best area to camp in France

[krisskross]

Hi, this will be our second camping trip yo france. Last year we went to vendee and dordogne... Loved dordogne but found vendee a bit bland really.

We're planning to go back to France this July/ august, but where????!

We're willing to drive up to 6 hours from any port. Dc are 5 and 7, so we'd like it hot but not unbearable. And we'd like great t sites with good pools.

Help!!! Thanks

I agree with you about the Dordogne and Vendee! We are always trying to think of different places but go to the Dordogne (St Avit is our favourite site there) most years!

I know the Ardeche is meant to be beautiful but it is a much longer drive I think. Lake Annecy looks good as well but again is a longer drive. We have been to Val de Bonnal in Franche Comte which was great (big pitches and lots of waterslides) but there was not as much to do there as there is in the Dordogne. However, we probably had the best weather the year we went there so it didn't matter so much.

We are going to Biscarosse this year but it will be a longer drive. We are hoping to visit Bordeaux, some vineyards, Arachon and apparently there are lots of water sports and a good high ropes thing there. I don't think there is tons to do close by but the site looks lovely (La Rive) for the kids as it has a shallow lake with a beach and an amazing waterpark! It is also only 10 mins drive from the sea. I am hoping the weather is good as it is only 2 hours from Spain!

I like the idea of Germany and the Black Forest region but the campsites don't seem to offer the amount of waterslides etc my kids have become accustomed too!!!!

Been to the Cantal area a few times and love it. Flower Camping La Source at Therondels. Area north of Figeac is really lush and green. Maybe a bit far though? Around 4 hours from the Loire area, great sunny days but the evening temp is lovely and mild so no sweltering tent to contend with!

thank you both- sorry for not being back on sooner.

beachy- i think we are also looking around biscarosse now. there is a new campsite on the yelloh website called camping au lac de biscarosse.....i feel a bit unsure though as its new for this summer so there are no reviews of it at all. .....

Hi krisskross - we have just booked that site in Biscarosse. Also quite nervous as there are no reviews, but just hopeful that it will be fine as we have always found Yelloh sites good. Also it will be nice being at an almost brand new place.

Seems like an ideal area at least - a pool with waterslides, a lake on the doorstep and the sea nearby too for a bit of bodyboarding. Fingers crossed...

We've been to The Jura a couple of times and love it. Very different from the Vendee with mountains and lakes. Quite close to Geneva too so possible to cross the border for day trips. The weather tends to be warm and sunny up to end of July/beginning of August (still good later on but cooler).

Would particularly recommend Lac de Chalain which is a beautiful glacial lake with 2 very nice campsites on its shores. We take an inflatable canoe and spend ages messing about on the lake.

Meant to say that the Domaine de Chalain has a great pool complex with different pools and slides and play areas.

We are traveling further south this year to Provence. Found a lovely looking site via Huttopia - decided to hire accommodation rather than taking our tent.