OK - we've bought and read the books, checked out about a million websites (it feels like) but we still can't make a decision on where to go this summer (I know we are probably leaving it really late!) so I am now asking all you lovely people out there for your recommendations, after all, personal recommendation is always the best.
We are looking for a campsite in the French or Swiss Alps area. We have two children (age 10 and 6) who love to meet other English children although they are not really bothered by kids clubs. The site must have either a decent swimming pool or a swimming lake. Pitch size is a bit of a concern as our unit is 7.2 metres and by the time you've added an awning, car, bbq, bikes etc, you still need somewhere to sit and people watch with a glass of wine in the evening.
Any ideas would be gratefully received.
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
How about l'escale at le Grand Bornand? We went in 2006, the site was very busy because they had given their rally field over to statics but it may be that they don't take rallies in the summer any more now that they don't have the rally field. Pitches aren't overly large so make sure they know how big your unit is and can accommodate.
It has a pool, not overly deep but good enough to cool off and romp around in and the food on site is excellent. You can walk into the village and it is about 18 miles out of Annecy with a great drive down into town. Mountains all around, great walking, can drive to Mont Blanc and Chamonix.
L'escale is one of our favorite sites. We have tended to go in June so the site has not been full the times we have been. Pitch size seem OK to me and you van is not that much bigger than ours. Have a look here http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/sites/details.asp?revid=7480
Yep we were there in the June David but it was pretty much full to capacity! They seem to have moved some of the pitches as our number and water and waste didn't align with the edge of the pitch any more so they have reduced some of the pitches it would seem! Hence I said prudent to check out they have a large enough pitch because of the changes they have made.
Ali
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
It was a lovely site - stunning views, really friendly, superb standard of toilet and shower blocks, and a lovely pool for the kids with a slide. We would definately go back.
The Swiss Alps are breathtakingly spectacular especially around Interlaken but beware, pitch size on Swiss sites can be tight for large outfits, sometimes in the region of 80 Sq Mtrs, tight for a 7.2 outfit.
The French Alps, especially around Lake Annecy are also beautiful and looking at your requirements you maybe better suited here. La Ravoire, mentioned above, has the amenities you stated plus you are very near to the lake which also has lakeside lidos. This is a very popular area and site in peak weeks. I would book sooner rather than later. Tell the site your outfit size when booking it may help.
We stayed at Le Colombiere near Geneva two years ago. Very nice site. Could get Bus into Geneva or to Annecy. Very friendly owner who is head of tourism for the area and very keen to take guided walks. It is mentioned in January Caravan club mag.
Large pitches, great swimming pools, friendly and helpful staff, reasonably priced on-site restraunt and clean facilities.
We visited in August and there was a good mix of nationalities including other Brits with young children.
Highlight of our trip was a visit to Les Deux Alpes, about 30 minutes away, where we took a cable car to the top of the mountain to see the glacier and ice caves. It was incredible, watching people skiing in the morning then by the pool in the afternoon at 33 degrees.
The alps are breathtaking in summer and we can't wait to go back again.
------------- I can remember when this was all fields.
Does anyone know how dog friendly La Ravoire is - especially for swimming in the lakes etc. I ask this because we looked into a site in France Peyralade in the Tarn Gorge that advertised as dogs allowed but they werent allowed on the beach bit by the river which was no use for us - especially in the high temperatures we had over the past couple of weeks.
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: Campsite in French/Swiss Alps
