Boat Launch Campsites

This site is now part of the Yelloh Village group, and standards on their sites are consistently high - Camping La Plage du Dramont is no exception. Check-in was efficient, and English was spoken; there is a large waiting area, and once you pass through the initial barrier, you will then be given directions to your pitch. There are 113 touring pitches, which have electric hook-up points available. These are generally open plan, under tree shade, but very dry and dusty due to the Mediterranean climate. 

A beautiful setting in the grounds of a French Chateaux just 6 km from the main beach in Saint-Malo, and the bus stops just 400m from the site gates; you are also just 2 km from the sea if you fancy a dip. The site is also just a short drive from the ferry terminal, so it could be used as an initial overnight upon arrival in France, although most guests seemed to be staying much longer. The location is ideal for exploring Brittany as you are on the Emerald Coast close to Mont St Michael and Cancale. The site facilities are of an excellent standard, having been recently refurbished.

Yelloh! Village le Sérignan-Plage is a lively and vibrant Mediterranean site with direct access to a superb 600-metre sandy beach (including a naturist section). When you arrive at this site, the reception is very modern and efficient, and a map is printed to show you and direct you to your pitch. This is one of the largest sites I have visited, but as it is spread over such a large area, it does not feel like you are on a large commercial site. Touring pitches, number 293, are separated from an even larger area of mobile homes for rental. Pitches are generous and divided by low hedging and have direct access to the beach. There are approximately 571 mobile homes and chalets for rental, plus some privately owned units and a good number of tour operator pitches. 

Le Paradis is an excellent, well-maintained riverside site, halfway between Les Eyzies and Montignac in the Valley of the Vézère. The site is landscaped with a variety of mature shrubs and trees. The gardens are beautiful, which gives a wonderful sense of tranquillity. It is very easy to relax on this ecologically friendly site. Systems of reed filters enhance the efficient natural drainage.

Yelloh! Village Camping Les Mouettes is a sheltered site on the edge of an attractive bay, with access to the sea at the front of the site. In a wooded setting with many attractive trees and shrubs, the 457 pitches include 63 for touring units, all with electricity, water, drainage, and private sanitary facilities.. The remainder are taken by tour operators and by 406 mobile homes and chalets to rent.

One hour from Paris, on the banks of the Seine and overlooked by the impressive remains of Château Gaillard (Richard Coeur de Lion), this attractive and spacious ten-hectare site will appeal to couples and young families. The site offers mobile units to rent and touring pitches in separate areas. These are either riverside or in a large central triangle, all very close to the Seine; all pitches are divided by low hedging, and some offer a degree of shade.

Camping Détente et Clapotis is in the Rhône-Alpes, on the banks of the Lac de Paladru. The site has 212 grass pitches, of which 140 are for touring units and have a 6/10-amp hook-up point, and there are 32 chalets are available for hire. At the front of the campsite, the touring pitches are located. These are quite open, and most are in the sun, but the large open lawns mean you have great views of the lake and direct access to the water.

Camping Nature Parc l’Ardéchois is a very high-quality, family-run site within walking distance of the amenities of Vallon-Pont-d’Arc. It borders the River Ardèche, and hugely popular canoe trips are run directly from the site. The campsite is just 4 km from the famous Pont-d’Arc, a huge limestone arch spanning the river, and its river beach. A drive along the gorge is a must, with spectacular viewpoints.

Domaine du Colombier is located between Cannes and Saint Tropez, alongside the main road 2 km. from the centre of Fréjus and 4.5 km. from the fine sandy beaches of Fréjus and Saint Raphaël. There are 18 touring pitches, ranging in size from 80-100 sq.m. and all with 16A electricity and 302 units of rental accommodation. Over recent years there has been much ongoing investment in high-quality facilities. An attractive heated pool complex (3,600 sq.m) includes a long river, paddling pool, waterslides, lagoon and whirlpool, all surrounded by sun loungers. Plenty of activities and excursions are arranged all season and the site caters principally for families.

Camping L’Orangerie de Lanniron is a beautiful and peaceful family site set in ten acres of a 17th-century, 38-hectare country estate on the banks of the Odet River, formerly the home of the Bishops of Quimper.

