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Hi all, having spent the best part of October trawling through hundreds of French campsite websites we have settled on Val de Cantobre as the destination for next years holiday.  Looking at the message board it would apear there are quite a few of you out there who love this site, there are some wonderfull comments on the message boards and it seems to be exactly what we are looking for.  I am just wondering if anyone who went last year (Summer 2008) could confirm that with the change of management it is still as good and any advice on what pitch to go for.  I am not bothered about having to large a pitch (I do however have a 7m Bailey Ranger and Bradcott Awning so it cant be to small) like 41 or 42 but what I do want is to be able to sit outside my van and have a teriffic view.  I have looked at the site plan but you can't tell what way the hill goes.

Also I'll be travelling down from Calais which I believe is about 600 miles, so any advice about where to stop off of over night would be handy or does anyone do it in one go.  I've driven down to the Vendee before and thats 400 miles which I think is about far enough for me but I also dont see the point of stopping to early on the way home as I've tried it before and I just find it frustrating as you just want to get home once you start.

Cheers...   

We've been many times to Val de Cantobre, though not  since the management change - there's a posting on here, though (I'll try to find it) which states that standards were just as high, and facilities just as good.  Many of the pitches have fabulous views, but we've always (recently) tried to get on 47, 48 or 49 - at the end of the terrace there are steps down to the reception/shop area - and great views up the valley towards the old village of Cantobre.  Other good pitches are on the curved terrace starting at 137, around to 132 which also have excellent views.  However, the trees on site have now grown since our first visit there in 1981!!!!   Some of the absolutely fabulous landscape is now obscured, but there's still a lot of view!!  It's just a stunning part of the world, and I'm sure you'll love it there.  The higher pitches still have amazing views of the cliffs and woods at the back of the site - do walk up the hill and on to the Causse at the top for a different world.  Walk up the Dourbie at dusk, and head for Cantobre - just after the bridge, where the road rises steeply, you can watch the beavers on the opposite bank.  Do go to visit the Vulture Information Centre on the Jonte - the backway through Roque St Marguerite (turn into the very narrow turn in the village, and up a steep winding hill) is lovely. 

Don't take the obvious route from Millau along the Dourbie when you're arriving - carry on to the La Cavalerie junction, across the Millau viaduct, and take the cross-country road down through La Cavalerie into Nant, and turn left at the T junction at the bottom of the hill.  The road along the Dourbie is excellent for sight-seeing later in your holiday, but not the thing to do after a long journey! 

We usually stop over around Clermont Ferrand - either just a bit north, or just a bit south, depending on how our journey's gone.  We've stayed in Nevers a couple of times, in St Pourcain sur Sioule, in Parentignat, and at Issoire - all on our way to the Millau area. 

When are you going?   I ask because Val de Cantobre is part of the Camping Cheque group, so accept CCs up until 5th July (this year - but probably similar dates for next) and again after 23 August.  This brings the cost of your pitch (including electricity) down to around £12.00 per night.

The people who now manage the site are extremely helpful and friendly. We went in 2007 and 2008 and had a fantastic time- its one of our favourite sites in France.

You'll be better off booking a higher pitch in order to secure the best views. As Val said, the trees have obscured the view somewhat- this was noticable even between our two stays.

The site itself is lovely and the pool has had bits added on which our daughter really enjoyed. Be warned though- the pool is very cold!

There's so much to see and do in the surrounding area that I'll leave it to Val as she has a much better memory than me!!!

Thanks Val and Claire

Cheers for the advice, I take it that the higher pitches are the ones furthest away from the reception area i.e those numbered 129 and above (This should be the link to the site map - http://www.rcn-campings.fr/valdecantobre/gb/plan_camping.htm).  Are you saying not to bother with 132 to 137 because of the trees? I went onto google earth and if you pan down onto the site you can get a good impression of the view down the valley between the hills, it looks superb I can't wait.

Unfortunatly between work and the kids school holidays we have to go before the 23/08 and so are planning to be there from the 09/08/09 to 21/08/09 so will not be able to use camping cheques.

Thanks

Ian

We stayed in pitch 148 this year in July, there were views through the trees of Val de Cantobre and the pitch size was reasonable. The site will confirm the actual pitch size by email. I would reccomend any of the pitches between 146 and 148. There is a smaller washblock down some narrow steps, and the pool complex is just a short trek down the hill. It is a climb from the main reception but thats part of the attraction of the site.

The kids will love the new pool complex.

Cassied

In my gallery I've just added a photo of the view from pitch 47 - and the view from the top of the hill, looking back down on the site.  In each you can just see Cantobre - just to the left above David's head, and in the other on the rocky hillside in the background in the middle of the photo.  All the pitches are higher up than reception - and the hill slopes very much in the direction of the site plan - from bottom to top and from left to right,  with the top being the highest point.  Even pitch 47 is up about sixty steps from reception!

To be honest I don't think you'd be disappointed with any of the pitches.  In low season you are driven around the pitch and can choose from any available pitches.  However, at the time you're planning to go then you will need to book - and I don't know what the arrangements are for choosing a particular pitch as we've always (in recent years) gone outside peak season.