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

Camping in France - quiet with good weather?!

18 replies

Naturenurture · 06/05/2019 19:13

Hi all
We are completely new to camping in, and driving to, France, although have done lots of camping in UK.
We'd like to do 2 weeks in late August. Ideally we'd like to drive to Paris (we are Surrey/London borders based) and then from there go somewhere we are:

  • guaranteed good weather
  • a pool
  • a lake or beach
  • not TOO massive/noisy/commercial.

Can anyone take us through the basic plan/logistics? Will be myself, DH and our two kids aged 12 and 9, so a longer drive not the end of the world.

We have NO clue where to start - assuming we go Dover to Calais but Portsmouth is easily accessible to us too.
Then drive to Paris, a few nights in Paris sight seeing (this part not camping) and then? Where to?

Many thanks in advance!

OP posts:
Mustbetimeforachange · 06/05/2019 19:18

I'm not sure you are going to get quiet if it's in the summer holidays. We went here two years running, it was fab. We booked direct and it was much cheaper (some years ago)
www.lesalicourts.com/en/

Pppppppp1234 · 06/05/2019 19:21

I’d aim for Provence area, dordogne ardeche. Weather can start to crack mid August in France so it can be hit and miss. Early August it’s 35ish degrees but starts to get thundery and rainy towards the end!

Naturenurture · 06/05/2019 19:23

We're looking at 10 - 25 August?

OP posts:
Pppppppp1234 · 06/05/2019 19:31

I’ve got family with a place in Provence and we are normally there first two weeks of August and it’s beautiful, maybe one day of storms but then gorgeous and really warm.

We went last week of August a few years ago and it was raining a lot!!! My family always say it’s cracks at the end of August which makes for a shorter season.

We go on day trips to the Ardeche where you can canoe down the gorge, it is busy but just as busy as the whole area is in the summer but not crazy busy like a resort is. If that makes sense.
That area might tick the boxes when it comes to lakes / water etc. Have a google of it!

Sophiesdog11 · 09/05/2019 19:49

We have been to this site in the Dordogne area 3 times with our caravan, it also allows camping - our DC were 9 and 11 on first visit but would happily still join us there at 19 and 21. I think it is our favourite site/area in France.

Always had good weather, usually arriving towards end of July, leaving mid- August. Occasional thunderstorm but still very warm.

bel-ombrage.com

It’s a short drive to the Dordogne river near Castelnaud village, it also a shallow river on site with a “pool”/beach area for paddling and splashing in, and onsite swimming pools.

Quiet site even in summer (no on-site entertainment etc). An Italian within walking distance plus plenty of food outlets in Castelnaud village and other local towns/villages. Bakery van on site in mornings for Croissants etc.

Some lovely things to do in area including Beynac, Domme, Sarlat, river activities, La Roque-Gageac, further afield Rocamadour and various caves.

Domme is a great place to potter around and to get a spectacular view of the river, as it is set high above it– and does amazing ice creams!

Les Jardins de Marqueyssac sit high above the river opposite Castelnaud and are beautiful at any time, but they also do candlelit evenings every Thursday in July and August. It has music playing, food outlets, beautiful sunset views - I actually think the evening visits to the Gardens were my favourite part of our trips to the area!!

We have generally crossed on the tunnel, driven to and around Paris, done an overnight in the Blois area of the Loire, southwest of Paris, then carried on south. Bearing in mind we were towing a caravan, which you won’t be, then it is easily reached in a day from Paris area.

millimat · 11/05/2019 19:16

I'd also vote for the dordogne but would say the mn fave of Les valades. Very quiet site but has pools and a lake with a beach. Lots to do in the area Smile

Todayissunny · 11/05/2019 19:28

Have a look at lac de serre poncon -its beautiful. We stayed in the campground in embrun with the sailing and windsurfing school. It's a very basic campground. If you are looking for something more modern there are probably plenty to choose from.
Otherwise have a look at annecy or lake Geneva.

HappyHolidays75 · 11/05/2019 21:14

@todayissunny may be a daft question, but how cold is the water? Nice to be in or cold coming off the mountains? The area looks beautiful.

Frenchfancy · 11/05/2019 21:18

There is no such thing as guarenteed weather, but in general the Vendée has more sunshine than the Dordogne and is a shorter drive. If you want quiet stay away from the coast. Try around the Fontenay le Comte area ore the Marais Poitevin.

Todayissunny · 11/05/2019 22:26

Water is nice to be in cold. We went in July. There is a plan d.'eau at embrun where thhe water is even warmer than the main lake. I preferred swimming in the lake though.

Todayissunny · 11/05/2019 22:28

We had great weather. it is far enough South to be Mediterranean but high enough altitude to be cool at night.

JaneEyreAgain · 11/05/2019 22:34

I was coming on to recommend Huttopia but I see someone has beaten me too it!!

We have stayed in several of their campsites and they were all beautiful, quiet but in great locations.

Naturenurture · 11/05/2019 22:47

thanks so much for all the suggestions! Has anyone stayed at Les Rivages near Millau?www.vacansoleil.co.uk/camping/france/auvergne-aveyron/millau/camping-les-rivages-2032021/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI3_r5hbqU4gIVxbTtCh3itQejEAAYASAAEgJTd_D_BwE&pagenum=1#

OP posts:
millimat · 12/05/2019 08:14

I've not stayed there but have stayed in the auvergne which was the best ever holiday. Totally loved the area although the amazing weather we had obviously helped! This is my most favourite ever site www.laribeyre.com

HappyHolidays75 · 12/05/2019 19:49

Another vote for la ribeyre.
My kids are a similar age to yours and would have dissolved had they spent any more time in the lake - free canoes and paddleboards to borrow every afternoon.
If you arrive near the 15th August, sites will be quite full and then will rapidly quieter.
We only booked our first 4 nights so we could move on if the weather wasn't so good (arrived the 17th I think). Stayed for 10 in the end.
Evenings were cool once the sun went.

millimat · 12/05/2019 20:27

I've recommended la ribeyre a few times on here and not had one bad review back Wink

Schnitzelvonkrumb · 12/05/2019 20:39

We went with similar age kids to camping l'atlantique in Fouesnant (southern brittany) last year. It had great pools and 5-10 min walk to a lovely beach. And traffic free cycle paths to several other beautiful beaches within a few miles which were very quiet. We stayed in a mobile home but they had luxury tents (already set up) and could camp/caravan as well. We did ferry to cherbourg and was around 5 hours drive from there but not via Paris.

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