Formerly known as Camping Nature de Ste Marie de Ré, Huttopia Côte Sauvage is just 20 m. from the beach and 1.5 km. from the centre of Sainte-Marie-de-Ré, this peaceful site is in a wonderful location for a family beach holiday. There is direct access to the Basse Banaie beach, but there are several others to enjoy, whether you want to swim, surf or collect shellfish. There are 152 level, grass and sand pitches, a few with views over the Atlantic Ocean.

Alannia Costa Blanca (formerly Marjal) is a fully equipped site situated 15 km. inland on the southern Alicante coast, close to the towns of Crevillente and Catral and the Parque Natural de El Hondo. Around 1,200 hardstanding pitches range in size from 90-95 sq.m, and all have electricity (16A), water, drainage, TV and high-speed internet connections (charged).

This is a large Mobile Home Park with just 36 touring pitches in a small self-contained area of a holiday complex. It looked a little dated, and although the facilities were clean, they were worn. The camping pitches were open with no designated area, and there seemed to be quite a few parties of young teenagers camping in groups. Partial English was spoken at reception, and access to the site was good; management were not available. The surrounding area is not picturesque as you pass through a small industrial estate to access the site. However, the site makes an excellent location for touring the surrounding area.

Camping Ribamar lies to the north of Alcossebre, tucked away within the National Park of the Sierra de Irta, a magnificent landscape of intense colours. Alcossebre is a delightful resort town which has retained its Spanish identity, unlike some of the larger resorts to the north, and offers three Blue Flag beaches and a wealth of cafés and restaurants. Although a little over two hours drive south of Barcelona, this is a very underpopulated region with excellent long-distance footpaths and cycle paths.

A pleasant tree-lined approach road gives way to avenues of palms as you arrive at Torre del Sol. This large, well-designed site occupies a good position in southern Catalunya with direct access to a 800m. long soft sand beach.

L’Eden is open to touring units in summer and winter. It is beside the Isere river and set in beautiful woodland glades, perfect for winter skiing and walking and cycling in summer. The site is set in a valley with the Alpine peaks as a backdrop. The 115 good, spacious pitches all have 16A electricity hook-ups and individual water supplies and there are 20 mobile homes, bungalows etc. for hire. The clean, modern sanitary blocks are heated in colder weather and include a large drying room. There is a lovely covered heated pool, a bar and a welcoming communal area with bar and TV.

Situated in the Meinweg National Park, this large site with facilities on a holiday camp scale caters well for families with children of all ages. Of the 800 grassed pitches (averaging 90 sq.m) 400 are for touring units. They are level, separated into enclosures of various sizes by hedges and most have 10A electricity. There is ample tree shade over the site, grassed places to sunbathe and a wealth of activities to keep children busy. Beside reception, the main building houses a restaurant/bar with terrace on the first floor, a supermarket and other eating and drinking establishments.

At Camping Porte des Vosges you are assured of a very warm welcome from the owner, Sylvie Drode. This spacious, clean and very well cared for site is situated in Lorraine, on the outskirts of the historic town of Bulgnéville and is just off the E21/A31 making it an ideal stopover as well as for longer holidays. The sloping site has trees and bushes which shade around 100 spacious touring pitches (70-150 sq.m) that are on gravel or grass and there are two equipped tents and a vintage caravan to rent. All the pitches have access to electricity (6A, Europlug) and water points are distributed throughout the site.

This site is in a rural location and great for the beach which is just across the road, 3km down the road is the town of Blanes with its shops, supermarkets and nightlife. There are 100 well-spaced pitches, these are not separated to any degree, but there are trees offering shade on most pitches; there are also a further 80 mobile homes/glamping units and tents available for rental. The site shop was well stocked, and the standard of food served in the restaurant was excellent, offering a lovely view over the modern pool complex.

Situated across the yacht harbour from the Canet-Plage resort, Yelloh! Village Le Brasilia is an impressive, well-managed family site directly beside the beach. There's much to praise here, from the state-of-the-art reception to the sensational water park, excellent spa and park-like grounds. Although large, it is attractive and well kept with a remarkable range of facilities – with good reason, it's always a popular choice.