Can anyone recommend a nice clean woodland campsite (France)?

[Iamagrownup]

Somewhere around the Loire valley in July/August maybe...we are undecided. We don't really want a big busy site with lots of pools and entertainment, but still need somewhere with some facilities for very young children (i.e. a small play area, and bathroom)

I also want to take my own tent.

I have a very idyllic memory of a french camping holiday when I was much younger; the site was in woodland, had a lake with peddelos (sp?) and some ponies, and a play area.....it wasn't far from a large (Mamout) supermarket . There were no huge pools with waterslides etc.

[spudz]

Ooh yes - we went to a Huttopia campsite last summer in a place called Rille (middle of nowhere and not easy to find first time! It is in the Loire valley - is a tad pricey but amazing showers, basic shop, no cars on site which is great for the kids, next to lake with mini beach, tennis courts, nice pool... just lovely and would go back. Very quiet and peaceful even with our kids around . Try their website www.huttopia.com if that works and click on the Rille link. We took a massive tent but there are cabins to rent as well.

[Iamagrownup]

Oh thank you, those campsites all look lovely - I hadn't come across huttopia or indigo campsites whilst searching online.

My next question is, did you drive there from Calais?

[Lucycat]

is the site you meant St Catherine de Fierbois near Loches in the Loire Valley? - yes it used to be lovely - I too went when i was young aka 1984 - until Eurocamp et al got their hands on it - it now has all the aforementoned pools and waterslides.

How about somewhere like Chantepie here we went last summer and loved it. No tour operators, ponies, nice pool and lots to see. My review is on ukcampimg.

[Iamagrownup]

It could have been that one Lucycat, I have no idea what it was called. I did come across the Chantepie website before, but couldn't see any pictures or any information about the actual site! I will look at the reviews.

Did you stop somewhere overnight (tent/b&b/hotel) when travelling there and back?

(I normally post as washersaurus btw - must change my name back - we have a Monty 6 and are keen to take it abroad next year, well that is unless DH sees the 2009 tents and decides to upgrade )

[Lucycat]

Hiya washersaurus!

The top photo in my profile is of Chantepie - it was the view from our pitch towards the playground and pool. I would definitely recommend it - we had pretty good weather last year too and our dd's would love to go back but are heading further south this year.

We actually visited friends in Brittany before heading to the Loire so didn't do the overnight stop. It would be a fair trek from Calais but then it depends on what time you were crossing. I'd be tempted to cross and then stop about an hour across on the French side - but we travel from Cheshire. Somewhere about Abbeville in a Formule or etap hotel. fairly cheap, safe lock up car parks at the back...

We are still planning next summer but our main campsite is this one in the Dordogne I'm hopng to see very few English people here!

[Washersaurus]

Hmm that was what I was thinking re the travelling. Mind you, I don't actually drive, so that is more something for DH to think about . Not sure he'll be that keen to put the tent up more than once though.

I love the foresty type campsites in France - it is just a shame so many have now got all that 'entertainment' etc. I am trying to avoid that type of campsite (well, until the boys are older and they start demanding waterslides etc....)

[spudz]

Hi Washersaurus - re your question about stopping en route to the Loire area, we did travel frm Calais and spent a night at a campsite near Abbeville called... (rumages thru paperwork......)Camping Val de Trie. Took about an hour from Calais, nice small site, even delivered croissants/bread outside your tent in the morning. Have also stayed in a Campanile rather than unpacking everything and that was fine. Enjoy whatever you do!

[Washersaurus]

That site sounds just the job, Spudz.

Thank you both so much for your help, hopefully DH and I can get something sorted for the summer now. After last year's wet and muddy camping breaks, I hoping we will get some sun too.