Camping de la Cote de Nacre
F14750 St Aubin Sur Mer
Calvados Coastal
Basse-Normandie Region
France

Web site: www.camping-cote-de-nacre.com/

Cote de Nacre is on the Normandy coast almost due north of Caen, about 10 minutes from Ouistreham in Calvados (14).

Camping de la Cote de Nacre is on the Normandy beaches coast, is full of commercial tour operators, and has everything that that implies. Having said that, it’s a pretty good site of its type - pitches are spaced out and well marked. One early irritation is the barrier which doesn’t work well - you need a card to get out as well as in and the whole entrance is very cramped - mayhem ensued several times in our time there as people tried to get registered etc.

There is one small play area which is not used much ; it’s just too small for a site of this size, too far for us even though we were near the middle.

The pool is very good, heated a bit, suitable for children, and good water slides enjoyed by all ages.

The washroom facilities are a bit variable. They are in wierd octagonal buildings, and there are two of them. The facilities were good in themselves, albeit the shower spray was a bit hard and spread out, but the walls were a bit low in our part. One could quite easily climb on the seats and get an eyeful (no I didn’t !) and one can imagine some chaps who are 6’6 + almost being able to see over without standing on anything.

It’s a bit noisy as these things tend to be - the midnight full blast Karaoke was not appreciated except for a hysterical rendition of Bohemian Rhapsody. But that’s what these sites are about I suppose.

Paul Robson. CLIC. August 2003

Camping Haliotis--- Second report below--- Fishing site
Chemin des Soupirs
F50170 Pontorson
Basse-Normandie Region
France

Tel: (33) 02 33 68 11 59
Fax: (33) 02 33 58 95 36

E-mail:... (via the web site on ’contact us’)
Web site: www.camping-haliotis-mont-saint-michel.com/

We stayed here for 2 nights in 2007 as Steph (my wife) wanted to visit Mont Saint Michel

The Actual address gives a street name of Chemin du Soupiers but the entrance is not on that road anymore it is on the Rue du General Patton (D19)

Staff are friendly and speak good English

The site is well laid out the toilets / showers are very clean and bright and well maintained
Electricity is Reverse Polarity on standard plugs
The pool / bar/ restaurant /reception is new and a very nice relaxing area with FREE WiFi

The pitches are large enough for some pretty big Motor Homes although some have a raised edge (kerb height but not concrete) on the grass ones behind reception
Water is local to most pitches as is grey waste disposal and chemical toilets have an identified clean area to be emptied at.

Fishing is available in the river behind the site and Mont Saint Michel is just 9km away.

If you have problems walking the mount is quite steep but there are so many little cafes to rest in it’s worth the climb although I do begrudge paying to visit a church so did not go in the Abbey at the top

Graham Wilson. CLIC. May 2007
...for more fishing site reports go to Graham site http://www.madcaravanner.co.uk/

Camping Haliotis
Chemin des Soupirs
F50170 Pontorson
Basse-Normandie Region
France

Tel: 02 33 68 11 59
Fax: 02 33 58 95 36

E-mail: Contact via the web site
Web site: www.camping.haliotis.mont-staint-michel.com

To find site:
From both directions on N175/176 exit into town of Pontorson and the campsite is well signed from all directions.

This is an exceptionally popular campsite with all nationalities which I am sure is in no small part due to the very friendly reception you get on arrival from the people that run the site. As an example when we arrived we were told to go and find a pitch, settle in, and come back later when we were ready to sign in
There are around 120 pitches for touring units. All of a good size but some, near to the mobile homes, are really large and also have the advantage of having their own water/waste/ electric (10 amp) supplies and it would seem at no extra charge in the low season.
The building that houses the Reception also contains a bar with a terrace overlooking a very nice heated swimming pool.
There are numerous facilities for children of all ages.
Behind reception is the site toilet block which is of a high standard with WC’s on the outside of the building and a unisex shower section in the centre of the block. To the other side is the laundry and dishwash facilities.
Bread can be ordered at reception for the following day. Apart from bread and ice cream there is no shop on site. Likewise there is no restaurant although they do serve breakfast in the bar and on three nights a week a travelling takeaway van visits the campsite.
An added bonus for this site is the free WiFi connection which can be accessed from most pitches.
Camping Cheques accepted.

The town centre of Pontorson is only a few minutes walk from the site. On Wednesdays there is a popular Market held, located between the Church and the Hotel de Ville. Just a little further away is a Champion Supermarket which also sells fuel.
There are many excursions possible from this campsite with the most obvious being Mont St Michel which is just over five miles away.

