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John - Lots of schools seem to be looking at the option of two weeks at Spring Bank (Whit) - it was always our favourite holiday time when my sons were very small, but as they got bigger they reduced the holiday to one week.

There are loads of lovely sites in easy distance of Nimes and Carcassone - but are you looking for 'ready-erected' tents, or taking a lightweight tent plus your own equipment?   If the latter, then you probably want a site with really good facilities, and perhaps a take-away - and restaurant within walking distance (or do you want to cook on a little Trangia or similar?).  I'm thinking in terms of the really low luggage allocation that you get these days on Ryanair - anything more than two pairs of pants and a toothbrush and you could stay at the Hilton with the extra baggage supplements! 

Also are you looking at inland sites, or Mediterranean sites?  Again loads to choose from in this area - of all sizes and types, but what do you prefer?  There are lovely sites in the Camargue, in the Pont du Gard area, Sommieres, and around Carcassone, and the Ardeche is only an hour or so north of Nimes - and we've stayed in quite a few over the years.  Do you want a pool - or would you be happy with lake or riverside, or neither?

Just a bit more detail on what you want and someone will come up with your ideal solution!

I liked Massereau when we visited last year to have a look round - and it will certainly be on our list of places to visit for a longer stay.  We had a very friendly welcome there, with a free glass of wine and guided tour.  The washblocks look very good, the pools aren't huge - but just enough - and for children there's a good play area in the woods.  Pitches are a good size and the site has a nice 'open' feel - with some shade, but not too much.  There's a cycle route from the site. 

From Sommieres it's a lovely drive up to the Ardeche - so if you wanted some serious canoeing......!  There's also the Ceze, which is a bit nearer - and good in some places.   You're also near enough for a quick drive down to the coast (we visited from La Boucanet whilst staying there last year.  You're near to Nimes, for the roman amphitheatre,  and there's city shopping in Montpellier.

I suppose what you're looking for are sites which offer their own accommodation, rather than going through 'EuroKeyCanvas' type organisations?   Massereau certainly does.  Perhaps someone else knows some other sites which offer good accommodation, on the type of site you'd like. 

Quote: Originally posted by Val A on 13/1/2009

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I suppose what you're looking for are sites which offer their own accommodation, rather than going through 'EuroKeyCanvas' type organisations?   Massereau certainly does.  

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Ive never thought of it that way but you're right. I suppose rows upon rows of white boxes with not much space in between is noones idea of paradise.

Ally i'll check that out. Thanks

We stayed at Domaine d'Arnauteille 2 miles outside hamlet of Montclar and within half hour of Carcassonne airport and the old town. Wonderful pitch with glorious views. Steep walk to and from shop(small), restaurant, library and pool but pool area was like a roman amphitheatre with jacuzzi pools and showers. I've reviewed it in UK camp site reviews. Our (very picky) 23 year old son and his girlfriend flew out to join us there and he thought it the nicest site he'd stayed on !

They do chalets some of which surround the pool, though higher up, still a hill! They also have fantastic views over the mountains and countryside.  

Quote: Originally posted by anaconda on 13/1/2009

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Quote: Originally posted by Val A on 13/1/2009

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I suppose what you're looking for are sites which offer their own accommodation, rather than going through 'EuroKeyCanvas' type organisations?   Massereau certainly does.  

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Ive never thought of it that way but you're right. I suppose rows upon rows of white boxes with not much space in between is noones idea of paradise.

Ally i'll check that out. Thanks

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Huw, I must admit ive never slept anywhere camping which matches up to comfort of our own bed.

Ive been looking a bit further north to the southern Ardeche. Looks really nice. If anyone knows of sites there which fit the criteria do shout out.

Camping Les Chadenedes, as mentioned by Liz in another posting, looks lovely - is well situated in the southern part of the Ardeche, in easy reach of Vallon and the main Ardeche river, the Chassezac river, Ruoms and La Beaume - all of which offer great opportunities for messing about in rivers.  I haven't actually stayed there, but where we usually stay is nearby across the bridge at Grospierre.!

Chadenedes offer a whole range of accommodation - mobile homes and a selection of Gites which looks lovely, at a reasonable cost, and it looks a great place for a quiet holiday - with availability still in May, according to their website.   May is also a lovely time to be in the Ardeche. 

Huw (TethersEnd) is going to Camping Le Provencal, which also offers accommodation, as do many other sites in/around Vallon - but are Vallon itself sites tend to be the bigger type.  We've stayed at L'Ardechois which is another big site, and visited Le Provencal and Le Mondial, as well as Camping International at the other side of the river.  We've also stayed at Bastide en Ardeche, which in May will be a quiet site with a lovely pool, also offering accommodation of various sorts - but a bigger site in terms of pitch numbers than Chadenedes. 

Who know, we may change the habits of a lifetime, and not use our Camping Cheques to stay at somewhere like this!

Las year we went to Les Sablons at Portiragnes Plages which I would recommend but is perhaps a bit busier than you were looking for. Having said that due to the time of year it should not be manic and there is a brilliant canal called the Canal du Midi which you can cycle/sail along. The area is great and we plan to go back next year and hopefully site our caravan down there.

We did fly drive from Leeds/Bradford to Toulouse with Jet 2. Leeds is just a bit further than Manchester and the drive from Toulouse is about 2 hours on a motorway. Can definitely recomment that as an alternative.

Thanks teacake, i'll certainly take a look. Weve no problem with travelling to an airport.

Val, Chadenedes looks so lovely! Its now on my shortlist (currently 2!).

I really like the preparation/searching bit re the holiday. Its making the fnal decision which aint so easy.

In my experience May and June are relatively quiet in La Sirene, weekends tend to be busier in May as almost every weekend n May seems to have a French Bank Holiday.

The beauty of the site is that it is fully functioning, with entertainment, including some quite goo shows from 10th april onwards.

Its on the outskirts of Argeles.