We are comparing various sites in the area and seem to have narrowed to Sequoia Parc and Logis du Breuil. A few posts say that Sequoia Parc is 'out on a limb' or '30 minutes to nearest beach', but looking at the map it looks in a great spot between La Rochelle and Royan...perhaps it's different on the ground.
If you have been to Sequoia did you have to travel quite far to get anywhere off site? Which were the nearest/nicest beaches? We tend to like to go out for days so don't want to spend hours in the car getting there.
We normally go for smallers sites like L'Etang de la Breche (Saumur) and La Ravoire (Annecy) - Logis du Breuil looks similar, but we're are tempted by Sequoia's fab pool and all-round facilities.
Any thoughts on either site welcome - or any other recommendation to consider. Thank you!
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I know lots on here love Sequoia parc but we were then on the 26th August and the pool area was jam packed, no loungers, struggled even to put my towel down. In fairness though the pool is fabulous, pitches huge and the place is really nice but we just couldnt cope with the noise/ business of the pool. I thought maybe it was because alot of other sites have rivers/ lakes/beaches near or on site whereas with Sequoia the highlight of the site is the pool. Having been to Etang de la Breche the areas away from the pool are similar as in loads of space, very well maintained etc. The playarea was very good, shop well stocked too.
Cant help on travelling times as we only stayed one night but I can see the appeal location wise like you say.
------------- Thistledown Easter
Nantcol June
Domaine du Verdon Castellane and Etoile d'Argens Frejus Aug
Logis is a much quieter site, and very close to the best beaches of that area. I think you'd have a longer journey to get to the best beaches from Sequoia Parc area.
I looked at Sequoia park many times because our teens loved the look of the water park. However after reading reviews (on many different sites) we came to the conclusion that if we were picking the site for the facilities, then the weather had to be pretty much guaranteed. I read review after review where it rained more days than not in July/Aug, the pools were freezing and there was just not enough to do in the area (without getting grid-locked or being quite a drive).
We've ended up booking Cambrils Park in Spain - similiar site but the sun will shine....ahhh!
------------- Claire x
Jan 2013 - Skiing, Kühtai, Austria
May - Swiss Farm
Fforest Ffields
Aug - Saumur, France
Oct - Somewhere...
Jan '14 - Skiing, Les Houches
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We stayed at Logis this year, couldn't have asked for better weather. We paid a visit to Sequoia, and yes, it is longer to reach the coast simply because of the traffic, it was really really busy. The slides did look great fun, someone told me about people leaving there beach towels on loungers and then not returning for ages (whilst they went for a wander, had lunch etc) and that would annoy me. The pitches looked a good size. There's lots of entertainment for all ages.
It's a lovely area with lots to do, the beaches are amazing and never crowded, there are some great restaurants around particularly if you enjoy seafood. Last year we spent a couple of days (when it was cloudy) visitng Cognac, Talmont, Mornac. This year we planned to go to Rochefort, maybe even La Rochelle, but we didn't have any cloudy days so simply spent the whole time at the beach or the pool. We're big 'beach' people, even in the winter!
There are lots of campsites in the area. Bonne Anse Plage is another popular one, along with Les Charmettes, La Pignade, L'Oree du Bois. Maybe have a look at those too.
I was at Sequoia this summer for about 3 weeks in the high season. (Yes, Webby, I'm planning to submit a review...)
The pools are indeed the highlight, and they do indeed get VERY crowded at peak times, to the point, as has been said, that you cannot find anywhere poolside to park towels (and if you do they are likely to get wet if they're not on a lounger), and there's barely room in any pool to string more than a couple of strokes together. Different story on a cloudy day however...
I wasn't as impressed with the sanitaires as I expected. Whilst they were clean (apart from the swallow droppings), there were issues with water temperature and queues.
Similarly I wasn't impressed with my pitch.The many ruts and slight slope made it difficult to level the unit, and more annoyingly getting a table and four chairs to not rock was a twice-daily daily chore (as we moved to chase the shade). We'd expected better privacy than we got, and the water/drainage point on our pitch meant we had folk from 3 neighbouring pitches coming on to ours to access it. So, dont bother paying extra for a Grand Confort.
Mosquitoes were a big problem for two of the family, despite the many precautions we all took (including not eating out doors in the evening). Deterants are expensive at the site shop, so take some from home.
