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Archive for the ‘Customer Travel Diaries’ Category
A video guide to skiing at Arc 1950
At the heart of the French Alps, Arc 1950 is a car-free resort with a Savoyard flavour which blends itself into the shape of the surrounding mountains…
Ski-out accommodation, views of the magnificent Mont Blanc, relaxing spa, buzzing bars, cosy pubs and restaurants serving the best French cuisine for hungry skiers, and of course – fantastique snow! But don’t just take our word for it, check out what guests at Arc 1950 this season have to say – and recommend!
If this whets your appetite, check out our Pierre & Vacances Premium Residence Le Village complete with a Deep Nature Spa to get those weary post-piste limbs ready for the après-ski!
A weekend in Le Crotoy at the Résidence de la Plage
Last month Pierre & Vacances customer Andy Parker visited Picardy for a weekend get-away. Check out his review of our Premium Résidence de la Plage, and the things to do in Le Crotoy and the surrounding area:
We recently took to the shores of North France for a stay at the Pierre & Vacances Premium Résidence de la Plage in Le Crotoy, in the Bay of Somme (just an hour’s easy drive from Calais).
Le Crotoy is a pretty special place. A small town on the bay of the Somme, where Jules Verne wrote the majority of 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea whilst staying in the town, just a short drive from Abbeville. Being a fishing town there are several restaurants all serving fresh catches and we managed to visit the morning market to see what was available straight off the boat that morning.
Le Crotoy, Picardy
Only visiting for a weekend trip we decided to eat out both evenings, but had we stayed longer we would have been more than accommodated to cook my own local foods with the fish markets setting up when the trawlers come back in, an amazing butchers, grocers and patisserie all within walking distance of the apartment.
We stayed in a two bedroom apartment which could quite comfortably have slept up to six people because the sofas were also beds. The living space was ideal, the kitchen was fully kitted and exceptionally clean with the espresso machine and complimentary capsules a nice touch.
There were two bathrooms, one with a bath/shower and the downstairs a spacious shower, both were perfect after a long day walking along the coast line watching the wind and kite surfers.
The view from both the master bedroom and the living room/sun terrace were stunning, spanning all the way across the bay and up the coast line.
The view from Residence de la Plage
Being a cold November, we didn’t get an opportunity to dip into the outdoor pool but its location, facing over the waterfront, seemed ideal.
We took a trip to Abbeville which was no more than 20 minutes by car. The town has a wonderful high street with a strong mixture of high street brands and independent retailers (particularly the chocolatiers). The church in the centre of town has been restored several times throughout its history and information was available in English which helped with our lack of reading French!
There are several landmarks dotted around the town which we uncovered from exploring side streets which reflect how much devastation the town saw throughout 1914-1945.
Great War cemetary in Lebucquiere
Our final trip was to a discrete cemetery for those who served in the Great War in the village of Lebucquiere. Although we’ve never been to some of the larger memorials and cemeteries which are considerably closer to Crotoy, this one held personal interest to me.
It was a drive of several hours and we decided to utilise the toll roads. They really do put UK road services to shame! Yes you do have to pay (maximum journey was from Lebucquiere to Calais at 9 Euros) but they’re fast, direct and pretty empty at peak times.
My top tip - I had no problems with driving on the other side of the road, but remember to check your headlights before leaving to see if you should purchase headlight reverse stickers which make sure you’re not blinding on-coming traffic!
Visit Le Crotoy for yourself! Andy stayed at the self catering Pierre & Vacances Premium Résidence de la Plage in Le Crotoy, Picardy. Pierre & Vacances also has a wide range of self catering apartments around North Picardy, perfect for mountain-biking, hiking and horse-riding, as well as visiting the the Somme Bay and Compiègne forest for sports and bird watching.
A Cap Esterel family holiday
The Cap Esterel self-catering resort in the South of France is perfect for families, but don’t just take our word for it – here’s a lovely letter we received from the English family who visited this summer:
Dear Pierre & Vacances,
Just a quick email to say what a fantastic time we had at Cap Esterel.
Everything was a joy and for the first time in years, we didn’t feel any need to get in the car and visit somewhere.
Overall, the biggest compliment I can pay is that everything was so easy, exactly what you want sometimes when you are on holiday, particularly with young children. Checking in was easy, navigating around the centre was easy, shopping was easy, the kids club was easy, keeping the kids entertained was easy and last but not least, eating out (every night!) was easy.
Your staff team are fabulous, most of whom either speak very good English or enough to deal with a question. The ladies on reception always had a smile, the guys in the kids club were superb and everyone else was enthusiastic and friendly.
The apartment was clean, with everything we needed, in a great location and with the most amazing view of the Mediterranean. We spent many a lunchtime watching the rich and famous no doubt, bobbing around on their gin palaces, which all added to the experience.
As a family of four with two young boys (7 and 5), we needed plenty to keep the children entertained, but this was not a problem. The swimming pools were great (the lifeguards were always attentive which is important with so much water around), the evening entertainment was fantastic and they even went to kids club 3 mornings.
Neither did we struggle to feed them in the restaurants and we felt perfectly comfortable about letting them wander round the main plaza once they’d finished, whilst my wife and I finished our meals.
Finally, how would I sum it up for other English families – a bit like multi-national Center Parcs, but outside because the weather is so much better.
