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It's certainly the best area for the weather, but the South of France (Riviera, or the western side) is absolutely crowded with traffic almost all day and much of the evening, into the night, in season and may be off-putting for a first trip - although there's no doubt that it's rather beautiful with mountains behind the sea, and great beaches.   

You may be better finding an inland site, in a region such as the Provence (behind the Riviera including the Gorges du Verdon), or the Gard in Southern France which is towards the Eastern part of the Mediterranean rather than the Riviera part.  We've stayed on two of the inland Eurocamp sites in that region - Val de Cantobre and Chateau du Boisson, and visited Domaine de Massereau.  Val de Cantobre was one of our favourite sites in that part of France.  Then just a bit further north (but still within reach of beaches if that's what you want) are the sites in the Ardeche region.  L'Ardechois in the Ardeche was our absolute first-favourite for years! 

We've also stayed at some of the sites nearer the beaches - Serignan Plage, La Sirene at Argeles sur Mer, and others, but we're not really beach people so these never became 'favourites'!.  We like messing about in the river, more.

Another lovely area for a first time trip to France is the Dordogne, which is not quite so far to drive, lots of lovely sites, and spectacular villages and castles, set amongst lovely green rolling hills, and alongside the river.  Plenty of Eurocamp sites there too. 

Lots of British people like the Vendee (which is an area we've never visited) and there appear to be some great sites there including lots of Eurocamp and Canvas Holidays sites.   

You might be best looking at some Tourist information sites, and deciding which areas suit the things you might want to do.  You could start with the French Tourist Information website, which used to have some really good brochures (in the days when they were sent out by post!),

Hope this helps clarify things.

Eurocamp etc are fine if you do your research. Use this site to check out the campsites. Also some sites have their own accommodation which is often better and cheaper. For example in the Ardeche there is a Castels site (we stayed there before it became one and had a lovely time) which has Eurocamp (or one of the others) and rents out its own vans. It isn't a big site, and there are no slides in the pool. However it is next to the river, has a lovely restaurant and is walking distance to the village for evening markets. I certainly wouldn't call this site 'Butlins'. It is also suitable for all ages as you can hire canoes from the site for the older teenagers.

If you go at the end of the season often the pitches with Eurocamp etc look 'worn' but again in dry areas all camping pitches look as though they could do with some care.

It is an ideal start to going abroad without the stress of taking your own gear.

Agree Warbis66 - I couldn't think of the name and didn't want to put the wrong one down. Thx

Quote: Originally posted by warbis66 on 25/4/2011

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I agree it looks lush but my family want sea!

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Quote: Originally posted by Val A on 25/4/2011

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Quote: Originally posted by warbis66 on 25/4/2011

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I agree it looks lush but my family want sea!

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You never know, they might like a river!  Especially the Ardeche.  We spent several years taking our sons on 'beach' holidays - then had a week at L'Ardechois when they were about 11 and 5, and they just wanted to stay there instead of moving down to the coast.  They then said they didn't actually like the sea - the salt taste, or the sand getting everywhere!  L'Ardechois became a favourite site and we went back many times when they were growing up.  We didn't do 'coast' again until five or six years ago when there were just two of us!

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Couldn't agree more - we've all got (or had) a conditioned reflex - holiday = sea and sand .... but once an alternative (i.e. lakes and rivers) are given a chance, they'll be the favourites!