Please can someone put me out of my site searching misery...
Travelling to Ile D'Oleron on what I'm told is one of the "Black Saturdays" (28th July). Going on from there for our 3rd week to Les Peupliers in Couhe then off back to Caen - that bit's easy.
For the first week, before Oleron am struggling.
We will have a post ferry overnighter around Le Mans then happy to drive for 4-5 hours in the hope of sunny weather.
Wanted to be somewhere which was less than 3 hours to Oleron given the traffic is likely to be terrible.
South/South West from le Mans is the top of Dordogne/Southern Charente/Limousin.
Site in Brantome:
http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/sites/details.asp?revid=11294
ticks all our boxes - ie next to a town and quiet family friendly site for youngish kids (3 & 5) with pool & playground. Sadly only takes 7 night bookings, we will be 5 or 6.
So then found Riverie Fleurie:
http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/sites/details.asp?revid=11573
or Camping Bois du Coderc (not on this website I don't think). Both fitted the facilities brief perfectly but too isolated - have to drive to go anywhere - a definite no on our wish list as have a camper-van and want to park up and leave it, wander into village/town for shops & cafes.
Dabbled with Domaine De Barbanne in St Emillion but found some negative reviews (although gets good feedback on this site)
http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/sites/details.asp?revid=9872
and also liked
Camping de la Bastide but perhaps too long a drive south
http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/sites/reviews.asp?revid=9280
Also found hundreds of other sites that look fab but don't suit!
Anyway if I don't make my mind up soon & stop going on about it there will be no holiday as husband will leave and take the camper-van with him!
Anyone have any other hidden gems that fit the bill or shall I stop obsessing and just book one??
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
We have used the municipal in Uzerche - on the river bank a short stroll into the small town for shops,bars, swimming pool, etc. Even in August we didn't need to book.
Other people enthuse about Moulin de Geneste (lot of reviews here) just a few miles from Uzerche. It gets glowing reports but might be a bit isolated for what you want.
Is that the area you want? You really can just take the camper van there and decide when you arrive.
The municipal sites do tend to suit us better as they are usually in towns/villages.
Will have a look at the one in Uzerche & Geneste although that does ring a bell.
There's also a nice one in Aubeterre but no pool and St Aulaye but apparently noisy.
Like the idea of not booking (whole point of a campervan) but a bit of a scary thought! That said perhaps week beg July 23rd may be slightly less busy than the following 2 weeks & all the rest is pre booked.
Hello again Kittiwake. I tried to answer your question in a helpful way - but really it was the wrong question
Instead of hunting desperately for a camp site, you should really be asking yourself what are the interesting places we want to see on the way to Oleron. What are the things we want to do, what do we want to show to the children, which places would we like to visit - and then you have the chance to spend one two days here and two three somewhere else. Choose what you want to see and do, then there will always be a camp site nearby. You have the best part of a week, a smallish vehicle, and can avoid the big roads if you are concerned about traffic.
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
Nice advice. I like it - will find some towns and we can mosey on down to Oleron.
Definitely Brantome & maybe St Emillion as both towns look interesting.
I guess being a control freak - just going with the flow a bit frightens me but surely the whole point of a campervan...
We stayed at the site in Brantome for a few nights last year before leaving for ile d'oleron. Lovely site - I would highly recommend it. We didn't book and they had quite a few spaces (mid august).
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
You mentioned the site in Aubeterre not having a pool, but it is on the river and has a beach with a lifegaurd and is perfectly safe for swimming. The village is just across the bridge. I haven't stayed on the site but lived nearby for a while and used to swim there regularly. It is a very nice site, in a very pretty village.
I went to Moulin De Geneste last year..fabulous site, really back to nature in the nicest way. the coupdl who own it are from Yorkshire, both very artistic, Steve is a carpenter. On reflexion we should have stayed longer BUT it was heading for 40 degrees and we needed a cool coastal breeze to make me sane again. After Uzerche we went across to the coast to stay at Le Tedey, Lacanau which we do everey 3 - 5 years because it is such a lovely peaceful holiday..lots of cycling and moules!!!!!.
This year we are doing Limousin & the Dordogne...I couldn't go to the coast again, I crave rolling hills and greenery this year, plus th efcat that I have a rendevous at a an ex pat's Alpaca Farm in Toulx Ste Croix (can't wait, she has lots of baby ones).
------------- CAT
Favourite site:
Camping Nanzel, Limone, Lake
Garda..perfect for MTB, Kayak, SUP and fell running training.
Favourite areas: Provence, French Alps, Savigny (as a stop over for Southern France: Rhein valley as a stop over for Italy. 78
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: Limousin/Northern Dordogne/Charente????
