I did a day to day blog from the site, and this is a more complete report. There's some duplication, but I hope you find it interesting. I've submitted a site review.
After mixed weather in the Vendee last year, we decided to go later and further south and based on recommendations on UKCS, booked Camping Le Capeyrou, right on the banks of La Dordogne, overlooked by the chateau of Beynac et Cazenac.
And what a fabulous time we had, with very hot weather and just two rain showers overnight.
This was the first time we'd actually camped in our BL6 and bought a roofbox to help with the gear...
...only to address the age-old question - will it all fit?
As it happens, it did, aside from our folding bikes. Sorry Mac. You know why I'm sorry. We'll need to sort some solution for next year, as the valley is great for cycling.
And ready for the off...
Having read the Adria thread with interest, we had a break at Venture Caravans on the way down...
One day, maybe. Meanwhile, on to Pompey. We did this route last year and for western France, it suits us fine...
After a smooth crossing we arrived on site, somewhat later than planned, due to French holiday traffic in the north. A friendly lad checked us in, explaining they'd waited for us.
Pitched up then had a meal we'd brought in our own coolbox. We'd booked a fridge from the site for the rest of our stay.
Our pitch...
...and we woke up to this...
and this...
A word on pitches here. We'd specifically asked for a sunny pitch, and we certainly got one. I read what wendle had said about shade. I read it, but stupid boy I am, I ignored it. Well, I know better now. With temperatures up to 36C we quickly realised that being in a tent - any tent - in direct sunshine is unbearable. Cotton, whatever. It doesn't work. We realised that that's why the euro campers have small tents. They're only for sleeping in.
The rest of the time you're outside, under whatever shade you can find, or create. Mucker, I could have done with your tarp skills there. We bought a parasol and base, and survived by moving it to block the sun. At noon, at that latitude, the roof and all 4 walls of the tent were in full sun at the same time. Unbelievable. If we return, and I hope we will, we'll ask for a shaded pitch!
We'd booked a "grand confort" pitch, 10 amp, water, and drains. It was rectangular and clearly designed for a caravan lengthways, with awning coming out along the open side. This is the site plan, showing our pitch B8, right on the end of the row, with our entrance facing, what else, due south...
For Mucker, and anyone else thinking of this site, I'd either book a shaded pitch or if you can cope with flexibilty, have a good look round on arrival. The row up starting B11 might be a better bet.
On our row, most folks parked opposite across the grass "driveway"...
Other pics from the site, with acknowledgement to the other campers...
Our youngest DD joined us for wk1...
The shower block we used. The site was busy but we never had to wait for a loo or shower...
Patisserie and charcuterie right opposite...
We all like set up pics, so here's ours, in just "us two" mode...
During our stay we visited Bordeaux, Bergerac, Sarlat, Domme, Castelnaud, Chateau Beynac, and various bastides enjoying the car's AC...
How can I get this on the barby?...
What a schnozzle that Cyrano had...
The site from the chateau...
I like architecture and flowers. You can probably tell...
H and I paddling our own canoe (not literally, we hired it)...
I sat in the back and made splashing noises. I don't think H noticed...
13 nights then o/n at a Campanile in Tours (excellent) then on to Cherbourg, via Bayeaux (where we saw the tapestry) and Gold and Utah beaches. You can see why the gentle slopes were chosen. Those lads had some guts.
A word about Cherbourg. The fast evening crossing has made sense for us but we'll re-think it next year. The ferry signage in town is at best confusing and at worst missing and the embarkation area is third world.
Leaving french soil..
Then as luck would have it we'd clearly booked for the crossing on the very day Brittany Ferries hosted their Sports Night. At least I assume it was that, based on the kids racing up and down aisles and climbing everything in sight. The players in the Screaming Event were particularly good.
O/n at one of Lenny henry's gaffs then back to Pompey yesterday morning to see the Mary Rose...
and Warrior/Victory...
That's it. I hope you enjoyed a flavour of our holiday. Roll on 2014. But next time we'll get a shaded pitch
------------- Mike
My advice is worth no more than the price paid for it
Prague May/Jun 2017
Lake Annecy Aug 2017
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
great photos Mike, thanks for sharing. We were in that area a couple of years back and visited Beynac for the day,parked the car next to the river then struggled uo the steep slope to the castle only to discover there is a car park practically right at the gates.
Great pics. Have just canoed past your site. It looks lovely, and quieter than where we are! We've already earmarked the site for any future vists to the Dordogne.
It was the hottest July since 2006 and the sunniest in the 12 years we've owned a house in France so you chose a good year to come, which is clearly evident in the photos above.
August looks as if it will be cooler but OK.
A partially shaded pitch is imperative from May to September, preferably with the van/tent in the shade from mid afternoon, sleep doesn't come easily while you're gently roasting.
Enjoy planning for 2014, 70th anniversary of D-Day!
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
Quote: Originally posted by artel on 05/8/2013
great photos Mike, thanks for sharing. We were in that area a couple of years back and visited Beynac for the day,parked the car next to the river then struggled uo the steep slope to the castle only to discover there is a car park practically right at the gates.
