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You are here: Home / ADVENTURE / Our first family holiday to France, part 2: Staying at Siblu

Our first family holiday to France, part 2: Staying at Siblu

September 1, 2015 by Molly 17 Comments

swimming in the sea

I’ve been sitting here for twenty minutes trying to come up with the best way to start this post. Trying to sum up how much this holiday meant to us as a family, how perfect it was, why it was worth the effort of going abroad with a baby… I’m not sure how to start so I’m just going to dive straight in with one of my favourite photos from our holiday to Siblu’s Le Bois Dormant in St Jean de Monts, the Vendee, France.

SistersThis photo captures the biggest reason why our holiday to France was such a memorable one: seeing my two girls share the excitement of a new place together, the ferry, the food, the places, the swimming, the beach, the bikes. And because of this shared adventure I genuinely believe they’re closer than ever before. Siblu provided us with the ideal place to relax as a family, away from the stresses of everyday life. No chores, no work deadlines, just fun and togetherness – not something we always get back in the UK.

Beach babies

This was the first time we’d ever been abroad as a family of four, so it was a bit of a milestone holiday. To be honest, I was a bit nervous before we left. I don’t speak French and the NLM has never driven in France before. Would we be able to negotiate the roads? What if we got lost? Would the expectation and excitement of our first big holiday be far removed from the reality? Would two weeks in a mobile home together prove too long?

I needn’t have worried. The reality turned out to meet the expectation, and then some. Although it’s been years since I spent any time in France the whole place felt incredibly familiar, because of my holidays there throughout childhood right up to the age of 16. The journey there was easy and stress-free and the roads turned out to be better maintained and easier to navigate than the ones back home.

Our holiday destination, Le Bois Dormant in the Vendee, on the west coast of France, couldn’t have been more perfect for us as a family. A four hour drive from the ferry port at Caen, it was really easy to find. As soon as we arrived we knew we were going to love it.

Le Bois DormantLe Bois Dormant 2

At the entrance to the mobile home site you’re met with a gently running waterfall, a riot of colourful flowers and huge smiles from the friendly staff. Many of the mobile homes on the site are owned privately, and you can tell some owners stay here all summer long, creating perfectly maintained gardens and really taking pride in their home-from-home. I didn’t see one piece of litter anywhere on the site, although I did regularly see caretakers sweeping up leaves, checking play equipment and unobtrusively keeping the grounds clean, ordered and immaculate.

Le Bois Dormant 3For a family with young children, staying in a self-catering mobile home is the stress-free way to holiday. We didn’t need to worry about baby bedtimes or over-tired children in a restaurant (although we did eat out at the neighbouring Le Bois Masson a couple of times and both evenings were a big success), we could just fire up the barbecue and cook up delicious food while sipping wine from the comfort of our terrace. Children played outdoors, parents sat and watched the world go by and, everywhere, there was a laid-back “this is the good life” vibe.

Holiday to France

The site provided an ideal base to explore the beautiful coastline of the Vendee – more on that in another post – but it also gave us a backdrop for many fun family days without venturing far from the mobile home.

Le Bois Dormant is the quieter of the two sites, situated opposite each other on the edge of the pretty seaside town of St Jean de Monts. Guests can use the facilities at both sites though, which meant we were able to go to the restaurant, visit the bar, swim in the pool and even (me, anyway) have a massage in the spa at Le Bois Masson. For days when we didn’t even feel like walking across the road, we had two immaculate play areas, three swimming pools complete with water slides and hot tub, tennis courts, a bar, games room and takeaway, all at Le Bois Dormant. In fact, there was so much there we could easily have never left the site!

There’s a more laid-back vibe at Dormant compared to Masson – the bar is smaller, less crowded, the site feels low key and less busy than it’s neighbour across the road. I also noticed more young families seemed to be holidaying at Dormant, whereas Masson was lively with older children and teens, who hung out at the bar watching the entertainment or playing table tennis with each other by the park. For us, we were more than content to while away the evenings on the terrace of our mobile home, while the girls slept inside after a busy day playing, swimming and exploring.

