Hi we are heading to the west coast probably La rochelle via Loire valley.
As anyone any reccomendations on a campsite on route or at our destination we have 2 boys 13 & 7 and a small dog would like site near shallow river were they can play with dinghy and dog can have a swim,
Nothing booked we are travelling in our motorhome we can totally change are plans if anyone as a real gem of a site.
Thanks
------------- where ever i lay my hat thats my home
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If you are looking for shallow river water in the Loire Valley you might be better off looking at one of the sites along the river Cher rather than the Loire itself which is often too fast flowing for safe swimming.
We have stayed at Les Cochards in St Aignan which has direct access to the river (ideal for a dinghy) and the municipal at Blere which is also by the river. There are also riverside sites at Montrichard, Chenonceaux and various other places along that stretch of the water - have a look on campingfrance.com as well as the sites listed on here.
Of course the Loire covers a vast area and these suggestions only one small corner of it but I really like this area and if you decided to stay for more than an overnight stop it is a good place to be based
hi - we've just come back from Loire valley. The Loire is a dangerous river with difficult currents and shifting sandbanks and it is 'interdit'/forbidden to swim in the river! it's not like the Dorgogne or the Ardeche
Your query reminded me of this site at Chateau la Valliere just North of Tours. There's a small lake about 200m from the site that's set as a leisure area.
The site is fairly cheap, and has the weirdest fresh water fitments I've seen - cast iron rotary pumps!
As it's a little off the main drag, it's quite quiet and peaceful.
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Hi de hi
We're first timers road tripping to France and off to La Celle Dunoise, north of Gueret. We've booked up camping near the village. I'd be interested to hear from anyone who has visited this area and recommendations you may make for places of interest, secret dream spots (don't worry I wont tell!), restaurants etc. Basically any advice you may wish to offer.
Many thanks
Azay le Rideau (reviews on here) is a lovely site for a few days, right by a chateau that has a son et lumiere at night. It's not directly on the Loire but by a river, although I can't recall if people were boating on it or not.
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Quote: Originally posted by brenfratica on 26/7/2012Hi de hi
We're first timers road tripping to France and off to La Celle Dunoise, north of Gueret. We've booked up camping near the village. I'd be interested to hear from anyone who has visited this area and recommendations you may make for places of interest, secret dream spots (don't worry I wont tell!), restaurants etc. Basically any advice you may wish to offer.
Many thanks
How did your query get sneaked into a question about the Loire valley? You'll be miles away. Where you are going is in Limousin- the depth of rural France - fields, cows, rivers.streams, woods - but a bit short on "secret dream spots". So country walks, village markets, and a quiet bit of relaxation.
La Grande Tortue near Blois is a really nice campsite, although it is not near the river. There is a lovely new covered swimming pool with a retractable roof, trampolines, agro space, and all the usual facilities suitable for your two boys. They also accept dogs which some campsites do not.
Its a fairly small campsite with lots of room. We really liked it
Quote: Originally posted by bridgeywidge on 26/7/2012
Azay le Rideau .............I can't recall if people were boating on it or not.
I would endorse this site. It's actually on the Indre, which is not deep and is slow flowing, and people were boating on it. Although there is a sign saying Baignade Interdit, some local lads were using a rope to swing over and drop into the river. Canoes can be hired from a location by the town bridge (10 min walk from site).
The dusk chorus from the river frogs tended to drown out the son-et-lumiere from the chateau!!
Just south of the Loire but in easy striking distance of the Chateau's of the Loire is La Citadelle at Loches. The site is just under the walls of the medieaval city and is on the banks of a stream. Ideal for a motorhome as you can walk into Loches. Nice pool area on the site as well for the children. Couple of pictures attached as a photo is often worth a thousand words as they say. First one is from the bottom of the site, second is on the walk from the site into Loches and the third is market day in Loches. Wherever you go have a great holiday.
John
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We have just come back from Camping Domaine de la Brèche near Saumur. It is just on the river and there is a River beach 5k down the road. The site is lovely and clean and there is plenty to keep the kids happy whilst the park keep a calm feel. Pitches are huge and there is a pool with slides, a lovely restaurant and bar.
We're booked into Le Cormier for a few nights on the way down to the south during August...
I don't think there is a river nearby but it's on the edge of a national park with a 'load' of lakes nearby. The site has great reviews on here and we're really looking forward to it. Not so much a site with a load of children's entertainment by the looks of things, but it might suit..