Can anyone recommend a site in the south of France?

[CatMandu]

I am attempting to be organised and book ahead this time. This year we decided to stay in the Uk and had a disaster so bad we had to come home, so we have decided we want guaranteed sun next year. The plan is to go to the south of France, historically we've gone to the Vendee which can be unreliable in terms of weather, so we're venturing further south. However, I don't know where to begin, so I though I'd ask here.

We have three dc's who will be 10,7 & 6 and we plan to take our tent and probably stop on the way somewhere (hotel). We'd like to be close to a beach and other than that have a good pool for the dc's. Can anyone help?

bump

So you would be looking at the Archacon area if you definately want coast? or by South do you mean med south?!

The Languedoc has fantastic weather so the area near to Agde may be a possibility. I personally prefer the rivers down south Dordogne / Tarn / Ardeche than the coast though so I can't help with campsites on the coast. Agree totally about the weather though and the Vendee is imo the least pretty area of France, so in the rain.......

have you looked at ukcamping?

I'm thinking of going to Le Soleil Languedoc region, lots to do supposedly, right on the beach.Went to garangeoire in the summer,weather was crap,I was bored.

all around st tropez, st aygulf, port grimaud, st maxime etc lovely area and we never have bad weather there!

We use canvas holidays but i know alot of the sites let you pitch your own tents.

Thank you, I'll have a look at some of those areas. We've also done canvas etc before, but this year we spend a small fortune on a new tent and so we want to get our money's worth.

Lovestenst, I also spotted Le Soleil I'll try to find some reviews.

I have looked at ukcamping, but lots of the sites listed don't have reviews and I do love a review.

We went to Le Soleil year before last with Keycamp and have alreday booke dto go back next year - we loved it

Actually - I have got that wrong - it was Club Farret (Vias) that we went to previously and have rebooked for next year (have just checked). We went to Le Soleil this year but prefer Club Farret. Pls ask away if you have any questions though!

We had a good holiday and overall the campsite was fine. The site is situated between two lots of mountains and we didn't have the best weather (Aug)- lots of reps there told us the weather can tend to be like that (v windy on the beach) - and change rapidly they believe the mountains to be the cause

The beach was nice but although very close to the site, it was a fair old walk to the sea for little ones once actually on the beach (also a bloomin ling walk to get back on site when they need the loo or an ice cream - nothing at all on the beach!). Also a good 45min walk to the nearest shops/bars - centre commercial

I've just found this review of Le Soleil on ukcampsites;

Le Soleil is a fantastic site......visited for 2 weeks ..back end of july to first week in August. Camp site was busy but found that facilites were imaculate every day. Pools x 2 are brilliant. On site shop I found a bit expensive but then again which shop isn't....resturant was nice....takeaway was even better. On site entertainment was good, bar down at the beach catered for families in the evening...also had a disco on site but never ventured that far...and never heard the music as its underground (apparently). ....just one bad thing about the site is that after the disco closes approx 2 am ...the youngsters head to the beach for further drinking...and they can be heard going and coming back...! Might be an idea not to be so close to the beach entrances......other than that I would highly recomend this site to anybody.........in fact I am going back next year but to its parent site up the road at St Cyprien (cala gogo)......

Looks good to me.

I agree I think - very clean and the pools were superb. The disco referred to is a night club for over 13s and can be a bit rowdy at kicking out time.

Vias Plage is lovely, and there is a site at Port Grimaud - Les Prairies des Mer which is really busy, but in a great location right on the beach and right next to Port Grimaud for restaurants/shops and ferries to Ste Maxime, St Tropez. Weather is excellent there in the summer.

We went to Domaine de la Noguiere, with Keycamp this year. It's about half an hour's drive from St Maxime and Frejus - the road over the hill hits the coast between these two towns.

We went there because we wanted to get good weather, and we certainly did. It only rained once during the day, and luckily we were spending that day in Grasse visiting the perfume factories, so were planning to be indoors anyway. It rained torrentially one night, but that wasn't a big problem - I did manage to wake up dh by dropping the mosquito screen on him whilst trying to shut the window, though!! By the morning, the sun was up again, and everything was drying out really quickly - including the washing we'd left outside - I had considered going out and retrieving it but didn't have my waterwings with me!!

The site is mainly dutch run, but is very friendly - not too big and seemed to be quiet in the evenings - there were groups of young people staying when we were there but they were being pretty considerate from what I saw.

The site is mixed - camping pitches, Keycamp tents and mobile homes. It's got a swimming pool and a toddler pool, and a water slide. The pool is immaculately clean - the poolside is cleaned by a man every night, and the pool itself is cleaned by an industrious little robot.

I'd heartily recommend this site - we're going back there next July for a fortnight, and I can't wait.

The Mediterranean was wonderful to swim in - we were able to float in the water with facemasks on (and snorkels when we bought them) and watch fish swimming beneath us, which was amazing.

Ooh, it's all so exciting - we had a total wash out this year so the thought of getting a good hot site all booked is great. I've emailed le soleil, if all is well I'll book it, if not I'll have a look at your suggestions sunnygirl.

Ohh let us know how you get on CM, are you camping or mobile-homing it?