As the title says, are there CS style campsites in Europe?
Small, quiet and with limited facilities?
Does it depend on where you go (less touristy destinations for example)?
Quite fancy heading over to Europe again. Went a few times when the kids were younger but went for the larger, family type campsites.
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
Sites limited to members only? And sites with a limit of five caravans? Of course not, but small quiet municipal sites and privately owned sites on farms and in orchards are plentiful - but not actually beachfront. If you would like to say where you are going I might be able to suggest a few.
France is full of small campsites, we use several municipal sites regularly, all generally with excellent shower/toilet facilities. You will also find they are cheaper than equivalent sites here in the UK, normally under 15 euros including electricity hook-up.
A couple that immediately spring to mind are Vouecourt in the Champagne region, and Cormatin in Burgundy.
I just wondered if there was a 'category' that I could search for to make it easier to identify this type of site similar to CS/CL sites in the UK.
Just pondering at the moment with no destination in mind however was thinking a bit further south in the hope of more sun so if anyone has discovered such a site, I'll take a look online
We'll also be in a tent - not sure if that makes any difference. I've stayed on municipal sites with a tent previously so I guess, like in the UK, it depends on the site.
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
In the far south in Provence with a tent you will need shade and/ or a swimming pool.
So you can look at Camping le Pesquie nearSt Remy de Provence - pitch your tent in an orchard with fruit trees and cypresses .It’s owned by a gentle old lady who will order fresh bread for you every morning - but there is no swimming pool.
Or there is La Grange de Campaulise at Mazan - literally the front garden of an old farmhouse. You pick your own salads from her veg plot and swim in a virtually private pool - but there is no shade on the pitches.
So another year we went up into the hills at Murs looking for a bit of breeze and had a happy week under pine trees at the municipal site there. It’s called Camping les Chalottes.
There are dozens of other small sites , but they are not like CS or CLs .
When we used to go to France with our campervan we used France Passion. There is a book that gives you all the sites. Typically they are on farms, vineyards etc, no facilities as such and are free with the expectation you buy something that they sell. It is a great concept and we enjoyed using them. https://www.france-passion.com/en/motorhomers/how-it-works
If you just want 'quiet' sites then outside of the peak weeks in July and August many French campsites will be almost empty. We store on a site which in peak season is a bit full on for us, but most of the time outside peak season only about 10 pitches are occupied. I would say the best time is early season - late April/May/early June but avoiding school holidays, for quiet and best weather. Sites tend to have a 'closing down' feel at the end of peak season.
Have a look at the ACSI Card website for details of sites which can cost as little as 12 euros per night in low season (there are 56 of them throughout Europe - and thousands of other sites at 14,16,18,20 and 22 euros including pitch, electricity, two adults, car and caravan/tent, motorhome, etc, and one dog. Remember that low season in France is not at all the same as in the UK, extending sometimes into early July and then starting again in late August.
Take no notice of the photos on campsite websites which are always taken in high season, but imagine the same sites with an almost empty pool, a bar where you may be just two of four people having a glass of wine, vultures circling quietly in the sky overhead,and just the noise of cigales for background! Camping Le Pont, at Boyne, recommended below, is one such 12 euro site, but now has a lovely swimming pool.
If you want south, then have a look around the Millau/Gorges du Tarn/Jonte/Dourbie area, where there ae several riverside sites for just 12 euros, some with views of the Millau viaduct, in a beautiful area with fantastic wildlife. Different again from a CS, but a wonderful experience nevertheless.
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: CS style campsites in Europe
via mobile 10/7/2022 at 10:48am
