Northern France/Brittany

[GreigM]

Due to the little un being in tow we're going to skip long flights this year and drive, so thinking of heading across the channel to northern france and rent a villa. Don't know much about the area, so looking for suggestions of places to stay (and those to avoid).

Looking for somewhere picturesque, nice walks (although nothing too off-road as we'll have the buggy), reasonable drive to places to visit, beach etc

Just looking for a relaxed week in the sun, so where should we go?

[johnnyreggae]

In Northern France Le Touquet is a traditional holiday area - somewhere smaller & quieter might be Fort Mahon - lots of cycle tracks & sandy beaches in the area plus various places to go & good food

[Bluebarge]

The Northern French coast has similar weather to Southern England, so don't assume that lots of sun is guaranteed. TBH, I would head for Normandy if your heart is set on Northern France, and aim to stay around Bayeux.

However, I note you're based in Scotland, so are presumably looking at an 8 hour drive to the Channel ports. I think the little un would find this more taxing than a 90 minute flight so, if I were you, I would be looking at a cheap flight somewhere. If in France, you could head for Nice and spend some time around there (Villefranche is a nice place to stay) or fly to Bordeaux and head for the Bassin d'Arcachon or Lacanau Ocean. Otherwise, anywhere within a 2 hour flight of your home airport.

[RVVUNM]

Try the Plymouth-Roscoff ferry, then visit Morlaix,Brest and Quimper and all the small ports. We stayed a Healgoat which is about half an hour south of Roscoff, really nice area and very quiet.

[Kneetrembler]

Get a Ferry with Brittany Ferries from Portsmouth to St Malo and then just hang a left and there are some wonderful inlets and lovely sandy beaches as well as rocky beaches,all well within a days drive you can drive round to Brest,Lezardieux,Quimper, Douarnenez,Vannes,Lorient,Concarneau plus more it is all very picturesque.
If you love shellfish all the better.

I have been driving around it over the last few weeks,check out :- gofrance.about.com/od/regions/p/brittany.htm

Plus others

[vixen1700]

We're looking at a South of France villa in June for 8 of us and it works out very reasonably indeed, the villa, flights & Espace hire.

We've used this company in the past for Italian villas and they are excellent, and have French villas in Northern France & Brittany too:

http://www.french-country-cottages.co.uk/sites/fre...

Well worth a flick through their brochure.

[alxce]

Kneetrembler said:

Get a Ferry with Brittany Ferries from Portsmouth to St Malo and then just hang a left and there are some wonderful inlets and lovely sandy beaches as well as rocky beaches,all well within a days drive you can drive round to Brest,Lezardieux,Quimper, Douarnenez,Vannes,Lorient,Concarneau plus more it is all very picturesque.
If you love shellfish all the better.

I have been driving around it over the last few weeks,check out :- gofrance.about.com/od/regions/p/brittany.htm

Plus others

+1 on this recommendation. We did this as a family (8 of us) for a week last April and it was gorgeous. It was so nice we are all going back for some more at the end of April this year.

[GreigM]

Thanks for the suggestions all - given me lots to think about. And don't worry about the length of drive, it'll be split up appropriately and I assure you its better than flying!

[Pvapour]

alxce said:

Kneetrembler said:

Get a Ferry with Brittany Ferries from Portsmouth to St Malo and then just hang a left and there are some wonderful inlets and lovely sandy beaches as well as rocky beaches,all well within a days drive you can drive round to Brest,Lezardieux,Quimper, Douarnenez,Vannes,Lorient,Concarneau plus more it is all very picturesque.
If you love shellfish all the better.

I have been driving around it over the last few weeks,check out :- gofrance.about.com/od/regions/p/brittany.htm

Plus others

+1 on this recommendation. We did this as a family (8 of us) for a week last April and it was gorgeous. It was so nice we are all going back for some more at the end of April this year.

+ another

I'd always wanted to do a motor home trip much to my wifes disgust but for my birthday some years ago she surprised me with a motor home on the drive and a map of Brittany, a fantastic area for that kind of holiday, some of the camp sites backed straight onto the water inlets, truly sunning, very clean, very friendly, very Devon in its architecture & feel but much quieter

[FUBAR]

Funnily enough just at the weekend booked a Keycamp holiday to Brittany (not in a tent mind! 'luxury' mobile home all the way lol) for June half term , going via the overnight St Malo ferry. Slightly amazed to find availability until I got to work and booked the time off to be told I would be missing the Queen's Jubilee, then it all became clear

Normally do villa holidays but my kids are now at an age where they would love the activities on park and to meet other kids of a similar age (8 and 9) rather than stuck away in a villa with mum and dad.

Been to Brittany a couple of times, really nice area, prefer it over Northern France, only if my little brain thinks it a little more, err, exotic. IMO has quite a rustic feel/charm and some of the coastal areas can be quite 'wild' (not as in screaming teenagers). Gets my vote

[Puggit]

The weather is considered to become less British and more Med when you cross South of the Loire - so I'd consider heading that far South. It's only about 3 hours from Caen for instance.

When our kids were young we used to get the overnight ferry and drive to our house on the Loire without any problems.

Sorry - not taking bookings this year!

[Targarama]

Quiberon is a lovely place and not too far. As has been said, just go a little down the coast and the weather will be a lot more guaranteed.