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Which Gironde site is best for newbies?

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Dragonlady
(@dragonlady)
Posts: 22
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Topic starter
 

Ok.  We're going to go take the plunge and stay at one of the resorts.  Aaaargh!! Looking forward to it but with some trepidation!!  :-  :-[

I love the Gironde area so we are likely to be going to CHM, Euronat or La Jenny.  But La Genese looks nice in another region.....

Any recommendations for a first time?  Want enough to keep us on the site but don't want to feel too crowded.

Thanks,

Marion

 
Posted : June 30, 2015 8:45 am
(@midipatch)
Posts: 955
Prominent Member
 

We would suggest La Jenny from the 3 you are considering.  But you can't camp there, you have to stay in a Chalet.  All the Chalets have their own private area, so you can sunbathe there if you don't want to by the pools.

The beach is very large, so plenty of room to find your own space.

Arna is very similar, a bit further down the coast, and the chalet areas are even more secluded if you want to gradually get used to it.  Our profile picture was taken on the balcony of a chalet at Arna.  You can also camp at Arna or take a caravan.

All resorts in France will be very busy during July & August, so we prefer to go in September, when the weather is still warm enough, but it is not so crowded (or so expensive!).

Graeme & Heather
www.westernswimclub.org.uk
Share £100 for switching to Octopus Energy

 
Posted : June 30, 2015 8:53 am
(@sunchaser)
Posts: 461
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Great stuff - I'd be very surprised if you have any regrets. I reckon you'll love it.

All the sites you've identified are good.

I think there are quite a lot of followers on here for Euronat. It is the largest site and was initially developed in the early 1980s I believe. It has all sorts of accommodation, including some very swanky properties. Extensive camping and caravanning too. Lots of mostly good facilities, including a market square with shops, bars and restaurants.

CHM Montalivet is only a few miles south down the road on the edge of the town of the  same name. It was the first large-scale naturist holiday centre in France, which originally opened in 1950. As a consequence, some of the accommodation is much older, but there's also lots of newer chalets etc. Again, plenty of good facilities and  evidence of much investment in recent years. Another lively market square too. Extensive camping and caravanning space.

La Jenny, further down the coast, has chalets for rent only - no camping or caravanning. There is a mix of accommodation quality, with some places being very smart but relatively expensive in July and August. Again a popular naturist resort with lots of enthusiasts. It even has its own small golf course!

The beaches at all three Atlantic sites are amazing and if you know the Gironde region they probably don't need much introduction.

The inland site of La Genese is on the River Ceze, and as you are probably aware, operated by the same company as CHM Montalivet. We certainly enjoyed staying there in our camper a couple of years ago. The river is pleasant for swimming, but there are no sandy beaches - all pebbles. It is not on the same scale and doesn't have quite so many facilities as the coastal resorts - eg only 1 shop, as I recall

Difficult to make a precise recommendation, because it very much depends what sort of thing you particularly like. Since you know the Atlantic coast, it might be an idea to take the plunge, as you put it, at one of those resorts in the first instance? But at the end of the day it's for  you to  decide.

If you choose Euronat or Montalivet, it's perfectly feasible to go and visit the other site to take a look around - probably less than 20 minutes driving between the two.

Oh, and you didn't mention if you're likely to be camping, caravanning, motorhoming or renting accommodation - that might be a factor to influence you choice.

Good luck, whatever you decide. No doubt others will be along with their advice.

Mike

 
Posted : June 30, 2015 9:12 am
Dragonlady
(@dragonlady)
Posts: 22
Eminent Member
Topic starter
 

Thanks folks.

We are going to be renting a chalet or mobile home.

M

 
Posted : June 30, 2015 10:36 am
Stu
 Stu
(@shortsboi)
Posts: 344
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Euronat was my first naturist village holiday last summer - I only stayed a week but felt so refreshed & invigorated after it. The only problem was remembering to get dressed when I cam back to go to the corner shop for my morning croissants

I really should have been born on a tropical island

 
Posted : June 30, 2015 9:18 pm
Dragonlady
(@dragonlady)
Posts: 22
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Topic starter
 

Well, that's us booked for a week at Euronat 😀

Quite excited but full of trepidation!!

Wish us Bonne Chance!

M x

 
Posted : July 1, 2015 7:46 pm
(@sunchaser)
Posts: 461
Reputable Member
 

Well, that's us booked for a week at Euronat 😀

Quite excited but full of trepidation!!

Wish us Bonne Chance!

M x

Well done! Hope the sun shines and you really enjoy yourselves.  🙂

Tell us all about it when you get back...

Mike

PS By the way, if you are travelling from home by road and have bikes - if it's practical - it might be worth taking them with you for getting around the site. By no means essential, but could prove handy. Oh, and they can be hired there too, as an alternative.

 
Posted : July 1, 2015 8:00 pm
Dragonlady
(@dragonlady)
Posts: 22
Eminent Member
Topic starter
 

Thanks Mike.

We don't have bikes any more but will probably hire them.

And we certainly will update you afterwards...if not during LOL

 
Posted : July 1, 2015 8:26 pm
Simon1967
(@vimfuego)
Posts: 300
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Well, that's us booked for a week at Euronat 😀

Quite excited but full of trepidation!!

Wish us Bonne Chance!

M x

Bonne vacances!

No need for luck you will have a great time  😉

 
Posted : July 1, 2015 8:38 pm
Dragonlady
(@dragonlady)
Posts: 22
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Topic starter
 

Thanks Simon!

 
Posted : July 1, 2015 8:52 pm
Stu
 Stu
(@shortsboi)
Posts: 344
Reputable Member
 

and as a bonus they have a great bakery and an off licence with huge barrels of cheap good local wine

I really should have been born on a tropical island

 
Posted : July 1, 2015 9:32 pm
Dragonlady
(@dragonlady)
Posts: 22
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Topic starter
 

Á votre santé!

 
Posted : July 1, 2015 10:06 pm
(@seemoon)
Posts: 35
Eminent Member
 

When are you at Euronat?
We (me, Mrs, & two children) have a chalet booked for August 8 - 23.
This will be our 4th stay at Euronat which is a wonderful site with wonderful people.
You will enjoy  8)

 
Posted : July 2, 2015 10:24 am
(@midipatch)
Posts: 955
Prominent Member
 

We hope you enjoy your holiday and it is the 1st of many  🙂

Graeme & Heather
www.westernswimclub.org.uk
Share £100 for switching to Octopus Energy

 
Posted : July 2, 2015 10:40 am
Dragonlady
(@dragonlady)
Posts: 22
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Topic starter
 

We're going from 18 - 25th July.

 
Posted : July 2, 2015 10:48 am
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