Reporter Vicky Lissaman took her family to the sun-soaked Eurocamp Le Vieux Port in southern France, and got more than she bargained for with a two-for-one offer on holiday destinations. She explains what made it an ‘ideal’ location for her family getaway.
With enchanting sunsets so special that locals and tourists alike applaud them, the Landes area of southern France home to Eurocamp’s Le Vieux Port site has a lot to love.
The Messanges Plage Sud on the Atlantic coast offers golden sands and is just a stone’s throw from the holiday park. Vicky and her family felt it was the perfect place for their latest holiday, and it’s not hard to see why.
The surfer-friendly beach and its accompanying waves is just minutes from the “modern” three-bedroom mobile home Vicky and her family stayed at. She said: “Amidst the vibrant atmosphere of the expansive and boisterous Le Vieux Port, you’ll find joyful holiday-goers clad in swimwear and locals strolling with freshly-baked baguettes underarm, a charming testament to the park’s lively spirit.
“The Eurocamp mobile homes at Le Vieux Port are conveniently located down a quiet lane on the outskirts of the camp, providing a peaceful retreat away from the hustle and bustle. The site is large, but a pop-up patisserie in the centre ensures fresh croissants, bread and pastries are always within reach each morning.”
Other facilities include a Spar shop for more supplies, as well as some of the most thrilling waterslides in the Eurocamp portfolio. You’ll never be short of a sunbed, making time by the pool easy, while organised sport, a play park, outdoor gym and live entertainment will keep everyone in the family busy.
The history-rich city just down the road
This part of France is packed with fascinating places begging to be explored on a day trip. Bayonne, with its medieval streets, is an appealing choice and is just 27 miles from the campsite.
Nestled along the banks of the Rivers Adour and Nive, visitors can enjoy an array of waterside cafes and bars. Its proximity to Spain means many eateries offer a Spanish twist, delighting customers with tapas and pintxos.
Vicky said: “We stopped for a bite to eat at L’Estegi Restaurant, grabbing a table by the water’s edge, and picked our way through plates of fried octopus, cheese and thinly-sliced Bayonne ham, traditionally cured for seven months to produce its delicately salty flavour and pink colour, and served with chillies and gherkins.
“Bayonne is, in fact, so serious about its ham, the town has a museum dedicated to its history and how it is made. Try it with a glass of Irouleguy wine, a local speciality from the French Basque region.”
Travel a few miles further south for the glamorous Biarritz, where art deco architecture, elegant villas and trendy beach bars and seafood restaurants are aplenty. While it stays on trend, its history isn’t to be sniffed at – during the 1800s, it was home to the first French factory to produce chocolate confectionery.
As the home of the bonbon, Biarritz has a number of chocolate shops and a museum, where visitors sample a delicious treat on the way in. Vicky added: “It has six beaches to choose from including Cote de Basque, its epicentre for surfing backed by enormous cliffs (park at the top, then zig-zag down the steps and ramps), plus there’s Le Grand Plage, a large stretch of sand in the centre, next to Miramar Beach.
Basking in Spanish sun
Once you’ve travelled this far, it’s not a much bigger stretch to head into Spain. Vicky and her family used the A63 motorway, which crosses the Bidasoa River, to visit the city of San Sebastian.
Known as a great destination for sun-loving foodies, the city is home to golden beaches, hillsides and beautiful islands. Vicky and her family didn’t get too far before they stopped off Zmare, an upmarket glass-fronted restaurant right on the promenade.
Having gorged on a giant paella with squid ink, they then followed the coastal path around the beach, crossing the bridge over the Urumea River and round Mount Urgull.
“Passing the picturesque harbour full of boats, complete with al fresco seafood restaurants, we then weaved through the streets of the old town, crammed with tapas and pintxos bars, shops selling chocolates, souvenirs and T-shirts,” Vicky added. “You can also carry on round to the famous La Concha beach, named for its shell-like shape, facing the green Santa Clara Island.”
San Sebastian is an incredible place to visit and deserves more than just a day trip, if you can manage it. Brittany Ferries offer a 20-hour service from Plymouth to Santander, or two-night crossings from Portsmouth to Santander or Bilbao. Vicky added: “We travelled on Brittany Ferries’ overnight service from Portsmouth to St Malo, then drove down to Landes, which took around 10 hours with stops.
“Whichever way you get there, this curious coastal corner of France and Spain is bursting with character all of its own.”
Book the holiday
- Seven nights in a Premium
three-bedroom holiday home, sleeping up to six, at Le Vieux Port, Landes, with Eurocamp is from £410.34, arriving May 24 (half term), and £1,876.56 for seven nights arriving July 19, with 15% saving in Eurocamp’s Big Splash Sale. eurocamp.co.uk
- Brittany Ferries offers return sailings on its new ship, Saint-Malo, from Portsmouth to St Malo during April/May from £519, including a four-berth ensuite cabin on the outward overnight sailing, plus car.
brittany-ferries.co.uk - More info at nouvelle-acquitaine-tourisme.com