I apologise in advance for what is a highly popular request!
We wish to go camping to the South of France next year and would like some recommendations. We want to go to S/E coast, within a few km at most of a beach and must have a pool. It doesn't need to be big or have entertainment.
I have read zillions of posts old and new and have got a few ideas but mainly from big sites that are like Haven. We really don't want to pay all that money for stuff we won't use.
WE are a car and van with 2 adults and one 14yr old boy, and a motorhome with 2 adults and a 16yr old boy.
Several people have mentioned the municipal sites but i was worried they would be full of gypsies!! I am also not sure if i will need to book in advance.
BTW we are going JUly/August, we have 3 weeks but want to make our way leisurely to the main site on the coast, maybe taking 4 days to get there and have 10-12 days on the main site.
Thanks in advance.
------------- Judith m Eddington
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
Hmmm--If your going to the Medeterrnean coast Jul/Aug--this is peak season & this is the 1 part of France where campsites do get full up & you may have probs if you havent booked--away from the coast you maybe ok--camping municipals are genrally good & away from the coast they may be as little as £6 per night-they are not full of pikeys--they jus take over fields & car parks!---you will have no probs getting a pitch on the med coast June or late Aug---but if you want nice site with a pool on the coast mid Jul-mid Aug---you will have to book asap----
> Several people have mentioned the municipal sites but i was worried they would be full of gypsies!! I am also not sure if i will need to book in advance. <
Never seen any gypsies on a municipal and I use them frequently. Did see travellers belonging to a fair once, the were from one of the attractions and were situated far from the other guests. No problem at all.
I have seen hippy-type nomads more often with horsecarts, who would be camping on some nature area near town, but not on a campsite.
I would not worry about it.
I don not know the area you are going to. At the seaside it always will be more crowde, but if you go to the small villages, further away fron the larger towns/cities it will be better.
Although August is the busiest month, I never booked for municipals. Of course you may telephone the very morning you go there or maybe one day in advance.
It is mainly a matter of time of arrival. Arriving at 8 pm is more risky than arriving at 5 or 6. At 5 there usually will be space enough.
Maybe it is different for the region you will be visiting, but still I think I would just preserve my freedom. France is loaded with campsites.
We returned from a second holiday at Le Boucanet mentioned by Waldovia. It has an excellent location right on the beach. We have in the past also stayed at sites in Port Grimaud which are again right on the beach. The only problem with Boucanet is the ground conditions. All the pitches are on sand which can become rutted therefore making it difficult to get on and off of with a caravan or a motorhome but the site staff are good at helping you.
Municipals offer superb value for money and very often excellent facilities. One of the best publications is the Caravan Club European Guide Vol 1 all the reports are by members so they are objective, well at least from the point of view of the writer! You don't have to be a member to buy a copy. If you want more info on Port Grimaud please e-mail me.
David
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
http://users.pandora.be/leo.huybrechts/camp1.htm and click at the french flag. This gives access to may electronic camping guides.
I use the Michelin guide as my prime camping guide for France. The also include the municipals and give you a fairly good indication as to the tariffs.
We've stayed at Camping de la Baie at Cavalaire - smallish pitches, some with drops at the sides, crowded site, but central in Cavalaire, and only a short walk to the nearest beach. If you want everything on your doorstep, then this is a good site but not on the prettiest part of the coast.
Cros de Mouton is higher up in Cavalaire, overlooking the bay - haven't stayed there but have been for a drink. First impression is that it looks a bit run down, but we have friends who love staying there.
At Pamplonne you may have the same problem as at Boucanet - near to the beach, but sandy pitches, not easy to get on and off.
All these sites will be expensive in July/August - there are some excellent municipals around, but haven't tried any in this particular area. However, you can get good information from the French Tourist Office - just ask for campsite info for the chosen area - and try the Allan Rogers Guide to France, which gives 'objective' reviews of a variety of different sites from very big, to small municipals.
I had the same reservations about Municipal Sites and up till my most recent wander in France always arranged for private pitches in advance. I am now a changed caravanner. On my last holiday I started off at Bagnoles de l'Orne a beautiful spa town in Normandy, I went for a few days and stayed ten. Everything a good site should have, large well defined pitches, very good clean facilities, in fact everything a first class site should have except a pool. I would recommend it to anyone and since then I have made a point of seeking out and inspecting Municipal Sites wherever I roam. I did 4,000 miles on my last trip so I saw a few?
I am not saying they are all brilliant, they are normally in attractive locations but sometimes the toilet facilities and showers are not the best you can find but even these are not too bad for a short stay. They are all worth a look and even the best of them are still cheaper than most private sites.
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
we too are heading for s e france but in late June,looking at frejus sort of area.dont want a fancy expensive site , something with good clean showers & a pool will suffice.
Interestingly, stopped at only one municipal this year & there were half a dozen pikey vans on , this was at Bonny-sur-loire. didnt cause any problems but got some dodgy looks off some of them...
we too are heading for s e france but in late June,looking at frejus sort of area.dont want a fancy expensive site , something with good clean showers & a pool will suffice.
We stayed at Domaine du Colombier, Frejus in 2001 (Our review) and found it to be very nice. Couldn't stay in 2003 though as it burnt down :-(
Stayed at Les Pins Parasols, Frejus this year but would only give the site 2 stars (haven't done a review yet). I noticed Colombier was back up and running this year and would highly recommend the site.
Only problem is the area is not entirely to our liking and intend to go back to the Camargue next year.
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: campsite wanted in France
