I am taking my first camping trip to France in a couple of weeks. Hoping to drive to the Dordogne and spend 2 weeks there. (very excited!)
I wonder if anyone could recommend sites for teenagers? We will not want to spend the whole time on the big sites with lots of facilities, entertainment etc. We generally prefer the cheaper, more basic and quieter sites. We would really like somewhere chilled out where the kids could walk to a village or small town with cafes, markets etc, hire bikes close by perhaps and generally not be totally dependent on mum driving them everywhere. A river for swimming, canoeing would be great too.
They would also really like to spend a couple of days on a site with a good water park (particularly a water slide!) but so far I can only find the big expensive sites which have this. We could probably spend two or three nights in one of these but does anyone have any particular recommendations?
Thanks!
------------- daisyb
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We stay at Le-Paradis in Saint Leon Sur Vezere, on the river with canoes, 3 pools (no slides I'm afraid), small bar with occasional entertainment, well organised daytime fun and games. We have 2 teenagers and will be going back for the 3rd time this year by their request. Not sure if you'll get in this late most people return year after year and the kids keep in touch with each other and meet up again. They also have a small games room - never been allowe in there the teenagers all hang out in there together.
Tried to find a link on the campsite search but it doesn't appear to be listed the website is www.le-paradis.fr
On the river
Near a village where something happens
Water slides
Tough call
http://www.peneyrals.com/ is best for water slides but misses first two.
Plenty of sites next to the river- Municipal at St Julien de Lampon maybe. Good crop of facilities, superb river location and plenty of other kids and slides for younger teens at Soliel Plage. Equally super river location but less of everything else at http://www.rocherdelacave.com/index.htm
There used to be a municipal and water park in Souillac - but I have no details from recent years
------------- Huw
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Thanks for those suggestions - will spend some time researching tomorrow. A couple of those I have come across already but it's good to get a recommendation - they all look great on the websites.
We do expect to move around - I am thinking we will just do a big site with water slides for a few days - then retreat to somewhere smaller!
TRy CAMPING LA CABANE close to VEZAC. Very FRench - I'moften the only English van there!! Tennis, pool, Boules, Table tennis, very occasionally some teen type music , very old TV room. Alongside the river. 20 mins walk to either Castelnaud or Beynac both with Boulangerie and cafes/restaurants. They just added a hot tub for this year. price--- about 15-18 euros for two inc electric!!! Also very close to the 5 chateau in the area. Flights from the site for around 40 euros. Sarlat 8 miles. MInes a black Audi with a BAiley Bordeaux if you try it!!
You got a route??? From Calais - head to Paris just after De Gaulle Airport vere off to the East of Paris and follow signs for Orleans (via Orly airport) then head to Orleans and the N20/A20 all the way down to Soillac then head for Sarlat (about 50 mins from motorway turnoff. Virtually toll free from Orleans down.
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Hi - thanks for the suggestions. Cabane sounds good - might be good for us. We are travelling via Le Havre and Tours I think.
So far I've booked one quietish site by the river near Domme for a few days. Then Les Peneyrals for three days so they can get their fill of water slides etc.
Am now looking for one last site for the last three days and thought we might move slightly further away from Sarlat area.
Does anyone know about St Cere? There is a campsite by the river near the centre of the town called le soulhol but I can't find any reviews.
Other than that I might try Vezere valley - I quite fancy exploring the caves and kayaking and am beginning to think that the kids will probably be happy just about anywhere. They are getting pretty excited! so am I!
I hope the teenagers like the dordogne but if they want different then France has an enormous range - 'Big' on the Dordogne means 200 pitches but down on the med you can find 1500 pitch sites with late late discos - its only another 4 -5 hrs drive.
wow - I think I would find a site that big overwhelming! I think the teenagers will be fine - they are fairly easily pleased (we live in the country here!). They are studying French at school but have not been to France before and so are excited about just being there - I think access to a small town with cafes, markets and shops, pizzas and crepes will make them pretty happy.
Younger child and I will take canoes trips, hire bikes and/or wander round chateaux and markets.
we are used to camping on fairly basic sites in the UK - they will be fine! and if they grumble they won't be going again!
thanks to all for suggestions.
La Riviere in Les Eyzies on the Vezere is a nice site, although nothing posh. Decent restaurant and small pool.Handy for the river and canoeing and loads of caves nearby. It's quite quiet, but our 19 year old daughter still wants to come with us, even though it will be our 4th year at this site.
La Palombiere at St Nathelene (just outside Sarlat) is good for teenagers as they have good slides and discos etc, but not our 'cup of tea'
We set off for France tomorrow to les Abrets, near Grenoble and then onto Les Eyzies a week tomorrow.
Have fun wherever you end up.
Janet
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Quote: Originally posted by daisyb on 12/7/2008
wow - I think I would find a site that big overwhelming!
that was our fear too -especially as we are village folk but the kids love having loads and loads of playmates - and with Germans, French, Dutch and British all mixing together it is a real positive experience.
We spent an afternoon in St Cere wandering around trying to find a boulangerie, and it's nothing special, I didn't think anyway! Just a small french town, with nothing out of the ordinary to recommend it - (and the boulangerie we did find was the worst we've ever found, with stale tarts, and soggy bread).
We stayed at Domaine de la Faurie near Montfaucon, on the boundary of the Lot and the Dordogne, just off junction 56 of the N20, and thought it very nice. It's quiet, and smallish (67 pitches) - and if you've got a tent there are some great pitches down in the wooded area at the bottom of the site, overlooking the valley. It might be a bit quiet for your teenagers, though - but it's very French.
Off topic, sorry, but I can remember seeing a french film, where the 'Boulanger' had 'arousal' problems, indicated by his baguettes coming out all soggy, and bending in half. When he met the luscious wife of a friend, his baguettes suddenly sprang to attention. Maybe the boulanger in Vitrac has been taking too much viagra!!!
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: Dordogne for teenagers
