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I can highly recommend (been there this yr and 2008) Domaine de Massereau at Sommieres. Its about 20-30 mins from the beach but has everything you are looking for. Lovely site, ideal for families, our 11yr old loved it and we could give her some freedom as well away from busy roads etc, fab pools too. Only downside might be the shape/size of your tent, some of the pitches have trees on them so whilst large pitching can be restricted iyswim. I'm sure though if you gave them your tent dimensions they would sort a suitable pitch. Its probably the best site we've ever stayed on and we've stayed on loads. The nearby town of Sommieres (less than a mile) is a fabulous place with a great market on a saturday. Theres even a cycle/footpath direct from the site to Sommieres. Loads to do in the area or relax on site like we did.

Suggest you have a look at La Petite Camargue site near Aigues Mortes.  It may be a little larger than you had in mind but otherwise could well tick all your boxes.

Its about 10 mins from sandy beaches and has an excellent swimming pool complex.  We (older couple) stayed there for two very enjoyable weeks in June, the only downside I found was sometimes being bitten to hell and back in the pool area by tiny little black insects about the size of full stops on this page.  However for some reason my wife was not affected.  Away from the pool area the site is well shaded and apart from the occasional mosquito bite was not affected by insects at all.  Good, clean and well maintained facilities.

I'd agree with Pitchperfect  (and Savanne1) about choosing an inland site with lots of other available activities - unless your children specifically like beaches (mine never did).  The Gorges of the Tarn/Jonte and Dourbie is a superb area for camping, as is the Ardeche - and there are more 'laid-back' type sites to choose from.  Those in coastal areas do tend to be a bit more 'all-singing, all-dancing' type sites.

The two areas she mentions are our favourite parts of France - and you can see in my previous posts that I highly recommend them both.  I'm sure, in either area, that you'll find the sort of site you're looking for.

Quote: Originally posted by pitchperfect on 09/8/2010

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Would 'she' be me? I decided not to go for the op in the end . Definitely still a he last time I checked .

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Thanks for the suggestions, guys. 

 Have to rule out petite carmague as i tend to react badly to bites. 

Domaine de massereau looks good i think the pool complex will make the fact that it's a drive to the beach less of a problem, the area looks nice too. 

Not sure about la neptune, think i need to do some more research. 

The inland option is a possible route - not sure if i'm a beach person anyway but i think i'll have to speak to oh about that.  We did alot of touring this last holiday and he is adamant that next year will be more relaxing. 

any more suggestions most welcome

HI there, I see my review of Masserau has been published now and you can find it at:

http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/sites/reviews.asp?revid=7459

Don't like the sound of the 21 euros for a bottle of wine!  This year a campsite we stayed on sold the local rose wine, en vrac, for 1.50 euro for a litre bottle - we just took a plastic bottle to be filled up, and it was absolutely delicious!  It was also on sale in the restaurant for 5 euros for a pichet!  That's about the right price for me, I'm afraid. 

We did think we might try Massereau during the 1st week in September, when it takes the ACSI card again!

Val, I think the Tourie was worth the 11 euros they charged in the shop, it was a very good "Coteaux de Languedoc" appellation and I did buy a case of 6 to bring home.  However, to add 10 euros on the price at the resturant when they must already be making money on the 11 euros shop price did seem to me a mark up too far.

Quote: Originally posted by savanne1 on 11/8/2010

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...What did you make of the little bin flap on the back wall of the loos, it went straight through to the shower behind. Some didnt have the sanitary bin fitting so anyone could sneek a peek through from either direction if they were so inclined

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