A level pitch, sand is good as it drains well and is fun as other campers help you to not get stuck.
A good location, or place that offers info on what's around e.g. local attractions, markets, cycle routes, calendar of local events.
Opportunity to have a shaded or part shaded pitch.
Water tap on the pitch.
Good access and room to park.
Clean toilets and enough to cope with amount of people on site and for me this means regular cleaning. No sewage back-ups due to insufficient sewage systems.
Clean showers, with press taps that are not timed to cut of after 30 seconds. Having squeegies for cleaning down is good.
Hot fresh bread and pastries on site or nearby.
Pleasant reception and site staff, who are not annoyed and rude at having to deal with customers.
A swimming pool which is open late. It has to be clean too.
For SW france weather warnings for extremes of weather, as we have been flooded twice in storms and people were left the next day without any help from the campsite.
Multi-cultural site please, they are lots of fun.
Entertainment areas should be away from camping areas with cut off time for noise.
No dogs.
Cycle hire is nice too.
------------- sueze
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Good luck with your venture. There are some sites where the atmosphere is such that campers just start chatting among themselve, in a friendly and relaxed manner. And I can’t quite put my finger on why; I suspect there are different reasons, but the relaxation is a key factor. The environment should be nice; pitches not too crowded; attention to informal meeting places - water taps, washing up sinks. Maybe a seating area. The greeting aspect is important too; and a laid-back attitude to site management, while efficient and caring. As for the rest, I suspect location and budget will dictate.
The new site owner hasn’t responded since the end of January. Let’s hope they’re reading all these helpful comments. Otherwise, there’s not much point adding more suggestions.
Hopefully they’ll update us with their progress?!
Wifi, campsite-wide
Bar
Restaurant/eatery
Close to pleasant village ... walkable
River/Lake side
Bike paths
Views
Decent ablutions with paper!
Degree of privacy i.e. not cheek by joul pitches without hedging
We generally choose for location but would expect:
Showers, toilets, water taps, hopefully motorhome waste drain.
EHU if cheap enough.
Not too fussed about pitch surface or if it's really level but a nice view is a bonus.
Quote: Originally posted by Fiona W on 17/3/2025
The new site owner hasn’t responded since the end of January. Let’s hope they’re reading all these helpful comments. Otherwise, there’s not much point adding more suggestions.
Hopefully they’ll update us with their progress?!
I am not suprised, he has most probably decided not to buy after reading what everyone wants 16 amp power ffs 6 is enough if used properly, and a lot of the other suggestions well......
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
Quote: Originally posted by Mrs. Bonce on 21/3/2025
6 amp? Most of us expect to be able to boil the kettle on ehu
A lot of French sites only have 6 amp, and i have never had trouble boiling a kettle.
6A EHU will only reliably power up to a 1.4kW kettle/appliance, many UK users are used to using a domestic kettle/appliance of 2-2.5kW rating, so needing at least 10A EHU! Most dedicated 'camping' kettles are around the 1kW (4.2A) rating, so absolutely fine on 6A EHU.
Most UK sites are 16A EHU, with a few at 10A, extremely rare to find anything less, but a few do exist. Often find the lower ratings on tent pitches rather than caravan/MH pitches.
A lot of French sites only have 6A and we have had trouble boiling our 750W kettle having tripped the power supplies a couple of times.
We leave the electric kettle or toaster (also 750W), at home when travelling to the continent. If we're on 6A we'd run the hot water and fridge on gas.
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
For us we like:
Level pitches
Clean toilets and showers
Multi-cultural sites
Receptions who don't have grumpy staff, and who you can get hold of if you need help in after a storm or flooding.
Up to date local information about what is on in the area.
Ability to book online easily.
Good signage to find them, especially if they are down interesting country road.
The pool being open late in the evening.
Quote: Originally posted by Fiona W on 17/3/2025
The new site owner hasn’t responded since the end of January. Let’s hope they’re reading all these helpful comments. Otherwise, there’s not much point adding more suggestions.
Hopefully they’ll update us with their progress?!
I am not surprised, he has most probably decided not to buy after reading what everyone wants…
The OP posted back in January:
“I have retired but crazily just bought a very small campsite in SW France. I take over in April.”
I’m sure we all wish them the best of luck as site owners.
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: What do you look for ?
via mobile 17/3/2025 at 10:20am
