We are an extended family of 13 - ranging from a person in their mid-sixties to a one-year-old - who want to book four two- bedroom caravans on a French campsite near a beach for May half-term next year.

We have young children, so we don't want to spend hours driving and, to add to the complications, two families will be travelling from the North (York and Leeds) and two others from the South (Winchester and Bournemouth). Can you recommend a campsite, and would it be best for us to fly and hire cars there or drive and go by Eurotunnel or ferry? Susanna Garforth, via e-mail

Times travel expert Julia Brookes responds: Your best bet is to fly to the South of France and then drive to a nearby campsite. Les Sablons is 75km (47 miles) from Montpellier airport - there are flights from Gatwick and Birmingham - and is a four-star site leading straight down to a wide, sandy beach.

It has two pools, fun stations divided by age for the children, tennis and volleyball. The resort of Portiragnes-Plages is near by. A week with Keycamp (0844 4060200, www.keycamp.co.uk) staying in its mid-range “villa nova” mobile homes would cost £2,110 for you all.

Alternatively, the three-star Camping Club Mar Estang, 20km from Perpignan airport and 100m from the beach, has six pools and children's clubs. Similar accommodation for your group would cost £1,970. Keycamp can book flights from Birmingham or Southampton as well as local car hire.

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