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We're driving from Santander in Spain up to Calais for 2 weeks in our camper van this summer, 2 adults & 2 boys age 9 &10 and would like to stop off somewhere on a lake where the boys can mess about in the water in the (hopefully) hot weather.

Anyone know of any good lake-front sites (will probably take in the Dordogne & Loire on the way) that aren't over-run with Brits in statics - would prefer something a bit more simple (cheap) & authentically French 

Does it have to be a lake?  There are some lovely sites in both the Loire and the Dordogne which are adjacent to the river(s), which can be 'messed about in' to their hearts content?

We stayed at Soleil Plage at Vitrac, but there are several more 'French' sites on this stretch of the river, all with river access, and it's a lovely river for pottering about in.  Someone who posts on here, who holidays regularly at Soleil Plage has visited several.  Perhaps he can help out.  I think the one next door is called La Bouysse and then other recommendations are for La Cabane, which appears on the plan to have a small lake as well as river access.  just a bit further down the river, which at 3.90 for a pitch, and 3.90 for each adult, (unfortunately your boys would come into this category) still works out at a very reasonable price.

No it doesn't have to be a lake but I do like the idea of getting a little dingy & not having to worry about the getting washed out to sea or downriver so I thought a lake would be good (not that they can't find a million other ways to get into trouble).

I like the look of La Cabane, now both boys are classed as adults(??) it's getting a bit pricy this camping lark!

Vicki

Hi we stayed lat year and back this August in Parc les Alicourts south of Orleans in the Loire check the details on UK Campsite Site finder. It's a truly lovely place with a man made lake for fishing and swimming, the kids in my party range from 3-8yrs and they all loved it and so did the adults.

Have a great trip

Tigerlily

Look for the Blue spot!

There are hundreds of inland lakes in France and most have two or three campsites adjacent or a short distance away. To find inland fresh water swimming lakes, use the Michelin 'yellow' 1:200 000 type maps (easiest to use the atlas version), and look for the blue spot symbol. This identifies nearly all official lake swimming beaches. The blue spot covers 'open', free swimming areas, beaches adjacant or attached to campsites, and more commercial beaches with gates and an entrance fee. On some lakes with no blue spot the green diamond symbol designating 'base de loisirs' occasionally includes swimming areas, but usually designates dinghy sailing etc. In this case there may be no official swimming areas. (eg on a few hydroelectric reservoir lakes, swimming is illegal) .

As 'Val A' has mentioned, 'blue spots' also include parts of rivers where the river widens out to make a lake-like 'Plan d'Eau'. There are often camp sites near these spots too.

Most of the bigger lakes are further east than the Santander - Calais axis, but one not too far east is the Lac de Vassivière, east of Limoges

The best way to avoid 'Brits in statics' is not to go to 'the Dordogne' (an erroneous British designation of a tourist area covering Périgord) or the Loire.