Holidays in South of France

Stig

Thinking of having a holiday in the south of France - mainly because it is an ambition to cross the Millau Viaduct. Has anyone got an recommendations, particularly on how it might be done less expensively as that area looks quite pricey, especially when you get down near the coast?

Cheers

The_President

If what you really want is 1) Cross the Millau Bridge and 2) Keep it inexpensive, i would suggest you turn around as soon as you've crossed the bridge and go to Bognor - anything 'South of France' is mucho Euros i'm afraid.
However, also, to cross the Millau viaduct to go to the Cote D'Azur is a real expensive detour. If you want to go to Perpignan or Costa Brava then go via Millau - but it aint on the way to Cote D'Azur .

falconwood_1

Kontiki on Pampelonne Beach, next to St Tropez.

We have a first row Tiki hut this August.....

stilladdicted

We live in Bormes-les-Mimosas for four months of the year in our small touring caravan with a massive awning and enjoy a simple outdoor bohemian life. Prices are generally quite steep but if you avoid the coast and look 10 miles inland you will find some much better deals. If you are prepared to live on bread, cheese and beer then you'll do fine. If you want luxury at affordable prices................ Well let us know when you find it !

All_Thaid_Up

I use to sleep on the beach in Nice when I didn't have any money, bloody uncomfortable with all those stones. Certainly saved some money.

Huskaris

Stig said:

Thinking of having a holiday in the south of France - mainly because it is an ambition to cross the Millau Viaduct. Has anyone got an recommendations, particularly on how it might be done less expensively as that area looks quite pricey, especially when you get down near the coast?

Cheers

We stay in a town called Souillac, 2 and a half hours north of Millau.

Lovely place I have to say

Plus if you want you can fly from City (City Jet) or Stansted (Ryanair) to Brive, which is about 20 mins from the town.

Henry Irving

Try Euro camp or Key Camp.

kimbo

We stayed in Vence, close to Nice. We self catered as rubbish for vegetarians. Lovely place, lots of fab beaches, villages and great arty places. Loved it.

Did have a ridiculously expensive day in Cannes on a private beach. If you go to Montr Carlo casino take your passport. As despite being late 40s I couldn't prove i was over 21 so they wouldn't let me in. I wish!!

markmc68

Port grimaud. Near St Maxine.

sm

The corner near the Spanish border isn't as pricey or as over developed. Just across the Spanish border the Northern Costa Brava isn't too bad.

sm

Worth looking here for accommodation

http://en.gites-de-france.com/holiday-rentals-Languedoc-Roussillon.html?dep=66&region_adm=11&critinit=o

Justin20474

We stayed here, we had two young children at the time so we were looking for cheaper options too. The route took in the Millau bridge and the site was right on the beach. We booked for the holiday starting August bank holiday weekend, most of Europe have had there summer holidays by then so the cost starts to come down.

http://www.eurocamp.co.uk/campsites/languedoc/wm023-club-farret/ataglance.html

Good luck

Davo55

The Cote D'Azure is expensive so anywhere around Cannes, Nice, St Tropez will be pricey. If you go further west, there is a beautiful resort called Sanary sur-mer, roughly between Marseille and Toulon, that is very pretty. Nice beach, some lovely coastline and nowhere near as expensive.

The_President

Davo55 said:

The Cote D'Azure is expensive so anywhere around Cannes, Nice, St Tropez will be pricey. If you go further west, there is a beautiful resort called Sanary sur-mer, roughly between Marseille and Toulon, that is very pretty. Nice beach, some lovely coastline and nowhere near as expensive.

If you're around that way, then Cassis is very pretty - a smaller St Tropez - well, was when i was last there about 20 years ago.

Stig

Thanks very much everyone, much appreciated. Still looking, but I think probably the Souillac is looking our best option - cheers @Huskaris, perhaps in one of those gives - thanks @sm

Hastingsaddick

markmc68 said:

Port grimaud. Near St Maxine.

Nice campsite there to....right on the beach.

Hastingsaddick

Cape Agde is worth a visit....just make sure you are on the right side of the wall.

falconwood_1

Hastingsaddick said:

markmc68 said:

Port grimaud. Near St Maxine.

Nice campsite there to....right on the beach.

There's a better one the other side of the main road opposite Port Grimaud.

Hastingsaddick

falconwood_1 said:

Hastingsaddick said:

markmc68 said:

Port grimaud. Near St Maxine.

Nice campsite there to....right on the beach.

There's a better one the other side of the main road opposite Port Grimaud.

Might be wrong but isn't that the same site, just split by the main road. We camped there last September and the area north of the main road was closed.....all the same really enjoyed our stay down there and a shot bus ride to St Tropez.

