Best route around Quimper

[AndyR1]

Hi All,

We are off to Camping Du Letty at the end of the month . This is our first time towing on the continent and I am in the process of planning our route from Roscoff to Benodet. The route seems fairly straight forward until we get to Quimper when there are a number of alternatives to get to the D34 (Quimper to Benodet). Does anyone have any recommendations for the best route? Also is the N165 (E60) a toll road? Any other help or advice for a first timer in France would be greatfully recieved.

Cheers

Andy

 

[mistralse]

Hi Andy, Benodet is well signposted as I remember, as for tolls, there are no toll roads in Brittany,somethig to do with an ancient law.

 

[AndyR1]

Hi Denis,

Thanks for the info. All the more money available for wine then

 

[Andrew_5105555]

Hi andy we are off to the same site in july and also it is our first time,where are you sailing from?when you get back could you let us know how you get on and any do's and dont's ta

Andrew+Nicola

 

[AndyR1]

Hi Andrew+Nicola,

We are actually there for the first two weeks in July (we set off at the end of June) so we may not be back in time. If we are then I will certainly give you the low down. We are sailing Plymouth - Roscoff.

Cheers

Andy

 

[Andrew_5105555]

Hi we go on the 18th on the night boat from portsmouth-st malo so i think we will overlap have a good time andrew+nicola

 

[AndyR1]

Andrew we get home on the 14th so should be able to give you some info before you depart. Only 3 weeks to go

Andy

 

[MAM]

We've stayed in Benodet a couple of times now. It's a beautiful area and the Beach is perfect- not even too busy except for main Franch holiday weekends.

The site - Point St Gilles - is very large and commercial - and no use for picking up the local language. Where are you staying?

 

[Tim2]

Hi Andy

Glad to hear that you are off to Du Letty. It was my familiy's all-time-favourite campsite for a number of years both as tenters and later as caravanners. Like you we went to Du Letty on our first trip abroad although we had not booked in advance and just found it by searching, what a find!!!

My recommended route to Du Letty, well tried and tested at various times of the day and night solo and towing a trailer and a caravan, is as follows:

From Roscoff follow "toutes directions" signs to and then take D58 signed Morlaix.

On the outskirts of Morlaix turn west onto the N12/E50 for a short distance

Near St Seve turn south onto the D785 and keep on this road through Pleyben Christ, Brasparts (my kids loved the latter name!!!)and Pleyben

At Pleyben turn west onto the N164 until you reach the junction with N165/E60 near Port-Launay

Turn south onto the E60 and follow it south to Quimper

From the northern outskirts of Quimper follow the well signed route to Benodet

The D34 Quimpter to Benodet is a good quality road

A last tip when you reach the roundabout on the outskirts of Benodet, adjacent to the Champion supermarket, on the left, turn left, last exit on right-handed roundabout and follow tourist signs to Camping Du Letty. This route avoids the centre of Benodet which can get a bit congested at times, especially if you are towing.

The above route is a pleasant and easy one which goes through some scenic small towns, no problems there and, also, includes some good views over French countryside. The view over the distant Reservoir de St Michel from the road between Plouneour-Menez and Brasparts is especially good. I originally got this route from AA.com routefinder - it might be worth checking the road numbers as the French are in the process of changing all their road numbers!!

To whet your appetite on what you can do whilst at Du Letty I recommend you have a look at the reviews on:-

http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/sites/reviews.asp?revid=5461
My review is number 6 and has a good list of "things to do" which we built up over the years of visiting Du Letty.

Another tip. When you arrive you will be allowed to go and choose your own pitch. Try and get one near the beach if that takes your fancy. Our best ever was when we asked and moved to a pitch right next to the beach. Our awning looked out over the lagoon spectacular.

Have a super time - just typing this brings the memories flooding back.

Best wishes

Tim

 

[AndyR1]

Hi Tim,

Thanks for your reply. I will follow your route on Autoroute and with my Michelin map. How long does your route take? We arrive at Roscoff at 10am and we are hoping to be on site by lunch, do you think this will be achievable? I think it was your review on ukcampsite that got my wife interested in Du Letty. Are the beach side pitches big enough to take a twin axle? The lady from Du Letty hinted that they might be a bit too small.

Cheers

Andy

 

[AndyR1]

Hi Tim,

I was just wondering whether you had used the D69, D30, D18 route to the E60? This was my plan before your suggested route as this looked a more direct route south.

Cheers

Andy

 

[AndyR1]

Hi Mam,

We will be stopping at Du Letty camp site.

Its good to hear all the positve reviews of the site and the surrounding area. Heres hoping the weathers good.

Andy

 

[AndyR1]

Hi All,

Just returned from our trip to Camping Du Letty and though I would update you on our experience.

Tim,

Your directions were spot on we managed the drive in just under 2 hours. I found the driving dead easy apart from taking a wrong turning in St Pol de Leon for our first night stop.

Andrew,

Hopefully you will see this before you leave. You will have a great time at Du Letty. The pitches are of a decent size and if you outfit isn't too big you can pick your own pitch. Ours was reserved for us due to having a twin axle. If you have a mains water connection take it as you can connect to taps near to you pitch, you may have to ask and or pay a deposit for the tap handle. The staff are really friendly and helpful and speak good English if you require. We tried speaking as much as possible in French but invariably got confused when people replied.

