After many years of camping in France with the sprogs, and then years of package holidays, we are now free of school holidays, uni holidays and having mostly offloaded three functioning adults into the world, we can travel off-peak. We've got a tent.
Considering Sept next year, I'd love to show hubby (I've a recent upgraded model 😂) some of my favourite spots.
So is an ACSI book/card still a thing? Can remember, twenty years ago, still being very jealous on here of people being able to use them!
Any good off peak sites in the Dordogne/Ardeche? Are the old faves all statics now?
Thanks!
Amanda x
------------- Amanda
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
It was always 50/50 for us. We went wherever we wanted to and half the sites we chose gave us a lower price when I put an ACSI card on tne counter, but half smiled and said they weren’t members of that scheme. But having the card never dictated where we should go.
If you use ACSI sites then you will save the price of the directory (and app, if you choose to have it) pretty quickly in a 2 week holiday.
We don't tour much now, but stay put on an ACSI site and definitely save. In the past we have used some ACSI sites and a mixture of others - often municipals, which are quite often cheaper, but may not have the same level of facilities.
You pays your money and takes your choice!
------------- Freedom is a light caravan and an open road.
If you fancied going back to the Vinsobres area, the weather in September is generally wonderful. Most of the sites are ACSI and cheap. For example La Coronne at Valreas is €15 and the wonderful Terraces at Venterol is €17
Quote: Originally posted by 664DaveS on 19/10/2025
It pays for itself quite quickly. We use the book to look at sites in the areas we visit and use them if we like them.
Quote: Originally posted by 664DaveS on 19/10/2025
It pays for itself quite quickly. We use the book to look at sites in the areas we visit and use them if we like them.
Excellent idea!
------------- Amanda
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
We use mainly ACSI sites, because you know when they are open (as well as discounted) and you know what to expect, usually of a standard. The sites we sometimes use that are non ACSI are ones we used before when we had a tent and no card, but like for a particular reason. They tend to be dearer though.
We too use the ACSI guide and would use an ACSI site if it was in the area we wanted to go (and we weren't using an aire). We find it pays for itself pretty quickly (we stayed at Nantes Camping earlier in the summer for €27 a night, we stayed there last month when the scheme didn't apply and it was €40 per night).
Regarding municipals, some may be cheaper but we find a lot of them have a menu pricing scheme, charging separately for the pitch, the EHU, an extra adult etc, etc, whereas ACSI covers 2 adults and a 6A EHU.
That said, many of the sites in the ACSI guide are municipals (Nantes Camping for instance).
Quote: Originally posted by franbee on 19/10/2025
We use mainly ACSI sites, because you know when they are open (as well as discounted) and you know what to expect, usually of a standard. The sites we sometimes use that are non ACSI are ones we used before when we had a tent and no card, but like for a particular reason. They tend to be dearer though.
Thanks. Back in the day when play parks and so on were of prime importance, we were happy to pay full whack in peak season.
These days, we really want a stunning location, decent and clean loos and showers, and hook up.
Looks like ACSI will be a good fit then.
I like the idea of just following our noses, or the weather too.
If you are going out of season, check the facilities descriptions to see what is still open. One huge benefit of ACSI is that you shouldn't arrive at a site expecting the pool or restaurant to be open when it has closed/not yet opened for the season as the dates are shown. (there are exceptions but that's France!)
We used ACSI for a few sites this year and it paid for itself in a four night stay in one location. However, if you are planning longer stays at one site it's always worth checking directly with the site what price they can offer; some also do deals for CAMC members - Port de Limeuil, which would be my recommendation in the Dordogne, is one example.
Another factor is that some sites allocate specific pitches to ACSI and may 'run out' of these pitches if you turn up on spec.
------------- Seeking luxury in unexpected places
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
Quote: Originally posted by Ironned on 23/10/2025
If you are going out of season, check the facilities descriptions to see what is still open. One huge benefit of ACSI is that you shouldn't arrive at a site expecting the pool or restaurant to be open when it has closed/not yet opened for the season as the dates are shown. (there are exceptions but that's France!)
We used ACSI for a few sites this year and it paid for itself in a four night stay in one location. However, if you are planning longer stays at one site it's always worth checking directly with the site what price they can offer; some also do deals for CAMC members - Port de Limeuil, which would be my recommendation in the Dordogne, is one example.
Another factor is that some sites allocate specific pitches to ACSI and may 'run out' of these pitches if you turn up on spec.
