Riding Campsites

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.

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.

With easy access from the A6 autoroute and the N6, this attractive and welcoming site is perfect for overnight stops. But stay awhile and get to know this delightful region with its wine heritage, historical monuments and magical rolling landscape. This is a neat, well-ordered campsite situated in the heart of Beaujolais. It's surrounded by vineyards and just walking distance (within 1 km) of the pretty village of Fleurie (one of the premier Beaujolais crus). Here you'll find all the shops and amenities you'll need.

Set in the grounds of a château, Castel Camping le Château de Lez Eaux lies in a rural situation just off the main route south, under two hours from Cherbourg. Of the 122 touring pitches, all with electricity (10A, Europlug) and 87 with water and drainage. Most of the pitches are good-sized, partly separated by trees and shrubs on flat or slightly sloping, grassy ground overlooking Normandy farmland and a small fishing lake.

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.

Situated in the heart of Andalusia, Huttopia Parque de Doñana is the perfect base for exploring the region amid the Andalusian provinces of Huelva, Seville and Cadiz, nestled in the heart of the Doñana National Park (the largest protected natural site in Europe and a UNESCO biosphere reserve). Nature is everywhere here, and with 200 touring pitches on this site, it is the preferred place to explore the surrounding region.

On arriving at Huttopia Saumur with its colourful, floral entrance, a friendly greeting awaits you. The site is set beside a restored farmhouse with beautiful views from one end over the Loire Valley. It is owned by a charitable organisation that provides employment for local people with disabilities. The 120 grass touring pitches are level and spacious, with some new larger ones (100sq.m. at extra cost – state preference when booking). All pitches have electricity 16/A and are separated by low hedges and trees which offer some shade. Water points are easily accessible around the site.

This campsite is situated on the beach in the small fishing village of L’Ampolla, famous for its gastronomy, peaceful beaches and coves. The site offers 87 large grass shady touring pitches with electric hook up connections available a and fully equipped bungalows for rent. Ideal for couples, families and anybody who wants lots of activities including fishing, excursions (walking, cycling, horseriding, boats), watersports (windsurfing, kite-surfing, kayaking and waterskiing), as well as good food and relaxation.

Huttopia sites are rather different; when the French owners visited Canada and experienced ‘back to nature’ camping, they were so impressed that they decided to introduce the idea to France.

De Roos is a family run site in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, truly a nature lovers’ campsite, immersed in an atmosphere of tranquillity. It is situated in Overijssel’s Vecht Valley, a unique region set in a river dune landscape on the River Vecht. The river and its tributary wind their way unhurriedly around and through this spacious campsite. It is a natural setting that the owners of De Roos have carefully preserved. The 275 pitches and necessary amenities have been blended into the landscape with great care. Pitches, most with electricity hook-up (6A Europlug), are naturally sited, some behind blackthorn thickets, in the shadow of an old oak or in a clearing scattered with wild flowers.

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.

This site is located just north of the town of Dieulefit. The name originates from Dieu l’a fait, meaning God made it, so it is not surprising to find a Huttopia site set in a managed forest, by a small lake, with stunning views over the town and across the valley. It follows the Huttopia philosophy of high standards combined with a sense of real camping, therefore no cars are generally allowed on pitches. There are 74 pitches with rental accommodation in the form of Cahuttes, Cabanes or Canadiennes, and a variety of clever wood and canvas structures. The remaining 91 pitches (66 with electricity) are for camping amongst the trees, although there are some closer to the central lodge which are more open. ‘Bivouac’ outdoor cooking and eating areas are dotted around the site. There are two pools and a good range of on-site amenities including a shop, bar and restaurant.

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 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.

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.

Previously known as Camping Cuevas Mar, this is a well-established campsite that proves popular and busy during the warm winter months. The 179 flat pitches on a stone chip are generally 80-100 sq.m. each with a 6/10amp electric supply. Shrubs and trees (some shade) act as pitch dividers, and those near the road are not overly affected as traffic volume is relatively low. Some areas have shade canopies erected during the hot summer months. Overall, throughout, there is a peaceful atmosphere.

This well-run, modern site is pleasantly situated in Delft's park and forest area on the city's eastern edge. It has 200 touring pitches formally arranged in groups of four to six and surrounded by attractive trees and hedges. All have sufficient space and electrical connections (10A Europlug).

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.

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.

Michelle, Josep and their daughter run this spacious, friendly site, which is always a popular destination. It is spotlessly clean and well-maintained, and the owners operate the site in an environmentally friendly way. Eight hundred seventy-two level grass pitches (720 for touring units) are laid out in a grid system, all with 10A electricity.