IT is always the unexpected that makes a holiday.

We had just arrived at our camp – Siblu's Domaine de Kerlann in Brittany – and so set off expecting to find a supermarket to grab a few essentials.

Stupidly, still being in the English mindset, we forgot that supermarkets in France wouldn't be open on a Sunday – but it led us instead to chance upon the beautiful village of Pont-Aven.

Now I had not heard of the place. Perhaps that is sheer ignorance but in this case ignorance very much became bliss.

It was the French equivalent of an archetypal village in Devon: a gorgeous little spot tucked away that is just so relaxed to stroll around. Even the public toilet was a feature – looking not unlikely a convenience one might find in The Shire of Hobbit-fame.

The river Aven carves right through the town and down into an estuary, with a little 'harbour' at the southern end. It dominates the village and is the stand-out feature, popping up at most turns.

Pont-Aven is the kind of place you can surprisingly lose yourself for a morning or afternoon, with things like the kids going off to jump on a collection of huge boulders in the river or a pretty 15-minute little riverside walk that you suddenly just find yourself on.

Oxford Mail:

  • Alex and Dylan Collie take a moment out from exploring the rocks at Pont-Aven

It was home to (apparently) famous artists such as Paul Gauguin and Emile Bernard. I say apparently as art is not mything – adding to the ignorance no doubt – but their presence can be felt in the many galleries and shops.

The restaurants were promising as well; our favourite being a tasty dinner at the Moulin du Grand Poulguin, again overlooking that running river.

It was just the kind of place that kept dragging us back a few times over the week we spent in a caravan at the Siblu camp five minutes up the road.

Domaine de Kerlann is one of Siblu's larger camps. It is a 'mature site' set amongst the trees and has all we have come to expect from the company: a great little pool complex, clubs for the kids, sports facilities, a couple of bars, on-site superette, restaurant and takeaway.

We turned up in the first week of September, after the French schools had started for the year. To be honest it had both advantages and disadvantages.

The site was certainly more peaceful than one would expect and finding a place by the pools was never a problem. However it was certainly in winding down mode for the end of the season as well, meaning not everything was open when you'd expect.

But then there were enough attractions nearby to fill the time, from the beaches right along that stretch of the Atlantic coast through to more daring activities like the challenging Adrenaline Go Ape-style park 10 minutes away.

Oxford Mail:

Oxford Mail:

  • Alex and Dylan had a high old time

With a healthy aversion to plummeting to the ground, it is not my ideal choice but even I had a brilliant time on a triangular zip-wire course running 10-15 metres over a couple of valleys.

Last year was spent in a caravan in Britain but Brittany once again beat it all ends up, from the trouble-free channel crossing with Brittany Ferries through to just a peaceful week in a great sized caravan.

My one tip on Siblu would again be tha if you have young children and are likely to spend a few evenings in, spending the extra to get the larger Excellence caravans is crucial because it gives you the extra lounge to spread out in.

  • You can find out more information about Domaine de Kerlann and Siblu's other sites at siblu.com
  • Brittany Ferries provide regular sailing throughout the day and more details are at brittany-ferries.co.uk