Hi we are heading down to Argeles sur mer in 7 weeks time and this will be our 3rd year but this time we have brought a caravan so will be taking that. We are looking for a campsite for 2 nights to stop on the way to break up the driving and to see different places and wanted to know if anyone had any suggestions please. The past couple of years we've stopped off the beaten track and once leaving the a75 the roads became quite winding especially last year when we stayed in murol. With towing the caravan I don't fancy that this year so any campsites as close to the a75 that any of you know of would be great, thanks
------------- St. John de monts-2012,2013
Argeles sur mer-2014, 2015, 2016, 2017
Disneyland Paris 2012, 2016
Paris 2001, 2002
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
There is a campsite in Issoire itself, which is very handy for the autoroute, with a nearby fuel station, supermarket, and (I think) McDonalds! Camping Muncipal du Mas
Further north is Camping de la Filature which is riverside, and used by a lot of British families. Easily accessed from the A75
At Royat, is Camping Indigo Royat - again it's not far from the autoroute and you are near to the Puy de Dome if you want to climb it.
We stayed at the Orcet site a few years ago & it was very popular. If travelling in high season - which you are - or arriving late in the afternoon I would advise booking. Otherwise it seems good for you with a decent pool & handy for the motorway.
This will be our 3rd year and although the first with a caravan we always get the 4.20am ferry and then travel to that area. The children have plenty to keep them occupied and as long as we make regular stops their pretty good in the car but this is why we want a campsite close to the a75 so we can just rock up and hopefully be in a pool by 6pm
------------- St. John de monts-2012,2013
Argeles sur mer-2014, 2015, 2016, 2017
Disneyland Paris 2012, 2016
Paris 2001, 2002
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
Champ de la Chapelle is about an hour North of Clermont-Ferrand (still in the Auvergne, Alliers departement), a nice site, in a forest, has a small pool and is about 15 mins from the A71.
The campsite at Orcet would be ideal for you but you would need to book it. For your return journey if you like to get a long drive done in one day before returning to the UK you might like to try the municipal site at Olivet. We camp close to Argeles and this is the route and campsites we use.
We have stopped at Le Clos Auroy in Orcet, it is very handy for the A75 and the village of Orcet has bakery, places to eat etc within walking distance of the campsite. Good campsite facilities too.
Thank you all for your suggestions, I've checked and there is availability at Le clos auroy in orcet so we've booked that, looks great and can't wait to be down the south of France again
------------- St. John de monts-2012,2013
Argeles sur mer-2014, 2015, 2016, 2017
Disneyland Paris 2012, 2016
Paris 2001, 2002
Obviously i don't want to tell you that it's too far if ypu have done it previously, but from our experience previously, we went to Argeles a few years ago with a van, we did get a later ferry than you but had to stop before we got to the Orcet site because it had got so late, we then stopped at the Orcet site on our second night.
We have used various routes to that area, the A75 is a fantastic route scenery wise with some serious climbs for towing a caravan, we have also used A20 to the west via Toulouse (our preferred route weather permitting) and the A7/9 via lyon (when the weather is poor in the West)
Its a personal choice!
We left Orcet at about 9am 2 summers ago, stopping every 2 hours for toilets and drinks, and had a lunch stop in an Autogrill service area and were in Dunkerque in time for an evening ferry home. We went via Moulins, the very good Autoroute de l'Arbre, A86 and A1. So it is achievable if you use the toll roads and are disciplined with your breaks!