Stopover site on way to Dordogne

[Treeskater]

Just booked our holiday to Las Palombiere in Sarlat in the Dordogne with Canvas for the end of August. We're driving and hiring a tent once we get there. We've booked a stopover at Chateau des Marais in Chambord on the way home but it's too pricey for us on the way out. Has anyone done a stopover near Rouen/Les Mans/Tours at a reasonably price campsite? Happy with a tent or mobile home (budget permitting!). Would much prefer a campsite as our DC (5 and 3) will need a run around after a big drive and I'm worried that a Mister Bed or Formula 1 will be a bit restrictive for them/us! Also if you've stayed at La Palombiere do you have any tips for the campsite or the area? Our Dd will be 6 when we're there and it would be nice to have a good day out somewhere!

La palombiere is lovely. We did the go ape type stuff nearby plus lots of kayaking - its so shallow (or was when we were there) that it is v safe in a family kayak.

Don't know which route you are taking, and how long a drive you will have had before crossing the channel, but on our French Road trip last year our first stop before the Dordogne was as Amboise, a municipal site on an Island in the Loire. Fab town of Amboise over the bridge with a Carrefour central for your shopping, lots of restaurants etc and the campsite has a massive park behind it, woodland with an obstacle course in it. Very cheap too. We stayed 3 nights.

camping Amboise

Oooh, it's good to hear that La Palombiere a lovely site, thank you. The trouble we're having with finding sites that will take us for just one night is that they only have pitches rather than rentals. Does anyone have any experience of finding an affordable rental for one night?

We stayed one night with Siblu at Parc des Alicourts in the Loire, but still had to have the pre-exit cleaning inspection! We wanted to see if the site was worth returning to for a longer stay. I see that Canvas offer this site as an overnight stop too.

When we had the kids we mainly used Novotels (as would take 4 in a room so cheaper than 2 rooms in a cheaper chain) then Campaniles when just 3 of us. Chose a site near a Flunch for a fun cheap meal and stretch legs walking to that. The Novotels had a pool and playground so were fine for 1 night for us.

We stayed in a fab b & b a few years ago. www.lalunelake.co.uk. Its outside Le Mans. Loads of space for kids to run around, and also a splash pool. They provide evening meals so once you arrive you can relax.. Very friendly owners.

Can't help with stopovers as we drove straight to Caen, but our kids' favourite day out when we were at la palombiere last year was the dinosaur park, here. Agree that it's a great site in a fab location.

There is an Ibis at Tours (sud I think) we got a family room for the night there on the way down. They have a small pool for restless kids, and serves both dinner and breakfast...