Hi, I have a tourer and our party is 2 adults and 4 children - 13,11,7 and 4.
We've been to Duinrell for the past 4 years in August, but I have been told we need to go somewhere else this year!!!
We're looking for something 5 hours max drive from Calais ... so this does limit my choice .....
La croix du vieux ponthttp://www.la-croix-du-vieux-pont.com/uk/reservations.html seems to tick a number of my required boxes.
Reviews on here/canvas/tripadvisor etc, are as I would expect for a large site (well kept/busy/loads of family stuff)etc
So here's my question to people who've been before ... what are your views on the surrounding area, such as "where is the nearest large supermarket", "what are the surrounding towns like" etc etc
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
Soissons is the nearest large town with a fairly large supermarket. I found it no cheaper than the local supermarket a few minutes walk from the campsite. I found most food to be dearer than the uk. The local Intermarche supermarket is a decent size and I recommend the cheap local wine 1.50 to 2 euros a bottle. There is a market in the town (Vic- Sur Aisne) one day a week. Tourist information in the town very welcoming and helpful good English spoken.
About 60 miles to Paris. Nice on off boat trips take you to main attractions. We, 17 of us had a good time at Croix.
Have a look at my review?
Fred
If you do book, ask not to be put on 'Le Parc' an area beside the river which gets flooded if heavy rain. Lovely to visit and feed the ducks. All other parts are ok.
Fred
I did a video review of the site a couple of years ago, if you're interested.
The immediate surrounding area is nothing special - we went for EuroDisney (1.5 hours drive away), Parc Asterix (better, cheaper and only 45 mins drive away) and a day trip to Paris.
It's a great site, with enough on it to just stay there, if you want
------------- 'In later life, you will be more disappointed with the things you didn't do than with the things you did.' - Mark Twain
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
Thanks for the replies .... seeing Fred's pitch comment "ask not to be put on 'Le Parc'" ...I'm not quite at the booking stage yet ... but a thought that comes to mind, how are pitches allocated? Are they pre-bookable, allocated on arrival etc etc
If pre-bookable, could anyone please recommend a pitch/area?
We were on a large separate hedged pitch as we had two large tents and a folding camper with awning. I think it was no.2 up beside the tennis courts and swimming pool. The pitches near the artificial beach, lake, crazy golf area looked good for single units. Maybe you could ask for a numbered plan of the site? As long as you are not in 'le parc' most others look ok. We liked it and might go back there in 2015.
Fred.
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
La Croix was about to start a major re-allocation of pitches last time we went (Oct 12). This included building a 'touring only' area on the opposite side of the road which was to be linked to the main site by an underpass. I don't know if this is completed but assume it would be. Personally I would not fancy that area as its away from the main site facilities and not as 'scenic' (it was just a field before).
We have had a pitch on le parc and were very happy with it. We did have some rain but I understand the caution of those that have read the reviews of the year it got flooded.
In addition to building the new area, they have added more statics in touring pitches that were by the lakes. It may be worth emailing to ask where their touring pitches are now situated.
As for the area, we found Soissons very 'bland' but loved Compeigne. We have done Disney, Asterix, Paris and Pierrefonds (kids were avid Merlin watchers but the set which added to the attraction, is gone now). There are many WW1 museums a short drive away if that is of interest.
We stayed on LCDVP last year and had a great time,
Stayed on "Allez le Petite BBQ"took by girl on a golf cart told to pick whatever suited and let her know,
Pitch big with brick BBQ with covered lean-to roof,
"Allez ancient garden"pitches were massive,
couldve built a house on those!
gillyk comments about touring over the road,
Plans must have changed as statics over there,
Nelmos video his area was ready tents when i was there.
I contacted them in early December and asked for pitch down near swimming lake in late July and was to nothing in that area!So were going Camping De Paal Nr Eindhoven.
Thanks for the replies .... seeing Fred's pitch comment "ask not to be put on 'Le Parc'" ...I'm not quite at the booking stage yet ... but a thought that comes to mind, how are pitches allocated? Are they pre-bookable, allocated on arrival etc etc
If pre-bookable, could anyone please recommend a pitch/area?
Cheers Paul
Paul
We stayed at LCDVP a couple of years ago and can echo most of what has been said already. I knew about the new pitches across the roas(accessed via tunnel) and rang them yesterday re this coming June. They all but allocated me a pitch there and will confirm on Monday. Alles de Tourrnnells(spelling crap)is the name of the new pitches.
