camping at les Castels, France.....anyone tried them??

[nellieloula]

Hello. Just wondering if anyone has ever camped at one of the Castels campsites in France?? Any good?? thanks!

[twooter]

Yes they're great, we always go to them.

[nellieloula]

thanks twofer. good to know. do you mind me asking if there are any specific ones which stand out?

[twooter]

I've been to 4 so far - what ages are your dc?

[partystress]

La Grand Metairie in Brittany is fab - we went there twice when DCs were 4-8. Lots to do, lovely pool and nearby v nice beaches.

[nellieloula]

thanks both of you - my DC are 8 and 5. Thinking of heading to the Orleans or Le Mans one....

[Lucycat]

Grenouillere is near to Orleans and tbh the landscape around there is a bit dull - very flat so good for cycling but not very inspiring - although the nuclear power stations are pretty impressive!

Parc de Fierbois is nice but quite busy.

[serin]

Le Colombiere in Normandy is the ncest site I have been to. The pool is heavenly.

[serin]

Here

[Mandy21]

We didn't camp - we had one of the chalets - but at Chateau Les Eaux - loved it. Fantastic facilities. We had 2 x 4 year olds who have asked every month for 3 years when we're going back

[Boggler]

Can highly recommend La Garangeoir (not 100%sure I've spelt that correctly).

[dontmixthecolours]

We've been to la grande Metairie the last two years. The site is fantastic, I couldn't fault it but the weather was awful. I wouldn't go back because of that

[whattodoo]

Another vote for LA garangeoir. Lovely, peaceful and spacious site. Lots of activities, great pool complex.

[twooter]

I didn't find la garangeoire that peaceful, but the kids enjoyed it. I liked etang de la breche and rougemont the best , a although the latter was mainly Dutch people so depends on how sociable you want to be.

[stringbean]

We've been to Chateau de Boisson a couple of times; it's a lovely site (although I don't really like the lower part of the site - the upper part near the chateau and pool are much nicer) and are going back again this year.

It's a bit of a trek to get there but we love the area - there's a lot to do. The campsite strikes the right note between enough for the dcs - in terms of pool, somewhere for a pizza/ice cream, company from other kids - and enough peace and quiet for me and dh without loads of organised activities and noisy evening entertainment.

[stringbean]

And late last August, the weather was still a balmy 40 deg C!

[metimenowplease]

Chateau les Ormes at Dol de Bretagne is fab, think it's a Castels site.

[nellieloula]

Brilliant suggestions - thanks everyone. I will get looking!

[IDontDoIroning]

La garangeoire in Vendee and domaine de Masserau near nimes, both very good- we just had to go further south for some nicer weather.

[Lucycat]

We stayed at Domaine de Massereau last summer for a few weeks - lovely site & location. We were there for the festival in Sommieres when the bulls run through the streets and the cowboys follow with the whte ponies. Great for the south coast too - just 30 minutes away and a very french part of the Languedoc - maybe a bit far south for a first visit to France but I need the sun

We use Bien Assise near Calais for overnighters whch is a nice site too.

[LittleEsme]

Castels are great. Plenty to do but the sites are arranged in such a way that you get your peace and quiet. Can't wait for this summers camping. We're off to de Fierbois.

[MousyMouse]

we have been to two sites and it had been great.
very family friendly with lots to do if you want to. very clean shower blocks even though the toilets are, ahem, french (just the bowl without a seat).
a nice mix of tents, caravans and static caravans. the last one even had tree huts you could rent!
all with electric hook up (for extra fee usually) and little hedges between pitches.

[FourArms]

Have also been to La Grand Metairie. Had two weeks of lovely sun, and then the campsite flooded on the last night after 18 hours of torrential rain!

Kids loved the kids clubs. Entertainment in the evenings was fairly dodgy! I wouldn't want to be really close to the bar - the people we went with arrived before us, and moved pitches to get away from the late night noise.