Camsites by Millau - Les Peupliers or Le Caussanel

[LesleyP]

We are aiming to stay for 2 - 3 nights close to Millau for sightseeing towards end of August. Have t/a van and two children ages 7 and 12. Have been looking at these sites and wonder whether anyone has any experience of them, comments and suggestions very welcome.

 

[Clubman1]

Camping La Rivages - on bank of river, approx 15 min walk into centre of Millau, small shop on site selling basic food stuffs, swimming pool, play area, excellent site with serviced pitches and warm welcome. ACSI site "in season".

 

[LesleyP]

Thanks Clubman. I had looked at this site's website but did not think the pitches looked that big. Also have to consider access to pitches i.e. whether access paths are tree lined. The caravan size is 7.95m - what do you think?

 

[Clubman1]

My 'van is 6.5 metres overall and I didn't have a problem, but yours is a further 2 metres longer but again I would'nt think it would be a problem. I have seen many t/a on the site. There is a variety of pitches, some of which are a tad small but others quite large. The pitches we have used here over the years we have had 'van, full awning and car on the pitch with no probs at all. The site does have a number of trees but I cannot recollect if they would impede your access to pitches, height wise you should be OK as 'vans are more or less standard height. The site roads are all metalled. If any are available river side pitches could be your best option. I personally think you will be OK, but would'nt like to think I could be responsible for causing you problems if you "could'nt fit in". I have been on sites in Europe where access was a 1000 times more difficult than La Rivages. IMHO this is the best site in this area, and I have looked at most of them.

 

[LesleyP]

Thanks for your response. We may well try this site out as it is within walking distance of Millau. We will not be putting up an awning in any event for such a short stay as we want to use our time making the most of the site and sightseeing rather than setting up home!

 

[RayS]

I've used the Rivarges site too and like it. Pitches are of various sizes and some are not hedged etc. I had no problems with a van 7.3m shipping length. Do go to the viewpoint on the 'old' road south from Millau - about halfway back to the motorway. You get an excellent view of valley and bridge and often can see eagles etc. flying very close by. The visitor centre under the centre arch is good too, although the one at the north end is probably better - see the time lapse film of the construction.

 

[LesleyP]

Thanks Ray. We will be travelling from the south so may come in on that road and will look out for the view point. Also intend going to the visitor centre so will try the one at the north end as you suggest.

 

[ValA.]

Les Rivages, as mentioned, is a site I would have normally highly recommended. However, according to friends we met a week ago, who had just come from Les Rivages, there has been some sort of noisy excavation going on just opposite the site, which starts around 7.30 in the morning and continues all day - with noisy pile-driving, and coming and goings of many site vehicles. It's a huge job, apparently, and is expected to last for the whole summer. They've stayed there lots of time before, but did say that if this had been their first time it's not a site they would go back to because of the noise which they said was seriously unpleasant.
However, there are lots of other sites in Millau at the other side of the bridge which are unaffected by the noise from the excavations.
Les Peupliers is a lovely site, but access can be a little tight for a large outfit. We've no experience of Les Caussanel, but it isn't in the most attractive part of that area - Millau is at the centre of the Gorges du Tarn/Dourbie/Jonte and by far the best place for a short stay. Personally I'd have a look at some of the other sites in Millau and choose one of those. There are three sites together, Les Rivages, Le Cote Sud, and Les Deux Rivieres all on Avenue de l'Aigoual - probably these should be avoided, but the others on Avenue de Millau Plage are probably unaffected.

 

[LesleyP]

Thanks Val - I'll have a look at the other sites however as we may only be staying there for 2 nights just for the local sight seeing of the bridge and cheese caves we might still try Les Rivages. We will not be spending much time on the site and will have to wait for our next stop at Poinsouze for a lie-in!

Lesley