Hi, I am in the position of having agreed to go to a horrendous site for a week of our tent camping trip to France. I can choose the rest of it (quiet, near a water body of some kind, forest etc) but the teens are getting a week of noisy water park and discos and cycling around the place etc. I've had such a good look and none of the sites seem to be honest about what is included. I will have some utterly miserable teens if I go to a place that has the stuff they want to do, but it all costs extra, when I already blew the budget on going to the site..... We don't use the catering on sites, they will reject a kids club so its really how much fab stuff to do is included...
I'm thinking anywhere down the west coast of France but preferably not right at the bottom as I'll be doing the driving and I have to take lots of breaks.(we usually camp every 3-4hrs in Europe)
Has anyone any recommendations please? Its just me, an almost empty wallet and 4 children age 8, 14, 14 16.
Thank you so much for reading this far!
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
Water parks on sites are nearly always free. If there is a 'tree playground' thing (whatever they are called - it might be provided by a company who will charge, as will paintball and that sort of thing. Cycle hire will cost, unless you take your own, discos (if provided by the site) are generally free, as are activities for teens. My teenage sons loved the activities at a site in the Ardeche (which isn't in your area) but everything was free, including night sleepovers in the forest, with a campfire and cooking (provide your own sausages). Obviously you have to buy all the take-away pizzas, and will have to pay for the table football, air-hockey and other video games...... keep them away from them if you can.
But there might be sites which suit you both - quiet pitches in a forest, near a lake, but with a central area with plenty going on. Perhaps someone will know one.
One suggestion near to the ports of St Malo and Caen might be Chateau des Ormes - which my fourteen year old and his best friend loved for the two weeks we spent there. Even OH and I didn't mind it because we had a peaceful pitch in woodland - and could go to the bar, or just sit and watch the stars from our pitch in a quiet glade!
Have you thought of looking through the websites of the companies who provide "camping" holidays - such as Eurocamp? They will usually use the larger sites, which will have on-site activities and their listings may have the detail you want. You then can book independently with the site.
PS My youngsters (now in their 30s) were always happy so long as there was a good water park on site and plenty of other youngsters to mix with. Nationalities meant little as they all played together. In high season, it is often so warm that water activities meet most needs.
------------- Freedom is a light caravan and an open road.
Worth a look at the Les Castels sites...very pricey but many have impressive waterparks and lots of the activities and sports are included. As Val A says, the advantage of these sorts of sites is that they have a great bar and restaurant and pretty surroundings so it is bearable for the adults too.
With my own of a similar age, we found that fairly high on the list was WiFi, ideally whole site for free as being online came out on their list of needs (rather than wants).
Ty Nadan. https://www.irisparc.co.uk/camping-le-ty-nadan/
I hated the place,(OH & I were solo travellers) but it's perfect if travelling with teenagers. Take blow up boats with you & they can play in the shallow river all day wthout you having to shell out for kyack hire.
if you book early you get vouchers to spend in the park hich can pay for things like forest adventure, sedgeway lessons, horse riding lessons etc.
If you get a pitch overlooking the river it's quieter a map of the site is here https://www.eurocamp.co.uk/images/BS015_tcm13-19783.gif
Try to get oe of the pitches that are on the right; there are 5 pitches above where it says 2018 in the blurb below the map IMO they are the best 5 pitches, they are of a reasonable size and passing traffic is low. One has a tree on the pitch so is only any good if you're taking a caravan rather than a huge tent. (we picked that pitch because we wanted a tree to provide shade for the dog.
------------- Doing whatever the rice krispies tell me to.
We stayed here for one night last year ... has a lot your kids would love, and you wont! We only stayed as it's where we have our caravan serviced.
Many of the YElloh sites will fit your bill, too ... there's one in St Emilion here, where we spent a night two years ago ... again, not our taste, but many others love it ... bonus for you is the fantastic wine region, and the pretty village/small town of St Emilion.
We have stayed at the St Emillion site before and are returning this year. It's getting a new pool this year and has free canoe/pedalo hire. It's quiet at night though and there were no discos when we last stayed. We have a 14 year old with us too.
Also it may be worth looking at sites such as La Garangeoire or Pin Parasol in the vendee if you want bit more going on.
For a very lively site try les Mouettes near Roscoff. We did an overnighter here before the ferry and my teenager loved it and is desperate to return. The water complex was fantastic.
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
You've all taken so much trouble to reply, thank you ever so much, I've got lots to look at now. 😀 Feeling hopeful of finding just the thing and open to more suggestions of course x
Near Poitiers. Inland but with water park open till late (but in a good way). Bring an inflatable boat for the river (sleepy little river). Fishing pond.
My lad was happy there for 6 straight years, we were a little bored, but the pool's lovely and we'd potter around local markets etc. There are day and evening activities (not all discos, something for everyone). It's family-run (2nd generation). Not horrid, very nice really. Not at all where we stay now the son is too old to come with is.
http://camping-les-peupliers.com/en/
Ooh... sometimes there's evening water polo. Our lad likes that a lot. Very strenuous. Teens and adults.
Second edit: It's all included except the pool and pinball etc. And maybe mini golf.
If you don’t mind the Ardeche, Ranc Davaine will absolutely fit the bill. Huge water park, entertainment and loads of teens. also a great river beach for swimming and canoeing. We loved the location, but it was too full on for us! I’ve done a review in my profile x
We have travelled as two families together for years with all the kids to St George de Didonne.
There is lots to do, campsites with pools and entertainment (if you want it), the beach in spitting distance, cycle paths and the town just down the front of the cycle path and walkway, high ropes, also Royan down the coast.
Knowing that they keep together and that they can all swim has been a good rule and they have loved the area so much they keep returning when we go on holiday but fly down instead.
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: Seeking horrid site in France for teens..
