Back in January I heard we'd won a fab prize - a week on holiday in France with Siblu
As promised I am reporting back on the holiday, we had a wonderful time and I want to say a hearty thanks to Mumsnet for the prize and to William Beveridge at Siblu for helping me book it.
We have never been on a caravan holiday before and weren't totally convinced it was our sort of holiday...we like the quiet life and tend to go to gites in France. So we chose the quietest and smallest site we could get to and from easily, La Pignade in Ronce-les-Bains, an hour south of La Rochelle and near Royan.
We were there out of season, which I think has a significant impact on why we enjoyed the holiday so much
It's a nice small site, in pine trees on the outskirts of Ronce, a resort which is...well...rather closed in June, but in a very beautiful setting opposite the Ile d'Oleron. There's the usual shop on site, but tbh you have to travel for fresh food eg veg and salad.
With only 468 pitches, it doesn't have the big pool and entertainment facilities the other sites have, but we chose it for that reason. The pool was small but not too busy in June, it was beautifully maintained (whole site was spotless) and had excellent friendly lifeguards.
The Siblu staff at the site all spoke English and were very friendly. We had been put in a pitch right by the lovely playground and pool which would have been purgatory in August IMO but which was great at this time of year.
There is loads to do in the area - cycle paths alongside most roads and through the gorgeous forests to the beaches, the zoo at La Palmyre a short drive a way (and boy was gggl right about those loos ), historic treats at Rochefort, Brouage and Pons plus La Rochelle, good beaches (although IMO they are not the main draw here, there is too much mud in evidence at low tide) and trips to the Ile d'Oleron.
Foodwise it does help if you like oysters...main production area for Europe which adds up to an interestingly bracing tang at low tide and a lot of shacks on stilts!
We were lucky - no problems with the caravan or with health issues etc, leading to a trouble-free week. We would definitely go again, but to that site, and at that time of year. The children absolutely loved it .
Downsides were few, although we were a bit surprised to find a cracked and badly repaired shower tray and virtually useless fridge
And next time we'll definitely take our own pillows
But all in all I'd recommend La Pignade especially in June for caravan site novices and sceptics - the setting, park landscaping and birdlife etc was just wonderful (kites, woodpeckers, storks and goldfinches)
So douze points and sinceres remerciements from all at Marina Towers!