L T I P S V E R T
But with a GB sticker attached to the bumper and everything you can imagine crammed in the car boot, we aimed for France and hoped for the best. Our destination was Brittany. But we had barely left West London before we were hit by the backseat chorus of: “Are we there yet?” from our six-year-old twins and their four-year old brother.
Thankfully it did not take long to reach Portsmouth – and after an excitable stay in an overnight cabin with Brittany Ferries, our French adventure was truly under way.
We stayed with Eurocamp in La Pointe St Gilles, a family-run campsite in the picture postcard resort of Benodet on the southern tip of Brittany.
Similar to Devon and Cornwall coastlines, with wide beaches and a labyrinth of rock pools, there was plenty of potential to keep our adventurers amused.
On the campsite our modern Azure holiday home had more than enough room for our tribe, with one double and two twin bedrooms. Plus there was an open plan living and kitchen area, with oven, grill, gas hob, microwave and fridge-freezer. We even had our own gas barbecue outside too. It meant we could turn it into a home from home and set our own timetable.
The site had a large pool complex, playground, restaurant and pool cafe, bars and evening entertainment with cabaret shows and karaoke.
Pals
Parents can also take advantage of the spa and beauty centre if they can get a moment’s peace.
No chance of that for us, though, running after our boys.
Despite being busy, it always felt like a safe, family-friendly atmosphere on the site, with kids able to quickly make new pals. And the staff were always helpful.
We made full use of the heated indoor and outdoor pools, which include a lazy river, slides and caves BRING bikes or scooters. It makes it easier for the kids to race around the campsite and resort. USE mosquito spray. Although the rooms have mosquito nets on the windows, it is worth getting some decent repellent. YOU can save room in the car by hiring towels and sheets when you get there. The chances are you will need the extra space to bring back more stuff than you left with. that can be enjoyed in all weather. The pools and water slides were a dream for twins Charlie and Harry, who have just starting swimming. Younger brother Teddy was happy messing about in the shallow end.
Making our meals was a great way of saving money and the supermarket on site was reasonable. There was a restaurant there too but we preferred going for dinner on the seafront, a 15-minute coastal stroll away.
In the heart of the Breton Riviera, Benodet has plenty to offer young families or couples on a break. We spent long days on the beach there, hunting for fish and crabs in the rock pools, bodyboarding in the sea and playing football on the shore, stopping only for ice creams.
Although we went during school holidays it was not too busy and the locals were welcoming.
Le Letty beach is also a short walk from the site. It is an amazing stretch, with lagoons, rock pools and dunes. It was packed with windsurfers, kayakers and snorkellers.
Even when the weather turned, which is always a risk in northern France, we had the site’s kids’ club. Activities included art classes, bug hunts and dinosaur trails. Turns out that crabs like running around on the beach in the rain too.
Our week was hectic and over far too soon. We crammed everything back into the car and somehow managed to squeeze in three new – but well used – bodyboards too.
It was not long until the boys fell asleep in the back of the car. Quite possibly the first time they had been quiet all week.
We will definitely do Eurocamp again. But with 200 campsites all over Europe, we just have to work out where our next adventure will be. FACTFILE: Seven nights at Eurocamp La Pointe St Gilles start at £156 per party in a two-bed Classic, arriving May 4, 2019. See eurocamp.co.uk. Brittany Ferries operates routes from Portsmouth, Poole and Plymouth direct to Brittany and Normandy. Go overnight by luxury cruise-ferry in a cabin or be whisked across the Channel in three hours. Fares from £350 return for a car and family of four. See brittany-ferries.co.uk.