Travel to France: best deals

1/ P&O Ferries has Dover to Calais crossings from £39 each way; DFDS Ferries has Dover to Dunkirk routes from only £29 each way.

2/ Brittany Ferries’ western channel crossings cost more but will cut down your drive time – and your petrol and toll costs – once you land in France. Travel midweek and in the afternoon for the lowest prices.

3/ Keep off the A (auto) routes to avoid the tolls. Plan your journey along the N (nationale) routes – they’re not as quick as the motorways but you’ll see lovely towns and scenery, as well as avoiding those toll charges.

French currency deals

4/ Don’t leave your currency change to the last minute, you’ll always end up paying more. Plan ahead because you can save £100s by using a specialist travel credit card, according to Money Saving Expert.

Holiday park deals

5/ Go self-catering to save on your food bill. Spread the cooking duties so everyone gets involved. Even the kids can make ham and cheese baguettes and every dad thinks they’re Le Chef with a barbecue. Siblu includes barbecues with our mobile home bookings on most of our holiday villages (where local regulations allow)

6/ Pick a holiday village where there are lots of activities so you won’t have to keep paying out to entertain the kids (or yourselves). Domaine de Kerlann in southern Brittany has kids clubs, indoor and outdoor pools and sports (only £672, saving £224*). La Carabasse is one of the liveliest family holiday parks in Languedoc on the Mediterranean coast (from £930, saving £309*)

Things to do in France

7/ Go where the beaches are brilliant, because they’re free and lots of fun. France’s west coast is much like the UK’s Atlantic coastline – big sandy beaches, dunes, great seaside towns – but the weather is better! Try the Vendée (Le Bois Dormant only £856, saving £285*) or Charente Maritime (Les Charmettes from £877, saving £292*).

8/ If you’re not a family who fancies spending all day at the pool or on the beach, choose a region where there are lots of attractions. The landing beaches in Normandy, the chateaux of the Loire Valley, the wine routes of Aquitaine – all can be explored for free and are fascinating.

9/ Take your bikes with you. France loves cyclists and you will find well-kept paths – winding along coastlines, through forests – close to most siblu villages.

What can you add?

Now tell us what you think. What money-saving tips do you have?

*All holiday prices are based on Esprit+ holiday homes for two adults and two children for seven-nights departing on 18 August 2012 and include discounts valid until 22 January 2012. All details are correct at the time of publishing but prices are subject to availability. Please visit www.siblu.com or call 0871 911 7777 for latest prices. **All travel deals are taken from the providers’ websites and are correct at the time of publishing. Please visit providers to for full information and to book.

Note, all holiday prices are based on a 14 July 2012 departure for two adults and two children staying seven-nights. Travel is not included. Prices correct at the time of publishing but subject to availability so please check www.siblu.com or call 0871 911 7777 for information and to book. Savings available until 22 January 2012.

Holiday deals to Brittany

Brittany has the longest coastline in France, dotted with white-sand beaches, serene harbours and craggy coves. Explore picturesque fishing towns and Carnac – France’s version of Stonehenge.

Four-star Domaine de Kerlann in southern Brittany has free children’s clubs, indoor and outdoor pools, a splash zone and sports pitches. The holiday village is located close to the pretty town of Pont Aven. From only £609, saving £203.

Pierres Couchees is just a few hundred metres from a great sandy beach with gentle surf, ideal for little ones. The rural setting is relaxing and those that don’t fancy the beach can laze by the heated outdoor pool. From only £699, saving £232.

Holiday deals to the Loire Valley

The Loire Valley was the go-to place for French royalty before the revolution, which is why the region is dominated by so many stunning châteaux. The World Heritage setting is dotted with many pretty villages and towns.

Domaine de Dugny is an outstanding 4-star holiday village with free kids clubs and a highly praised pool complex. There’s a small boating pool that’s also good for fishing. Several of the most famous chateaux, including the Royal Château at Chambord, Château Chenonceau and Château Royal d’Amboise, are close by. From only £557, saving £185.

Holiday deals to the Vendee

The Vendee is among the most popular holiday destinations in France, loved for its big, sandy, sunny coastline. Le Bois Masson, close to the resort of St Jean de Monts, is a lively four-star holiday village with indoor and outdoor pools, a health and wellbeing spa, bar and restaurant. From only £646, saving £215.

Holiday deals to Charente Maritime

Charente Maritime is the sunniest region of France’s west coast and has massive sandy beaches hidden by forests of pine trees. There are lots of fun seaside towns, so the destination gives the perfect mix for family holidays.

Les Charmettes is a giant holiday village with a brilliant indoor and outdoor swimming complex and  pools, slides and fountains that the kids will love. There are two entertainment stages, outside and inside, where the team perform shows throughout the week. From only £793, saving £264.

Bonne Anse Plage holiday village is on the edge of La Coubre forest and within walking distance of the sea. The parc has pools and slides, a climbing wall and cycle paths that snake off to the local beaches. From only £766, saving £255.

Holiday deals to Aquitaine

Aquitaine is a large region covered with pine forests, stretching from the stylish city of Bordeaux to the foothills of the Pyrenees. There are medieval towns, vineyards and long beaches which are popular with surfers.

La Réserve sits on the edge of Lake Biscarosse, which has a golden sand beach and safe, shallow waters. The holiday village has its own pool complex, kids’ playgrounds and there are lots of watersports available on the lake. From only £766, saving £255.