ChillingSwimming pool

Every day that passed left us a little more relaxed, as we felt Le Bois Dormant work its magic, making us feel looked after, safe, happy and content. After a couple of days we slipped into an easy routine which would see either me or the NLM wander down to the site’s shop in the early morning to pick up fresh (and still warm!) pain au chocolate and croissants for breakfast. Then we’d eat our pastries and drink hot tea and coffee on the terrace as the rest of the site gradually woke up. This was often my favourite time of the day, as it felt like each new day was full of promise – even on the couple of mornings that we awoke to overcast skies and light drizzle.

Over breakfast we’d chat about our plans for the day, what we’d eat for tea that night, if we’d go to the beach or the pool or venture further afield, what we’d do for lunch etc. We’d plan the day and look forward to each meal in a way that we never have time for at home. So much of our time is spent rushing from one activity to the next, whereas on holiday we really slowed down and savoured the little things that pass us by in “real life”.

Evening drinks

I have so many photos from fantastic days out and more (oh so much more!) on all that delicious food, so for now I’ll leave you with a video of the first part of our family holiday to France. Hope you like it – it’s by no means technically perfect but it captures some of what I’ve waffled on about here.

NEED TO KNOW: We stayed in an Espirit mobile home with two bedrooms and a terrace, in August. We also hired bed linen and towels and a baby pack, which included a buggy, baby bath and high chair. Prices for this package start from £756 for one week in the height of summer. We were guests of Siblu for the first week of our holiday for the purpose of this review.

 

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France with Kids - The Vendee

Filed Under: ADVENTURE Tagged With: Family holidays, family travel, holidays to France, holidays with a baby, Siblu Le Bois Dormant, St Jean de Monts

« Our first family holiday to France, part 1: getting there
Our holiday to France, part 3: Where we went and what we ate »

Comments

  1. Adele says

    September 10, 2015 at 9:33 pm

    Barbecue and wine = heaven. I think self-catering holidays are a winner too. I love all these pics of your girls together. So sweet. They’re growing up so quickly!

    Reply
    • Molly says

      September 11, 2015 at 12:41 pm

      I know – they’re growing up so fast!

      Reply
  2. Fritha Strickland says

    September 8, 2015 at 9:21 am

    I said this on your video too but your photos make me feel so nostalgic to families holidays I had as a child in the south of france! We always did camping but I love the idea of these mobile homes x

    Reply
  3. Eleanor says

    September 7, 2015 at 6:04 am

    We went just down the road for the last week of our European road trip, changing our plans so we could experience a proper French family campsite. It was absolutely awesome. Very similar vibe to yours, glad you loved it too!

    Reply
    • Molly says

      September 7, 2015 at 8:42 am

      Ooh I was going to check out where you went on your trip too – we want to do a slightly longer trip next summer so I’m in busy planning mode!

      Reply
  4. Jess @ Along Came Cherry says

    September 5, 2015 at 12:41 pm

    Gorgeous photos and video, sounds like a perfect family holiday! x

    Reply
    • Molly says

      September 7, 2015 at 8:42 am

      Ah thanks Jess. It really was!

      Reply
  5. Kathryn says

    September 4, 2015 at 2:30 pm

    I loved the video too and this post sums up exactly why I treasure my holidays with my little family too – gorgeous!! X

    Reply
    • Molly says

      September 7, 2015 at 8:43 am

      Thanks Kat – hurray for holidays! x

      Reply
  6. Katy says

    September 4, 2015 at 11:38 am

    What a gorgeous video! Looks like such a lovely holiday and I am very jealous of all those sunny photographs; the perfect summer to leave England with all the rain we had. I have such wonderful childhood memories of staying in French holiday camps with my family so hopefully your girls will remember this too xx

    Reply
    • Molly says

      September 4, 2015 at 12:11 pm

      Thanks Katy – I really hope my 5 year old remembers it as she had some excellent adventures. Less sure the baby will though!

