I have retired but crazily just bought a very small campsite in SW France. I take over in April. Can you share with me the things you look for and value the most when choosing a campsite .
Thank you so much for your help .
------------- Bev
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
Good access.
A website or at least plenty of information.
As above, peace and quiet or at least a no noise rule after a certain time.
Electric hook up, 16 amp if possible.
Level pitches with good drainage
Electric hook up, minimum 10A, 16A would be nicer, don't mind individual metered usage
Facilities such as flushing toilets, hot shower and hot water for washing up
Dogs allowed
Good Wi-fi, free if possible, don't mind paying extra as long as it is good coverage and fast
Good access
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
Very personal view you understand!
I'm there for the location, NOT the campsite itself, and I'm VERY self sufficient, so no interest in bars/restaurants, pools, kids playgrounds/entertainment etc. If there has to be a kids play area, it needs to be well away and out of earshot of pitches, at least MY pitch.
Usually solo with my dog, but sometimes have friends with me, so dog friendly site AND location, having farm animals/petting zoos etc next to pitches NOT ideal.
Look for reasonable access towing a largish caravan, both on access roads and on site, reasonably level pitches (but have all the kit/knowhow to level on a slope).
Don't care if grass or hardstanding, so long as not soft/boggy and caravan/car wheels sink and give traction issues. If HS, NOT a surface that walks loose debris into van/awning, nor with great coarse lumps that are painful underfoot. If grass, not too long NOR recently cut with trimming left in situ (they endlessly walk into van/awning. … and of course no mud baths!
EHU (16A if cool time of year and heating required, maybe 16A in summer if A/C needed!). Overly complicated extra payments (prepay, some metering etc.) for EHU NOT liked! - I want to know pretty much what my stay will cost BEFORE booking!
Use own onboard shower/toilet when solo, so not too bothered about site facilities, but if I have other people with me, site toilet/showers become important. Paid for showers with slot meters/tokens etc. STRONGLY disliked!
Service point(s) reasonably close to pitch, and easily accessible. REALLY don't like having to roll/carry water/toilet tanks up/down hills and over kerbs!
Peace and quiet! Don't like noisy neighbours (rampaging/feral kids!), or environment (major roads, airports, industrial works etc.)
Straightforward upfront pitch pricing, no 'accumulative' structure of x£/€ for pitch, then x£/€ for dog, plus x£/€ for awning etc. etc.
Payment for stay by Credit/Debit card, or Bank Transfer, (or even a Cheque at a push!), I DON'T want to have to obtain and walk around with hundreds of pounds of cash in my pocket!
A pub/bar/restaurant/takeaway, and a grocery store not too far away (ideally walking distance) are good bonuses, as is a fuel station.
My ideal sites are CL/CS type sites, just the basic facilities with no frills but perfectly functional, reasonable pitch fees which are clear upfront, and ideally adult only.
My idea of camping Hell is something like a Haven Holidays site!
Just discovered a new(ish) CL near Grantham called Happy Trails. Think you would like it. We will be there for 3 nights next month, review to follow. Quite a few on the CAMC site.
Contactable/bookable online without having to ring, for a booking confirmation to be sent via e-mail.
Definitely do not like coin/token-operated anything, except pre-payment card for electricity.
Adult-only if possible especially during the school holidays.
Good security on site, such as restricted barrier, on-site warden, CCTV etc...
Quiet times and restrict vehicle movement at night.
Personal preferences and all that.
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
Quote: Originally posted by Mrs. Bonce on 31/1/2025
Off topic as this is for Monty.
Just discovered a new(ish) CL near Grantham called Happy Trails. Think you would like it. We will be there for 3 nights next month, review to follow. Quite a few on the CAMC site.
Quote: Originally posted by dk168 on 31/1/2025
Contactable/bookable online without having to ring, for a booking confirmation to be sent via e-mail.
Definitely do not like coin/token-operated anything, except pre-payment card for electricity.
Adult-only if possible especially during the school holidays.
Good security on site, such as restricted barrier, on-site warden, CCTV etc...
Quiet times and restrict vehicle movement at night.
Personal preferences and all that.
DK
Got to endorse DK on booking, and a SEPERATE confirmation of booking that confirms a person has acknowledge booking, not just an automated web page!
Far more comfortable with sites that have some security, entry restrictions/CCTV etc. Refused to return to one site I used that had all and sundry just wandering around unchecked after gaining entry through unsecured boundary!
Location
Access both to and on site
Reasonably sized pitches (level preferred)
Depending upon time of year hardstanding
EHU - preferably 16A
Reasonably priced (by French, not exhorbitent UK standards)
As you have already made the purchase location is already fixed..Facilities wise...
Reasonably level pitch
Electric close by and 10amp but 16amp available (extra cost)
Good chemical loo disposal
Good, powerful, clean showers with HOOKS
Toilets are not important as we use the van BUT they too need to clean - Brits grumble about lack of toilet seats and loo paper - not this family.
Clothes washer is useful.
Decent wide entrance and parking area whilst checking in, wide approach roads.
Good communications - especially written/email confirmation.
Pay on exit!
Not bothered about hard-standings as lack of .. might just keep motorhomes away...(ducks and runs away from the flack that brings). Please tell where you are exactly - near Mansle by any chance?
Quote: Originally posted by jaiash on 01/2/2025
.....Brits grumble about lack of toilet seats and loo paper - not this family.
......
Thought there must be some sort of statute that prohibited seats and paper in French toilets! .... and functioning lights are a rare treat!
Always take own toilet paper, head torch, and sanitiser/hand wash when using loos in France, it's just routine procedure these days ... learnt from past mistakes!
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: What do you look for ?
via mobile 31/1/2025 at 10:35am
Thought there must be some sort of statute that prohibited seats and paper in French toilets! .... and functioning lights are a rare treat!