Holiday deals to Languedoc

Languedoc is not as glitzy or glamorous as its neighbour, the Cote d’Azur, but this is still a Med-coast region that enjoys buckets of sunshine, incredible beaches and beautiful scenery. Languedoc is the world’s biggest wine region, covering almost 300,000 hectares and producing more wine than Australia.

La Carabasse is a huge holiday village with a giant pool area. There are beaches, shops and restaurants in walking distance and the kids will love the energetic kids clubs. From only £819, saving £273.

Lac des Reves is a truly relaxing family site close to the Mediterranean coast and Montpellier. There is a highly rated pool and large sandy beaches nearby. From only £819, saving £273.

Les Sables du Midi is a small holiday village on the outskirts of the popular seaside resort of Valras Plage. From only £688, saving £229.

Our partnership has even included rehearsal sessions for performers at Les Charmettes – culminating in a free show from French superstar Christophe Mae performing hits backed by a full orchestra.

This year we asked our holiday home Owners and holidaymakers to star in a film celebrating our link. After three days of filming, here is siblu’s video for Un Violon sur le Sable.

The festival itself takes place over three evenings at the end of July. It’s free to attend and attracts about 150,000 people each year, so getting the best spots is a skill in itself.

We love big outdoor events like Un Violon sur le Sable – which ones can you recommend?

So,  siblu is  making a stand for self-catered holidays in France !

Here are three ideas that we hope will make your mouth water. And don’t forget, when you book a siblu holiday, a free barbecue is included so you can make the most of delicious food choices available at mouth-watering food markets that take place close to many of our 14 holiday villages across France.

Biscuits, beer and sweet Yorkshire pudding in Brittany
Bénodet hosts a lively Breton market selling a huge range of foods, with specialities such as the Aven Oyster, which has a sweet hazel-nutty taste, the spicy Andouille sausage and the Far dessert, best-described as a sweet Yorkshire pudding. The town is also home to the François Garrec biscuit factory and the Bénodet brewery, which opens every Friday to visitors.

Feast on your food at Domaine de Kerlann siblu village near to Pont Aven, in southern Brittany. A seven-night stay for a family staying in a two-bedroom holiday home is currently available from only £978 for a 9 August departure, saving £335. This price includes a free barbecue, plus entry to indoor and outdoor pools, children’s clubs and nightly entertainment.

Kiwis in Charente Maritime
Royan has an impressive fish market which sells all sorts of catches, with crawfish and Marenne Oysters the stars. The main food market is a superb source of seasonal produce, such as the Charente melon, Blayais asparaguses and even kiwi fruit – France is the second largest European producer!

Seven nights from 20 July at La Pignade siblu holiday village in nearby Ronce-les-Bains start from only £928, saving £195 on bookings made before 30 April. You can cook up your catch on the free barbecue which is included with every booking. There is also a pool, children’s clubs and horse-riding school to take part in.

France’s organic south coast
Les Arceaux organic market in Montpellier is packed with fragrant cheeses, regional wines and local specialities like Camargue sausages and Collioure anchovies. The Place de la Comédie is Montpellier’s centre and a brilliant place to people watch, plus it bursts at the seams every morning with organic fruit, honey, herbs and olive oils.

Siblu’s Le Lac des Reves holiday village is just five miles from Montpellier, but even closer to several of the region’s brilliant beaches. A family can stay for seven nights from 13 August in a standard two-bedroom holiday home from only £1,119, saving £184 for bookings before 30 April. Price includes free barbecue facilities, children’s clubs, pools and entertainment.

Bon appétit !

Please note, all prices are subject to availability.

For a family holiday with a difference, take advantage of France’s love affair with the bike and try out miles of new cycle networks in popular French tourist resorts. You can strap your bikes to the car or hire cycles during your break and enjoy one of these great value pedal-powered family holidays with siblu villages (www.siblu.com; 0871 911 7777).

The Vendée’s vélo routes
The Vendée has invested heavily in cycle tracks and the region can now be explored in full from the saddle, along more than 1000km of designated routes. Almost 300km of tracks run along the coast, taking in marshland, dunes and beaches.

A unique attraction of the region is the Vélo Rail, where families can swap their bikes for a cart which they pedal along 10km of disused rail track through the Vendée countryside.

Stay at Le Bois Masson in St Jean De Monts. This large and lively holiday village has entertainment for children and adults, indoor and outdoor swimming, free children’s clubs and even a spa for post-cycling stress relief. A seven-night stay from 13 August starts from as little as £1,038 for a family in a two-bedroom holiday home.

On your bike in Brittany
Brittany, which is renowned for its beautiful coast, has new cycle routes that take in some of the most stunning ocean views. Designated vélo routes can be followed to the towns and beaches around Quimper, Brittany’s oldest city.

Base yourself at Domaine de Kerlann siblu village near to Pont Aven, where saddle sore families can relax with free children’s clubs, indoor and outdoor pools and a splash zone. A seven-night stay from 23 July starts from as little as £808 for a family in a two-bedroom holiday home.
Cycling through Charente Maritime
There are miles of accessible cycle routes for all abilities through Charente Maritime, the sunniest region on France’s west coast.  Take to two wheels through the La Coubre forest, to discover the golden beaches of the Côte Sauvage.

Start your adventure from Bonne Anse Plage siblu village in La Palmyre. When the cycling gets too much, you can let the outdoor pools and free children’s clubs take the strain.  A seven-night holiday from 20 August starts from only £950 for a family in a two-bedroom holiday home.

All prices are subject to availability.