      Reply
  7. Jane @ northernmum says

    September 2, 2015 at 8:39 pm

    Looks amazing Molly, and that first photo is to die for! xxx

    Reply
    • Molly says

      September 4, 2015 at 8:22 am

      Thanks Jane! It was a superb holiday. Thoroughly recommend. xxx

      Reply
  8. Ghislaine Forbes says

    September 2, 2015 at 5:50 pm

    ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT! So evocative of your holiday. What a film for the family archives. Nice moment with F picking her nose! She’ll love watching that as a teenager….love ma xxxxxxxxxxxxx

    Reply
    • Molly says

      September 4, 2015 at 8:22 am

      Ha – yes, she may not thank me for that one when she’s 18! xxxx

      Reply
  9. Katie @mummydaddyme says

    September 2, 2015 at 5:44 am

    Ah I absolutely love the video Molly, it looks like such a fun trip. I have so many fond memories of getting the ferry to France and having holidays in holiday camps in the South of France when I was little l. I really hope I can take my girls one day. X

    Reply
    • Molly says

      September 4, 2015 at 8:23 am

      Ah thank you Katie – it’s so lovely to have a video to look back on our special holiday. France is amazing, we definitely want to go back next summer. Your girls would love it, I’m sure! xxx

      Reply

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Hello and welcome! I'm Molly Forbes - podcaster, presenter and blogger with a passion for positivity, confidence and body image chat. Regularly writing and vlogging about empowering female issues from a motherhood angle, I also cover lifestyle and fashion topics for like-minded mums who want to rediscover themselves after having children. Thanks for stopping by! Read More…

