We are considering the Dordogne for next year.
I have used the camp site search, and have looked at all sites, but I was hoping to get a personal reccomendation from one of you lovely people!
We have three boys who will be 10,9 and 8 next year so it needs to be somewhere suitable for them.
We like a site that has things going on, but like the "Castel" type of camping site, as they often feel more personable.
Any suggestions for me?
Also where would you suggest stopping off and how long is the drive about?
We normally do Portsmouth-Le Havre but with the price shooting up, we mau consider a Norfolk Lines crossing from Dover.
All help would be most welcome!
Lindsay x
------------- Abbey Farm
Wellington Country Park
Gibraltar Farm
Abbey Farm
Arromanches
Le Brevedent
Abbey Farm ....again!
Manoir Du Kerlut, Quimper
Charity Farm, Wigan, Lancs
Camping Val de Loire, Mesland, France
Abbey Farm
Lower Lacon
Beechwood, Yorks
Black Horse Farm, Folkestone
I'le D'Offard, Saumur
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Would definitely recommend St Avit de Loisirs near Le Bugue. Bit off the beaten track but as a site it is fantastic and according to people on here who have been there this year they have added more activities for the kids - but I will let someone else give you more info on this. Great pool area with slides etc and an indoor pool for any bad weather. Lots of space and lovely area. We canoed on the Vezere river rather than the Dordogne as it is very close and had great fun. Apparently the site arranges quad biking trips these days too. We have three boys who were much the same age as yours when we went there and they had a ball. We stopped off at an Ibis hotel in central Orleans as we went Dover - Calais and hired a static at the site.
Susie
------------- Live every day as if it's your last - don't waste it
This is a Les Castels site. We stayed there this year for 12 nights. I've been going to France since 2000 and been on some great sites but I have to say this is without doubt the best site I have ever stayed at. The site was exceptionally well organised and run. The toilet blocks where absolutely spotless and coped well when we wwere there. The swimming pool although without slides was good and it's terraced area had plenty of sunbeds, although not much shade here. The site restaurant was excellent, although a little pricey. But at least you didn't have to drive. The layout of the site was a bit steep in parts but all pitches were terraced an level. It was heavily wooded but if the weather is hot then that's not a bad thing. The pitches at the lower end of the site were more open. The location, on the road between Sarlat and Les Eysies was a bit remote but it did make easy touring of the area being centrally located. The site was just starting to organise daytime activities for youngsters but I can't comment on that as I didn't get involved. There was a small childrens play area and two tennis courts. I wouldn't heasitate to go back here.
Route I took from Calais was autoroute to Rouen across country to Orleans and a good over night stop is just south of here at a site in Salbris which is easy to get to just of the autoroute. Following day continue south to Brive la Gaillarde then head west to Perigord and south to Sarlat. A long drive of about 535 miles but if you make an early start from Calais is easily do-able in two days.
harryb
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Le Paradis - Saint Leon Sur Vezere, situated on the river, canoes can be hired from site by the hour or organised trips. Various activities organised throughout the day and night. Owned by a Dutch family for the last 40 years, very friendly, we have returned 3 years on the trot!! My children are now 17, 16 and 6. The eldest 2 were the onbes that wanted to return made good friends and wanted to return. The pools are basic pools with no slides but that never really effected my kids. There is a childrens club morning and evening 6 days a week. This is the link http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/sites/details.asp?revid=7606. Regarding the drive down we travelled from Le Havre last year and arrived at 4.00 (ish), we did an overnight stop coming back up because of the ferry time, however I believe they are doing overnight crossings back during the week this year.
Le Paradis - Saint Leon Sur Vezere, situated on the river, canoes can be hired from site by the hour or organised trips. Various activities organised throughout the day and night. Owned by a Dutch family for the last 40 years, very friendly, we have returned 3 years on the trot!! My children are now 17, 16 and 6. The eldest 2 were the onbes that wanted to return made good friends and wanted to return. The pools are basic pools with no slides but that never really effected my kids. There is a childrens club morning and evening 6 days a week. This is the link http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/sites/details.asp?revid=7606. Regarding the drive down we travelled from Le Havre last year and arrived at 4.00 (ish), we did an overnight stop coming back up because of the ferry time, however I believe they are doing overnight crossings back during the week this year.
i would recomend Soleil Plage ,right next to the river Dordogne , Huw who posts on here would be able to tell you more about the site , if you dont mind the drive ,we have done the journey from Calais in a day ,taking 5 breaks
------------- Luvly Jubbly
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Site at Biron is lovely. I'm not at home at moment but think it's called mondial (?)...though sadly not in France but at least in Padstow where Rick Stein actually LIVES !Biron site is great for kids. Our youngest and his friend at 14 had best camping holiday ever with lots of youngsters their age around and good bar for them to hang around at.Not intimidating for young people like some of bigger 0nes can be.
I'll be doing 6th - or is it 7th at Soleil Plage
best site I could find alongside a great spot on the river.
We go the last week of Aug when many sites are shutting down but Soleil Plage is still at full speed with all facilities: BUT Sol Plag is the most expensive in the area I think - IMO its VFM if you want facilities/activities, however if you just want a field or less minimal facilities then La Bouysse is next to Soleil Plage and has nearly as good a situation.
Le Rocher de la Cave at Carsac has a very good situation on the river but[ unlike sol plg] no big heated pool with slides [and its 90% plus french whereas soleil plage will offer more brit playmates for the kids.] There is another site next to la Rocher dlc with less direct river access, its Dutch run with many dutch clients.
The site at Biron is Le Moulinal - another great site if you want a lake rather than river situation. They used to put on an enormous range of activities and have a happy hour every night - they may still do so
------------- Huw
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Site at Biron is called La Moulinal. Its a very nice site went there last year, nice pool and lake but a little bit far from the sites of the Dordogne, like Sarlat, and all the major sites of the Perigord Noir. Another lovely site is La Paille Basse in Soulliac, which is between the Lot and Dordogne, Lovely swimming pool, bar and restaurant and in high season entertainment, also beautiful views, again a bit remote but beautiful, La Grolajac is also a very nice campsite. To be honest we have never found a bad campsite in the Dordogne
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: Help with the Dordogne!
