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we're off on 27th August until14th Setember - apart from the ferry to / from le Havre, nothing's booked. We're split between Vendee / Charente Maritime, especially LaRochelle / Iles D'Oleron and Re or across the other side of France in Alsace & the Vosges Mountains & the Black Forest in southern Germany. I'm tempted by the seaside and seafood & Viv's for the Black forest Gateaux, cuckoo clocks and the countryside. Mind you, I'm driving so we 'll probably end up on the west coast.
We did this area briefly a few years ago, and Oleron is very nice from what I remember - oysters & Mussells everywhere on the landside & lovely beaches on the west coast. If we get some good weather the body board'll be out.
Mandy & Dave's post is very helpful, and if anybody has any tips or site suggestions please post them up here.(or send by PM). We have a stock of camping cheques and would probably mix between aires, municipal & full facility sites - using the CChqs on those.
I will be doing a captain's log like last year's trip to Crotaia (see the on line mh diary section) and will post as many photos as possible.
______________________________________________________________ Still sat at my desk, not at the wheel of the motorhome
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a choice between two extremes, having just come back from the atlantic coast, and having been Alsace/Vosges two oops three years ago, [doesn't time fly] I think I would go west young man - sites on Ile d'Oleron was 101% french [plus a few french speaking belgians]- amazingly even the ubiquitous netherlanders were missing!
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If you do go west, then make sure you go a little bit further up the coast and visit Ile De Normoutier and the salt farms, theres some great aires on this beautiful island.
If you go east then make sure you visit Triberg, home of the worlds largest cuckoo clock (!) and the surrounding areas, a very motorhome friendly area with loads of stellplatz.
pete.
______________________________________________________________ In spite of the cost of living, it´s still popular
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Hi Mike.......the coastal area is very nice loved LaRochel had a great time during the celebrations for the 60 years of the end of ww2...street performers etc,we were there in May House hunting had a realy nice couple of days in Cap Ferret although it will be a bit more busy now but the beach on the atlantic side miles of it including sand dunes...has a little train running around to save your feet....we are planning the same trip begining of sept might give you a "wave"...we are going back house hunting with the M/H
Regards
Captainking
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Enjoyed the Ile De Re years ago, particularly as it had a really good network of cycle tracks. (And of course, La Rochelle is reputed to be the sunniest place in France!)
Overall, however, the west coast is a bit flat for me.
Advantage of Vosges/Alsace/Black Forest is that you can 'ring the changes' with scenery and culture.
We've always enjoyed the Black Forest, both for walking and cycling.... and beer and scenery and Konditorei. IMO you need to be careful on where you choose, since much of it being forested means restricted views. We particularly like sites with varied walking and cycling, and the ability to escape from the trees.
Two repeats for us are
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at Sankt Peter - particularly good, quiet, open location with lots of walking. Restaurant/Bar at the entrance, short walk to attractive small town with all basic facilities you could need, excellent site facilities. We have used a number of times in August, and though initially there appear to be a lot of statics, the touring sites are terraced, with a view, the statics appear to be largely empty (owners putting their towels on loungers in Majorca?). Best site we've found so far in Black Forest (though weather we've had has helped).
Also
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near Freudenstadt. Different type of site, very quiet at end of August and in forest clearings. Good facilities, access directly to walking/cycle tracks and walk through forest to Freudenstadt. Attractive larger town with everything you could need. Terrain less open than Sankt Peter.
As far as Alsace is concerned, what more could you want than the local Alsace wines, the cuisine (I can take or leave the sauerkraut), and towns such as Kayserberg, Riquewihr, etc. There are aireas and reasonably priced municipals all round the area, and a number of Michelin rated restaurants - I even stayed in a Michelin Restaurant with rooms in Kayserberg in the dim and distant past! Again, an area well set up for sightseeing, cycling, walking, or just lazing if the weather is good.
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Mike,
If you go west try and get on the La Rochelle wild site on the Rue Michel Crepeau right off Avenue Marillac next to the harbour.
Also the site at the Y junction out on the peninsular (not the official Aire) in Fouras, south of La Rochelle .
Both can be located on Autoroute and are good sites but very popular.
Regards
John
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