Ok, so my wife and I along with our 8 year old son are going camping in a tent for the first time this July, and my head is fried looking at info. I figured it would be easier to post a list of what we want and get you fine people to recommend sites.
So in no particular order.......
looking at coastal area around Aquitaine region
Want a very kid friendly site. Loads of kid club stuff
Big swimming pool with water slides etc.
evening entertainment would be good.
would like loads of activities to do.
Budget is about 30-40 euros a night
Want electric on pitch.
ok thats about it for now.
just one other thing, all campsites seem to be unavailable last week of July. We want to go between the 20th July and the 2nd of August. Am I missing something?
Thanks for reading
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
You are hitting the major French holiday season, as well as the start of school holidays. Anything with water slides/ entertainment and coast will be a bit manic.
We tour France but rush home for the period July 13- August 20 to avoid the crush, before returning again to tour.
Good luck and I am sure there are those on here with children that can help you.
You are going to struggle to get anywhere coastal with slides etc for those dates, France is full!!!! However if you go more inland then you will easily find somewhere. One place that i would recomend, (through friends) is Camping Lac Bleu at Bombannes near Lake Carcans, its an activity area with lots going on, they have a really good website. No slides, but everything else fits your criteria, i think.
I have three friends, who have all gone there ( not together as they dont know each other) all of them have loved it. One of the families goes every year. They can swim at the lake or cycle to the sea. Lots of activities onsite, lots to do nearby
In the Medoc, near Carcans is Camping Paradis it perhaps is not so manic as the dune complexes already suggested, but fantastic owner, great pool and lovely site
In the Dordogne we love Moulin Du Roch Quality site with nice pool, small slide, evening entertainment (but not in your face) which finishes early(ish). Close to Sarlat, cave paintings and Dordogne for canoeing. Perfect for your 8 year old and you too :) See my review on site info.
Drive until you are tired or until you reach somewhere nice, ie the sun is shining and you are near the sea. Look for "Le Camping =>" signs on lampposts, if the site looks nice roll in.
Thanks JenP
I have been looking for somewhere Dordogne area...saw your recommendation and they have avail and I have booked and its been confirmed. One happy mummy!
We liked Moulin de la Roch, and were there in late August 2013 when we met friends who were staying there. We had pitches in the paddock, around the swimming pool area which suited us. As usual the staff were very friendly, the sanitary facilities immaculate, and the restaurant OK. The only possible downside is that it's alongside quite a busy road, and with the wind in certain directiions, these can be some noise on some pitches. The other thing is that there is not much at all in the immediate vicinity in the way of restaurants or shops - Sarlat is the nearest - but there are some great walks from the site.