May be worth a call....it's good to talk !!
Quote: Originally posted by sean o broin on 26/1/2014
Thanks for the replies .... seeing Fred's pitch comment "ask not to be put on 'Le Parc'" ...I'm not quite at the booking stage yet ... but a thought that comes to mind, how are pitches allocated? Are they pre-bookable, allocated on arrival etc etc
If pre-bookable, could anyone please recommend a pitch/area?
Cheers Paul
Paul
We stayed at LCDVP a couple of years ago and can echo most of what has been said already. I knew about the new pitches across the roas(accessed via tunnel) and rang them yesterday re this coming June. They all but allocated me a pitch there and will confirm on Monday. Alles de Tourrnnells(spelling crap)is the name of the new pitches.
May be worth a call....it's good to talk !!
Booking confirmed today in the new pitches...yipee
We have been to LCdVP the last 2 years. Here is my 2cents worth;
* Camping near the tennis court is lovely if you have little kids as there is a grssy hill for them to roam around and roll down, but you can see them the whole time.
*The far end of the site near the 2nd lake is peaceful and spread out, but about a 10 minute walk to the pool.
* Lovely toilets at this end. The best toilets on the site are around the very back of the car park behind reception.
*Pool complex is awesome. Not too huge, clean and fun slides. Beware the scrum for the loungers! Get to the gate a good 20 minutes before the pool opens.
* For little ones, buy the Lesiure card for reduced prices on the go karts/trampolines etc.
*Take table tennis bats!
*The restaurant food is ok, you must book!
*The lake beach area has been upgraded to include a filter, so is a lot cleaner.
*The Intermarche near the site is very well stocked.
*The Corra in Soissons is HUGE!
*Reims is about an hour drive and is a lovely city. Park at one of the tram Park and Ride stations for cheap and easy in and out.
* Parc Asterix is amazing, cheaper than DLP and is genuinely French!!
*Drive to Paris and park in Louvre Marengo car park.
Anything else you might want to ask, go for it. I have plenty of photos should you want any.
Bill
------------- 11 Hendra
12 La Croix du Vieux Pont
13 lCdP+The Quiet Site
14 Park Cliffe Cote D'Argent
15 Park Cliffe Le Pearl
16 Eskdale
17 Skelwith Fold
18 Skelwith Fold
19 Skelwith Fold
20 Skelwith Fold
Quote: Originally posted by WilliamMcBeard on 28/1/2014We have been to LCdVP the last 2 years. Here is my 2cents worth;
* Camping near the tennis court is lovely if you have little kids as there is a grssy hill for them to roam around and roll down, but you can see them the whole time.
*The far end of the site near the 2nd lake is peaceful and spread out, but about a 10 minute walk to the pool.
* Lovely toilets at this end. The best toilets on the site are around the very back of the car park behind reception.
*Pool complex is awesome. Not too huge, clean and fun slides. Beware the scrum for the loungers! Get to the gate a good 20 minutes before the pool opens.
* For little ones, buy the Lesiure card for reduced prices on the go karts/trampolines etc.
*Take table tennis bats!
*The restaurant food is ok, you must book!
*The lake beach area has been upgraded to include a filter, so is a lot cleaner.
*The Intermarche near the site is very well stocked.
*The Corra in Soissons is HUGE!
*Reims is about an hour drive and is a lovely city. Park at one of the tram Park and Ride stations for cheap and easy in and out.
* Parc Asterix is amazing, cheaper than DLP and is genuinely French!!
*Drive to Paris and park in Louvre Marengo car park.
Anything else you might want to ask, go for it. I have plenty of photos should you want any.
If you like football, a match at Reims is recommended (Ligue 1 and very well priced), Piereffonds is a wonderful littel village with an incredible castle, the fields around the area are littered with WW bullets and shrapnel, the caves and the car and the nazis need to be researched
Armistice clearing meaningful, Compiegne a lovely place to spend Saturday morning sipping coffee (bullet holes on the buildings indicate the 'Western front' importance of this place) I could go on!!!!!!
This is the only place we have ever been to twice :D
------------- 11 Hendra
12 La Croix du Vieux Pont
13 lCdP+The Quiet Site
14 Park Cliffe Cote D'Argent
15 Park Cliffe Le Pearl
16 Eskdale
17 Skelwith Fold
18 Skelwith Fold
19 Skelwith Fold
20 Skelwith Fold