Splitting a Journey between Calais and South of France

[James B 2016]

Hi,

we're planning to travel from Calais to Verdon valley over 4 days this summer. We have 2 boys 3 and 4 who get bored very quickly! Current plan is

Day 1 drive 2 hrs from Calais and stop near Saint Quentin
Day 2 drive 5-7 hrs to either stop in Annecy which will add an extra hour or so travelling or somewhere mid way between Saint Quentin and Verdon valley south of Dijon.
Day 3 rest day to explore
Day 4 drive to Verdon valley.

Does anyone have any recommendations of places to stop in Saint Quentin?

The evening of Day 2 and 3 is probably the most important to us. I've never been to Annecy but hear it's beautiful. We've also never been to Dijon either though so if there is somewhere nice to spend a day that doesn't involve any extra hours travel that's preferable.

Does anyone have recommendations for places to stay just south of Dijon or opinion on whether it's worth just spending the extra hour travelling to get to Annecy?

thanks

 

[jts46]

Are you talking about the Gorge du Verdon ?

 

[James B 2016]

Are you talking about the Gorge du Verdon ?

Yes. thats the one

 

[Loz]

Day1
www.chateau-gandspette.com/

Dijon;
www.campingliez.com

 

[jts46]

http://www.camping-st-clair.com/en/
We have visited verdon gorge twice and stayed at the above campsite. you can do a circular tour of the gorge, it took us 2 days. beware climbing down into the gorge with young children as it is very steep. it is spectacular they call it the grand canyon of france.
ps it is an ACSI campsite

 

[James B 2016]

Day1
www.chateau-gandspette.com/

Dijon;
www.campingliez.com

Thanks Loz, They both look great. The first one is a little to close to Calais but great as a back up should we get any delays etc.

If anyone knows anything nice near Saint Quentin I'm all ears!

 

[hirsty]

Both Annecy & Gorge du Verdon are well worth the trip - we've done fly/drive holidays & stayed at Yelloh Villages with young kids near both (who also take campers).

Last year we stayed a (hotel) night in Beaune near Dijon whilst driving to Italy, lovely town but maybe not all that exciting if you're 3 or 4!

 

[larrylamb]

Annecy town and the lake are fab but you could spend a week there easily.

 

[Glyn]

Day 1 near Saint Quentin.
About 6 miles away is a small village (lovely) Seracourt-le-Grand and just on the edge of the village is a C&C Club recommended site called Le Vivier aux Carpes. Website is Camping-Picardie for some strange reason and website is not great.
However the site is! My wife and I use this as a stopover on the way out to Europe and on the way back and have stayed many times. Alexandra owns and runs the site and couldn't be friendlier or more helpful.
Take a 5 minute walk from the site and there is a canal just great for cycling along.
We will be going next month on our way out to Europe.

 

[2haw]

We stayed here about 9 years ago and it was very nice

 

[Glyn]

Day1
www.chateau-gandspette.com/

Dijon;
www.campingliez.com

Hi Loz,
We've stayed a few times at both of these campsites and would recommend both to anyone.

 

[Ciarán o flynn]

Hi I go to Annecey most years a fantastic site is camping le blu right on the lake brilliant fir kids.

 

[The Blue Merle]

Yes. thats the one

If you have a dog, be careful as your not allowed to take them in the nation park (French side) not even on lead up to the waterfall your get fined!

 

[B J G]

Annecy too good for only a stop over. Probably not possible for your family but the midsummer, June 21st, evening festivities and atmosphere are outstanding.
We stopped near Annecy where a disused railway track was made into a walk/cycleway that went into the town. You had to be careful even a bike as the winter skiers came rushing past on roller blades.
Sunshine hours restricted by the hills at dawn & dusk.

 

[Esandar#1]

Hi,

we're planning to travel from Calais to Verdon valley over 4 days this summer. We have 2 boys 3 and 4 who get bored very quickly! Current plan is

Day 1 drive 2 hrs from Calais and stop near Saint Quentin
Day 2 drive 5-7 hrs to either stop in Annecy which will add an extra hour or so travelling or somewhere mid way between Saint Quentin and Verdon valley south of Dijon.
Day 3 rest day to explore
Day 4 drive to Verdon valley.

Does anyone have any recommendations of places to stop in Saint Quentin?

The evening of Day 2 and 3 is probably the most important to us. I've never been to Annecy but hear it's beautiful. We've also never been to Dijon either though so if there is somewhere nice to spend a day that doesn't involve any extra hours travel that's preferable.

Does anyone have recommendations for places to stay just south of Dijon or opinion on whether it's worth just spending the extra hour travelling to get to Annecy?

thanks

Hi James,
Annecy town and Lake Annecy are both beautiful. In the past we have driven the road that hugs the southern shore of the lake several times when driving in hire cars from Geneva airport to Val D'Isere, and it is always beautiful even in winter. We have not yet camped at Lake Annecy but have stopped and walked on the banks and can imagine that it would be stunning in summer. And the town is also worth exploring. It is a bit of detour from your most direct route, but as you'd spend two nights there, I think it would be a worthwhile diversion!
Cheers
Ian

 

[James B 2016]

Thanks for all the advice everyone. We ended up staying in camping le blu in annecy. It was well and truly worth the extra drive.

Verdon gorge was stunning too. Shame we were only there a couple of nights. We'll definitely get back there again.