We are two families looking for a camping recommendation towards the south of the Loire valley. We have well behaved children and will be in tents.
Ideally we would like something near a lake or with a pool but would be happiest off the beaten track - we would like to avoid big commercial sites.
A location within a cycle ride of a small town and a vine yard would be perfect :-) - we would like to be close enough to access the real world whilst being able to retreat if needed.
We have booked ferries and will be there towards the end of July.
We have looked through the reviews but feel a bit overwhelmed with the choices, any personal recommendations greatly received.
Thanks.
Post last edited on 07/02/2015 10:46:40
Post last edited on 07/02/2015 10:46:48
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
The Loire is a very long river, and the southern part (the source) is right down on the borders of the department or the Ardeche. It might help to say some of the towns in the area you're thinking of.
You're absolutely right Val, apologies - I was referring to the popular search term.
Possibly sites around Poitiers and Chateauroux, although this is more of an indication of how south we would like to travel as a-posed to a desire to go to these places!
Not quite in the area you are asking about.....but I remember good things about Camping les Chenes at Valencay.
There's a detailed report on line about it by the Alan Rogers team - 50 pitches, modern facilities, swimming pool adjacent, just outside the peak tourist belt but close enough to the Loire, wi fi over the whole site, bike hire, fishing, chateau in town,etc.
Is that a possibility for you?
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
Have a look at Camping de Lac de St Cyr. We were there last year, and I've just realised I missed reviewing it. Very laid back; a large lake and nature reserve to swim in / boat on / cycle round.
Poitou isn't obviously touristy, though the area is nice and the folk are friendly. Futuroscope is worth a day trip. It's the sort of place where you make unexpected discoveries.
can't help with the area, as we have only ever done South Eastern France, but I imagine you will need to get something booked fairly soon, as you are going in peak.
Good luck with the search, all part of the fun, of going camping in France.
I guess you are using one of the Western ferry crossings?
I wouldn't call the area around Poitiers particularly a tourist destination, its got history & old buildings like anywhere else but mostly its just countryside. Somewhere like Dordogne, or south west coast, Gironde dept. further south has more to occupy yourselves if you just like pottering out on bikes & suchlike.
Have a look at the Marais Poitevin area (The Green Venice), just west of Niort. Offers a fantastic network of cycle paths/routes along the lacework of canals and country roads. It's a lovely area ... we've been three times, and again this year!
As well as biking you can boat (hire a poitevin punt/row boat ... unique to the area) and explore ...
Futuroscope and Puy du Fou are both 'doable' from there.
You'll see a review of the municipal we stayed at in Arcais in my reviews section ... there's also a good site just outside the lovely small town of Coulon ... called Camping La Venise Verte
Have a look at Camping La Vallee des Vignes near Doue la Fontaine. Smallish site, basic pool, generally large pitches, excellent shower and toilet facilities, cycling along quiet / deserted country lanes round and about or through vineyards to Doue (about 3 miles), a small town with a large supermarket on outskirts and an amazing zoo in a former quarry. Easy journey of about an hour to Puy du Fou, a fantastic day out for all ages. We went to this site last year intending to stay for a few nights and ended up staying nearly three weeks!
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
This site is about halfway between Chartres and Tours. We had two days there in early May last year. Lots for children there. It is beside a nice village.
My review is on the link below to copy and paste.
Parc De Loisirs.