How big is big? Mine is 5metres wide by 7 to 9metres long, depending on whether we put up the extension, and I've not yet had an issue with fitting it on. Sure, sometimes we need to park the car elsewhere, but that's not been a big deal. If we're booking a long stay in peak season I will check beforehand with the site that they can accommodate us.
Mine is 7.5 meters long and not had a problem with it yet. From my limited experience most pitches over there seem to be at least 10m in one direction.
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In coastal areas sites close to the beach tend to have smaller pitches--If you are prepared to stay a few miles inland you will find cheaper sites often without designated marked out pitches so allowing yourselves to spread out--to get more specific advice you need to decide what part of France you want to go to, if you want definite hot weather Jul/Aug you will need at least a 500 mile drive from Calais
This is a list of previous postings asking about First-time in France. I'd ask "What sort of site do you have in mind?" France has over 11,000 campsites - everything from 'all singing, all dancing' sites, to just a tap in the corner of an orchard. "Do you want a site with pool, and kids' clubs", for instance, or just a quiet pitch on a farm? "Again, how far do you want to travel - and from which port?"
If you want large sites, with full facilities, then have a look through the brochures of operators such as Eurocamp, Keycamp, Canvas Holidays - they tend to operate on the bigger sites - if these are the sorts of sites you like then someone on here will have been and been able to give you advice on a specific site. If not, and you'd prefer a quieter sort of site, maybe on a beach, or in the mountains, then again someone will have a site to recommend.
If people have a bit more of an idea of what you want, and what your 'essentials' must be, then they can make more informed recommendations.
Thanks for the advice, We have 7 kids, our tent is a Sunncamp Manta 16 man. It takes up 11mtrs square. My kids are aged between 2 and 15 so somewhere with a range of family activities. Or close to somewhere with activities.
Wow that's big. We've seen some Dutch families with really big tents, but I don't think I've seen a 16 person one! Somewhere I've seen details of a site with pitches up to 400 sq m - but can't remember where. If I do I'll get back to you with details.
If you don't want to go too far for your first time, then in Picardie (cheap Dover/Calais crossing) then La Ferme des Aulnes has a children's club in high season, and is near the beaches, has a heated indoor pool with spa, archery, sports pitch, children's playground, and fitness room. It's average pitch size is 135 sq m - but I presume some pitches will be bigger, and you could email and tell them what size you're looking for - and perhaps park your car off pitch. Le Val d'Authie, also in Picardie, advertises average pitch sizes of 160 sq m so I presume they have even bigger ones available. A bit further to travel, but only about three hours from Calais, a good site for first-timers, with loads going on, is La Croix du Vieux Pont at Berny Riviere - this has some very big pitches, and an average pitch size of 130 sq m. There are lots of other British families on this site - and organised coach trips to Disneyland. La Garangeoire in the Vendee (lots of reviews on this site) has pitches of average 150 sq m. All these sites have plenty going on, particularly in high season and the reception staff will all speak enough English to be able to help with your requests by email. Hope others on this site know of sites with even bigger pitches.
The biggest pitches we have seen were at Château des Ormes in Brittany.
We were in a Canvas tent which are relatively big (although I guess not compared to yours!) and we had on the pitch a car, table, chairs, loungers and still had room for ball games on our pitch.
I think it really depends where you go, the closer to the south coast, the smaller the pitches tend to get. We've been turned away from some, but have always found somewhere. It's best to ask the site when booking. Usually we find that we are limited to one choice of layout/orientation by either the width or depth of pitch and usually have to park somewhere else. Also, you have to remember that guy ropes can add a couple of metres, we've had to peg these out in the hedges.
We've tried La Nautique in Narbonne - advertises huge pitches but we found that most were just extremely long and narrow (ours was 6m x 12m) - not much use if your tent is square. Also the pitch surface was pretty poor - just rubble. Did have private facilities, though, which was great and good kids club and pool.
Alan Rogers' guide book normally mentions pitch size.
------------- Mel
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
We have a 12-man tent and have been able to find pitches without booking so far for the last 2 years. It was a bit close on a site near Pont du Gard but we still got on. We go in August (for most of it TBH).
I've seen a 16 man tent and its not that much bigger than ours so you should be fine. Nice having all that space isn't it?
------------- pork
Remember a good wife always helps her husband with the dishes.
we had a big tent and had no problems, in fact on one site we culd have pitched two of them and still have room for the car.Little bit tight on a site in the ardeche but the adjacent pitch was empty so we stuck the car there. We arent going to France this year due to work commitments but all this talk is making me jealous. have a great time.
Mark & Amanda
------------- Had a 2 year break from camping but ff to france this summer hopefully
Strikes me with 7 kids any tent no matter how big wouldn't actually feel like a lot of space! Its hard enough having storage for 2 kids and all their 'gubbins'.
Before we got the combi camp we had a big tent and had difficulty at a few sites, particularly in the South of France. The biggest pitches we have had have been at La Garangeoire in the Vendee and at L'Etang de la Breche in the Loire. Both would definitely accommodate a tent your size.
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: Large tents in France
, depending on whether we put up the extension, and I've not yet had an issue with fitting it on. Sure, sometimes we need to park the car elsewhere, but that's not been a big deal. If we're booking a long stay in peak season I will check beforehand with the site that they can accommodate us.
