Dordogne - narrowed our choice down to ... les Granges / Les Hautes de Ratebout or Domaine de fromengal - if anyone has been to any of these three sites and could give us any feed back re: pitch size, family friendly, location etc etc - we'd much appreciate it - brochures never really tend to give a great picture of the actual tent plots - great on featuring swimming pools tho!
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
We will be going back to the Dordogne just down stream from Les granges for a 5th time - I guess that tells you our view on the area. Kids have played next to and in teh dordogne since they were 7 and 9, they are now 12 and 14 and still have great fun - but in different ways.
We were at Les Hauts about five years ago. It was extremely 'efficiently' run by a Dutch couple. The facilities were immaculately clean - if anything it was a bit over-regimented at that time. However, they sold it on - I think it may have been to the manager at the time, or possibly their son. It's a big site, nicely situated, and when we were there the restaurant served good food, reasonably cheaply, with huge portions. There was a cake and coffee shop too, which did a lovely Dutch Apple Cake. Pitches were in different areas - there was an area near the central facilities, which we were on. That had hedged private pitches, quite large, well grassed, and accessible in the most part. There was nother 'wilder' area some way away, with enormous pitches in a more wooded setting. There were quite a few mobiles on site, a covered swimming pool with a removable cover for hot weather, a small waterslide, etc.
It's centrally situated in the Dordogne, with loads to do and see in the area. You have a small town nearby with shopping facilities, Montpazier and Domme (Bastide towns with mediaeval walls) within striking distances, the river Dordogne itself a short drive - with canoeing, castles, and all that the Dordogne holds.
We liked it there and would go back - but as an area we've found places that suit us better, so we've not actually been back to the Dordogne. We just found there were too many other English couples around, and in some places you wouldn't know whether you were in the Dordogne or Cheddar Gorge.
Quote: Originally posted by Val A on 27/1/2006 We just found there were too many other English couples around, and in some places you wouldn't know whether you were in the Dordogne or Cheddar Gorge.
...Only the English can go to France and then complain that there are too many English people about... Priceless!...
------------- "Essex Kingfisher"
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
Quote: Originally posted by Andy Pandy 666 on 27/1/2006
Quote: Originally posted by Val A on 27/1/2006
We just found there were too many other English couples around, and in some places you wouldn't know whether you were in the Dordogne or Cheddar Gorge.
...Only the English can go to France and then complain that there are too many English people about... Priceless!...
I know how they feel.When we go to France we go to get away.Out worst fear is being pitched next to another English van that does sound stupid I know,but we just like to be away fom the larger drinking (I can drimk you under the table type) football crazy (come on England we'll kick the a**e of the french type).I'm sorry but that is how most English people act,no matter where they are!
Quote: Originally posted by Andy Pandy 666 on 27/1/2006
Quote: Originally posted by Val A on 27/1/2006We just found there were too many other English couples around, and in some places you wouldn't know whether you were in the Dordogne or Cheddar Gorge.
...Only the English can go to France and then complain that there are too many English people about... Priceless!...
I know how they feel.When we go to France we go to get away.Out worst fear is being pitched next to another English van that does sound stupid I know,but we just like to be away fom the larger drinking (I can drimk you under the table type) football crazy (come on England we'll kick the a**e of the french type).I'm sorry but that is how most English people act,no matter where they are!
We have encountered that on the coast but usually the folk we meet inland are the kind we wouldn't avoid. There are lots of Brits on the Dordogne - I'd guess 30% Brit, 30% Dutch, 30% French and 10% Belgians/Germans/Irish. We have been the only Brits on a french site and prefer the cosmopolitan sites.
The best thing you can do in France is speak French! In my opinion if you try to speak french to the receptionist/owner you get the best pitches/service etc and it works everytime and we have been going for 15 years! I hate the type who march into the reception bang their confirmation on the desk and shout "Caravan Club booking" at the top of their voices in English. Believe me this happened last year to us we got a huge pitch on a quiet area he got a minute pitch near the main road!! and he well deserved it.
-------------
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
Yes - we've experienced that too - and not just on campsites. When I took the boys camping on my own in 1989 (they were 3 and 9 at the time) in my old green Lada estate (first time I'd driven in France), we stopped at a motorway service station - and I asked (in French) for two hot chocolates, and a cup of tea and made a polite comment about the weather being very hot - too hot for hot drinks. The cashier was helpful, made the chocolates, put whipped cream on and didn't charge extra, and then gave me a Kitkat with a damaged wrapper for the boys. He then spoke to me in good English about where I was going, what my plans were, and said I was very brave doing such a trip on my own.
Three retired English people came in, and said in loud voices - Two Teas and a coffee (no please) or thank you - and when he 'appeared' not to understand they just repeated themselves in increasingly loud voices. After reaching shouting pitch they just said - 'Oh, ignorant french!!!!' and walked out - without their teas or coffees.
After they had gone he smiled at me, and said 'I don't speak English for people like that'.
In response to the person who thinks it's odd to go to France to mix with the French, rather than the English, I'd just say 'Each to his own' - we like less English people on the sites we choose, which leaves him free to choose the sort of sites he likes as well.
Great experience for the kids this summer - 20 a side football with 6 nationalities and 5 languages.
If in France speak in french if you can but if you can't there are ways to be 'polite' - or at least less than rude. Don't be put off going to France if you can't speak french - just remember a smile and a laugh gets more than a raised voice.
In response to the person who thinks it's odd to go to France to mix with the French, rather than the English, I'd just say 'Each to his own' - we like less English people on the sites we choose, which leaves him free to choose the sort of sites he likes as well.
Ma Chere, 'Val A'...
Having read through all the posts, I do believe that I must be "The person who thinks it's odd to go to France, to mix with the French"... Well, I wonder on what basis you make that assumption?...
As you obviously haven't understood my futile attempt to be 'witty', I'll try to explain it for you...
I thought it rather comical, that you should visit France and be surprised that other English people should have the cheek, to holiday there too!... So many in fact, that 'The Dordogne' resembled the 'Cheddar Gorge'...
Well Val, much as you might wish it, you are not the only English person (or British, for that matter) to have discovered the delights of 'The Dordogne'... The British have been going there for a very long time and I'm afraid to say, they wont stop, just to please you!...
As for mixing with 'the French'... You should be commended for your attempts to speak the language. I too have spent a little time in France. Well, several years actually!... I lived in Ste. Maxime, in the Var region of Provence. A lovely place, with lovely people... On many occasions when I spent an evening, with my French friends, we met British holiday makers. Unlike you, I was always happy to meet my fellow countrymen abroad and, I'm pleased to say, they were excellent company, without exception!...
What a pity, that you've found meeting your fellow countrymen abroad, so distasteful!...
Ca ne fait rien!. C'est la vie... Meilleurs voeux... Andy...
Post last edited on 28/01/2006 03:14:34
------------- "Essex Kingfisher"
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: Anyone been to.....Dordogne
