We have recently arrived home after our fifth annual holiday in France. This year we again visited the Vendee to a site by the name of "Le Bois Soleil" in Olonne-Sur-Mer. On arrival the site looked ok and was in a great location just 3 miles from the beach and plenty to do in the locality. Also some great cycling direct from the site.
Anyway a few things went wrong whilst staying here and eventually we had to move site.
First of all some French lads threw some fire crackers at my 16 year old daughter and her friend one night. A couple of nights later fire crackers were thrown onto the roof of our caravan at 00.05 just as we were going to bed. Two hours later i heard our very nice Dutch neighbour shouting at some youths so up i got and went outside to find that some lads had tried to start a fire under their car. They were camping in one of those large dutch beach tents.
Two nights later we had been out to watch the sunset down at the beach whilst there we discovered mice in the car, which we presume had come from the site not 100% but that's where the car was most of the time. Later this evening we totally cleared the car to track the mice down. On rising the following morning i noticed the offside rear door open on the car and the hazard lights bleeper sounding, didn't notice the lights flashing either the bright sun or the nearly flat battery, on further inspection i noticed the radio fascia had been nicked. Yes i know i should have removed it however with everything else i forgot and i have never had nor expect anything to be stolen whilst on a site. They also stole six items of clothing from a drier and stuffed one other piece under a ground sheet.
On reporting this to reception they shrugged their shoulders as the did when i reported the firecrackers and told me to sort it myself. I could go on, the attitude of the staff was appalling and unhelpful.
My French is ok and my friends who went with us was very good which was useful when reporting this theft to the local police.
In summary i would strongly recommend people avoid this site. This has not put me off going to France i love the country and the people, just picked the wrong site this time, have stayed at eight other sites in France with never a problem so will be back.
Neill
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Yeap sounds awful,I would say try not to let it put you off all of France and the French,ive literally spent hundreds of nights there but did have some problems with some French youths one night when in a mobile home a couple of years ago at bonne anse plage.
They were very noisy and when asked by myself to be quite for the third time at 3 in the morning became very abussive.I complained to the management the next morning and they checked with other neighbours who had heard the noise,to the credit of the management at Bonne anse the 4 youths were removed from the campsite before midday!
This is the second report about bad behaviour in the Vendee! As said, though, it's not typical. A lot of sites we've been on have actually had night watchmen, who very strictly 'police' the site at night - and at one anyone leaving the bar late was 'escorted' back to their pitch. Although this seemed a bit over the top, we were very grateful when a noisy party next to us were asked to be quiet by the very large French night watchman!
Unfortunately the night watchman was about 18 years old six foot two and about eight stone wet through. Oh and the noise went on till 3pm some nights. Also the night watchman seemed to know the noisey guys by name and just let them get on with it.
neill
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At Camping du Jard at La Tranche sur Mer last week the noise was caused by caravanners in their mid 40's who spoke, laughed and shouted in broad West Midlands accents until 2am most nights.
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We had no problems in the Vendee this year apart from one night and a very loud dutch neighbour, but a few years ago at Les Tours in the Aveyron we virtually became insomniacs due to the teenagers wondering round the site at all hours talking at the tops of their voices. Eventually we would fall asleep only to be woken again at six by the cleaners shouting to each other and slamming toilet seats. We did complain to the management but nothing was ever done about it.
Susie
------------- Live every day as if it's your last - don't waste it
Susie, apart from the noise what did you think of Les Tours? I nearly booked it for this summer but changed my mind. I like the look of the site for shortish stop. Mind you if its noisy that wouldn't suit us at all, Claire
If you like a site that is miles from anywhere in a spectacular setting on the edge of a beautiful lake then this might be the site for you but if you don't have good weather (we had truly awful weather for most of the two weeks in August 2004) then it is virtually impossible to find things to do without driving miles and miles and with three young boys to keep entertained in a tent (last tent ever due to this experience) and the noise issue, it was probably our worst holiday ever. Having said that, when the sun was out for the first two days of the holiday it was lovely, good pool and slides, reasonable little shop, good takeaway and restaurant. Just depends what you like but you would have to pay me a huge sum to get me back there!
Susie
------------- Live every day as if it's your last - don't waste it
We had much the same opinion of Les Tours years ago - absolutely lovely site, lovely setting, fantastic pool - but we had terrible weather for the first three days, and it just put us off even when the weather picked up after that!!!! I'd probably go back now, as a couple with no children to keep amused, because we'd spend more time on the lovely walks, birdlife, etc, but if you've got children I wouldn't recommend it.
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Thanks susie and Val, we have a 5 year old so it's probably not for us. Glad we didnt go this year as we had a great holiday at some lovely sites, Claire
We loved Les Tours but wouldn't go back again because of the distance to drive from the Channel ports plus the lack of stuff to do in the event of bad weather.There's only so many extinct volcanoes you can look at before you become bored - the same with fast flowing rivers.
We had a couple of days of bad weather but in the main it was very warm during the day, but due to its altitude it could be a bit chilly at night even in July.
If you want a nice place to just go and sit then Les Tours is fine, but you can do that much closer to home without incurring the costs of tolls and huge amounts of fuel and spending hours and hours on autoroutes etc.
Stayed there 2 years ago..lovely site except the weather is as stated by others.
Sat at the pool on a lovely afternoon, then in the distance could see the storm. Got a bit concerned and headed back to my TT to close the windows...just as we got back and mini tornado appeared. Hailstones size of golf balls and the wind whipped upto about 80 mph. Next doors dutch caravan awning went...along with Gazebos all over the place. My awning poles bent but held fast.
Apparently this weather is common for this area and it came and went in an instance.
We stayed at Bois Soleil but it was the one at St george de didonne. We have been to this one for the last 3 years and never had any problems at all. The only problem we have had is to remember to book for the next year before we leave. We use camping cheques but as most people book as they leave if you don't the chances are you won't get in. Which says how good the site is.
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: Great Ho;iday appaling site
