Just wanting a bit of advice regarding the need, or not, to pre book sites for our trip in June this year please.
We're in a campervan and would want EHU. We're looking at moving around the region for a few weeks and have a list of possible sites, mostly along the Route des Vins.
We don't really want a fixed itinerary, hence ideally not wanting to book ahead.
Does anyone have experience of this area in June, is it busy? Or not too bad and worth taking a risk? Cheers.
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June in France is at best mid season - sites hardly likely to be booked up (or even half full) unless a major event happening nearby, Tour de France 25 goes nowhere near, UEFA footy tournament well away in Stuggart and Munich.
Update upon our return...yes you do need to book ahead sadly, and actually we found that we needed to book 2 sites ahead which was a shame because we found some lovely sites where we would have happily stayed longer. Hey ho, first world problems.
So sorry, as I missed this thread back at the start.
Much too late now of course, but the following may help forum searches on the topic in future years...
Selestat (specifically Camping Les Cigognes, but surrounding areas/campsites may be similar):
The one day "Slow Up" Cycle shindig is the first Sunday in June, annually.
In 2024, arriving the day before, we fluked a pitch at Selestat (Totally unaware of the Slow Up event). I suspect this fluke was down to less than ideal weather (A weekend of mostly rain), and a less than average turnout for the event? I could be wrong!
We stayed for the full first two weeks of June.
For our return this year (2025), and now being aware of The Slow Up and it's popularity, I ended up booking ahead by a week (Contact page/email/Google Translate!). We got a pitch for our arrival on the Friday (30th May), but only for 7 nights. The site was already fully booked for the week from Fri June 6th. I believe this was down to a mass-booking by a charity cycling group.
Having to move on, we pre-booked by 3 days, for our second week at Camping municipal de Ribeauvillé "Pierre de Coubertin". We only booked as we popped in for a nosy whilst out on our bikes, and reception was most accomodating/helpful.
Following our arrival, there was a lot of coming and going, and from memory, the "Complet" sign was up at the entrance for pretty much the whole of the next week (Fri 6th to 13th), although there always appeared to be a small number of vacant pitches. Make of that what you will.
In addition to the above, we initially planned to first head for Molsheim... until we spotted a site full warning notice on their website in early May, for that weekend at the very end of May/into June (26th to 2nd from memory?). This was due to a big VW festival that takes over the whole village. Assume it's annual so check first, if looking to head that way in future years.
Other than Bruges and Ypres, the above are the only times we have ever pre-booked any site on the continent, be that for our June trips, or again when we go over in September.
Generally speaking, there is rarely a need to pre-book in France during those months (from our experience).
Other than that, the cycling through the Alsace vinyards is an absolute dream... hence the reason we returned 12 months following our first visit to the area.
Quote: Originally posted by camp chaos on 10/7/2025
Update upon our return...yes you do need to book ahead sadly, and actually we found that we needed to book 2 sites ahead which was a shame because we found some lovely sites where we would have happily stayed longer. Hey ho, first world problems.
It's a frequent topic of conversation on here and I think the answer is that it really depends on the region, location (coastal sites for example get very booked up in the summer holidays for obvious reasons), popularity and public holidays.
We travelled in June this year and had quite a specific itinerary and also a cherished site that we wanted to return to. We missed the fact that it was Pentecost when we were due on Ile D'oleron Fortunately we'd pre-booked Camping Signol, but it was very busy indeed. On the upside it meant that all the restaurants in the harbour were open on Sunday and Monday, which we weren't expecting.
We were also booked into Le Port de Limeuil but any hopes my husband had of using his charm to negotiate a riverside pitch were foiled by the fact that it was packed solid for the first weekend.
We'd kept our final week fluid, and thank goodness we did because we were able to divert from the boiling Loire to the fresher air of the Normandy coast. I booked the municipal in Fougeres and a site on the Manche coast by email, which worked well. You do need to plan a bit more ahead, I think the final site about four days before we wanted to arrive but rather that than driving around the coast on a sweltering Saturday afternoon trying to find a site, which we've done before
------------- Seeking luxury in unexpected places
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
Clearly the area makes a difference. We came back last week from 2 weeks in France and used three different sites at La Fleche, Le Lion d`Angers, and Sable sur Sarthe, and all three had loads of spare pitches. The one at Lion d`Angers has 47 pitches and only 4 were occupied!
Quote: Originally posted by badger54 on 14/7/2025
Clearly the area makes a difference. We came back last week from 2 weeks in France and used three different sites at La Fleche, Le Lion d`Angers, and Sable sur Sarthe, and all three had loads of spare pitches. The one at Lion d`Angers has 47 pitches and only 4 were occupied!
Very underrated area of France, which many people (us included) use mainly for stopovers. If we were travelling out of season or it was a cool summer (ie not 34deg as it was when we met our Sarhe-based friend in Daon for lunch this June) we would certainly stay longer. However, it's so lovely - beautiful countryside, an abundance of pleasant riverside cafes etc - I'm happy for it to be relatively unknown !
Quote: Originally posted by badger54 on 14/7/2025
Clearly the area makes a difference. We came back last week from 2 weeks in France and used three different sites at La Fleche, Le Lion d`Angers, and Sable sur Sarthe, and all three had loads of spare pitches. The one at Lion d`Angers has 47 pitches and only 4 were occupied!
We were at the Lion d'Angers site last year just after it had reopened. We really liked the site, the location and the lovely young couple running it, despite the fact it was VERY wet on site after all the rain in May last year. I think there were about 3 other units in total on site during our few days stay, but all just overnights.
Such a pity if business doesn't pick up for them - they worked so hard and couldn't do enough to make sure we enjoyed our stay.
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: Alsace sites in June - need to pre book?
via mobile 24/3/2025 at 5:24pm
Fortunately we'd pre-booked Camping Signol, but it was very busy indeed. On the upside it meant that all the restaurants in the harbour were open on Sunday and Monday, which we weren't expecting.
to negotiate a riverside pitch were foiled by the fact that it was packed solid for the first weekend.