Beaches are indeed 30 mins away, and there are several options. We used some off the D25 to the north of la Palmyre. Very nice, spacious, clean. The catch is the walk over the dune to get there from the car, no toilets (read smelly car parks) and parking itself is an issue if you don't go early.
Our end of the site suffered from significant road noise, whilst at the other end you'd be unable to opt-out of listening to the evening entertainment.
I thought the site restaurant was particularly poor value.
Sequoia has some good features, but I wont be going back.Sorry I haven't been to Logis du Breuil so can't give a comparison.
Well, we have regretably been back two long weeks since our secound visit to Sequoia and reading TT's post above I think we must have been at a different site!
We loved the peace and quiet on our flat huge pitch, yes the pool did get busy, but what pool on any site wouldnt get busy when the temperature was hitting 28 degrees!
Totally agree that it is a drive to a decent beach, but not being great beach lovers this was not a problem for us, access to any of the decent beaches would involve a drive from most campsites anyway. The site is well placed for site seeing, but traffic in whole area from Royan to Isle D'Oleron is busy whichever direction you drive in We found short cuts through Marrennes and tried to get out and about as early as possible, traffic around the Zoo at La Palmyre was always a nightmare.
Everyone has different requirements/order of preferences for a campsite but having looked at quite a few sites in the surrounding area (didnt visit Logis du Breuil thou) we came to the conclusion that in our opinion Sequoia was a good choice, and the pros far outweight the cons.
------------- Dec- Bath Marina
Dec- Chertsy ccc
Dec- Oxford ccc
May- Apple Orchard Forest of Dean
July- France TBC
Aug- La Grenouille Hautefort
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We also had a fantastic time at Sequoia parc last month - we were on a lovely huuuge pitch close to the spotless showerblock. What about Marennes beach absolutely gorgeous sandy beach about a 15-20 minute drive, has a big warm lagoon complete with life guards - ideal for young children. There is a kids play area, a snack bar, & a couple of restaurants- you can even park on the road right in front of the beach so no lumping all your gear to a distant car park. I have to say we didn't spot another Brit on the numerous occasions we spent there so it must be well kept local secret. I'lle d'oleron is just a stones throw away with Fort Boyard & lovely harbour town of La Cotiniere. The pool area at Sequoia was excellent but very busy but to be honest we expected it in school hols - we either arrived early and spent the day there or just went later in the afternoon & just took towels for a swim.
We didn't even get attacked by the legendary mossies - would definitely revisit at some point.
Thank you, everyone. Really helpful advice and looks like either site would work pretty well so we'll be able to decide soon...
Those who have been to Sequoia Parc and had nice pitches, can you remember which area you were in, as I know it's a big site? If we book we'd like at least to request a better part of the site and, without having been, it's nice to get some insider knowledge!
Hi Leq,both times we visited Sequoia we were in F section and i think this contributed to the quality of our stay, this area seems to be one of the quieter sections, although the further back you go from the entertainment you go, a litte road noise can be heard.
We had pot luck on our first visit and were on F162, a smallish corner plot, we managed but we felt we had been unlucky. For our secound visit we were more prepared, if you book early (ie NOW) you are asked to pick five pitches, you are not guaranteed this request but they will do there best to honour! True to thier word we did recieve one of our requested pitches F160, which we loved, short walk to toilet block and a bit further onto the entertainment and lovely and peaceful! Do be careful thou, F section has a big open grassed area whose pitches have no divides and appeared very cramped, had we been there i dont think we would have enjoyed Sequoia half as much.
We took loads of pictures of the camp and would be happy to send them to you, just pm me your email.
------------- Dec- Bath Marina
Dec- Chertsy ccc
Dec- Oxford ccc
May- Apple Orchard Forest of Dean
July- France TBC
Aug- La Grenouille Hautefort
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Hi we were also on area F defininitely recommended for being a bit quieter and very close to showerblock I think our pitch was F151 - if my pitch photo doesn't work I'll add it to my gallery - I think you will agree theres plenty of space!
Don't know about Sequoia but I can tell you we had a lovely holiday earlier this year at Logis de Breuil.
We were there in June, but the site was quite busy but not to a point where it was unbearable - anything but. It's got a lovely pool with a kiddies bit hived off. Nice little bar and bistro, good shop and bike hire all on site. It's about 10 minutes drive to the nearest beach or you can take the Cara'bus.
We experienced fantastic weather with only three cloudy mornings but NO RAIN and little wind.
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: Sequoia Parc or Logis du Breuil
