Les Grand Pins

My daughter and husband went a few years ago in August in static accommodation ,with an 8 year old and said the little boy loved it - the pools, the crowds of other children, the entertainment, the activities, the kids club, and the non stop fun he had. She said it was an amazing holiday complex, but added  “You would have hated it Dad”.

I just checked the website and the swimwear rules are there - men and boys can’t wear baggy shorts in the pools. 

Your overnight “somewhere south of Tours”depends  on whether you want a simple site or somewhere with pools, bar and restaurant - but it’s looking like 350 miles from Calais  so with a caravan you would need a very early start and have to be prepared for busy August traffic.

Regards.

PS. Your driving distance to Lacanau would be 150 miles shorter if you went via Caen instead of Calais.

The only advice I can give is avoid travelling at weekends in August as the whole of France would be joining you! Re Caen v Calais from Nottingham not much different driving distance in UK and Caen (Portsmouth); also look at Newhaven - Dieppe crossing.  And yes you will need to get your Speedos on, I a 78 yr old, have had to get some for our trip to Provence tomorrow to allow me to use the site pool - not a pretty sight

PS just received a message from Britanny Ferries that 'due to staff shortage' a'la carte restaurant will not be open but self service will be so that's the lovely lunch scupperd!

Depends on how strict the site is. I used a couple of pools in Provence this year without having to resort to the budgie smugglers. The speedo shorts were acceptable. I did wander down first though to check what others were wearing. Don’t try it in a municipal pool though.😀

Steve.  To clarify, it is swimming shorts, the loose type, which are usually not allowed.  Stretchy tight 'speedo' shorts are ok and these are what I have - not the budgie smugglers.  A few years ago at a site near Agde I was asked to leave the pool as I was wearing loose swimming shorts.  Naughty me!  A few months we were on a site in Italy and it was compulsory for everyone to wear a swimming hat (bald persons were exempt); coincidently, the site shop sold them!!

thanks for the replies everyone. the swimwear rule is the one for me. i dont mind the driving. we caravan in france most summers. 2 big sites this summer allowed shorts. domaine des ormes in brittany which is very good site and les alicourts in loire. also a nice site. 

Unless it's changed recently I believe hats are required in German pools as well, so hang onto them you may need them in the future 😉

We have used the Caen service several times this year. The Mont St Michael had the restaurant open each time on departure ( so lunch or dinner depending on your crossing time) but the Normandie did not have it open at any time.

hi, with our trip to grand pins approaching. does anyone know if a company nearby hires out fridges. (like spain etc) the only info i can get is the site has refrigerated lockers to hire. 

i have asked the question directly with site and this is their only reply. thanks