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Now excited, managed to book 10 nights in August at Les Peupliers in Aveyron after i saw a few people recommend it on here. I was getting worried, most popular sites already booked up with the french holidays

If anyone has been before can you tell me if the pitches are hard or not, only reason i want to know is so that i can get a footprint groundsheet for our Vango Diablo 600 if needed.

Also if anyone has travelled there in 1 day how long did it take? I'm thinking of getting the midnight ferry and trying to get there teatime ish.

Jon & Trace

Hi Jon & Trace, you don't say which ferry port you are driving from, if it's Calais and you are going to Les Peupliers in Riviere sur Tarn, then it is about 580 miles and would take about 10 hours driving, and at least 4 half hour stops. You would really need to do an overnight half way if this is your intended start and finish.

Otherwise say which port and campsite you mean and we will try to help.

The Peupliers campsite in the Tarn Gorge is definitely the best campsite that I have stayed at. 

Phil.

Hi Phil, we are sailing from dover on a friday midnight, what i've done in the past when travelling to Geuret nr Limoge is stop for a few hours kip after clearing Paris.

What trips do you recommend when there.

Jon & Trace

Get yourself a good, detailed, local map - Michelin do go ones, and explore.

You need to do the Millau viaduct - drive over it from the north, then take the next junction back into Millau on the old road, towards La Cavalerie, then back down into Millau where you see the bridge in the distance.  Drive the Tarn gorge and stop at all the lovely places on the way, make sure you go up to the Point Sublime.  You'll see vultures from the site, flying overhead in the morning thermals, also eagles, and other birds of prey.  Drive along the Jonte to Meyreuis, and have a coffee - then buy patisseries and quiches at the Patisserie in the main street (best in France). Drive over the top from Meyruies to St Pierre les Tripiers, and then down the hairpin road back into the Tarn Gorge (spectacular - but frightening!).  Drive up Mont Aiguoal to the weather station, and see the views down to the mediterranean.  Roquefort - where the cheese is made - is worth a visit, especially if you like blue cheese.  The fortified villages of La Cavalerie (being rebuilt, with skill, by the local 'department', La Couvertourade, St Eulalie de Cernon, St Jean d'Alcas, and St Viala pas de Jeux are all worth a visit.  The whole area is stunning, and around every corner there's something different to see.  Just be aware that in high season traffic along the Tarn can be busy, so set off early, and meander, rather than be driven along with the crowds.

Pitches at Les Peupliers are hard-packed fine 'river' soil - you know the sort of thing you get, grassed over early in the season, but definitely wearing thin towards the end.  There's no hard-standings, as such - most french sites don't do them.  There are bushes between pitches, so you feel you have your own space. 

The nearest biggish supermarket is the Casino in Millau - on the route towards Rodez  - petrol is cheaper there, too.  There's also a cafeteria, which does cheap good value food.  There's another, Les Mousquetiers, on the route towards the viaduct in Millau.  We saw  bee-eaters (highly coloured birds, acrobats in flight) in the car park at the Casino on two occasions. 

Have a great holiday - and writing all this tempts me to go back again this year!

Just booked this site too! Last week of July, first week of August. Long drive, though - we arrive Cherbourg at 4pm on the Sunday, hopefully reach Le Mans or Tours and find a BB Hotel, then another six hours Monday should get us there. At least this year we have air con in the car.

Couldn't decide between Peupliers and les Marmottes at St Geniez D'Olt - the latter looked really nice but a long tortuous drive to go anywhere if the weather turned bad.

I'm renting a fridge at 4 euro a day - keep the wine chilled.

Johnny Hamster

Hi Johnny

we get there on the 28th July. We have booked the fridge too, get the wine ready, i'll be well knackered after the drive but who cares!!!

Look out for the Vango Diablo 600 going up and the silver vectra estate, give us a shout.

Looking forward to it.

Jon & Trace

Quote: Originally posted by johnnyhamster on 20/1/2007

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Just booked this site too! Last week of July, first week of August. Long drive, though - we arrive Cherbourg at 4pm on the Sunday, hopefully reach Le Mans or Tours and find a BB Hotel, then another six hours Monday should get us there. At least this year we have air con in the car.

Couldn't decide between Peupliers and les Marmottes at St Geniez D'Olt - the latter looked really nice but a long tortuous drive to go anywhere if the weather turned bad.

I'm renting a fridge at 4 euro a day - keep the wine chilled.

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Certainly will - won't have the BB bacon and scrambled egg again either.

Jon & Trace - spot the Silver Zafira, Coleman tri space and big pile of empties

Johnny Hamster

Quote: Originally posted by johnnyhamster on 20/1/2007

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Certainly will - won't have the BB bacon and scrambled egg again either.

Jon & Trace - spot the Silver Zafira, Coleman tri space and big pile of empties

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TethersEnd - where are your Gallery Images taken?

Johnny Hamster

Quote: Originally posted by Vygotsky on 21/1/2007

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TethersEnd, you should start charging the french tourist information board for all the work you do on thir behalf! Claire

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