I spotted the arrow up to the car park on day 2, and got in here ...
Quote: Originally posted by Argente4 on 05/8/2013
Great pics. Have just canoed past your site. It looks lovely, and quieter than where we are! We've already earmarked the site for any future vists to the Dordogne.
It's a fab site Argente. I hope we can return.
Crach, I can believe it. We've been in hot places before, Arizona etc. But if you start from a cool room and can go back you've a chance. We've never camped in that sort of heat before, and you're right, shade is essential. Wendle pointed it out. I chose to ignore it.
Couldn't help thinking of those lads nearly 70 yrs ago. My Dad went over later but was then captured and spent time in a stalag. I wonder if I could have done it, and I regret not getting him to tell me every detail.
------------- Mike
My advice is worth no more than the price paid for it
Seriously though, mon ami, I've been picking up little titbits over the past couple of months, but you, and you alone, have convinced me we are doing the right thing. Right to go to France for the first time, just a little over a year after actually camping for the first time! Right to go to the Dordogne.... and right to go to Le Capeyrou.
And as convincing as your selfless words have been, up to, throughout, and now beyond, your holiday, your pictures have painted a million more, never mind a thousand!
Don't get me wrong, we are not as cultured as you, and I couldn't have even spelt architecture without going back up the page, but we know what we like, and this site, the scenery, and the locality, all look right up our street.
I'd be delighted with "your" pitch, but of course, whilst taking into consideration your advice about shade, I am also mindful that we won't be going until September. The latest weather forecast will play a major part, but if it's going to be high 20's or more, we'll try and get at least our bedroom in some sort of tree shade of an evening. We will of course, have the added advantage (at least, I'm guessing it will be an advantage) of having the choice of not one, but 3 tarps. With this, I am convinced we'll be okay sitting out, but I do have concerns about having an over-warm bedroom.
The main advice I have been bombarded with, is "Don't bother booking in September.... just turn up", so that will be the plan, and we'll play our arrival and pitch selection by ear!
As we are picking up our new bikes this coming Saturday, and will go for our first bike ride in a good 4 years or so, your comment about the suitability of the area to this leisure pursuit is also music to our ears.
I'm so chuffed you have both had a wonderful holiday, and am most grateful beyond words for the time and effort you have put in to keep us updated. Your posts have been invaluable, and whilst I couldn't even attempt to match your selfless generosity when we go, or to showcase the local culture in such detail, I'll at least be doing my damnedest to come back as satisfied as you!
You're welcome M. I think September could be a great time to go. Aside from wanting to go further south and later than last year, for us timing in part was determined by DD. She's a teacher, so it needed to be end of July.
We couldn't have predicted sunshine levels at a 12 year high, whilst simultaneously requesting a sunny pitch, but there you go. I think turning up, calling in the office, and wandering round would be your best bet.
If it's sunny - and I hope it is ( Accuweather shows it up to 33 last September) - aim to have shade from trees. It doesn't have to be directly under. If you stop the sun hitting the tent or tarp it will be more comfortable. Under a tarp will be OK as it has open sides and can catch any breeze going. Worst of all is inside an enclosed space. The space will be shaded, but hot. Stop the sun hitting your unit in the first place, and you'll be more comfortable.
I meant to mention restaurants before. There's a pizza/steak hache type gaff right on the river, then two restaurants the other side. Of the two, La Petite Tonelle was our clear favourite...
Right now I'm knackered. But by September I'll have recovered sufficiently to vicariously enjoy your trip, where ever you end up. It's all about the pics, right?
bridgey, I had to wait while DD went back, and spend 2 hrs in 34C to get it that tidy!! But we are generally tidy I must admit. I'm not big on dusting etc, but I am big on tidy. Tidy goes a long way IMHO
------------- Mike
My advice is worth no more than the price paid for it
TQ - was beginning to wonder if you were preternatually inclined. Phew. In both ways, domestic duties even of the camping kind are not easy in such warmth.
I think we're just slobs although I do brush up quite a bit as I can't abide 'bits' in the tent or worse in bed.
Fabby photos, oh there's so much to see and so little money/time to be able to do it all. Thanks for posting.
------------- Camping - emotional resilience in action, a triumph of hope over adversity and antidote to virtual reality.
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
That fridge of yours, it is not exactly a table top model!
Did you hire it from the camp site or did you take it with you in the car?
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
Gosh that went quick, one minute you were off and the next you're home with pics. Looks like you had a great time from looking at the pics. You gotta love France, so many amazing places and sites, can't wait to get there
------------- -x- Diane -x-
May 13 - Cala Gogo, St Cyprien (didn't go, hubby too ill to travel)
May 14 Ranc Davaine
August 14 Les Sablons
August 13 - Camping Playa Brava, Pals
Ditto to all of the above. A real corker of a post!!!... was eating the carpet laughing at the BF Sports Eve comment- but OH SO TRUE!!!!!!.. THanks for beautiful photos & enthusiastic commentary. Cant wait to see where you are taking us next year
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Back from Beynac, with pics....
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