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Hi

Like many of you, we are starting to look at where to go next summer.  We have been to central brittany in a tent and the Dordogne & Tarn in a campervan but this year will be the first in our new caravan. 

We would love any suggestions from you guys that seem to fit the below criteria. At the moment i am thinking, lake garda and Annecy but concerned not enough for a 7 year old and that most sites look huge!!  Tarn and Dorgdogne always a good bet but how many times do you go without getting bored. 

Wish list;

Near a usable river or lake;   Keeps a 7 year old occupied;   isn't too big but has a good atmosphere; is reasonably warm in august (mid 20's!) and if there is wild life that would be fab (little boy loved the beavers and vultures in the tarn).  Enough places of interest to mix it up a bit. Cycling always good too.

So any ideas?  All ideas and experiences welcome.

Thanks in advance

Bryan & Samantha

The Ardeche, perhaps.  There are some lovely sites alongside the river - a range of prices and 'star' ratings, there's plenty of wildlife - eagles overhead sometimes, many other birds of prey, and beavers in the Chassezac river which is not far away.  There's canoeing on the river (your 7 year old would be old enough for the mini-descent, which is great fun), the scenery is spectacular, like the Tarn, and there are lots of other interesting places to go and see within driving distance.  You have the Haribo (yes, the sweeties) museum near Uzes, the Crocodile Farm in the Rhone Valley, the rock arch of the Pont d'Arc with sandy beaches and river swimming, the Pont du Gard (roman aqueduct) and lots of other villages, such as La Beaume with rocky cliffs, and a beach, Balazuc, the eco-village at Vieux Albion, the climb up to Sampzon with spectacular views, other rivers, rapids and waterfalls, and plenty of child-friendly activities going on. 

Camping L'Ardechois at Vallon used to have a stunning range of activities for children, organised by their own animateurs - things like weekly visits from a bouncy castle, a range of 'wrong' bikes where you pedalled in one direction, or the steering was back to front, magic shows where each child learned his own magic trick, circus skills - again with special tricks, and treasure hunts, then as the children got older sleepovers in the woods, with music making, or camp-fires, etc.   There were also 'family' activities such as picnic days out, visits to local farms and local producers, visits to caves, not the sort open to the public but 'exciting' ones where you needed your own torch, and never knew what was around the corner.  One such cave probably turned out to be more famous than they thought when they took us down years ago, too. 

I'm talking about a few years ago now, but certainly an area, and a campsite worth looking into.  We used to go there regularly as a family, and it suited us so much then when my eldest son wanted a cheap holiday after 'A' levels, he asked if we could go back there and he could bring friends along.  We ended up with a whole menagerie of teenage boys - but it's not a 'full-on', in your face sort of site, just a family site for people who enjoy outdoor activities.

Cheers Val,

The Ardeche has been on my wish list forever so might be able to swing it now!! 

Do or anyone else have any experience of the Southern Brittany/North Vendee area (not too far but hot and child friendly)? 

We are also thinking of going to a medium sized site with a good pool complex.  River nearby would be a bonus, and if there is such a thing access to a nearby beach even better.

Not to much to ask I know.