Been there, but it's more than twenty years ago now, so probably not much help!! I took my sons, on my own, when I'd split up with my now ex-husband. We were there in early season (May) when the site was just opening so it was very quiet. We had a great time - and our pitch had an individual bathroom, which was a real novelty. The site is within walking distance of the beaches at the Port Camargue end of Grau du Roi.
We still like the little town of Grau du Roi, a touristy fishing village, but with working fishermen still, and a fish auction daily on the quayside. There are a lot of 'tat' shops, but the beaches are nice and shallow, there are showers on some sections of the beach, and the sea is generally warmer there than in most areas around. We've been lots of times more recently, but never back to Le Jardins du Tivoli.
Hi Val.
I am just looking at the "Le Grau Du Roi" area as a contender for our 2016 trip, thinking last week of June, first week of July.
Using the Newhaven - Dieppe crossing and none Toll road route down to Millau etc, is starting to make a lot of sense.
So the campsite search has started, we don't need to be right on the beach, 5 or so miles in land with no animations would suit us, so I am probably thinking 3 Star type campsite.
If you or any others have any thoughts, please say as I am going stare crazy with the search.
Was hoping to use the ACSI CampingCard for the first time in anger with this trip.
Just noticed how old the original post is 5 years wow!
Would you believe it Francais, that I wouldn't know what to recommend these days. I don't know any of the ACSI sites in that area personally. For our most recent stays nearby we used to prefer Le Boucanet (with Camping Cheques), which was adjacent to the beach west of Grau du Roi, but on our last two visits they'd taken over all the beachfront pitches and put chalets on them, which reduced the number of large pitches, giving the site a rather crowded feel. I wouldn't recommend it now.
Additionally (and you may have seen me mention this before) someone read one of my reviews, and then absolutely hated Grau du Roi, suggesting it was like the worst bits of Blackpool. (email vaaldaathome at gmail.com for details and I'll fill you in) and this was one of the reasons I stopped doing reviews!
Strangely we tend to visit Grau du Roi when in that area - we often go to the bull running events in September, but these days we stay further away. We nearly always have lunch at the Hotel de Grand Sud, where the Maitre D recognised us in 2014 after a few years of not going back! In fact my post in 2010 was probably after the last time we stayed in that area.
Friends have stayed at Mas du Mourges, which I've just seen is an ACSI site, but warned that the mosquitos were a real problem - as they can be in that area at that time of year.
To be perfectly honest, and based on what we do now, I think I would stay further inland and travel down to the beaches when you need a 'beach fix'.
For our most recent stays nearby we used to prefer Le Boucanet (with Camping Cheques), which was adjacent to the beach west of Grau du Roi, but on our last two visits they'd taken over all the beachfront pitches and put chalets on them, which reduced the number of large pitches, giving the site a rather crowded feel. I wouldn't recommend it now.
Francais, our style of holiday is not the same as yours, as we only tend to stay on any site for a few days and then move on. But we have stayed a few times at La Grande Motte, which is not far from Grau du Roi. Most recently at the end of September, for 9 days, which is a record for us! No pool, but it is a typical French site. We've come to like it, and have made friends who also spend a few days there twice a year.
We too have stayed at La Boucanet in the past, so out of curiosity, when we cycled to Grau du Roi, we called in at Le Boucanet, as you cycle straight past it. Very disappointed, as Val says, there are lots and lots of chalets now. I certainly wouldn't recommend it either.
Grau du Roi itself is ok, I wouldn't say it was like Blackpool, it's pleasant to have a stroll round, much like a lot of seaside towns really. When at La Grance Motte, we always cycle there at least once as it is a nice bikeride. Aigues Mortes is nice to visit, a visit and walk all the way around the town walls is very interesting.
Of course there is Camping Neptune, near Agde, that's quite pleasant and from this year only accepts ACSI.
Thanks both for that, lots to think about now, we did visit "Le Grau du Roi" back in 2010, but only as a day trip from our campsite at Ucel near Aubenas in the Ardeche.
So we only had time to do the beach, and even stumbled onto the nudist beach by accident.
In fact it was mid July 2012 and we almost got sand blasted on the beach, as the Mistral was playing havoc, almost lost the Sun Beach Brolley that we had carted all the way from England.
Plan "B" is to go more towards Cap d' Agde, but again inland, and may go upto 10 or 15 miles from the coast, as that seems to be a better idea for the type of campsite we go far.
And yes we do like to plonk our tent down on the same spot for at least 14 nights.
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
Francais, may I suggest Camping les Chenes at Junas - unless you think 18 miles inland is a little too far.
It's close to Sommieres which is a fascinating old town, and which has a much more expensive site (Domaine de Massereau) on its doorstep if you want to spend money .
Quote: Originally posted by Berriow on 16/1/2015
Francais, may I suggest Camping les Chenes at Junas - unless you think 18 miles inland is a little too far.
It's close to Sommieres which is a fascinating old town, and which has a much more expensive site (Domaine de Massereau) on its doorstep if you want to spend money .
We stayed at Les Chenes a few years ago too, main reason for us of course that it has a cycletrack fairly near the site to get to Sommieres. At that time I'm sure they accepted the ACSI card, so perhaps they still do. We were on a pitch right at the back on the top part of the site, away from the pool. There were a few horses which kep coming to see us from over the fence, got quite friendly with them in the few days we were there!
When we went to Sommieres we also cycled round the municipal site there; but it didn't come across as a particularly nice site for some reason. Sommieres is indeed a lovely town.
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: LES JARDINS DE TIVOLI GRAU DU ROI
