Never has my flabber been so gasted ….
I've been perusing the C&MC publication 'Venture Abroad' to see what is on offer in France if I ever get the urge to use a Campsite.
I honed in on a campsite in St Jean de Monts in the Vendée which we had visited a few times and we had stayed at Aire Camping Car le Repos des Tortues on Rue de Notre Dame.
The Aire, last time we went, was €8 for twenty four hours including hook-up, Wifi, fresh water, waste disposal of cassette and grey water all included and no charge for the dog.
Having a look in the glossy brochure I saw 'Camping La Yole St Jean de Monts' with a price guide of €25 - €30 per night.
Down in the small print I spotted the price charged by the Site for travelling with a dog ….. €5 - €7 per night (one dog only allowed)
After gasping, having a quick drink and cleaning my spectacles to make sure I hadn't misread I realised that they wanted up to €49 a week for accepting our dog on site.
We didn't pay much more than that in total for stopping overnight on Aires for 28 nights in July/August this year.
I realise that everyone has a choice and the price might seem acceptable to many of you - but it has gasted my flabber.
The brochure is now on its way to the local recycling centre.
Comments
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Camping la Yole is a huge family orientated site with lot of animation and fun and games. To me hell, 15 years ago with the children it was one we visited. I would question its suitability as a site for dogs, lots of noise and small children.
They have the option to just say 'no dogs' or to allow dogs if you really have to take them but we are going to actively discourage you by pricing it very high. I see their point and whilst it is a high price you have the choice, that area is not exactly short of choice.
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As the others have said they perhaps want to discourage visitors with dogs !
It's not my sort of camp site either, and Club pricing is notoriously eccentric, but with an ACSI card at 7 nights for 6 it's only going to cost €102 a week outside the summer season, and for those who want a site in parkland, with some space, green grass, a pool and spa, and access to a bar restaurant on the terrace - that might seem not a lot more than €56 a week which is the price for the motorhome Aire.
At those prices the campsite seems cheap and the Aire seems dear. What do you think?
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Sorry K&M, but you are comparing bananas with oranges, yes both are fruit but there the similarities end. The aire may suit your requirements but Camping la Yole is an all singing all dancing family campsite, a similar site here in the UK would cost upwards of £70/night peak season. The dog charges do not concern me as we would never take our dog 'over there' and of course not owning a motorhome aires are not available to us.
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I imagine that Venture Abroad is not aimed at people seeking an Aire or even ACSI sites. I expect it is aimed at first timers and those that don't have the experience or confidence to fly solo. Many of us started our overseas touring via the likes of Venture Abroad and probably wouldn't give it a second look now. Full marks to the Club for looking after those that prefer being looked after. On the point about charging an excessive amount for dogs this seems to be a bit of a French trait. Like campsites that double their prices for twin axle caravans as a way of discouraging them?
David
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At those prices the campsite seems cheap and the Aire seems dear. What do you think?
What i think all depends on how long I want to stay. I don't have a dog anymore so that is no longer a consideration but I would pay for a campsite for a stay of more than a couple of days. Aires are fine for night stopping but not for longer stays. Most are time limited anyway.
peedee
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Totally agree that Venture Abroad is ideal for first timers and for those who want certainty and confidence around their trip.
Our first trip abroad was 5 years ago to Como and we pre-booked every site there and back as we pre-planned our meandering trip. After that, we quickly learnt the benefits ( price, variety and locations) of ACSI and just turning up.
Next year, we plan Spain, and Archie’s has now been added to our tools.
Still find it interesting to thumb through V A for ideas, even if we don’t use it. Plus, the site vouchers (initially Camping Cheques and now CCMH) can provide a worthwhile ferry fare deal. For that reason, we will probably stay the 4 night minimum at a VA site.
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I wasn't trying to compare like-for-like but just out of interest was looking how the sites in a resort we'd stayed at would cost if the Aires were full.
I presume, as said in your posts, that they may be trying to discourage dog owners but from what I've seen in France almost half the families there have a dog/s and that can't be good for business by financially obstructing 50% of the potential customers.
I think it's just a 'racket' to get as much money from people as possible, the money goes directly to the Site owners, but it does discourage me from even contemplating staying at their site.
After reading the 'blurb' of Camping Yole it looks like my worst nightmare to stay but, then again, my choice of Aires could be your worst nightmare – everyone to their own.
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