Message Forums

After all the searching we were dissapointed to find our chosen site La Grainetiere on Ile De Re was full in mid August. None of the other sites on the island really appealed to us.

Like many we find the search for the perfect destination is always a buzz and hopefully we've found a goodun at Camping Brantome Peyrelevade in the Dordogne. Ten minutes walk from the town, canoe straight onto the river from the site, not too quiet, not too mad, good user views, and ideally plenty of sun. 

If you were to draw a line from say Dijon across to La Rochelle, weve always decided to fly anywhere south of the line, hiring mobiles off season. Very nice too. Anyway this time we're driving south from Caen in our new (ten year old!) campervan and really looking forward to geting back to summer. Weve also got six nights at Le Chant d'Oiseau. Its been on our 'must visit' list since we broke down en route there about six years ago.

The area south west of Limoges seems full of minor roads, so any tips about how to get to Brantome will be gratefully received. Likewise if you've visited the site  or the immediate the area, what did you think?

Maybe we'll do Ile De Re next year, but its great to have everything booked and sorted!

We stayed at that campsite last year for a few nights. I don't remember our exact route - we travelled from Dunkirk, did an overnight stop in an aire near orleons and then down to Brantome following the Sat Nav directions.

The campsite is very nice. We had a pitch by the pool, which was nice for the children, but there are some lovely, more secluded pitches along the river. It's about a 10 minute walk to Brantome itself, which is lovely. You can hire canoes in the town, but I would recommend if you want to do anything longer than the route around the town (which takes about an hour) you book in advance - we didn't and the longer tours were full on the day we wanted to go. We did the tour around the town which was fun - especially getting stuck on the weir!!!

There is a small river beach at the site and you can canoe from there if you have your own canoe - it's also lovely and safe for bathing

Glad to hear more positive views.  Cat T we had our three daughters very young, so weve been kiddy free on hols for a number of years now, and still young...ish!. It came as a bit of a shock initially but just the two of us is great now. Having said that the girls are joining us for a week in May courtesy of a Canvas cheapo deal at Chateau Des Marais near Blois.

Milobo, my wife is dreading racing to get out in the canoe every morning...I may need to temper my enthusiasm. Or go solo!

Its not the most popular part of the Dordogne, positioned north of the main tourist area. It does look a really good spot though, especially important as we may not wander off site too often, other than perhaps to town.

Kittiwake I notice you have a T5. We nearly got one as a replacement for our T25 last month, but went for a Vito instead. Im not a speedy driver but the T25 struggled over 60mph which isnt ideal on long journeys. Were just kitting out the Vito now. We use a full height Quechua pop up tent as an awning with all cooking stuff and storage in, which is uber convenient, particularly after a long drive. Pitched up in no time!