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I am not “bossing” it. Or “slaying”. Or “hustling”. Or “smashing” it. I’m not even juggling or spinning plates or doing any of the other words we use as a glossy, marketable, Instagram friendly way to package up burnout culture, under the guise of “empowering” women (💪🤢). 
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What I have been doing, though, is working too hard. Call a spade a spade. I’ve been working too hard, neglecting my health, my relationships, my life away from my laptop. I cannot be everything to everyone AND work at the level I’ve been working at BECAUSE I AM A HUMAN BEING. And you are too. We are not robots.
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I care deeply about all my work, and things aren’t always this intense, but I wanted to sprinkle some reality into the Gram because I am so over this lie that *any* type of success or achievement doesn’t come at a cost, or involve many failures in the background, or require many other people to help make things happen. 
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I guess what I’m saying is, let’s be real about all that, as well as showing the achievements. I’m bloody proud of my book. And I’m so excited to launch the social enterprise @bodyhappyorg properly next month. But that doesn’t mean it’s easy, and that there isn’t a price. 
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And with that, I’m taking the weekend off. See you on the other side 🥰🥰🥰
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[Image description: Molly sits in her office with her hands covering her mouth. On the back of one hand is written “Not bossing it”. She is wearing a pink boiler suit with a black and white top underneath. She has pink leopard print earrings on and her hair is tied back.]
This was taken at the start of half term, when the This was taken at the start of half term, when the kids were still enthusiastic about going for a walk. 1,705 walks around the same bit of countryside later... not so much 😬 
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If you’re struggling to get your kids motivated to move their body at the moment, go gentle. You’re not alone. Bad weather coupled with boredom coupled with the lure of screens is a heady recipe for lethargy - and that’s just me! 
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Seriously though, remember: all movement is valid. Even if it’s just a ten minute @cosmickids sesh or a little kitchen disco, it all counts. And if it comes from a place of enjoyment and fun, kids (and adults!) are going to be far more likely to want to get involved.
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What joyful movement activities are your kids enjoying right now (if any?!)?
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[Image description: Molly and her two daughters are standing in a field. They’re wearing colourful wellies, holding hands and smiling.]
I founded a social enterprise 😵 . Introducing: I founded a social enterprise 😵
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Introducing: @bodyhappyorg 🎉
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We are a Community Interest Company dedicated to promoting positive body image in children. We help adults help the kids in their care be friends with their bodies 🥰. 
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Through workshops and classes, digital and physical resources (both free and paid) we help parents, carers, teachers, youth leaders - and any adults who are ever around children - create body happy settings for kids to thrive in. 
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We launch officially next month with a beautiful new website and lots of resources which we’ll continually be adding to. In the meantime give us a follow at @bodyhappyorg - we start posting from today and our page has been designed as a free resource on its own! 
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I’m privileged to work alongside an incredible team of people on this. Shout-out to the original dream team @chelseacoxstrategist @amysnellingpt @effinitupfaye @lottie_storey @bodyconfidencecards_db @rachel_hobnobs & @aceandping 💕 LOVE YOU ALL! 💕
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[Image description: A blue square with yellow and white text which reads “the body happy org”. This is the logo for The Body Happy Organisation CIC]
Proof that I did wear clothes other than a tea-sta Proof that I did wear clothes other than a tea-stained hoodie and tracksuit bottoms at least once in the past month 😐
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[Image description: Molly is wearing pink dungarees with yellow buttons over a black rollneck long-sleeved top. She has a monochrome striped hairband on and her hair is pink. She is also wearing earrings with boobs on them. She looks very pleased, both with her earrings, the pink hair and the fact she’s not wearing sleepwear, for a change.]
A new report from the Education Policy Institute h A new report from the Education Policy Institute has concluded an obvious gender divide in the well-being of young adults. If you’d like to read more check out this article by Eleanor Peake in @newstatesman (I’ve linked to it in my Stories).
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Every week I get messages from parents and teachers concerned about the impact of social media on their kids’ body image. And of course, I couldn’t write a book about body image in kids and teens without covering social media - there’s a whole chapter in Body Happy Kids dedicated to the subject. 
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The thing is, social media isn’t going anywhere. And just like it can be a force for anxiety, shame and general angst it can be a force for good too. The trick is in knowing how to use it positively (and in holding the platforms to account for not moderating the spread of harmful viral trends and online abuse, and creating algorithms that deliberately create division and harm mental health... but that’s a story for another day). 
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But how can we expect our kids to have a handle on it when we, as adults, don’t ourselves? 
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I don’t believe the answer is to ban social media, but I don’t think kids should be given unfettered access to it either. 
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They need help navigating this stuff, learning about boundaries, developing media literacy skills so they can think critically about the content they’re consuming (just like many adults).
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As ever, it’s complicated. I’d love to know what you think? What are some of the boundaries you have around social media in your house - both for yourself and your kids?
#BodyHappyKids 
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When I was pregnant with Effie I went to a pregnan When I was pregnant with Effie I went to a pregnancy yoga class every week. It was the highlight of my week. I left each session feeling like I was floating on a cloud, and I used the poses and breath work to guide me through labour too. But then I had my baby and found that, as a knackered new mum of two, I couldn’t find the time for yoga. I no longer had the excuse of doing it “for the bump” or “to prepare for labour”, so what was the point?
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It wasn’t until I started reinvesting in myself and unravelling the diet culture perspective on exercise that I found it again, along with running, which turned to hiking, and swimming. 
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It wasn’t about preparing my body for someone or something else. It was about the process itself, the time to unwind my mind and move my body for joy, just for me. I’ve lost a bit of that this past year with lockdowns, and I feel it.
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I recently signed up to @theunderbellyyoga with @mynameisjessamyn and feel like I’m finding it again. I love that my kids can see me taking time for myself, and enjoying movement, and that they sometimes want to join in too. Even if it is a bit annoying sometimes (swipe 👀). 
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[Image description: Molly and her 6 year old daughter Effie sit on yoga and gymnastics mats with their legs crossed and arms in the air. They have their backs to the camera. In the second image they are sitting crossed legged while twisting round to the side, and in the third image Molly is lying on the mat with her eyes closed while Effie leans over her, being a bit annoying.]
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