I've booked ferry crossings for this coming August (to Caen) but haven't yet booked a campsite (will only be one site I suspect as we only have 10 nights in France). We've been looking around at various different places we could camp. Some places we've visited before, some new ones; some by the sea, some by a river; some small and basic, some more large and "elaborate" etc. - a real mixture.
All this decision making made me wonder - what is *your* favourite site in France and why?
I look forward to seeing what you all like,
TC
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We like a campsite that is within easy cycling distance of a town/village/supermarket, where we can cycle or walk in the evenings too. If it has separate sex facilities that is a bonus.
So amongst our favourites are Macon, Mery sur Seine (though that may still be closed). Crest, Tournon, Langres, Tournus, Apt, Sommieres.
Thanks, Franbee. I am an avid reader of the reviews on here and am always interested in what people look for.
I see you put Macon on your list. We stayed there for a couple of nights in 2019; used it as a bolt hole on the way back from La Vaurette on the Dordogne. We visited Cern and Geneva for the day. I'm a big fan of wines from that region (Macon and Cote de Beanue). I'd like to go back there at some point (too far from Caen to do in one shot though probably).
We like sites with a place(s) we can walk to and also within a shortish driving distance for a day out. For the summer holiday we look for a pool and seaside river. Good showers, easy to use chemical disposal point and decent electric on big pitches. We can do without fancy pools with slides etc, no on site catering (bar/snack/restaurant). We avoid sites with a large proportion of Brits and prefer a mix of nationalities but mainly French/Dutch. A site in the Caravan Club brochure is definitely out in the summer but OKish out of main season.
We visit France at least twice a year and in summer we have been to the same areas for many years but we tour around much more when we go out of season - as in from now onwards to the end of June. Summer areas - near to Les Mathes/La Palmyre and also Dordogne by the river. Price wise we go cheap but prices have gone up over the last few years so summer price now lies between 25-35 euros inc. electric rather than 20 - 30euros.
For en route stops we use municipal sites or sites that used to be municipal but are now taken over by the likes of OnlyCamp/ Flower camping.
You'll get as many different opinions as there are people on here. Our two favourite sites?? - we have been visiting one since 1982 and the other since 1989 and seen quite a few changes of ownership so for good others to the detriment of the sites.
------------- Grahame
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Jaiash, you sound like you like sites like I do.....slightly quieter, not much fuss, good size piece of grass to plonk the caravan, awning, car and outside dining table. I don't need a swimming pool with a flume - just easy access to a river perhaps (La Vaurette in Monceaux Sur Dordogne is good for this).
Favoutie places in France are more important to us than favourite sites - Nimes, Briancon and Eygalieres come to mind. The sites there are a mixed bag, but never mind, the locations are ones we have been back to many times and gladly return.
Sites are another story. Of course we know some we like very much - two I would recommend are Moulin de Mellet near Agen and Camping Belle Roche, going south from Grenoble, are both in that list. The family owners have worked so hard and give such good service, but sadly there is little to hold our interest in those areas and so we call in but never stay long.
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Ours was La Bouysse on the banks of the Dordogne, next door to the larger and more expensive Soliel Plage, a few km S of Sarlat.
Lovely setting opposite cliffs that changed colour when the sun was setting. Decent quality bar meals. Friendly staff, wifi at the bar. Easy access (10 mins) even in height of summer to Sarlat and a massive LeClercs supermarket.
Short drive (20 mins tops) to the some of the must sees in the area - likes of Domme, Roque Gageac, Marqueyssac Gardens, Castlenaud, Beynac.
Rocamadour to the east or prehistoric sites in Vezere valley to NW easy for a half day trip.
Your points are exactly right, Netherton; there has to be some reason to visit an area. Whilst I am happy for a short time to sit in the shade of our open awning, eating rillettes and pain just watching the world go by, I do like to “see” some of the area I’m in. And sometimes the area is more important than the site (more so now that the kids are bigger).
And Longcol, I really love the Dordogne. I love the weather, the ambience, the ancient caves (one of my sons is a geologist) and hiring a canoe and paddling down river. We’ve stayed in a few places, but my favourite site is in Monceaux close to Argentat. It is a little less touristy than further West but the river is really accessible (and useable) at various campsites in that part. Our favourite site really quietens down in the last two weeks of August so we have been there during that fortnight five times in the last ten years (topped and tailed with stops en route and back again).
It’s 20 years since we did Brittany so we might do that this year. Perhaps close to a beach. We’ve been to Le Pouldu before and may take a closer look at what that is like now-a-days.
Our favourite area is the Enclave des papes and Nyons in southern Drôme. We were about to buy a place there when there was a call on the bank of Grandma and Grandad.
For cycling and seafood our other area is around Mèze on the Basin de Thau, often staying at the municipal campsite in Loupian.( Pinet of picpoul de pinet fame is just up the road)
Quote: Originally posted by longcol on 12/4/2024
Ours was La Bouysse on the banks of the Dordogne, next door to the larger and more expensive Soliel Plage, a few km S of Sarlat.
Lovely setting opposite cliffs that changed colour when the sun was setting. Decent quality bar meals. Friendly staff, wifi at the bar. Easy access (10 mins) even in height of summer to Sarlat and a massive LeClercs supermarket.
Short drive (20 mins tops) to the some of the must sees in the area - likes of Domme, Roque Gageac, Marqueyssac Gardens, Castlenaud, Beynac.
Rocamadour to the east or prehistoric sites in Vezere valley to NW easy for a half day trip.
We moved to the area when we retired.
Never got to La Bouysse when my kids were little and we were tenting. No idea why, as the view of the castle was stunning and it was always on my list. Now I’m old and the kids have all grown and we are looking at restarting Caravanning, I might have to put it back on the list. The new and improved upgraded Mr Exessexmum hasn’t been to any of France apart from Calais (school trip) and Provence (gite three years ago) so I need to introduce him to my favourite bits, and that bit of the Dordogne is one of them. I wonder if it’s still a nice site? Do you pop by at all?
------------- Amanda
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Years ago we stayed at a site near Lannion in Brittany. It had a lovely owner and a swimming pool with a sliding roof, very welcome as the weather was******
Nicest site we have stayed at was Camping Le Cormoran, the pitches were really nice and the campsite was really nicely laid out.
Favourite tent campsite was Camping Cote d'argent, it was our first ever french campsite and was like organised chaos, no real definition in where you pitch your tent but the atmosphere was brilliant.
Best campsite since having the caravan (2019) is probably Camping Amiaux
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: Favourite Site in France?
via mobile 12/4/2024 at 9:53am