The take away sells really good food, the roast chicken was especially good as were the made to order pizzas. The supermarket is well stocked and the fresh bread and coissants were really tasty and freshly baked each morning and afternoon.

Not sure if you have children but there are activities organised each day on site or you might like to try the Mickey club on Benodet beach (our daughter loved it). The tide can run quite quickly out of Le Letty so just be aware and make sure you have some beach shoes as the sand is quite course and some of the stones are sharp.

If you have any questions please drop me a reply.

We are already talking about returning next year.

Our car developed a fault while away and I must praise the service given by the Caravan Clubs Red Pennant Insurance in sourcing a garage and ensuring the fault was rectified in plenty of time for our return plus organising car hire while our car was out of service.

Roll on summer 2009

Andy

 

[Andrew_5105555]

Hi andy

glad you had a good time we go on friday dinner timeish,we have asked for a pitch by the beach is this a good choice,we don't have a twin axle,are these pitches a good size,was the site busy,how was the weather.What is the cost of diesel at the minute over there.

Did you go off site much where is worth a visit and where is not,really looking forward to going but feels like i so much to do,we have also taken red penant glad it worked well for you.sorry to ask so many questions we just want to be prepared cheers Andrew,Nicola,callam(11),phoebe(3)

 

[Tim2]

Hi Andy

Pleased to hear that the directions worked out well for you and that you had a super time. I was sure that you would!!

Andrew - yes get a pitch as near to the beach as possible. They do tend to be a bit smaller and are very popular but they are well worth it. If you want some ideas for off site visits have a look at my review on UKcampsite website. We,however, tended to stay on the campsite a lot of the time just chilling or warming out.!!

Have a super holiday. We'll look forward to hearing your report when you get back. I'd heartily endorse Red Pennant too. When we broke down near Rome last summer they provided 3 towcars so that we could continue our hols and get back home again. The car was brought home by truck later. Not the cheapest but what you need in an emergency. The previous year we were with Britannia Rescue and had a lot of problems with them.

Have a super holiday. I sympathise with the demands of getting ready. We're off on the 23 July - to see my sister's new home in the Pyrenees this year. Our caravan is still in the workshop having some warranty work finished. Several mix ups with parts, etc have delayed things and added to the stress. Still it will be good when we get there. I'm VERY excited, I'm a 50+ big kid really!!

Bon Voyage

Tim

 

[AndyR1]

Hi Andrew,

Here are some answers to your questions.

As Tim states the pitches nearest to the beach to tend to be smaller and very popular. People were pitching then moving again when one became available. You can still get a decent sea view in the third area back (this was where we were, Area 7)as the site slopes gradually uphill. The one negative I would say about being right next to the beach is that you will have alot of people walking past your plot all day long and it can get quite breezy right on the front.

The site was getting busy when we left as the French schools had finished for their summer holidays.

The weather was a bit chabgeable but better than what was occuring back at home. We managed the beach on about 5 days. There were only really two bad days out of the fortnight.

Diesel was around the 1.40Euro.

We did a bit of touring around. Benodet obviously then Quimper, Fousenant and Concernau are well worth a visit and only a short drive. We were going to do the Odet river trip to Quimper but at 24Euro each we found this a bit expensive when parking was only 2.50 Euro for 4 hours. Parking in Benodet is free if you can find space (we always found somewhere after a drive up and down the promenade).

Pont L'Abbe didn't seem too interesting, there again we just drove through so we could have missed the best bit.

I bet the Mickey Club will be just the thing for Phoebe, our daughter Ella is the same age.

Hope this helps, have a great holiday.

Andy

 

[Andrew_5105555]

Thanks tim & andy i think everything is sorted,van ready just need to pack the car tomorrow and off friday will report back in a couple of weeks,

andrew&nicola

 

[Andrew_5105555]

Hi all arrived back from camping du letty last night,as everyone says this is a fantastic site we booked for a beach side pitch but didn't get one we where told they go to regulars first,but in hindsight we had a bigger pitch one field back,the takeaway was good and resonable priced.Walked into benodet a few times for a drink and food (5 euro a pint phew).Agree about the beach shoes for the sand also my son stood on a weaver fish,camp site staff sorted him out removing sting and giving treatment,planning to visit again next year but will go from plymouth to roscoff instead off portsmouth st malo this seems a easier route thanks for a advise that made our first visit to france easy. Andrew+Nicola.

 

[AndyR1]

Hi Andrew+Nicola,

Glad you had a great holiday. Like you we are already planning on returning next year. Did you go to the L'Amiral club by any chance?

Cheers

Andy

 

[Andrew_5105555]

Hi andy

No we didn't go in the club we went in the bar a couple of times and also walked down to benodet for a couple of drinks we went in the lotto bar half way up the street towards the big carpark that seemed the best and cheapest place for a beer,but with the weather being so good most days we where still on the beach at 20.00.Cant wait to go back next year and i think we may go further back from the beach and get a field to ourselves.

Andrew.

 

[giant]

hi tim , were stopping at the L'Orangerie de Lanniron , in Quimper, i also was going to use the route that andy was going to use . Michelin auto route came up with that one when i put in towing caravan, have you tried it . brian