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Camping

Our UK Camping forum has all the information you need on finding the right equipment for your tent or caravan.

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Original poster

les valades - again!

24 replies

millimat · 14/04/2015 22:10

More questions sorry! I'm trying to convince the family that this is the site for us but...
Is there much to do in the area without a drive in the car - on the map it looks quite isolated?
Is there a decent play area for children?
can the beach be classed as suitable for sandcastles?!!
Thank you!

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jobnockey · 14/04/2015 23:48

We were here last august (me, DP and 6 yo DS). There is loads to do in the area, but We did use the car whenever we left the site, it is a bit isolated (part of the appeal for us) and there were days we didn't leave site at all as we were happy there. The play areas are nothing special but my ds made lots of friends there and they all Played together. The pool area, lake area etc are all great. The beach is small but definitely sand castle-able...

Original poster

millimat · 15/04/2015 08:12

Thank you. Final question, is it worth the loooong drive?

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jobnockey · 15/04/2015 08:41

We broke the drive up on the way there and stayed overnight in a campsite in Chartres (easy for us as we were in a camper and a nice town to look around). I can't drive so dp has to do it all. He found it so easy on the French roads though we just went for it on way back and did the whole thing in one go. It was surprisingly ok for a 9 hour journey! Stopped for a picnic lunch, lots of music choices, ds had a mammoth ipad session so was just about manageable. It is a long way though but imo it is worth it, site is great and the area is really lovely, we'd definitely go again. A note on the play areas again I should have mentioned that the site has a huge green open space which gets used for games too. My DS Had a great time running around with a pack of other English and dutch kids.

profpoopsnagle · 15/04/2015 22:27

Yes. Last year we went for 8-9 nights and going back for a fortnight this year. But we are stopping over in both directions, on the way back we are visiting Puy Du Fou to break the journey up a bit.

hillbilly · 16/04/2015 07:43

Sandcastles? Yes, possible. There is a small beach area by the lake. Worth the drive? Most definitely. We usually take the Eurostar and then have a stopover mid point (I can recommend a couple of fab places), however this year we are getting the overnight ferry from Portsmouth to St Malo then doing the drive in one go (about 7 hrs).

Lots to do in the area but all by car. This is our 3rd year and we are staying for 3 weeks we love it so much!

Original poster

millimat · 16/04/2015 07:50

It says a lot when people are returning year after year I don't like going back to the same place as there's so many other places to discover, but evidently there's something drawing you back!
My only concern is that we're used to the all singing all dancing type site and whether the will be enough to keep us occupied.

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profpoopsnagle · 16/04/2015 12:01

How old are your kids and what do they like to do? What do you like to do to feel on holiday?

It is chilled and for us that's the attraction. The kids wake up, have brekkie, go and find their friends and play and come back when they're hungry. Then repeat. X5. We read and drink wine. X5.

There is an element of making your own fun, but there's space and other families to do it with. Last year they had a singer in for a night and there's a bit of a boogie, and I believe they also have a fortnightly BBQ.

Original poster

millimat · 16/04/2015 14:24

We like to go out and explore. We don't really do lazing around much tbh, but the children do love splashing in a pool or lake for a few hours. We pay for sites with lots of activities but don't ever join in the entertainment. Children are 8 & 11 but 11 year old wouldn't go off and make friends with others.

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Mydearchild · 17/04/2015 21:54

We went too the year before last and really enjoyed it (my 2 dc were 9 &10). We did the journey in one day which was long to be honest and in hindsight we would have stayed over midway. My only gripe though was that we were there the last week of August when everybody had gone home and it also rained a lot that week too, it was like a ghost town and a bit eery, the week before when everybody was still around was just great. It has a lovely atmosphere and the dc loved toasting marshmallows on the campfire with the other children there. Lots of chateaus locally to go and visit. Sarlat is definitely worth a look too such a beautiful place. We are going further south this year and staying at one of the Huttopia camps.

Original poster

millimat · 17/04/2015 22:07

All booked now just need to sort stopover sites!

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profpoopsnagle · 18/04/2015 12:43

We may well see you there (think we need a secret mumsnet camping symbol). Whereabouts are you landing in France?

Original poster

millimat · 18/04/2015 14:18

Calais

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Original poster

millimat · 18/04/2015 17:07

Calais

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hillbilly · 19/04/2015 08:57

These 2 places are fab www.sawdays.co.uk/france/loire-valley/loir-et-cher/le-bouchot and www.sawdays.co.uk/france/loire-valley/cher/moulin-guillard and well worth it. If you are just looking for a bed then these are not for you, but if you want more then take a look.

hillbilly · 19/04/2015 09:41

What dates are you there millimat?

Original poster

millimat · 20/04/2015 21:36

We're there least week of August so guessing it will have quietened down by then!! We're towing our caravan so need campsites to stop at on the way down.

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applegate79 · 02/05/2015 08:23

Hi
I have just booked lrs valades for a week in August but on receiving confirmation have been told that they only have pitches ch1,3 and 4 available but these are apparently slightly sloped in some places and don't have hedges. The lack of hedges doesn't worry me but the potential slope does when thinking of sleeping for a week!

Can anyone who has been there remember these pitches? Is it very steep?

profpoopsnagle · 02/05/2015 16:08

Can't help with pitch numbers as I didn't walk up there- they are tucked away a bit so I think the privacy will be ok. How big is your tent? You may be able to use the pitch where the gradient is lowest.

hillbilly · 02/05/2015 16:15

I think they are amongst the tall trees to the right of the path as you walk down from reception. Yes sloping in parts but people seemed to camp quite happily there.

applegate79 · 02/05/2015 17:17

Brilliant that sounds okay, its a 6 man tent not huge but equally quite big enough to cover a good chunk of the pitch normally!
I was a bit torn as have read such good reviews and really want to go but am aware a really sloping pitch makes fir awkward camping. I tried looking on Google maps and couldn't work out quite how steep it would be! Sounds like it will be fine and to be honest we generally turn up and are told where to pitch without having a choice.
Thanks

Original poster

millimat · 03/05/2015 17:35

Have you looked at the campsite plan on their website?

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applegate79 · 04/05/2015 06:38

Yes I looked at itand although you can see where they are its difficult to see how slopey they are.
I have booked it now anyway...came to the conclusion that we never get offered specific pitches in this country and have camped in numerous bumpy fields on a hill so am sure it will be fine!!!

hillbilly · 04/05/2015 09:36

I'm sure you'll find a flat enough area for the sleeping part of your tent. Plus the site is so great I'm sure that will make up for it!

holdingontight · 05/05/2015 21:51

Hi Applegate we stayed at Les Valades last year, on pitch 8 so up near those spots. They are shaded but a lovely spot and the pitches are huge. I think pitch 3 would be the best but they are all ok and not too sloping.

They all have hook up so it is well worth hiring a fridge , we saved £££ being able to stock up on ice creams.

We are back again this year. Never been to the same place twice but we all loved it so much. I would like to leave the site a bit more this time - we didn't explore much last year as DCs were so happy roaming about that we didn't feel much inclined But for 2015 there is a tonne of stuff I want to do.

Any good tips for good river beaches nearby?

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