In the Papers

OK, perhaps a disco is not exactly what you think of when your mind turns to thoughts of a holiday camp break in France.

But after a trip to Benodet in Brittany with Eurocamp last summer, it stands out as one highlight in an action packed yet laid-back sunny holiday that took a long time to get over.

Admittedly, we pondered about France – Eurocamp also has places in Spain, Italy, other parts of mainland Europe and as far over as Croatia – but France got the thumbs up from the children, so France it was.

We stayed at busy Pointe St Gilles camp, which was just set back from one of many beaches and less than a mile from the town centre of Benodet.

The weekly disco in the bar involved a lot of audience participation from most of the children on the camp…. And the game-for-a-laugh reps from the extremely popular activity clubs for children aged four and over.

Children were soon dancing along to the Macarena, Saturday Night, YMCA… then began a conga in and out of the tables (and the bar) to Is This The Way To Amarillo that seemed to include half the campers.

OK, perhaps a disco is not what you're looking for on a holiday to France.

If you're a culture vulture, Benodet, like many French towns and villages, has a popular annual festival, with folk dancing, regional food, fireworks and more, all on or near the beach.

Just outside the campsite within walking distance is a taste of traditional France: whitewashed, shuttered homes that look like they've been untouched by the 21st century (if you look hard enough you can spot the Citroen and the satellite dish out back).

Benodet has a wide range of bars, restaurants, shops, a market, and a historic quay onto the river Odet, with boat trips and more.

OK, perhaps you're not looking for culture. You'd prefer more of a swimming pool, activities and easy food-type holiday.

Pointe St Gilles has a fantastic supermarket (and hypermarkets a few miles away), a pizza and fast food café, and a visiting van that sells delicious crepes. The bar is open all day and there's a shack by the swimming pool complex that sells ice creams, beer and soft drinks.

A stunningly attractive lifeguard even held a regular aqua-aerobics class first think in the morning.

OK, perhaps you think a holiday camp means tents.

Well, it can, if you like. Or you could stay in one of Eurocamp's well-equipped mobile homes, from a two bedroom Verona (still has a toilet, shower, hot water, well equipped kitchen and equipment) to a three-bed-room Monaco Deluxe (big bedrooms, an en-suite, microwave, CD/radio, plus all the basics).

The variety is endless – ways to get there, places to stay, style of accommodation, and what you do. Something for everyone.

We went with Brittany Ferries from Portsmouth to St Malo (nearer to Oxfordshire than Dover, and less of a drive on the other side), and booked a cabin for the overnight ferry to ensure we could all have some sleep en route (I even picked up some French phrases!).