Overnight site in Calais

[millimat]

We're off in Aug and need 1 night in Calais on our way. We only get into Calais about 7pm so want something nearby. There's Chateau de gandspette which looks fab and we are staying at for one night on our way back. However, I am reluctant to pay £40 for an overnight stop where we won't use the fancy facilities.
I've found 2 sites which have reasonable reviews, but neither take bookings. If we were arriving earlier in the day I'd risk turining up and there being a pitch. But I'm worried that by 8pm there will be no pitches left and our holiday will get off to a bad start with tired children and a grumpy driver who needs some rest - we've a fair drive to Dover before catching the ferry.
Is the expensive site worth it for peace of mind knowing that somewhere is booked? WWYD?

My advice would be to pay the money. It's at the most £15 extra for the comfort and security of knowing you're booked in somewhere for your first night. We had the same dilemma last year but booked La Bien Assise anyway. In the end our crossing was delayed and we didn't arrive until 9.30pm - if we hadn't had a booking I wouldn't have wanted to be driving round looking for somewhere with a reception open at that time before putting the tent up and a long drive the next day. We did it a again a couple of weeks ago, it came to 41 euros for 5 of us for a night and we will definitely do the same in the future. The way I think of it is that we would pay that for a site local to us with not much more than a compost toilet so it's not really that unreasonable.

If you decide not to do this and to use one of the other sites, make sure you check the reception opening times/out of hours access arrangements. Many Receptions close at 7 or 7.30 even in high season.

we have popped here for an over-nighter for the last 2 years. Nice site and a mile or so away from a good carrefour supermarket.

We stayed at Grandspette coming back at Easter, nice site but a bit further to/from the port

If you do go for La Bien Assise email them to book rather than using the online system which will charge you 10 euro reservation fee on top. When I've emailed them they've been happy to waive this for a one night booking.

Oh thanks that's worth knowing. Is it as expensive as chateau de gandspette?