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Original poster

Loire valley sites?

21 replies

IHateBadGrammar · 26/03/2011 08:41

Ok so we are rethinking our holiday to France. Originally we had planned to go around the vendee & sort of promised Dcs a beach holiday. But DH wants to do the chateaux, wine thing. I have noticed that some sites in the Loire Valley have man made beaches by the river or lake. Can anyone recommend any? I really like the look of Parc de Fierbois but the reviews are very mixed?

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GnomeDePlume · 26/03/2011 21:17

We stayed here some years ago. We had a lovely time.

Even if you are taking your own kit, anything in the eurocamp/canvas brochures should be good quality. Away from the seaside resorts the campsites tend to be quieter and calmer and the pitches tend to be larger. At the end of the day, it isnt going to be a true beach holiday but in our experience the pools will tend to be better.

bigTillyMint · 27/03/2011 11:29

We have been to Fierbois twice.

The pitches are quite large and grassy. Most have a bit of shade, but the ones right by the lake are in shade all the time - quite atmospheric and peaceful! It is not a noisy site although there are lots of kids around. There is a big shop, restaurant and a big bar area with lots of entertainments on for children/families if you want to use it.

The swimming pool area is fine and the DC did use it a bit, but prefer swimming in the lake - they are all 9+ and good swimmers. The indoor pool is OK, but gets really noisy with echoing - might be best first thing? You can also hire pedalos and they all loved the adventure course (I can't remember if there's a lower age limit, but you need to be tall enough to reach the wire to clip on - one of our 9yo's was just tall enough!)

There are tennis courts, table tennis, skateboard/bike park....

You can also hire bikes and you can cycle straight into the village or to nearby villages very safely.

What else do yo need to know?!

We have also stayed here and are going again this summer. All the castels sites are niceSmile

Original poster
IHateBadGrammar · 27/03/2011 15:44

GDP I really liked the sound of Alicourts, but it's just a bit too isolated for us.
bigtillymint that's great thank you. Some of the reviews on ukcampsite suggest the toilets and showers are grotty, and that the lake is too murky to swim in? I love the look of the site - to me it's a compromise of everybody's wishes - but was concerned it would be too lively and noisy for us. DCs are only 4 and 7, so the need for decent play areas, swimming pools with a toddler bit etc is high up our wish list (well not DHs; he would be happy with just a plot of grass near vineyards!!!).
Le Château de la Grenouillère is also on my shortlist - how does it compare?

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ChippyMinton · 27/03/2011 17:51

Went to Fierbois about 5 years ago, and was less than impressed with the lake and beach. Gloomy and murky. But it may have improved, of course.

Pool is good for little ones as it shelves gently, but cold.

I recall it being quite far from the main chateaux sites, and would look for something a bit closer in if I were going again. BigTillyMint's link looks good.

bigTillyMint · 27/03/2011 18:12

Yes Chippy, it is a drive from most of the chateaux - the one near Blois is better placed for that.

The lake does look a bit murky, but the kids love it and don't come out muddy! And the pool is cold, but I think lots of pools are cold!

However, good kayaking nearby tooSmile

DrSocks · 27/03/2011 18:28

We stayed at Camping le Moulin Fort last year and rated it v highly. Its on the river right next to a chateux, and there are plenty of river based activities to keep you amused. There is a pool, but nothing on the scale of Fierbois by the looks of things. No beach per se either, but plenty the banks of the river by the site are nice and grassy and there were lots of children swimming in the river. Let me know if you want to know anything else.

andybat · 27/03/2011 21:42

We have stayed at the Yelloh Camping Parc du Val de Loire and Flowers Camping Val de Loire. Both are good, the Yelloh one bigger with more facilities, but the Flowers one smaller with a nice friendly atmosphere. The advantage to the yelloh campsites is that you can hire fridges for your tent which is a fantastic idea! This year we plan to go to the Yelloh Parc de Montsarbet. There are lots of things to do apart from chateaus for children in Loire Valley.

