We went camping to France for the first time last year and got the bug. We did Normandy and Brittany and stayed in 2 fantastic and very different campsites. Now looking for a campsite in August this year- perhaps Dordogne or mountains (Lake Annecy?) for something different. Hubby wants to go canoeing, kids want swimming pool with slide, I want peace and quiet, stunning scenery, good food, sunny but not overly hot - and plenty to keep everyone entertained. We do like a campfire, but not many French sites seem to allow them.
Also, if we go to Dordogne, should we drive from Calais or Ferry further west? (Last year we went to Le Havre - cheaper than some other crossings and not too long)
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The Tarn Gorge or the Ardeche areas ticks most of your boxes. Been to both and loved them. Both areas are great for canoing or just splashing about in rivers. Gorgeous scenery, pretty quaint villages, good food. Depending on when you go it could be fairly hot though. And, someone could correct me if I'm wrong but I think you'd be hard pushed to find a site that will allow campfires in addition to all your other requirements, especially the more South you go.
Both the Dordogne and Annecy are lovely places.We haven't stayed there but Le Revoir at Doussard on Annecy gets good reviews. Haven't yet uploaded photos of Annecy but have some of the Dordogne which I'm putting on.
Can highly recommend Le Paradis campsite at St Leon sur Vezere in the Dordogne. Its right on the river and you can canoe from the site or they take you upstream to Montignac and have a leasurely canoe back to the site (nice stopping off points for a picnic if you wish). Leave your canoe by the landing stage and walk back to your pitch.
Dordogne is, of course, a lovely area ...
A little further south ... and more neglected ... The Lot valley is much less touristy, but offers tons to do and see.
Entraygues has a superb 'municipal site' right on the river junction of the Lot and Truyere rivers ... also a very short walk into the small town.
We canoed from the campsite regularly ... you can hire if you don't take your own ... we had inflatables ... I'd drive 20k down river, park the car, cycle back, then we'd paddle down to the car and drive back ... made a great day.
Some gorgeous nearby towns and villages including Conques, Espalion and others ... Rodez isn't far.
It really is an area to explore with rivers, good cycling and walking, plus lots to see.
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
Been to both sites annecy and soleil plage and both excellent. August will be busy if you are driving. theres a great cycle path from la ravoire up to annecy so you can leave the car and the scenery is spectacular. Great canoeing from soleil plage and also some good scenery at Domme or Rocamadour and sarlat is a good place to viit too. we plan to go back here on way home in Sept as we loved it so much last time.
Both times we sailed calais - dunkirk. days drive to Eguisheim then about 4 hours next day to annecy. We did the dordogne in a day but that was about 15 hours with plenty of stops and probably would not do it in one go again, saying that we got caught in lengthy traffic jam. which ever you choose it will be great. J x
To be fair to places where the scenery really is stunning I'd not describe Dordogne or Vezere as stunning like tarn or Ardeche
but if you want to canoe for first time they are a good place to start and - although not stunning - they are very lovely areas. I'd suggest not having 1st canoe experience on Ardeche
Thanks everybody - I'm now thinking Dordogne- looks like lots to do and a good choice of excellent campsites. We will probably stop for a few nights on the way there and back.
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: France - Dordogne or mountains?