I think it’s pretty certain we will be returning next year!
Regards,
Nigel English
Tell us about your family holidays with Pierre & Vacances over on our Facebook page.
Skiing in the French Alps: our winner’s video!
At the end of March Richard Wilkinson won a skiing holiday to the fantastic French Alps destination of Avoriaz, courtesy of Pierre & Vaccances, P&O Ferries and Avoriaz.
He took wife Wendy and daughter Millie on an adventure packed week in April with plenty of snow, skiing and sun!
Check out the fantastic video of their week away skiing in the Portes du Soleil:
Staff review: Girly weekend at Pont Royal
This week, the winner of our London Calling competition, Stefanie Broeker shares her travel diary with us following on from her trip to Pont Royal, Provence with her best friends.
“As a group of 3 girl friends on the verge of their thirties we were looking for a weekend to get away from buzzing Paris and chose the always sunny south of France!
Destination Pont Royal: in the heart of the Provence with the smell of lavender and pines everywhere!
The Resort is ideally located: surrounded by beautiful countryside, a 30 minutes’ drive from the historical town of the Pope Avignon and the charming city of Aix-en-Provence and a 1 hours’ drive from Marseille and the Calanques.
Arriving by plane or train is easy but to get to the resort and discover the area, you are better off with your own transport.
The Resort
There is no way you can get bored in the Resort! We loved to relax around the pool with the sound of the cicada in the pine trees, refresh in the outdoor wave pool, go for a run on the water slide where not only kids are having fun. The morning workout Aquamouv’ with Jean-Luc was an entertaining way to start the day.
If you are into horse-riding, make sure to give them a ring before, as the team is not always on site.
What we didn’t try: the kid’s animation, the golf course, tennis, hiking/biking the mountain trails (bikes for rent)
The Resort is built up like a typical provence village perched on a hill. You have a stunning view on the surrounding lake and hills, cypress and pine forests. Like in many old towns the market place with the church, cafés and restaurants is the heart of the town. It felt so real, not at all as in a designed resort.
The apartment
We were upgraded into a 2 bedroom apartment sleeping 7 (1 double bedroom, one smaller room with bunk bed). The apartment is spacious, renovated and with all modern cons (2 bath rooms, dish washer – what a relief, better than at home!, coffee machine, cloth line, oven, cleaning set, sheets and towels)
We loved our own shady terrace and private garden where we had breakfast or the typical French apéro in the evening. We prepared our own meals and didn’t try the restaurant in the resort. For breakfast you can get fresh baguette and hot chocolate croissants in the convenience store, yummy. The convenience store has all the essentials, and prices are not exaggerated. If you stay longer, might be worth shopping at the intermarché supermarket in Mallemort (5 km)
Being 3 in the apartment it was very comfortable and everything is equipped for 7. To be completely at ease we wouldn’t recommend though being more than 5.
Eating out
Tea time
Try the café at the ruins in Vernègues (7km): delicious milk shakes (5€), ice cream (6€) or the “Remedy of my grand-mother” tea with lavender, rosemary and liquorice (3€). All that in a beautiful provence-style garden. Try to pick some fruits from the fig trees down the road to the parking.
Dinner
L’auberge du vieux village in Mallemort (5km)
(25 Grand Rue, 13370 Mallemort)
Very authentic cosy restaurant with traditional Provencal cuisine. Perfect for a dinner on the terrace on a warm summer evening. We recommend the meat dishes!
Le 8 et demi, Cassis ( 1,5h drive)
(8 quai des beaux, 13260 Cassis)
Located on the quays of Cassis, you can enjoy the sunset over the hills. Great choice of sweet and savoury crepes (8€). We also tried their specialty “moule frites” (mussels with chips, 13€). Overall very fair prices, great location, quick service.
What to do outside the Resort
Calanques de Cassis
They are worth a daytrip! We rented a kayak in Port Miou located on the peninsula of Cassis and explored the turquoise bays on our own.
Calanques d’En-Veau is a great spot and only 40 minutes of paddling away.
We went for a swim and chilled on the beach and the rocks. A shame we didn’t bring anything for a picnic. They provide you with a waterproof box for your belongings.
If you want to go hiking, call ahead at the tourist information in Cassis or check their website. There are fire restrictions in summer and access might be forbidden, especially in the afternoon.
CALANKAYAK à Port-Miou
Steven – 06 16 90 25 71
stave13@wanadoo.fr
(40€ for a half day 5h for a kayak for 3 people)
Avignon
Avignon is classified as a Unesco world heritage site with its Palais des Papes dating back to the 14th century and the famous bridge Saint Benezet. Only half of the bridge is still intact.
You can stroll through the lively city center, shop for some local souvenirs (tapenade!) or enjoy life in one of the many outdoor restaurants and café.
Overall review of Pont Royal
We found Pont Royal the perfect choice for our trip: many activities in the Resort and at the same time a tranquil peace of haven to get away from it all. Laid-back atmosphere and the charm of south of France convinced us. Loads to discover in the surroundings if you have a car!
September is the perfect season to enjoy the warm weather and tourist crowds are gone.
Stefanie and her friends stayed at the Pierre & Vacances Pont Royal Holiday Village. Find out more information on the PV-holidays website.
