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Has anyone been here? If so, what were your views please?

Thanks CC

Our friends (experienced caravanners in France over many years) were there a couple of years ago and thought it rather run-down.  We were there about fifteen years ago, and thought the same!!  The area, though, is fantastic - absolutely full of lovely places to see, from Roman aqueducts, gorges, rivers, and Avignon and that area of Provence is within easy driving distance, as are the sights of the Camargue such as Aigues Mortes,  and the beaches at St Maries de la Mer or Grau du Roi.

Thanks everyone. I had looked at further across towards Perpignan, say Argeles etc, but have been a bit put off by the area whilst the area around Nimes seems nicer an more balaned for a mam and dad who want some culture whilst the kids (4 and 2) are screaming for flumes, swimming pool and beaches.  I'm going to look nearer Aigues Mortes based on the responses here. Again, thanks!

CC

Domaine de Masserau (good reviews) near to Sommieres is a lovely site - some smallish flumes, two pools, good pitches, cycle track, adventure playground in the woods, etc.  It's reasonably open, on the top of a hill (not steep) with excellent washblock, and pitches have varied shade.  We found the pitches at Soubeyranne rather shady.  You're in the middle of a lovely area - and lots of things to see and do in driving/walking/cycling distance.  I think there are some Eurocamp mobiles and tents there, too, so other British children around.  You're also within easy distance of the coast - but far enough away to be out of the traffic which can be busy down by the beaches in mid-summer.

We had a look around Masserau and were made very welcome, and treated to a conducted tour, with a glass of wine in the bar - very civilized and definitely made us 'warm' to the site.  I'd definitely go back there - but probably wouldn't to Soubeyranne.

Thanks again Val, I think this may well be the one we go to. At first the prices scared me (about £45) a night but it seems if you want these type of facilities that's the prices they charge all over the area.  Camping Cheques are a no-no really, the boy will be starting school and the wife is a teacher who has to be back before school actually starts - ah well, time to dig deep into those rather shallow pockets of mine.  Thanks for sharing your experience with me these last few weeks, it is appreciated.

CC

Just one last question:  how far is the nearest beach.  Via Michelin seems to suggest about 30mins but what is the reality?

Thanks

CC

The nearest place is probably La Grande Motte - which may take as little as half an hour at midnight, on a Tuesday, but is more likely to take about an hour, with traffic.  La Grau du Roi is also nearby - perhaps 10 minutes longer - and I think more interesting, still being a working fishing port.  Don't go to the Port Camargue end which is new, like a mini Cap d'Agde marina, but to the old part.  Park near the Port de Pecheurs and walk in, over the bridge across the river (the  bridge is raised when fishing boats are coming through).  Eat at the Hotel du Grand Sud if you want a full lunchtime menu - but there are loads of other places to get snacks.  The beach has showers where you can wash or cool down if it's really hot, and the sea is very shallow and ideal for little children.

Don't ever be worried about asking questions - using other people's knowledge can help you find interesting places, avoid traffic jams, and perhaps get the best out of your holiay - but sorry I can't help if you like casinos, discos, karaoke bars, or Blackpool!

That's great Val, thanks. My palpitations have eased somewhat as I have discovered its in the Caravan Club brochure and have made an initial reservation through them. They can't confirm price or booking until November whch worries me slightly because Castels are taking 2010 bookings now, however, I reckon there will be a considerable savng doing it this way. 

By the way, it seems as you and I have very similar likes and dislikes. Now, Guide Hachette next stop to investigate AOC Coteaux Languedoc!!!

Martyn

Definitely go for Domaine de Masserau .... Sommieres is just the best!!! and the site's pretty good too!

I need a cheaper holiday or we'd go back .... if I could find a camping a la ferme with a small pool nera Sommieres I'd be in heaven!

Liz 9, although it's not a farm site, what about Mas de Reilhe at Crespian, just north of Sommieres?  I've heard good reports from several Dutch caravanners we've met.  It takes Camping Cheques from 17th August, but also in high season is just 21 euros for pitch/two people compared to 38 or more at Massereau.  It looks a nice site to me - though we've never stayed there, or even visited (something which may be on the cards for this year).  It only has 75 touring pitches, so it's not huge.

I know you loved the site in the Ardeche last year, and I must admit I've put it in my 'favourites' box for consideration in the future.

You may already have been to, or discounted Mas de Reilhe, in which case I'd like to hear opinions - or from anyone else who's been!

We discounted Soubreyanne last year because of the hideous reviews we found about it being tatty and rundown and the pool area being dangerous wtih broken concrete etc.

Mas de Reilhe was another one we rules out, but I've given the camping cheque book to a friend so can't check my notes to see why? Might have been that the pools didn't open until after we'd gone (Whitsun time)

Domaine de Masserau was another on our list, but in the end we decided to be nearer to the beach as we wanted a cheap beach holiday, so the 30-45 minute drive each time would have been a pain. We ended up at Camping Le Neptune, at Grau D'Agde, which I can highly recommend. Also in the Camping Cheque book, our kids were almost the only kids on site, but they acquired numerous "adopted grandparents" for the length of our holiday! In the school holidays there will obviously be more kids. No flumes, but a lovely pool, and a 15 minute stroll along the river to the beach at Grau, with lots of cafes and restaurants.

I'd be interested to know about Mas de Reilhe (though just found a 'dubious' review on Zoover)!  I thought I'd seen somewhere that Domaine de Massereau pools don't open until late in the season but it doesn't appear on their website, and I wonder if it was a misunderstanding - as they do state that they opened the pool complex (initially) on 1 June 2006.  I thought, at one time, that it accepted Touring Cheques, too, but it isn't on their website any more.  There are no actual reviews on the campsite search here, just mentions amongst the postings, which is quite frustrating.

Like you we love Neptune but try to make a point of trying new sites.  It has to be one of our favourite sites, but we do feel a bit 'stick in the muds' as we alternate between there and Les Peupliers!

** By the way there is a terrible review of Neptune on Zoover - which doesn't reflect the accuracy of the site at all.  I suspect it was written by someone with a bit of a grudge.