Thank you. On a side note. The Limeuil site. We've been to the Sarlat end lots of times. Never over that far, though did take the kids to that Victorian recreated village/fair nearby once (which was a huge hit). Is that end as good/better than Sarlat, which we loved? The river, the town, lots to do. Always stayed on the river - La Rogue, Beynac area.
Quote: Originally posted by exessexmum on 23/10/2025
Thank you. On a side note. The Limeuil site. We've been to the Sarlat end lots of times. Never over that far, though did take the kids to that Victorian recreated village/fair nearby once (which was a huge hit). Is that end as good/better than Sarlat, which we loved? The river, the town, lots to do. Always stayed on the river - La Rogue, Beynac area.
I'll admit to being biased as I live near Sarlat - but even before we moved here "the Dordogne" was principally the river from Monfort to Beynac via Domme, Roque Gageac.
In September, as far as I can tell, Soliel Plage( Monfort) and Capeyrou (Beynac) are the only sites where you might find tenters (doubt if they do ACSI). Most sites from the end of August appear to be almost exclusively motorhomes / campervans which have increased exponentially post covid.
For any Dordogne lovers - the Tour de France 2026 stage 8 (announced today), Sat 11 July goes from Perigueux to Bergerac via Sarlat and as far as we can tell goes along the river from Vitrac / Domme (will update) - a couple of km from us.
Quote: Originally posted by exessexmum on 23/10/2025
Thank you. On a side note. The Limeuil site. We've been to the Sarlat end lots of times. Never over that far, though did take the kids to that Victorian recreated village/fair nearby once (which was a huge hit). Is that end as good/better than Sarlat, which we loved? The river, the town, lots to do. Always stayed on the river - La Rogue, Beynac area.
I'll admit to being biased as I live near Sarlat - but even before we moved here "the Dordogne" was principally the river from Monfort to Beynac via Domme, Roque Gageac.
In September, as far as I can tell, Soliel Plage( Monfort) and Capeyrou (Beynac) are the only sites where you might find tenters (doubt if they do ACSI). Most sites from the end of August appear to be almost exclusively motorhomes / campervans which have increased exponentially post covid.
For any Dordogne lovers - the Tour de France 2026 stage 8 (announced today), Sat 11 July goes from Perigueux to Bergerac via Sarlat and as far as we can tell goes along the river from Vitrac / Domme (will update) - a couple of km from us.
Capeyrou is the one with the view of the castle isn't it? Was always on my "to visit" list, but never got there as we ended up doing lots of Ardeche trips as the kids got older .... maybe I'll take a look at that one, hubby has never been and as a history nut, the paired castles will be amazing for him 😀
Quote: Originally posted by exessexmum on 26/10/2025
Capeyrou is the one with the view of the castle isn't it? Was always on my "to visit" list, but never got there as we ended up doing lots of Ardeche trips as the kids got older .... maybe I'll take a look at that one, hubby has never been and as a history nut, the paired castles will be amazing for him 😀
Yes - that's the one.
We never used it as we always preferred the Montfort end for the river swimming and ease of access to Sarlat via a very good country lane that we continue to use and even in July / August rarely see more than a dozen cars in a couple of km.
AFAIK Le Capeyrou is the only site on the river between there and Montfort on the edge of a village. There is a Vival mini market opposite the site gates, a restaurant next door plus many others about 5 mins walk away. It's open until 25 Sept in 26. And the ACSI handbook lists them as taking it,
If you do go down that end as well as Castlenaud which I've already mentioned, a trip to a "bastide" - fortified village is well worth it. Domme is 15 mins drive away, has a fantastic situation on high cliffs overlooking the river with views to match. Much of the walls are still inract as are the gatehouses, Porte des Tours and Porte des Bois. Porte des Tours is noted for the graffiti allegedly left by Knights Templar held captive there.
Like many bastides it was involved in the 100 years war - changed hands a couple of times.
Yes, still using it. Until this year we've stored, and used an ACSI site, aznd it was definitely worth the outlay for us. This year we've had to bring the caravan back to the Uk, and used our ACSI card on the way back. We discovered a lovely 'new' site in the Ardeche - Camping Arleblanc, which suited us down to the ground, and instead of a couple of nights we spent a week there, using an ACSI card. Definitely worth it for us. And we bought it from Facebook Marketplace, for £10!
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: Back again.....ACSI still worth it?
via mobile 19/10/2025 at 3:02pm
