Renting of campers, holiday and leisure activities in Brittany

     This is how Claude and Eveline decided to go on holiday, they have kindly decided to tell us about their trip to Les Sables d'Olonnes, to see the arrival to the Vendee Globe.

     Claude :" For us it was the first time that we were to go away by motor-home, a real discovery. What a pleasure to be able to park a few yards away from the port for the first night, to wait for Michel Desjoyaux's arrival. In this way, being so close to the competition's tent village, we were able to make some contacts so as to be a part of the privileged group who were to go on board at the arrival of Ellen Mac-Arthur. We even manage to invite some friends to dinner."

     "This arrival was incredible, even though, as a yachtsman, I've seen quite a few departures and arrivals. But this one beat them all. There we were, ten mile from the coast looking for Ellen's boat in the middle of the dark night. Then following the race news information, managing to get ourself on the right track. Suddenly we saw her mast-head light flashing in the black night. At that moment, along with two other small boats we were the first to arrive on the spot. And five minutes later, we were surrounded by thousands of boats. What a sight!"

     Eveline : " For the second night, having had time to look the place over, we were able to find a very peaceful spot. We were right next to a naval shipyard, "moored-up" on the port. This is what enabled us, the very next morning, to go and meet Ellen who was tinkering with her boat at 7 a.m. It was the first time that we had taken a motor-home, but not the last!"

>After this real life tale which speaks for itself, we will give you some ideas for the next big sports events :

     Yes, we really had a good holiday in France, aboard a France-Escape motor-home.

     As soon as we left Paris, we went straight down to Lyon in green countryside. We were surprised to notice how many big forests France has. Everything including the villages, the towns, the historical monuments is so pretty and interesting.

     Then we went to Geneva, for a day trip to Switzerland, before going to look at the Mont Blanc which is so impressive. We took advantage of the visit to take a trip on a cable car. It was magical and spectacular. Everything is magnificent there until you get past Grenoble, it really does look like the Rocky Mountains in th US.

     Then we made a trip to the great canyon of Verdun, where we were able to make the most of the outdoor activities (swimming, canoeing, sunbathing...). It really is a splendid place, the only bad incident was to be told by the campsite owner of the tragic events which had taken place in New-York.

     Then we travelled through the Provence villages until we got to the French Riviera. There we took a little time out to rest for several days at Saint-Agylf before lengthening our stay with a little visit to the Roman ruins and the Pont du Gard of Nimes and Avignon.

     The return trip to Paris allowed us to spend a few calm and peaceful days where the "douceur angevine" lived up to its reputation in the Loire Valley. We visited some magnificent chateaus before going to Chartres. Our last stop was a visit to Versailles.

     To sum up, it really was a magnificent trip and we are already thinking of visiting Normandy and Alsace next year. Our friends were surprised by our photos of France and by the reasonnable cost of this sort of trip. My sister will probably contact you first for 2002.

A few details :

    1) The cost of our holiday was reduced by the use of a motor-home, the daily cost is almost the same as that of a car and hotels, but we made a saving on the cost of restaurant meals, which is quite substantial. One finds supermarkets in France with similar prices to those in New Zealand. Our food budget was the same as at home but with the wine being much less expansive. To begin with we had calculated our budget at 750 F per day. But we made the whole trip on 400 F per day. This economy has already enabled us to save the cost of our air tickets for 2002.

     2) The main advantage of a motor-home is that it allows you complete freedom of time and itinerary. We didn't have to always plan our route, and every evening look for the best value for money hotel. Furthermore, I don't like having to pack and unpack my suitcases every morning and evening. In the motor-home everything had its own place. The campsites are of good quality and we never had any difficulties finding one. In certain rural regions they cost less than 45 F per night with an electricity connection included. Moreover, this style of travel allowed us to mix more freely, to meet the French in their daily life, at the market or doing their shopping, far from the superficial atmosphere of hotels.

     3) It 's useful to know that in France and particularly in the South, the sunrises and sunsets are magnificent because the light plays on the rocks, on the mountain peaks as well as on the village walls. In the great canyon of Verdun it is particularly magnificent with delicate tints of pink and yellow...Mary and I like to remember a sunset in the Rhone Valley or another in the old medieval town of Avignon, whose luminous effect was continued by the most beautifully effective lighting of the Palais de Papes. The nightly lighting on the Pont du Gard is also an unforgettable and such a romantic memory.

     4) Finally, as soon as we returned to New Zealand, we were ready to go back again, the regions of France being so full of history and romance. This trip really was a great time for us, and an experience which we wished to share with our friend through our photos. We really appreciated your assistance and your advice before the trip as well as your patience and helpfulness during the whole holiday.

          Ron B

____________________________________________________________________
See you soon with our special offers, nice driving to everyone !