Cote d'Azur family campsites reviews please!

lesandang

Planning to have our young family meet up with us on Cote d'Azur. They will be using Thomson Al Fresco. We have narrowed the options available down to a choice of three sites and would really appreciate advice from any one who has visited these sites recently.
The sites are Domaine de Naiades, Esterel Camping or La Baume. The criteria apart from general standards and pleasantness of the site are the toddler friendliness particulary of the swimming pool. Help please!

ValDa

There is a review of Naiades
here

Esterel
here

and La Baume here

We've been to both Naiades and Esterel - liked Naiades, but the pitches are on hilly slopes, perhaps not ideal for a toddler.  We stayed at Esterel in  Eurocamp tents each time, and liked some aspects of the site, but it was too full-on for us and noisy
around the pool area especially on our second visit.  However, it is years ago, so perhaps not relevant these days.

 

lesandang

Thanks ValDa, we will be going in June so sites shouldn't be too busy. Naiades is high on our list as we know the area and will be joining them from La Croix Valmer. Do you remember if it was walkable to the beach from Naiades please?

allanandjean

lesandang,

We have not stayed at any of those but can recommend:

Camping Douce Quiétude, Boulevard Jacques Baudino, 83700 Saint-Raphaël which is nearby.

Stayed there in 2010 and it was a very good quality site.

eurortraveller

About a mile each way from Domaine des Naiades to the nearest beach , and uphill coming back. We used to drive to tiny beaches further away, but then gave up on that site as July/August traffic defeated us. I hope you find it better in June. 

DavidKlyne

Thanks ValDa, we will be going in June so sites shouldn't be too busy. Naiades is high on our list as we know the area and will be joining them from La Croix Valmer. Do you remember if it was walkable to the beach from Naiades please?

Les

I have only been to view the site out of curiosity when we have been staying at either Prairies de la Mer or Camping de la Plage at Port Grimaud. Distance depends on route, about 3kms if you follow the correct  route but much less if you cut through Prairies
which is clearly what many people do. I wouldn't rely on the area being quiet. Naiades might be because its set further inland but the road and the area around Port Grimaud/St Tropez will be very busy.

David

ValDa

I remember walking down to the beach from Naiades, and thought the distance was fine.  It wasn't so fine, when we were walking back up in mid-afternoon!  It is uphill, and a steepish hill at that. I have a feeling that we cut through the next campsite, which
I think was Camping de la Plage - but couldn't be sure.

Is there a reason why your family have chosen Al Fresco holidays?  Sometimes it's much cheaper to book accommodation directly through the site - and gives you a much wider choice.

I admit Al Fresco have some good deals in very early season (my son and his girlfriend got an absolute bargain a few years ago) but it does limit choices particularly when you get to June.

lesandang

Thanks for your advice ValDa. Reason for Al Fresco is will be completely paid for on Tesco Club card points. We did the same last year. Yes, it limits the choice but with young children every little bit helps. 

DSB

If my memory serves me correctly La Baume is next to La Palmeraie and owned be the same people. La Baume is the camp site and La Palmeraie is static homes/ more residential.  It is a huge site with plenty going on ane lots of facilities, but it is really large.  I visited the site once, when some friends of our were staying there, but it's not for me.  Far too big.  Personally, I just didn't like the feel of the place, although I know it suits many.

David