France Itinerary West Coast

[stuavo]

Hi All. We’re heading to France for 3 weeks from 12 June in our Cali. We’re looking for suggestions for an itinerary that takes in a bit of Normandy, Brittany, Travelling down to Biaritz and ending up in San Sebastián before returning via Dordogne. Is this do-able in 3 weeks and has anyone done similar with campsite suggestions please? Thanks

 

[Dixiewixie]

We’ve been down there / back in 2.5 weeks.. San Sebastián was the highlight - the Spanish know how to do a seaside town. We parked on the border and got the train in - dirt cheap and easy.

We stopped at Sandaya - le col vert which was nice but we went in early Sept and it felt like end of season for France even though it was hot. Nice site, not the cheapest but got own space.. we even booked out private shower block on the pitch.

 

[Dizzy]

love to know what you come up with as we are heading down from Caen in September, want to spend 3-4 days on the I'le de Re as part of our trip. Once we get nearer the pyrenees make our way to the med and down for some autumn sun down near Murcia.
D

 

[willwander]

So many places down that coast.
We liked La Rochelle, Saint-Jean-de-Luz and of course San Sebastián.
Didn’t really get ile-de-Re, not really our thing, but it seemed very popular, especially with the British.

 

[Sad]

Recommend also Île de Ré

Around Dordogne, we loved Brantôme, camping we stayed in was fine, apparently also an aire, but don't know that.
We loved this campsite in Les Eyzies:

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It's such a vast area you're covering, but there's a couple of suggestions that I hope are useful.

 

[Betsycalifornia]

love to know what you come up with as we are heading down from Caen in September, want to spend 3-4 days on the I'le de Re as part of our trip. Once we get nearer the pyrenees make our way to the med and down for some autumn sun down near Murcia.
D

Flower camping in Loix is a very pleasant campsite, if you like quiet, local people, less tourist and cycling to the locations you want to visit and probably for food too. Does have a Spar in the town. It’s deep into the salt marsh area. Not as touristy as the camps near the bridge. There’s also the municipal campsite on the edge of st Martin de re. Not as spacious as Loix.

 

[AdamsFamily]

You can't beat the Vendee coast for driving south.

St Jean de Monts with its 9 mile beach
The different islands (Ile de re mentioned, the colourful cabins on Ile de Oleron)
St Gille Croix de Vie is a must visit.
Arachon for the Dune de Pilat
Contis for its quirky shops and great restaurants

So much to see and do you'll want to do it more and more - we've been doing that coast for years and still always find a new gem.

 

[Dottie]

love to know what you come up with as we are heading down from Caen in September, want to spend 3-4 days on the I'le de Re as part of our trip. Once we get nearer the pyrenees make our way to the med and down for some autumn sun down near Murcia.
D

Had a lovely stay at Arse de Re on ile de re. Great for biking, nearby bus stop to the main town and harbour side cafes. Loved it.
Will try the iles de Noirmoutier next time…I believe it’s a little less chichi.

 

[SteveBristol123]

My suggestions….
Carnac and Quiberon in Brittany
Anywhere in the Vendee
La Rochelle amd Ile de Re
Bordeaux
Lacanau (my favourite place - sea lakes, forest and wild beaches)
Arcachon (dune de pilat)

 

[SteveBristol123]

Stayed in lovely simple a campsite in Ile de re - Huttopia Cote Savage. Very peaceful spot away from the busiest areas and easy to get everywhere by bike.

In Lacanau Plage I’ve stayed a couple of times at the L’Airhotel Ocean -
A big busy campsite in a great location - no need to drive to get to the beach, lake, town etc.

 

[stuavo]

Thank you everyone for your tips and recommendations. I love this site. Everyone is so helpful. Have a lovely summer in your Calis everyone. x

 

[BenCar]

Iles de brehat in brittany are stunning.
Arcachon dune campsite is amazing, sunsets and paragliding.
Saint Girons Plage campsite in Landes, amazing surf beach/nightlife fun.
San Sebastian, we put the van in an underground parking and got an Air bnb for 2 nights.
Back up via Dordogne/Perigot/Le Mans.

We did it in 2 weeks, didnt feel rushed at all.
Easy peasy in 3 weeks.

 

[stuavo]

Thank you so much for taking the one to help. I really appreciate it

 

[juneysan]

I live in Brittany and my very first trip in my T7 was this March down the Atlantic coast to Portugal and Spain.
In May I went as far as the Pyrenees and found a few new places.
I highly recommend Cap de l'Homy a municipal campground in the pines and just behind the dunes. It is frequented by a younger crowd of International surfers but I found it very peaceful and at night the sound of the waves is incredible.
If you like an area with a little more action and endless bike trails Camping les Pastourelles is on the northern edge of the Bassin de Arcachon. Excellent reception area with a patio and bikes for rent if you need one. There is a ferry to take you to Arcahon if you so desire.
In the basque region of France I made a detour to Espelette, to buy espelette pepper of course. The town is small but if you want to pick up some local ham or colorful basque linens or espadrilles you can shop till your hearts content.

 

[trailtrotters]

I recommend this campsite in San Sebastián we stayed at in October 2019 and would happily return. There is a frequent bus service down into San Sebastián from the campsite entrance. On the way down we got off the bus at the funicular railway, enjoyed the ride down followed by the walk around the promenade. As it says the pitches are quite small (fine for a Cali) but the facilities are good and like us I imagine you are seeking a convenient place to stay as a base to explore from.

https://www.pitchup.com/campsites/spain/pais-vasco/guipuzcoa/san_sebastian/camping_igueldo/?_gl=1*c31fs9*_up*MQ..*_ga*MTc0MDAxMjEzMy4xNzgwMjk2NzY1*_ga_9YSNQV7CCX*czE3ODAyOTY3NjUkbzEkZzAkdDE3ODAyOTY3NjUkajYwJGwwJGgxMTUzNjY4ODUy

 

[briwy]

Bordeaux well worth a visit. Big car park by the river and walk into the town.

 

[stuavo]

I recommend this campsite in San Sebastián we stayed at in October 2019 and would happily return. There is a frequent bus service down into San Sebastián from the campsite entrance. On the way down we got off the bus at the funicular railway, enjoyed the ride down followed by the walk around the promenade. As it says the pitches are quite small (fine for a Cali) but the facilities are good and like us I imagine you are seeking a convenient place to stay as a base to explore from.

https://www.pitchup.com/campsites/spain/pais-vasco/guipuzcoa/san_sebastian/camping_igueldo/?_gl=1*c31fs9*_up*MQ..*_ga*MTc0MDAxMjEzMy4xNzgwMjk2NzY1*_ga_9YSNQV7CCX*czE3ODAyOTY3NjUkbzEkZzAkdDE3ODAyOTY3NjUkajYwJGwwJGgxMTUzNjY4ODUy

Thankyou so much. Will check it out