Just wanting some recommendations for an area to camp in the Ardeche. We have 3 boys (10, 5, 2) and a little girl who will be 1 next year. We need a site that will keep the kids entertained (good swimming pool mainly) and a location with lots to explore.
We have been to the Ardeche once before and we had a great time. We stayed at Domaine de l'Esquiras near Vallon.
Thanks
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Hi, Back in 2009 we stayed at Domaine Les Ranchses near Largentiere. Lovely site ideal for Kids and Adults, plenty to see in the area. Follow the link and have a look at their website. Would recommend.
------------- Alan
2016
February C&CC Theobalds Park
March C&CC Salisbury
May C&CC Adgestone IOW
July Le Clos Auroy, Auvergne France
August C&CC Polstead
August C&CC Oxford
October C&CC Lauder
Not sure if helps you at all but purely from a location point of view, we stayed at Soleis Vivarais this year, which was a great site for younger children. However it is further upstream from Vallon Pont D'Arc and not situated in a particularly scenic or accessible location (need a car to get anywhere). From our trips down the river through Vallon and on through the Gorges I'd look at the sites closer to Vallon like Mondial etc as they are closer to the town for entertainment and the river is more interesting. I can't comment on the facilities of other sites. The ardeche is amazing and well worth the trip.
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Hi Bryan
Thanks for the info regarding Soleis Vivaris. We had identified that particular campsite as a potential place to stay and I was literally just talking to my wife about potential problems with it's location. I remember it being near Sampzon and having to drive over the river via a bridge which only let traffic through in one direction at a time. Thanks again for the info!
We enjoyed being on the Sampzon curve when we went. The river is particularly good for swimming and playing in there, and you are between Vallon and Ruoms, both of which we liked very much for markets and evening wandering. The lights on the bridge aren't too bad, we never queued for very long.
Quote: Originally posted by stirkmeister on 01/11/2015
Has anyone stayed at La Plaine?
No, but it's nicely situated on a lovely stretch of the river and near some lovely places, La Beaume is our favourite spot for river bathing, and the Ruoms market is massive. You've got a straight run through to Ruoms, where the best supermarket is, and far enough from Vallon as to not be too manic, but only a ten minute drive in if you want a wander round.
Site looks small enough to be peaceful, pool looks fine. Good choice, I'd say, and Yelloh sites have to be a decent standard.
Friends with children stayed at La Plaine a few years ago and loved it. I wouldn't get hung up on location on any of the sites along the river - yes there are disadvantages to being out of town, but advantages too.
Are you not interested in going back to the site you stayed at last time? If not, what did you find were the downsides there, which put you off going back? This may help identify just what it is you're looking for in a site - and what features you don't want or need.
Thanks for the info Amanda and Val. We just want to try somewhere different. The site that we went to last time was great but we just fancy a change! I've just tried to price La Plaine up but it says no availability!
Lots of the sites in France don't open for next year booking until Nov/Dec at the earliest. I believe that Yelloh sites are all the same. Email them and ask when they are opening for booking.
------------- Amanda
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