Twin Axle Caravans:- The official policy of the campsite is that they don’t accept them but they are willing to consider them by prior arrangement. One reason mentioned to me was that quite a few of the pitches can’t accommodate vans of this size so it makes it difficult in the main season if someone arrives on spec. The advice is to always telephone the site in advance if you are thinking of taking a twin axle van to this campsite. It would also be useful if you mention that you want to use Camping Cheques or at least have a Camping Carnet.

Date of our visit late August 2007.

David Klyne. CLIC. September 2007
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Camping La Briquerie
Equemauville
F14600 Honfleur
Basse-Normandie Region
France

Tel: 02 31 89 08 52
Fax: 02 31 89 08 52

E-mail: info@campinglabriquerie.com
Web site: www.campinglabriquerie.com

To Find Site:
Leave A13 and join A132 in the direction of Deauville/Trouville. Leave motorway after only a short distance and take D579 in the direction of Honfleur. After about 8kms continue on D579 towards Equemauville. At roundabout in village with the water tower on your right follow signs for Intermarche Supermarket, the site is about 200 metres further on the right. (It is possible to reach this site via Honfleur but be warned that some roads are quite narrow and it is a very busy place, particularly on Saturdays when a large market is held)

Camping La Briquerie has around 375 pitches with about 150 being for touring units, the rest are taken up with mobile homes.
Pitch size is around 100 sq mts with some being larger and they are all delineated by hedges. All have electric supply which is either 5 amp (the norm) or 10 amps is available on the larger pitches at a small extra charge. Water supply and waste water disposal is shared between pitches. Rubbish bins are provided at the rate of one every two pitches, which whilst convenient they don’t enhance the look of the site!
There are several toilet blocks dotted around the site which are of a acceptable standard with seated toilets but no paper provided.
The site is certainly well equipped with other facilities which include a Bar/Restaurant/Takeaway. There is a good swimming pool complex, a fitness room and solarium.
Bread can be ordered from the Reception for the following day. Also available in reception is internet access via a PC, at present the site does not have WiFi although they hope to have this installed for next year.

The site offers a discounted rate for holders of the ACSI Card in the low season. Whilst this site is a useful stop over point for a short stay I am not convinced I would want to use it for a longer stay. With one exception I did not find the reception staff particularly friendly or welcoming. It is only my impression but I thought that touring units were the poor relation to the owners of the mobile vans on site.

This campsite makes a convenient stopping off point for all Ports from Cherbourg to Dunkerque. It also has the advantage that it is only a fairly short journey from the site to the delightful town of Honfleur. The coast towards Deauville is also close by. For shopping the supermarket is virtually next door, about five minutes of foot.

Date of visit, second week of September 2007.

David Klyne. CLIC. November 2007
For more reports like this, with excellent photos go to
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Campin La Gallouette---- Second report (Suzzana)
F50550 Saint Vaast La Hougue
Cotentin peninsula
Near Cherbourg
Basse-Normandie Region
France

Tel: (33) 02 33 54 20 57
Fax: (33) 02 33 54 16 71

E-mail: contact@camping-lagallouette.fr
Web site: www.camping-lagallouette.fr/
Camping Qualite group.

Directions:
From the N13 leave at signpost to Valognes. Take D902 from town centre to Quettehou. On entering Quettehou continue through the main street and take centre lane (straight-ahead arrow) just before right turn D14 to Quiniville. Continue straight ahead on D1 to St. Vaast la Hougue. In ¾ mile at traffic lights turn right and follow site signs. Site in ¼ mile.

Price: 2 adults + electric 6 amp 18.50 euros

The site is of medium size 160 pitches of which about 2/3 are now taken up by statics and permanently pitched tourers. The site has a barrier at reception, which is swipe card operated. This is locked at 10.30 p.m. till 7.30am so the site is no good for anyone wanting to catch the early morning ferry. They tend to pitch ‘vans in amongst the statics in low season but these can be small for large outfits. However there are larger pitches to the left of the site, which you can have if you ask. These are flat and very grassy. All have electricity, 4 or 6 amp English plugs but reversed polarity.
There are two modern shower/toilet blocks, both unisex, which are kept spotlessly clean. Inside laundry and dish washing and further sinks outside around the back for cleaning vegetables and believe it or not one for cleaning fish/shellfish which was very well used. (A bit smelly).
A motorhome service point is available which also doubles as a car washing area with hose and brush. Since my last visit the owners have installed a swimming pool with patio area which is pleasant and sheltered but no shade. Perhaps they don’t need it in this part of France. A small cafeteria sells basic snacks, Frites, burgers, pizzas etc. with outside tables and chairs. Also a small shop with the basics. Bread etc. has to be ordered the day before.

