero plans. I quite like the idea of cruising down the west coast but that's about as final as things get.

What would be your one, must not miss, place? We'll be happy to use a mixture of Aires and campsites. We have ACSI and CCP set up. Cycling will be something we intend to do lots of. It's just me and the Wife. Mid 50's. No dog or sprog!
Click to expand...

We are doing the same but starting out on 29th May and returning Dieppe-Newhaven 5th July.

After a short 2 day diversion to Ypres and the battlefields we’re travelling anticlockwise and planning to take in Lac du Der (again) for the cycling and swimming, then down through the Morvan and Auvergne for some time in the Dordogne.

Other than the excellent links provided by suavecarve we are using the IGN Voies Vertes mapping (actual map plus the webpages it links to):
France Voies Vertes & véloroutes:... https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/2758547937?tag=mhf04-21

and also the superb Wild Swimming France (Second Edition), which includes details of campsites adjacent to selected spots:
Wild Swimming France (second... https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/191063624X?tag=mhf04-21

As we’ve already visited many of the prime locations on the West Coast, both motorised and cycling, we’re staying firmly inland on this trip, but can recommend Île De Ré as a cycling paradise.
 
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VXman said:
I'd suggest the Le Mans 24 hour race (that's where we are going) but it's sold out.

After that we are thinking of Brittany.
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Which campsite are you on , we are booked into Beausejour going down Sunday before
 
VXman said:
I'd suggest the Le Mans 24 hour race (that's where we are going) but it's sold out.

After that we are thinking of Brittany.
Click to expand...
Did that a few years ago just me and the missus. It is 100,000 men behaving very badly!🤣🤣 my wife said that the best bit was ordering a crepe Grand Marnier and they give you a jug of the stuff to pour over it. My wife also spent an hour one night explaining to 4 drunken yoofs what the lights meant on the cars, they didn’t have a clue…🤣🤣🤣

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Puy du Fou is not a theme park. If you love live theatre, you will love it. If you like to see birds of prey like you have never seen them before or since, you will be in raptures. If you have even the slightest interest in history you will be stunned. If you like a good story told well, you certainly will not fall asleep. If you like special effects and magic that you just can't get your head around how they do it, you will be open mouthed. Add in a love of animals, huge casts, no rides, but plenty of seating, and I run out of superlatives,

For those that have never been, you really don't know what you are missing. It might not float your boat, but then I guess you culd always volunteer to sink beneath the waves with the cast and not reappear! You do not need children to go, all ages are welcomed with open arms. If I was going over this summer, I would be going back for anther 'fix' and to see what has been added. Beats Disney hands down and I rate that.
 
Another one here for Nantes, they have seriously invested in cycle infrastructure, and in arts-led regeneration - the Elephant is part of that. Just visited and municipal in crntre was full for public holiday. They recommended Loire Pause (used to be called something else) just beyond ring road next to Loire and its cycle path to the centre. Not ACSI but they gave me 15% for C&CC carnet.
Take your bikes to the tourist office opposite the castle and get the Nantes Pass booklet. The Pass also gives free entry to the main attractions; I spent happy time riding the buses and trams from the camping!
 
meanders has summed up août du Fou brilliantly, definitely worth a visit. A friend who is obsessed with birds says it is the best bird display/show of any she has seen around the world 🤩.
Agree about the islands, made for cycling, and ile de ré is one of our favourite places in the world.
Saumur and some of the chateaux along the Loire are worth a visit too on your way down/back. My favourite is Chenonceau. 😉.

As several have said though best plan is to follow the weather which isn’t brilliant at the moment in western France ☔️
 
Birdy67 said:
We have just booked our ferry to Calais for the 5th June. Have around 1 month to mooch about and think most of this time will probably be spent in France. But we have made zero plans. I quite like the idea of cruising down the west coast but that's about as final as things get.

What would be your one, must not miss, place? We'll be happy to use a mixture of Aires and campsites. We have ACSI and CCP set up. Cycling will be something we intend to do lots of. It's just me and the Wife. Mid 50's. No dog or sprog!
Click to expand...
Carcassonne
 
Carnac

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