Oggy Red

Don't forget it can get unbearably hot in Provence in July and August.
Roads can get choked with traffic in places at that time.

Marseille and Toulon need to be avoided.

The_President said:

If you're around that way, then Cassis is very pretty - a smaller St Tropez - well, was when i was last there about 20 years ago.

Cassis is still very pleasant with it's little harbour, cafes and beach - just what you imagine a small seaside town in Provence should be like.
Child friendly too.

Hastingsaddick

Oggy Red said:

Don't forget it can get unbearably hot in Provence in July and August.
Roads can get choked with traffic in places at that time.

Marseille and Toulon need to be avoided.

The_President said:

If you're around that way, then Cassis is very pretty - a smaller St Tropez - well, was when i was last there about 20 years ago.

Cassis is still very pleasant with it's little harbour, cafes and beach - just what you imagine a small seaside town in Provence should be like.
Child friendly too.

Best time to go would be late May/June or September/early October.

Sparrows Lane Lion

Spent a lot of time around Villeneuve-sur-Lot, Dausse, etc....3hrs to the viaduct, 2.5hrs to Carcasonne, very nice around there

ken from bexley

Certainly, rate Cassis, although sadly it was 30 years ago, when we toured that whole area. How could you fail not to love that lovely coastal town, The whole area is wonderful, and the sun seems to shine, at least that is my memory, of course wether it is still like that,? I understand the beach gets very busy in the summer. Must go back one day, hope it retains it's magic.

Hastingsaddick

Sparrows Lane Lion said:

Spent a lot of time around Villeneuve-sur-Lot, Dausse, etc....3hrs to the viaduct, 2.5hrs to Carcasonne, very nice around there

Sparrows Lane Lion said:

Spent a lot of time around Villeneuve-sur-Lot, Dausse, etc....3hrs to the viaduct, 2.5hrs to Carcasonne, very nice around there

The drive from Agde to Andorra (185 miles) is superb (via Carcasonne).

Steve_cafc

We've been driving down to Perpignan, Vias, Agde, Canet Plage for the last 12 years. Usually rent a mobile at Keycamp or Eurocamp, or if money is tight we rent a pitch for the tent.
Nice big sandy beaches nearby, never over crowded.
Loads of historical towns and castles to visit.
Be aware that the motorways get so busy in peak season, especially at the tolls in the afternoons. I normally drive down through the night, you'll still see millau at dawn.

Hastingsaddick

Steve_cafc said:

We've been driving down to Perpignan, Vias, Agde, Canet Plage for the last 12 years. Usually rent a mobile at Keycamp or Eurocamp, or if money is tight we rent a pitch for the tent.
Nice big sandy beaches nearby, never over crowded.
Loads of historical towns and castles to visit.
Be aware that the motorways get so busy in peak season, especially at the tolls in the afternoons. I normally drive down through the night, you'll still see millau at dawn.

What time of the year do you go Steve?

Hastingsaddick

Hastingsaddick said:

Cape Agde is worth a visit....just make sure you are on the right side of the wall.

To the north of a small river (where there is a large wall...right on the beach) you will find Frances largest naturist resort, we only missed this by chance and didn't even know it existed until we got home...this was in September 2013, can only assume it is still there.

Hastingsaddick

Oggy Red said:

Don't forget it can get unbearably hot in Provence in July and August.
Roads can get choked with traffic in places at that time.

Marseille and Toulon need to be avoided.

The_President said:

If you're around that way, then Cassis is very pretty - a smaller St Tropez - well, was when i was last there about 20 years ago.

Cassis is still very pleasant with it's little harbour, cafes and beach - just what you imagine a small seaside town in Provence should be like.
Child friendly too.

Cassis does look nice...had a look on google map, lovely little harbour to and a campsite just north of the town.

Hastingsaddick

Davo55 said:

The Cote D'Azure is expensive so anywhere around Cannes, Nice, St Tropez will be pricey. If you go further west, there is a beautiful resort called Sanary sur-mer, roughly between Marseille and Toulon, that is very pretty. Nice beach, some lovely coastline and nowhere near as expensive.

Did you camp at Sanary-Sur Mer Davo?

Hastingsaddick

Just back from a 6 week driving holiday to France (done something similar the previous 2 years) good advice concerning Cassis and its very handy for a day trip into Marseille (just 1/2 hour on the train). Ended up staying an exrta couple of days due to the problems at Calais (came back via Dunkirk) still it worked in our favour as it was really hot and we spent a couple of days on the superb beach at Berck.

Stig

It's only taken two years, but we've finally had this holiday. Thanks to everyone who gave advice. Decided to stay more inland and wasn't disappointed. Stayed in Haut-Vienne which is a long way from Milau, but still made the trip and loved it. Cheers all.