Original poster
IHateBadGrammar · 27/03/2011 22:23

Now don't know which to go for! All of them have some bad reviews, but i guess that is because people are more inclined to write a review if they have been disappointed rather than pleased with a place? The Yelloh! site I hadn't come across at all in searches and does look lovely, though no beach / lake. Also found one called Bois du bardelet which looks fab as well. Decisions, decisions...

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GnomeDePlume · 27/03/2011 22:28

IHBG - dont forget that most people only post negative reviews. People who had a nice holiday wont bother posting comments. Read the reviews in detail. Are they about things that will matter to you? If there arent many reviews at all then it is possible that they arent at all representative.

twooter · 27/03/2011 22:31

We've been to etang de la brech at saumur. Really liked it.

3rdnparty · 28/03/2011 08:01

We are trying La Chantepie near Saumur this summer following good reviews on Mnet in the past..and on Ukcampsite, also looked at Huttopia Rille - which is on a lake but couldn't find many reviews so played safe! the weather just has to do its bit now Smile

Original poster
IHateBadGrammar · 31/03/2011 20:55

andybat was the yelloh one in a good region for venturing out?
3rdnparty I am like you about the Huttopis site?

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crazymum53 · 03/04/2011 14:18

Hi there - we stayed at the Yelloh campsite last Easter and it is in easy reach of Amboise and Blois where there are chateaux. There are local vineyards very close to the site.
The restaurant/cafe was excellent and they did also have children's activities - these seemed to be aimed at younger children than my dd but included pony rides etc.
The swimming pool was open in April - there weren't any changing rooms but they may have updated this by now.
Are you in a caravan or tent ? The caravan pitches are well sheltered and surrounded by little hedges etc. The tent pitches are a bit more open unless you book a pitch with electricity.

Original poster
IHateBadGrammar · 04/04/2011 09:19

Crazymum we are taking our caravan. My only concern is that on ukcs I have read bad reviews about the security - did yuo notice anything?

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crazymum53 · 04/04/2011 19:46

We stayed there last year April 2010. We didn't notice any problems and we were in a tent by the main gate and could hear cars coming and going. There was a security barrier at the main gate which was secured at night.
We booked through the French website www.campingqualite.com. The reviews on there were all excellent and from lots of different nationalities.

hellamallella · 04/04/2011 20:15

bigTillyMint/ Chippy What are the play areas like at Fierbois?

We're tempted to go there this year as it seems so easy to get to and pretty much central to where we want to go - but I can't seem to find any pictures anywhere...

littleshebear · 04/04/2011 20:45

We have been three times- we really like it because there's loads to do for elder children as well but not over busy - but play areas are a weak spot- there are two small ones from what i remember- no swings either- but they did run a site children's club which was good! I would happily go back again- only negative for us now is that it is a far way from most chateaux- but near Loches which does have a chateau of its own and is a lovely town.

littleshebear · 04/04/2011 20:46

That is Fierbois I'm talking about!

andybat · 04/04/2011 20:56

We had read the reviews about security on the website also but had no problems when we were there, in July/August, and didn't hear anyone else mention problems. We contacted the site a couple of weeks before we went and asked which pitch we were on, which was tucked in at the bottom of the site near the trees,so very shaded. We were planning to ask to be moved if we were close to the road! The site is close to Amboise which is a lovely town and the other chateaus. The flowers camping site is close to Saumur which is also lovely and handy for Zoo de Doue which is a lovely day out.

Original poster
IHateBadGrammar · 05/04/2011 14:56

anybat we have a new caravan so the security is my concern. Would you ask for a pitch in any particular part of the site then?
Is there anywhere with a lake / beach type place nearby, should we decide on that site over Fierbois? It would still be lovely to have somewhere for children to play on some sand or take out a pedalo or boat?
hellamallella OH is against Fierbois as it seems further out to many places so not as central to the touristy place we would go Sad

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crazymum53 · 05/04/2011 16:12

You could try the municipal camping site at Amboise see link below www.camping-amboise.com/. The location may suit you as you are within walking distance of Amboise chateau down by the river.

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