We usually take our caravan using ACSI In low season, but this time we are staying at Bel camping in Brittany with our daughter and family for a week in August. We have booked that week with the site but we are going over in early July and hoping to stay in Brittany for the previous 3weeks if the weather is ok. Normally we would only book our first night but this may be problematical at this time of the year.. Does anyone have any experience of campsites 9at this time of the summer and how full they are? Do we need to book the 3 weeks in July as well?
Have you any tips to share?
------------- Carol
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My rule of thumb is that the dearer the campsite the more likely it is to be fully booked. French school holidays begin on 7 July, and families with children make for sites near the beaches especially ones with pools and water slides, while other sites usually have space. But take a phone and make an enquiry one day in advance.
I'd say you'd be ok until the weekend 20th July depending on where you are heading for. Coastal sites will be pretty well booked up but just a few kilometres inland you should be ok. If you have somewhere specific in mind then ring and ask if not then just ring ahead a day or two before moving. Some sites may well have availability but not necessarily for the length of time you would want.
We always book if we want the last week of July into August up to the 15th August - when most French families are heading homeward. As an example the site we visit (not Brittany) has given us the thumbs up 'no need to book so long as we leave on or before July 20th, but the next site wanted exact dates even though we are regulars of many years ( we want a specific pitch). We, too, have found the expensive sites book up and also the 'bargain sites sometimes.
------------- Grahame
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
We never booked in late July/August and never had a problem. If you want more facilities (pools or whatever) YMMV.
The only place we booked is Pors Peron because near beach, swimming pool etc. I reckon anywhere else in my reviews you'd always get in.
Edit: We don't use EHU which may make a difference.
At that time of year the coastal sites in popular areas will probably be full so you would need to book. If you want something inland and without all the facilities such as pools etc, you should be OK just to turn up. Our favourite Brittany campsite is always full from the end of the first week in July until about the 20th August. Before and after that you can usually just turn up!