Ferry deals - heading for La Garangoire Vendee in Aug

[waltraud]

Having traveled to Mid eastern France to the Vendee area we've generally gone to st malo or cherbourg but it still always sem to cost nearly 500 for a retunr including pop top westy, 2 and three kids. Does anyone have any suggestions about reliable and cheaper ferry options or any experience of the realistic diferences of going on the shorter cheapr routes. I have a 1.9 DG so a thirsty van and mates coming along in his 1.6 Aircooled!! So we'll cruise around 60.

I've tended to think that heading to Mid west france is far enough to get quite good weather but without the time or expense of heading far south- anyone who knows France please feel free to comment or advise! Have used Les Castelles Camp sites before whicha re always very god if a bit dear. Thanks. Tim

[Bowton Lad]

The only reasonably priced ferries are Dover - Calais & Dover - Dunkerque. Newhaven - Dieppe is more expensive but doen't save a great deal of driving in France. Read previous threads in Camping & Travelling as there must have been least half a dozen since November 2011 about travelling to/in France, including :- cost, distance, ferries/Eurotunnel, discounts etc.

I am travelling to the Limousin/Auvergne regions in May/June & I am sailing from Dover - Calais because of the much lower cost. Routes on the Western Channel are very expensive, particularly those operated by Brittany Ferries.

[waltraud]

Thanks mate, looks cheaper in your tdi though! You're right and in fact i'm thnking i could quite easily measure the cost both ways, cheers. T

[hulky]

Hi Tim

We were at la garengoire last year,the kids and the adults are all catered for in a relaxed safe enviroment good choice
pool is a little small for such a bigsite but if you get your towel there before 10am your ok

I have done crossings from portsmouth to cherbourg fast track and ferry back from st malo and find the best way is eurotunnel,fast and easy 35 minutes and your in france £200 return, head down to la garengoire 430 miles 60mph can be done in one day if the kids are well entertained ?
or stop off in la foret,it takes around 4 to 5 hours from lewisham to la foret campsite.
were of to the ardeche this year a little closer to south coast of france and hopefully better weather?

need any more info drop me a pm

John

[chriscburgess]

LD Lines Dover -Folkstone - Best value i have found

[Ian Hulley]

LD Lines Dover -Folkstone - Best value i have found

He wants to go to France though

Ian

[waltraud]

Thanks for replies. Chunnel does sound easy and quick- might try it! Despite the fact that La Garangeoire is full and we have to go elsewhere I'm thinking that maybe its worth joining the camping n carvanning club for discount ferry, insurance and poss even camping? Anyone tried that. Tim

[chriscburgess]

LD Lines Dover -Folkstone - Best value i have found

He wants to go to France though

Ian

oops! too much wine with the sunday roast
How about dover -Bolougne

[hulky]

Tim

Have a look at castels site Domaine des forges just 20 miles down from La Garengoire.

[waltraud]

Thanks, funnily enough we looked at that site last night, somehow does not look quite as nice as La G, have you been there? Also wondered about any good stops overnight or between rail terminal and vendee? Cheers

[Westy End]

Tim

We stayed at the aire in Segres near Nantes. Very nice next to the river and then only a couple of hours to the vendee. I was driving in my super jx turbo though

[waltraud]

Marvellous, thanks Patrice! Will check out. T

[Ian Hulley]

LD Lines Dover -Folkstone - Best value i have found

I believe they stopped that service last year ... we went on it the year before.

Ian

[thechubbsdub]

Have you tried LD Lines Portsmouth LeHavre route? they do a night crossing, leaves 23.00 arrives 08.00, I am sure we paid about £240 return last year in July for the van and two adults

[Louey]

Also wondered about any good stops overnight or between rail terminal and vendee? Cheers

First time we went to the Vendee we drove straight there from Dover in one day - I think I had driven approx 400miles that day - not a good idea.