Capfun campsites in France

[piglets29]

We've been on a few different Sandaya French campsites and really enjoyed our holidays. This year, the Capfun campsites keep popping up on my searches - I don't remember noticing them before. I was looking at some in the Dordogne. Has anyone stayed in a Capfun campsite, was it ok? we have teens and small kids, and don't mind a bit of noise, the main requirements are a good pool and a pretty area.

Bump!

We've stayed in three, in Normandy, Vendée and Loire-Atlantique. we chose them for the pools, slides and distance from the beach. They were all good. We haven't really been to any other sites, so no idea how capfun compares. Other guests were almost exclusively French and each time we were had the only GB registered car on site. One site had particularly noisy evening entertainment, the website gives a barometer of how "lively" each site is. For this reason you should read the write up carefully, also because the sites can differ quite a bit in terms of level of entertainment and facilities on offer. Be aware as well of the French practice of charging extra for bedding and end of stay cleaning.

We used to go to Chateau de Boisson in the Gard region which was a beautiful site. Unfortunately it was sold to Capfun a few years ago and they totally ruined it. A lot of the camping pitches were removed and chalets were installed instead, but really crammed in with hardly any space between. There had been a lovely restaurant which was turned into a burger-style place and the swimming pool was altered to a depth of 1m and garish slides installed. The site had a lot of Dutch and British families who returned every year but the entertainment was all in French and really intrusive - loudspeakers by the pool so no way of avoiding it. I guess it's what Capfun customers want, but the whole experience felt like a holiday camp and really put me off booking with them again!

Thanks for replies. My 2 main concerns were the caravans all being really close together, and loud blaring music in the pool. It seems cheaper too than some of the other sites. I will keep looking, thanks for feedback.

We’ve stayed on two Sunêlia websites and loved them - Île de Ré and Argelès-Gazost

Ooh OP, I’ve just looked at Sandaya and they looked lovely. Which ones have you been to?

Our - admittedly limited - experience was that Capfun is very much geared to the French. It seemed to be a 'one size fits all' approach to campsites - we went and looked at another one nearby and it was exactly the same so they seem to have a formula they stick to and then vary the level of entertainment of offer ( and the volume!).

Never done Capfun, but we stayed at Les Peneyrals in the Dordogne which is now a Sandaya park - it used to be totally family owned. We really enjoyed it. Lots to do nearby.

@rainallnight we stayed at la ribeyre and absolutely loved it. I was looking at the one near Sarlat so should maybe get on and book. I like sandaya as the mobile homes felt a bit more separated and there was lots of nice trees. You can tell I'm getting on bit...!

OK not a Mum but the Dad who does plan our French trips -Vendee and Cote Sauvage my favorite - Med not so much. Have not used CapFun but have done quiet a few trips to France. CApFun if you have children and want to use do search on the max fun dose as the waterparks on site differ. We do use French Sites and go direct to them. We are a family of 5 but now all older teenagers. We always go for a static unit that offers dishwasher as we do our own cooking and air con as it can be like a metal oven otherwise. We avoid English Companies had some bad experiences. Also if Euro strong rate good going direct to campsite you can save a lot. Go direct to the site and cover yourself with their cancellation insurance. Beware bedding is not included in most we take sheets and sleeping bags nor end of stay cleaning - we do our own saves £60ish. The web is your friend both to find and reviews like Google and Trip Advisor. Review in language you do not speak copy and paste to Google Translate. We loved the facet hardly any English children still get on. In fact our first trip when they were under 10 the French children in the playground were fascinated meeting non French children. SuperU we like best for fuel and food. Best site though in Med was Camping Club MS Les Tamaris - there was a foam party for everyone that went on late and the waterpark was nuts - U shaped slide you went off on a rubber ring. Also once you decide on a site use Google Maps to locate the local Boulangerie - you will get better bread - and chouquettes pastry with sugar. Stuff croissants for breakfast. I only speak very little French but trying and being polite, not shouty British helps. Also another trip that was good is seeing the Pont Du Gard outside Nimes then the Nimes amphitheatre - children then young teenagers loved it.