Suggestions pls - Nice site south of Dordogne

[tug100]

Hi all

We will be heading off soon to the Dordogne and will be spending 10 days in a lovely site that we have been to before with large pitches, grass and swimming pool. It is not too 'English' if you know what I mean - not Castels, or Eurocamp etc. This is the kind of site that we like.

We will have a further week to spend further south, maybe as far south as the Med or Pyrenees. Prefer not to head across to the Atlantic nor towards Nice.

So, I would really appreciate suggestions of 'nice' sites that fit the kind of things I have set out above, so all suggestions gratefully received.

Thanks

Martin

 

[otherclive]

We had a really nice two weeks at Camping Lestap, Albine near to Mazamet. Plenty of space, no hard rules on how you pitch your van, excellent pool, little bar. Local village has shop and two restaurants. Arae is very picturesque and Carcassonne is about 1 hour away, with the Med beaches just slightly more. Have a look at the website for more info.

Cheers

Otherclive

 

[ValA.]

Camping Les Peupliers, in the Gorges du Tarn - nice site, good pitches, adjacent to the river, quiet at night, good sanitary facilities, nice (smallish) pool - and a good mix of nationalities, with a lot of French people, usually - and the usual Dutch and Germans. Fantastic views from the site, and on almost every journey you will make out of the site in any direction! Near to the Millau viaduct for either a drive across, or even better a view from underneath and to the visitor centre. Vultures on the cliffs of the Jonte, about 4 miles from the site. Lots of wildlife.

Camping Neptune at Grau d'Agde on the Herault river, about 1 km from sandy beaches - lovely site, good pitches, mix of nationalities, walking distance to the beach and into the old town of Agde, (not Cap d'Agde which is modern, purpose built, and soulless), from where you can walk or cycle along the Canal du Midi. Cycle paths directly outside the site, in both directions.

What's the site you're using in the Dordogne? It would be nice to compare with those I've recommended.

 

[otherclive]

Also in the Millau area is Val de Cantobre. Been there 4 times now but with two dogs it's now off limits.

 

[ValA.]

Other Clive - that used to be our favourite site, when it was run by Clare and Francois (and before them by his parents Msr and Mdme Dupond. We last went in the year before they sold it - Clare told us on the last day the site was open that they wouldn't be there the following year, and so we haven't been back.

We started going in 1981 and went back about twenty times over the years, both with our sons in the early days, and without in the last seven or eight years. We haven't been back, though, since they sold it to RCN - for us it was the end of a long era of friendship with the site, and with Clare and Francois. We still see Clare occasionally when she is over here at the NEC or other caravan shows.

 

[tug100]

Thanks all so far. keep them coming.

Other Clive - Camping Lestap, Albine near to Mazamet looks nice, quiet too.

Val A - Camping Les Peuplier looks fun. Will show the kids the video on the web site. Camping Neptune looks lovely too.

It looks like Val de Cantobre is now Eurocamp, and whilst I have nothing against Eurocamp or Eurocampers my preference is to go a bit more native. Maybe this is due to the change of ownership.

Val A, the site we are heading to in the Dordogne is Camping Capeyrou in Beynac. It is lovely.

Martin

 

[ValA.]

Having looked at the site, what about Bastide en Ardeche

(http://www.rcn-campings.fr/labastideenardeche/fr/index.htm) - same sort of riverside setting, nice pool area, good sanitary blocks, good sized pitches, good mix of nationalities.

The site takes 'Touring Cheques' (www.touringcheque.co.uk) from 14th August - and has an offer of 7 nights for the price of 6. The would bring down the cost of a package for pitch/two people/caravan and awning/electricity from 43.50 euros (days up until 21/08 or 23.50 euros after 21/08) to

 

[tug100]

So, we're liking the look of Camping Lestap, especially because it is in the area that we fancy exploring - Carcassonne way - and in striking distance of a beach too.

It also looks like a good balance of facilities without being too over the top. We like to be able to have a balance of quiet and hectic, but to be able to choose when to do the hectic, if you know what I mean.

Martin

 

[ValA.]

If you do decide to stay at L'Estap and go down to the beach at Valras Plage (which will take a good bit more than the hour they suggest on the website) then check out the campsite Les Cerisiers du Jaur, near St Pons de Thomieres, which is on your route.

I thought it looked quite a nice site, with plenty of activities (but low key if you know what I mean) and is described in the Caravan Club Europe book as 'An Oasis'.

 

[otherclive]

The beach at Valras is superb there are lots of shower stations and the swimming areas are protected by structures that give a lagoon like feel. We were there last September and there was lots of free parking in the streets that run parallel to the beach and main promenade.