Boat Launch Campsites

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.

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.

A friendly welcome is assured from the owners of this spacious site situated in quiet, flat countryside near the pleasant small town of Pont-de-Vaux. The 2.5 hectare (six-acre) site has 54 large (100-400 sq.m), level, grassy pitches, all of which are available to tourers. Almost all are separated by hedges and most are shaded by trees. All but three have electrical connections (10A) and water. Because of its friendly and tranquil atmosphere, the site is popular with English and Dutch visitors alike, who choose to break their journey here for several days to or from the South of France.

Sportcamp Woferlgut, a family-run site, is one of the best in Austria. It lies in the village of Bruck at the northern end of the Großglocknerstrasse mountain road in the Hohe Tauern National Park, near the Zeller See. The level grass pitches are marked out by shrubs, and each has 16A metered electricity, water, drainage, cable TV socket and a gas point.

Camping Kikopark Playa is a smart site nestling behind protective dunes alongside a Blue Flag beach. There are sets of attractively tiled steps over the dunes or a long boardwalk near the beach bar (suitable for prams and wheelchairs) to take you to the fine white sandy beach and the sea. From the central reception point (where good English is spoken), flat, fine gravel pitches and access roads are divided to the left and right.

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.

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.

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.

Sites et Paysages Camping Au Clos de la Chaume is a pleasant site within walking distance of the town, on level ground with a small stream. The friendly family owners, who are British and French, live on-site and do their best to ensure campers have an enjoyable, relaxing stay. The grassy pitches are level, of varying sizes and with varying amounts of sun and shade. All touring pitches have electricity hook-ups (6/10A), and some are divided by shrubs and trees.

Camping des Familles is a friendly, family site located in the countryside and offers a relaxed atmosphere. It lies on the promontory of land between the Atlantic Ocean and the Gironde Estuary, the largest river estuary in Europe. There are 100 pitches with 46 on level grass for touring, all with 6-10A electricity, neatly hedged and with small trees giving some shade. Mobile homes are also available to rent. It is in the Médoc region just north of Bordeaux, an area famous for its vineyards, woods, sandy beaches, rolling dunes, marshes and châteaux.

Camping Sandaya Domaine de la Dragonnière offers an amazing selection of swimming pools and a wide range of sporting activities and entertainment, which amply makes up for it being set back from the sea. It is a busy holiday village, located between the popular resorts of Vias and Portiragnes, and very well organised.

Camping d'Angers Lac de Maine lies in the heart of the Anjou region, just on the outskirts of Angers and downstream from glorious Saumur. It offers direct access to the large lake, and there's plenty to see in the surrounding countryside, with medieval castles, vineyards and quaint historic towns to explore, perhaps following one of the bike trails. Stroll into Angers in an exceptional setting in the heart of the Loire Valley with its castle, cathedral, gardens, quays and markets.

Camping Le Marais Sauvage is located in Le Mazeau, Vendée, France. It is in the heart of the Marais Poitevin, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its stunning natural beauty. The campsite is surrounded by woodlands and waterways, offering a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere. Take advantage of the 57 large touring pitches with electric hook-up points available. Some pitches are shaded, while others are in more direct sun.

Camping Sandaya Rivièra d’Azur is an excellent site near the Côte d’Azur that will take you away from the Mediterranean coast's bustle. Spread out over ten hectares, this is a well-equipped holiday destination with pitches arranged along avenues. The 188 touring pitches average 100 sq.m. in size, and all have electricity connections and, unusually, private sanitary facilities (although washbasins double as dishwashing sinks). There are 340 accommodation units for rent, most of which were installed after ongoing investment by the owners. There is a free shuttle to the beach at Saint Aygulf.

Camping la Ferme de Lann-Hoëdic is an attractively landscaped site with many flowering shrubs and trees. The 108 touring pitches, all with 10A electricity, are large and mostly level with mature trees which offer some shade. The 20 pitches with mobile homes are in a separate area. The working farm produces cereal crops and the summer months are an exciting time for children to see the harvest in progress. The owners go out of their way to make this a welcoming and happy place to stay. Located in the countryside on the Rhuys Peninsula, Golfe du Morbihan, it is an ideal base for cycling, walking and water-based activities.

Saint-Disdille is situated 300 m. from the beautiful Lake Geneva and the famous spa towns of Thonon-les-Bains, which can be reached on a bus that passes the site, and Evian-les-Bains. There are 297 large, level touring pitches on stone and rough grass (rock pegs are essential). Large trees give some shade. Those reserved for touring have 10A electricity and are scattered amongst mobile homes and permanent weekender caravans and can be some distance from the facilities situated by the entrance. The site is ideally placed for the large range of watersports in the area, and Switzerland is easily accessible by car, bus, train or boat.

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 Micheal and Cancale. The site facilities are of an excellent standard, having been recently refurbished.

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 Val André, previously known as Les Monts Colleux, is a campsite with an unusual town centre location in Le Val André. The site, however, has a hilltop setting and some pitches have fine views of the sea. This was formerly a municipal site and is well-managed with well-kept hedges and pitches. The reception area and shop are modern, although the sanitary blocks are older. The 55 pitches (most with 10A electricity) are generally flat, although, given its hillside location, some are sloping. Although there is no swimming pool on site, there is a large covered municipal pool adjacent, with limited free access for campers.

This attractive, high quality site, ideal for families with young children, is in a rural setting and well situated for exploring the less well known eastern part of the Loire Valley. Two lakes (one for boating, one for fishing) and a pool complex have been attractively landscaped in 18 hectares of former farmland, blending old and new with natural wooded areas and more open grassland with rural views. There are 245 large, level grass pitches with 120 for touring units. All have at least 10A electricity, 15 have water, waste water and 16A electricity, and some 30 have hardstanding. Eight have individual en-suite sanitary units beside the pitch.