Others have camped on that site, so maybe you will find that thread if you search.
In general the neighbourhood of Sarlat will be a bit busier than the wider surroundings, as the city is a touristic centre. Beautiful though, with nice restaurants atc.
There are loads of campsites in that area. But if you want a quit spot you may be better of by looking up a campsite in the gyide an just trying it, especially the 'Camping a la Ferme are very queit, and offer wide pitches. They are not necessarily at the water though.
There is one, that I saw, but forgot the name of, if after passing Sarlat you would drive on to St Julien de Lampon, when crossing the bridge over the Dordogen just before St Julien, ignore the Camping Municipal (though it is a good one and positioned on the river, with a nice playing area and good possibilities to swim/bath in the Dordogne, and fairly cheap), first turn left (actually in the village, the central crossing), first small campsite on the left. It actually borders the camping municipal, but looks much greener (microclimate). That one also borders the Dordogne, but has a very small entrance to the river. It is a bit cooler than the municipal and much greenr/lush, really a difference in microclimate. I walked over it and feel that you can just gamble, no need booking I would say.
If you do not necessarily want to be on the water, but just will go to it every now and than, there is a nice farm campsite in Montignac: camping a la ferme 'le Sorbier'. Extremely simple, but wode pitches, lots pf space and very few visitors. Extremely simple but clean sanitary facilities. Going to Montignac from the North, getting to Montignac alongside the Vézère, cross the bridge to the left, towards the towncentre, after the bridge immediately turn right, ignore the (good) campsite on the left, but look at the green little sign right of their entrance (sign "camping a la ferme) and follow that sign. Actually you will follow the road now on the left of the Vézère, and take the first or second turn to the left, than immediately right and drive for two minutes to a few farms 'le Sorbier', the campsite is the right turn on the first farm. You wil have to ring the bell on the entrance of the orchard and the lady will come out. Sun as well as shade, due to the walnut trees, probably ideal for kids of that age.
We stayed at Bel Ombrage at St Cybranet, it,s in the Caravan Club brochure. The site is pretty quiet, large pitches, clean, is located beside a small river where the kids can enjoy themselves, but the Dordogne is onle a couple of miles away where you can park up for free and hire canoes, fish, swim, in fact it was very relaxing there.
This was one of 6 sites we picked out of the Alan Rogers book. 3 were full and you could not book on-line with 2 of them. Sent an email to them but no reply.
So we Booked this. Couldn't afford to gamble because of kids / long journey.
Need to work out where to stop overnight now (campanile!). Stayed at Orleans la Source last year, but we want to get a bit further this time.
------------- This is my world and I am world leader pretend
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I liked Aqua Viva - when we were there it was quietish - not all-singing, all-dancing like some sites. There was a great pool complex, with banana trees around, and lots of lovely flowers. The pitches were quite big and in the bottom section, where we were the toilet facilities were excellent. Sarlat, nearby, is extremely busy - but they did run a trip in by minibus, which saved all the parking fandango. The restaurant on site was nice, and we found the reception, bar and restaurant staff nice and friendly. There was a small lake to do 'canoe' type things on, and if I remember rightly a sort of meandering stream - not really a river. However, you're very near the Dordogne river itself, for messing about in boats. Domme was within striking distance, and Montpazier a little further.
We were there at the very end of August, so have no idea what it might be like in peak season. I would imagine that it is the sort of site you would have to book in advance.
We camp every year at Le Chene Verts which is just up the road from Aqua Viva. AquaViva is a lovely site, BUT, we would not stay there! In Jul/Aug it is almost completely full of Dutch units, dont get me wrong we very much liike the Dutch people who we meet all over Europe, but we feel that any campsite where there is an overwealming majority of one nationality (other than the home nationality) feels wrong!
------------- JimF
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We stayed at Bel Ombrage at St Cybranet, it,s in the Caravan Club brochure. The site is pretty quiet, large pitches, clean, is located beside a small river where the kids can enjoy themselves, but the Dordogne is onle a couple of miles away where you can park up for free and hire canoes, fish, swim, in fact it was very relaxing there.
Jim
That's good to know as we are going to Bel Ombrage this summer.
Depends when you are going Sooty - last 2 weeks of august are quieter than rest of hols - and less expensive. We were at Beau Rivage next tote river D in the last week of Aug and it closed down - no snack bar or Bar. Another prob there was the 'beach' was poor conpared to where we now go at Soliel Plage - I'd have no hisiatation in recommending it.
It is our experience of young children that the quieter and smaller the site the harder you have to work to keep little kids amused - Some like the 'family effect' and some fancy a break.
We looked at the Soleil Plage TethersEnd, but we felt it looked a bit too "busy" for us, but we are going the last 2 weeks of August so I'll be interested to see how it goes this year. AFAIK, Soleil Plage has a sort of "visitors" policy so non-residents can go for the day, so we might pop down and see what it's like.
Soleil Plage hits the button for us Amanda - we are going back for a 4th year - We don't just go there but we do enjoy 1 week. Getting in and out is no problem as a visitor - unless you want to use the pool but as it is one of our fav stretches of teh river we tend not to.
Don't forget a snorkel and mask if you are planning on playing in the river - it is well worth its place in the car.
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
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: Aqua Viva Site in the Dordogne
