I'm going camping with my girlfriend in the first week of July this year.
We are looking at the Normandy, Pays de la Loire, Loire Valley, Poitou Charentes, Limousin and Burgundy regions.
We are in our mid-20s and dont have any kids. Whilst it's nice for other people to have them we don't, and in the nicest possible way I don't want to have to put up with other people's when I'm on annual leave.
What we like is non-commercial sites (not too bothered about the facilities so long as they don't wreck my girlfriend's holiday though she is pretty robust), which are quite small, rustic, and which ideally allow camp fires.
I've checked out the 'allow camp fire' and 'adults only' list of sites, but they either don't have reviews or (in the case of 'allow camp fires') look quite child friendly.
I was hoping some of the more experienced members of the forum would be able to suggest some sites which we might like.
In an ideal world we'd stay in two sites, one near the sea and one inland. Not too bothered if there's a reasonably big drive between them (though I note we are landing in and returning from Cherbourg). Although cost is an issue I'm not too bothered about a few euro here or there on site fees.
Obviously that's a fairly specific post, but I've tried to give as much info as possible rather than just say something so general as to not really enable anyone to say anything useful.
Any advice gratefully received.
Steve
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
Well for a start the first week of July is quite child unfriendly as they're all still at school. There's bound to be some around but I don't think they'll be in anything like the numbers you might envisage.
I can't offer much help except to highlight what you already know, that camping early July and thus just out of (UK and French) school hols will help you minimise the chance of landing a 'kids zone' site. How mobile are you? .. I only ask as when we first camped we didn't book and moved around to follow the weather and to search for the quiter sites and as we'd hired a camper, it was easy to move-on frequently. I wouldn't be put off a site just as there's no review .... it could be that having no review suggests it is off the beaten-track and thus non-busy but not necc. naff. I was going to suggest avoiding sites where major tour operators have presence, but again, even slightly out of season, these sites can be fairly kiddie-free. Hope Val comes along soon, she's the lady to ask.
moving is only a problem to the extent that i dont like burning time taking the tent down, driving around and putting it back up again. every time you do it thats half a day gone....
This site virtually forces you to have campfires, also many of the pitches are so secluded that you'd never even see your neighbours except on trips to the showers - its not in any of the areas you've mentioned and maybe slightly off the beaten track for Cherbourg but you still might want to check it out: http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/sites/reviews.asp?revid=6017
Perhaps this one might be of interest: Camping Melusine. Don't know if they let you take your own tent, as well as stay in one of their own 'pavillions' though - and I haven't been there, so it's not a recommendation, just a suggestion. Another suggestion is to look on the Camping France website, and find a 'Camping a la Ferme' - exactly what you're looking for - and some with exceptional facilities. We've stayed on some, years ago, but not in the areas you're looking at.
Personally, we like bigger sites with facilities like a bar, restaurant, and good pools so we always like Camping Cheque sites - and like the prices too! Out of peak season even the busiest site can be quiet (although the first week in July is getting nearer to peak season).
As far as a 'campfire' is concerned, we usually find sites which allow barbecues, use an upright portable barbecue for cooking our evening meal on, and then sit around it adding pine cones, twigs, wine bottle corks and anything else that we can forage, until we go in for the night! Perfect compromise and any site which allows barbecues can then become a 'campfire' sort of site! Added later: However, in July it could be so hot, even in the evening, that you'll long for a cold bath rather than a hot fire!!!
Just added an afterthought, which is the 'Cool Camping' series of books. My son has one on England, and I'm sure they produce a French version - some lovely sites in the English one, so may be worth looking out for the French one.
Post last edited on 15/05/2008 15:21:59
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
Thanks everyone for all your advice so far. However, I feel I should just correct my boyfriend's small mistake - we are in fact sailing to and from Dunkirk!!
Another suggestion is to look on the Camping France website, and find a 'Camping a la Ferme' - exactly what you're looking for - and some with exceptional facilities.
Val - Don't you need your own loo at the Camping a la Ferme?
I looked at these ages ago, but didn't bother as would mean taking the porta-potti & space is an issue for us.
Just an update to let people know that schools in Northern Ireland and Scotland are on holiday from the end of June so there are always plenty of kids about in France then as we always went the 1st July - 17th July to avoid high season prices
Val - Don't you need your own loo at the Camping a la Ferme?
I looked at these ages ago, but didn't bother as would mean taking the porta-potti & space is an issue for us.
On some, Yes, but others have absolutely fantastic facilities. We've stayed on one site with a swimming pool for five pitches! The toilet block had two loos and two showers - and we've been on sites in England where you got that many for fifty pitches!
Here's another we've stayed on - quite a while ago, but now has added a pool - Rochepierre. - this one had about twenty pitches and some caravans to rent. Most sites with 'facilities' have their own website, so it's easy to see what's available.
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: France, Rustic, Quiet - Suggestions?
