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As usual, I'm spending hours searching & going round in circles! I like the look of Huttopia, Rille & have seen the reviews but wonder if anyone else has anymore to say about that site or any others of theirs? A mention on TripAdvisor says that their staff can be arrogant so this has put me off somewhat...

My inner hippy quite likes the feel of the site but I'm concious that we have 2 teenagers to accomodate & would ideally like a lively (but tatsteful!) site somewhere in the Loire region. Maybe Huttopia is as near perfect as I'll find??

As I said, I have searched the maps but the sites either seem to be very lively (discos/kids clubs/restaurants/go karts etc) or really quiet.  Is there an inbetween???

We've booked the ferry for the 1st two weeks of the summer school hols and this is our first time camping in France so we aren't sure if lively = tacky or tasteful.

Please help....

The Castels chain of campsites look like they are both tasteful and lively so may suit you and your teens. It may be worth checking to see if there is one in the Loire.

Carol

I read an article a few months back about Huttopia Rille, it was very positive. The reviewer didnt like their 2nd site so went back to Rille they rated it so highly. Have you looked on Zoover for reviews? Tbh I find most reviews are Tripadvisor are negative and people are more likely to complain than praise (human nature??). The two reviews on here for Rille are very positive.

There are two Castels sites in the Loire (Etang de la breche and Parc du Fierbois) which both have reviews on here. Tbh I think you'll find them too much like what you've described especially as you are going in peak season.

How old are your teenagers and what do they like doing?

Thanks for your replies, someone at work has mentioned Castels & I've had a look at their websites but they're quite impersonal so you can't get a feel for the site.  I agree, though, the reviews are good but I still worry that we'll be like fish out of water as we aren't really joiny in types!

Our children are 14 & 15 and are usually happy, when camping, to sit with us in a pub playing cards & chatting, they are pretty reserved and don't tend to run with the crowd.  However, I feel I haven't given them a chance to go to a site where they can play sports (they aren't sporty tho!) or go to discos etc to socialise & maybe they would love it.....

Sharonmary, was there a village/town in walkable distance to the campsite at Rille? Or was there a nice bar to sit in at night?

I know it's my decision in the end but I do appreciate the help..

Quote: Originally posted by I need sun on 18/2/2010

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Thanks for your replies, someone at work has mentioned Castels & I've had a look at their websites but they're quite impersonal so you can't get a feel for the site.  I agree, though, the reviews are good but I still worry that we'll be like fish out of water as we aren't really joiny in types!

Our children are 14 & 15 and are usually happy, when camping, to sit with us in a pub playing cards & chatting, they are pretty reserved and don't tend to run with the crowd.  However, I feel I haven't given them a chance to go to a site where they can play sports (they aren't sporty tho!) or go to discos etc to socialise & maybe they would love it.....

Sharonmary, was there a village/town in walkable distance to the campsite at Rille? Or was there a nice bar to sit in at night?

I know it's my decision in the end but I do appreciate the help..

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We've stayed at the Huttopia sites at Rambouillet, and at Senonches.  I liked the idea of the sites very much - with very much an 'Eco' emphasis - and both are very similar, so I imagine the Rille one will be in the same image.  They're both in forests, so have some very shady pitches, but the Senonches one also had 'The Meadow' which is open and has little or no shade.  We were given a choice and choose to stay on that part.  The facilities on both sites were absolutely first class - really modern shower rooms, each with a basin and loads of room - not just a cubicle.  They were all in wooden buildings, warm and cosy, and kept very clean.  The restaurant at Senonches overlooks a little lake, loads of birdlife, and butterflies, with a terrace actually over the lake - really lovely on a warm night.  I'd definitely go back there.  The 'natural' pool at Senonches was still being developed - apparently it has to develop it's own micro-system which keeps it clean and pure before swimmers are allowed in - but it looked very inviting (if not the usual blue of most campsite pools).  The staff at both sites were lovely - all young and very enthusiastic - and chatted to us about the sites, and what was available in the areas. 

With regard to 'Tacky' or 'Tasteful' - I'd rate most French sites on the 'Tasteful' end of the scale - even the largest.  Les Castels sites are generally very tasteful indeed.  However, there are other sites where the slide slips towards the Tackier end - but if you're thinking of a particular site I'm sure someone on here will point you in the Tasteful direction, rather than the Tacky.

I need sun, no you can not walk to a villlage from the site. There is a little shop on site and you can order your bread etc for the next day. There is a bar/restaurant on site which also does take away pizzas which is by the swimming pool. The walk round the lake is nice and you can also fish there.

We did see a restaurant next door which Floydfan mentions but we didn't visit. The weather was so hot when we went we had bbqs all the time.