South of France

carlton100
carlton100 Forum Participant Posts: 11

Hi All

We are currently in the Sarlat region in the Dordogne. We have another 2 and a half weeks left and are moving down to the south we are looking for inspiration on sites close to the coast between Montpellier and Perpignan. We are 2 adults 1 dog and caravan would like a bit of luxury but not fussed about large swimming complex. Any help would be great. Thanks.

Comments

  • ValDa
    ValDa Forum Participant Posts: 3,004
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    edited June 2017 #2

    By a 'bit of luxury' what things would make or break your holiday?  Do you use site facilities or your own, do you want a great restaurant on site, and grassy pitches or are there other faciities which you would like to find on site.  Do you want to be near a beach where your dog can be walked - bearing in mind that there are a lot of beaches in that area which have signs stating dogs are not allowed!  Though to be honest it's obvious that many French dogs can't read.  

    Does it absolutely have to be coastal?  There are many more riverside and lakeside sites further south which are dog-friendly and some even have their own riverside or lakeside 'beaches'.

    Where are you staying now, so that we have an idea of what sort of site you might prefer. 

  • eurortraveller
    eurortraveller Club Member Posts: 6,830 ✭✭✭
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    edited June 2017 #3

    Pull in and pitch at  the municipal site at Loupian. If you don't like it go out solo and prospect for somewhere grander. 

  • carlton100
    carlton100 Forum Participant Posts: 11
    edited June 2017 #4

    Hi,

    We are staying at perpetuum just outside of Domme. We would love somewhere we could Walk the dog on the beach although we understand that can be hard to find.we would like amminities like shower block and laundry if possible .Nice pool and close to restaurants would be great.

  • ValDa
    ValDa Forum Participant Posts: 3,004
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    edited June 2017 #5

    Given that we like Camping Perpetuum, you may like Camping Neptune at Grau d'Agde - we have been there many times. I presume you are using an ACSI Card.  It's an ACSI Card 15 euros site - and there are plenty of alternatives in the area, including La Pepiniere (13 euros) and Les Romarins (17 euros) which are on the same road.  It has good toilets and showers, laundry facilities, a nice pool, a bar and limited 'restaurant' on site, and is walking distance to Grau d'Agde where there is a small market, and bars and restaurants, ice cream shops and the like.  You will pass the fishermen's market, where when they bring the catch in, you can buy the freshest Mediterranean fish.   In the other direction is the town of Agde which has even more shops, bars and restaurants, a market on Thursdays and Sundays during the summer, and a circular lock on the Canal du Midi which makes for interesting people watching and a picnic.  You may also be there to see the 'Water-Jousting' where two boats row towards each other on the Herault river, each trying to knock off one person sitting on a 'crow's nest' into the water.   It's really funny to watch!

    Some people complain about Neptune being 'tight' to get in and out of and small pitches, but we've always had plenty of room.  If I wasn't wearing a swimming costume in the picture, I would post one of our favourite pitch which is an unusual shape one, but we love that particular one.  We also like one behind the communal barbecue (which is rarely used in low season), which has extra space.  What I would do is park up and then have a walk around to see the layout, the corners, and choose a pitch, and then work out the best way to get there.

    Across the Herault from Grau d'Agde are the beaches of La Tamarissiere (you can get a little hand rowed ferry across) and at the far end you can walk the dog.  If you pick one of the quieter spots at Grau d'Agde you can dog walk too.  There is a lovely walk along the Canal du Midi which is cool, as its under shade, and I've seen lots of dogs swimming in there - or the 'ponds' at the side of the canal.

    I'll put my thinking head on for alternatives.  We've also stayed at the Municipal at Loupian, (13 euros ACSI) and a few years ago at Le Paradis at Serignan Plage, plus the campsite named Serignan Plage.  It's an area we know well as we regularly meet friends in the area. 

  • ValDa
    ValDa Forum Participant Posts: 3,004
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    edited June 2017 #6

    I was just about to add that we've stayed at Camping Champs Blanc, and Le Dragonniere, which are also in and around the same area and also ACSI sites - though they were Camping Cheque sites when we used them.

  • carlton100
    carlton100 Forum Participant Posts: 11
    edited June 2017 #7

    Hi ValDa 

    Thanks for all the info  ValDa camping Neptune seems what we are looking for . We are looking forward to our first visit to the area. Thanks everyone for your help. All our best.

  • ValDa
    ValDa Forum Participant Posts: 3,004
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    edited June 2017 #8

    I hope you'll have no problem finding a pitch, but it might help to arrive on a non-weekend day, and as early as possible.  Perhaps you could stay over in Millau on the way south (one of the sites alongside the river and take a look at the viaduct from underneath).  To get there you would go cross country via Gourdon, Figeac,  and then to Rodez and down the A75 to Millau, then the following morning back on to the A75 further south and arrive down in Agde around early lunchtime.

  • allanandjean
    allanandjean Club Member Posts: 2,401 ✭✭✭✭
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    edited June 2017 #9

    Hi, we are about to to do the reverse, leaving Camping Les Sablons for Domaine Soleil Plage. This has always been the plan but be aware that the area here has been inundated with German campers today and when out to fill up for the journey saw ques waiting at another site. We had been told this would happen by three other couples, English , German and Danish but it is still on a scale that surprised us even having seen similar at Lake Garda.

    Think some beaches allow dogs at the moment,there are certainly lots on this site, but there has been an issue with a pack of three wild dogs getting into Les Sablons resulting in Police patrols of the site and an attempt today to catch them today by two Police officers and site staff as they ran through the site again.

    Re Val's comment the first two vans rolled up at 0805 opposite our pitch! 

  • ValDa
    ValDa Forum Participant Posts: 3,004
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    edited June 2017 #10

    In many parts of Germany their 'Whitsuntide Holiday' starts this weekend, and continues for two weeks.  After that they will all be on their way home again until late July for the most part.

  • carlton100
    carlton100 Forum Participant Posts: 11
    edited June 2017 #11

    Hi All

    Thanks for all the advice and information. We have decided on camping Neptune and due to the advice given we have called ahead and booked a pitch direct with the site and yes they said they were nearly full so thanks for everything much appreciated.