hi has anyone been to this area in august - whats the weather like and any recommendations for campsites suitable for 3 children 9, 11 and 14, who love swimming - we are driving to germany for a week and then hoping to spend a few weeks in this area before heading home - not sure whether to visit this area or travel further along to the Loire - any ideas would be great??
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We were at Camping Le Fayolan for the last two weeks of August this year. Lots of rain and lots of hot weather. First time there so don't know if that is typical weather for the area and time of year. Campsite really good - Yelloh - next to a Lake, plenty to do, next to no Brits on the campsite.
We were in a mobile home and but the pitch sizes did look decent sized - saw lots of caravans and motorhomes that fitted on easily as well as tents that had a gazebo and the vehicle fitting easily onto the pitches.
Mainly going toward narrow I'd say. The main road in and out past the barrier is fine but then some of the turns and roads off that main road were awkward in just a car.
The facilities are quite good - indoor pool and outdoor - both heated plus a separate pool for slides; restaurant, bar and takeaway all seemed decent; direct access to lake for swimming or hiring of kayaks and pedaloes; further along the lake is a large (3 tiered) diving platform which was very popular - this part of the lake is public access. Yelloh puts a lot of time and efforts into the 'animations' - lots of things organised during the day from water polo, boules, ping pong, football matches to aqua fit classes, learn to dance (salsa to country dancing), archery and organised walking tours as well as the evening entertainment - quizzes, bingo, music, caberet, and films.
You can join in as much or as little as you want - we went to a few evening things but not much in the day. I would have thought that this entertainment is reflected in the prices so if it isn't for you, then it may be expensive.
Have compared it to the one we stayed on this summer, it does have a lot more facilities, hence the extra cost.
We were very impressed with Yelloh and would definitely use their sites again.
We found that our kids joined in some of the activities for the first time ever, due to the efforts of animation team.
How did you get there and how long did it take?
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
We went to La fayolan towards the end of August a couple of years back. It was scorching when we arrived, we had a couple cool days at the very end of Aug (18 and cold at night) but then it crept up again to a reasonable temp, we were in t-shirts and shorts.
La Fayolan really worked for us. It was well kept, staff helful. Pool area very nice. The lake was a nice depth. Nice and shallow at the shore, so little ones can have a good paddle. easy to get out further to swim or kayak. You could hire sit on top kayaks at a very reasonable price on site. I'd go back there :) If the weather is bad at least the kids can still swim in the indoor pool.
I prefer the Jura to the Loire, it's worth taking a drive out into the National Park, very pretty. We stayed in a Vacansoilel pre-erected tent so can't really comment on the tent pitches but the facilities looked the same quality as where our tents and vans were. Many of the tent pitches seemed to have nice views of the lake. I think Vacansoilel will arrange camping pitches with them, may be worth comparing their website with booking direct. Sometimes, especially towards the end of the season, they do some good prices.
Thanks noticed there were vacansoleil tents in the site were on this summer.
Have to keep this for another year though, but it is somewhere I really want to go.
Do you think we would get to it towing a 7.8m caravan?
We were at Le Fayolan mid august - had 2 days of heavy rain, 2 or 3 cloudy days then 2 scorchers... so very mixed.
During the rain storms the electricity on site failed and was intermittent - bit of a pain with a soaking wet tent (from previous site) and having just arrived no food available as no cookers so we went out for dinner and luckily by time we got back leccy was back on, but it went off again the following day for a few hours.
Evening entertainment was rubbish IMO compared to other sites of a similar price, daughter went to street dance lesson and kids played in a badminton tournament so daytime stuff was ok. The canoes were very reasonably priced and the onsite tourist shack was useful. There is a teenage disco which was great for older kids, and tbh we didn't hear it too much.
Swimming pool is brill - and the indoor pool was definitely worth it when it was raining - plus steam room and sauna are free.. good way to warm up when it was only 12 degrees (yes, in August!)
Toilets not up to the standard we would expect for the money, one block had no loo seats, there is no toilet paper so you have to carry it with you, but if you have a van that's not a problem. What was a nice touch was the hairdryer in the showers, and the showers themselves were good - lots of hot water and a sink in the shower cubicle so plenty of room to put clothes etc.
So, I think its expensive for what it was - but we would go back simply for the pool and the beach area.
Be warned the pitches are pretty small IMO - so you would definitely need to prebook if you have a big unit. Our tent is only a Nevada M with canopy and we were pitched across the pitch, with guyropes in the bushes.
Distance wise we travelled back from Fayolan to Milton Keynes in one (very long) trip... but going we would stop because we don't like such a long drive if we have to pitch.
Realise this sounds like a very negative review, but for all that we would definitely go back so couldn't have been that bad! The weather didn't help - I am sure if we'd had a week of sunshine I would have given it glowing reports all round.
Thanks xtinexoop,
Entertainment sounds like the site we were on the year, we arent into loads of it.
Most likely the cost is higher due to the pool complex and perhaps the fact that there isnt as big a choice of campsites in this area, as others in France.
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: jura