I found this site about 3 years ago just by chance. I don’t know why but I’ve never seen it advertised in any English campsite book.
The site is right on the edge of the town, 3 to 4 mins walk, which is quite a charming fishing port and marina. There is a small beach at low told along the peninsula from the site.
There’s always some kind of activity to watch in the day to day hustle and bustle as the fishermen get on with their business. A large street market is held until lunchtime on Saturday, very interesting. Barfleur, another small fishing port is just along the coast. There’s some good creperies there. The site is quite handy for the D-Day beaches, Utah being the nearest. St. Mere Eglise has an excellent war museum. It would be very handy for a short stay before going to the ferry port but is certainly worthy of much longer. But alas the weather.

Date of visit June 2004

Harry Burrows. CLIC. July 2004

Camping La Gallouette
F50550 Saint Vaast La Hougue
Cotentin peninsula
Near Cherbourg
Basse-Normandie Region
France

Tel: (33) 02 33 54 20 57
Fax: (33) 02 33 54 16 71

E-mail: contact@camping-lagallouette.fr
Web site: www.camping-lagallouette.fr/
Camping Qualite group.

The next site we visited involved a drive to the Cherbourg peninsula to stay at La Galouette (at St Vaast).
Great site. Virtually all French camping and caravaning.

For camper vans there were normal pitches but also a camping van ‘car park’ next door (Aire de camping-car?). Great townto visit, it being the home of the oyster we ate planty and moules too.

The coast next to camp site is like an estuary of sludge and samphire, there are lots of rock pools for exploring. The walk to the small town is about 10 mins.  Just beyond the carousel on the sea front is a small sandy beach, very gradually sloping and sheltered (ideal for young swimmers).  Really lovely. Several camping pitches had small hedges at the corners but will mature in time, you can see your neighbours very clearly...all the better to practise your French. Don’t expect to be met half way with the language here!

There is a limited shop/bar. Bread needs to be ordered the day before (don’t get caught out like I did). Good play facilities for kids. A large footbal area with high fence and netted roof, ideal for a good testosterone burn. Boules (of course), nice newly updated children’s play area with a bouncy castle and the usual climbing frames and stuff.
Swimming pools nice too, I even swam although it felt quite chilly. The kids pool was small but had 3 different water slides...none to risky.

The loos and wash up were quite open with big gap at top and bottom of whole building, and if you use the end toilet cubicle you can hear the man at the washing up sinks breathing....best not to parp too loudly. ;-) Reasonably clean. Not enough sinks to wash hands after loo so the same sinks were being used for loo hand wash (no soap) and wash up (mmmmm, not best). Still, we all really liked this site.

Suzzane. CLIC. August 2008

Camping Le Clos Normand
Route d’Alencon
F61500 Sees
Basse-Normandie Region
France

Tel: 02 33 28 87 37

To find site:
The best approach to this site is off the Sees bypass from the south at roundabout into Avenue du 8Th Mai 1945. From the north avoid following camping signs or sat nav directions as these will take you partly through the town. Continue towards the town and campsite is on the left just before the Carrefour Market supermarket. If there is no one at Reception you are invited to find a pitch and pay after 4.00pm.

The Clos Normand is a handy Municipal campsite useful for an overnight stop or perhaps a longer stay.
It is within easy reach of the A28 autoroute. It has about 50 pitches, all on grass and most delineated by hedges. They vary in size but some are quite large.
There is 10 amp electrics available via CEE17 (blue) connections, although long leads might be required on some pitches.
On site there are two small toilet blocks which are adequate rather than being luxurious. The toilets don’t have seats and no paper is provided. For children there is a playground area. Reception has limited opening hours but you can pitch and book in/pay later. This site is excellent value, we paid about £10.50 a night during our visit in late August 2010.

The campsite benefits from having a Carrefour Market supermarket virtually across the road. The pleasant town of Sees is a very short walk from the site. The Cathedral celebrates it’s 700th birthday in 2010

David Klyne. CLIC. August 2010
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Camping Le Cormoran
Ravenoville-Plage
F50480 Sainte-Mère-Eglise
Basse-Normandie Region
France

Tel: 00 33 2 33 41 33 94
Fax: 00 33 2 33 95 16 08

E-mail: lecormoran@wanadoo.fr
Web site: www.lecormoran.com/

Date of visit, early September 2007.

To Find site:
From the east and south exit N13 onto the D913 signed for Ste Marie du Mont and Utah Beach. At T junction with Utah Beach Museum ahead turn left onto D421 signed to Ravenoville Plage. Site on left in about 7 kms. From north exit N13 at Ste Mere Eglise and take D15 towards Ravenoville and turn left onto D14 to village and then turn right towards Ravenoville Plage. In Ravenoville Plage turn right onto D421 and site on right in about 1 km. (please note roads in Ste Mere Eglise are quite narrow so care is required. Don’t let your Sat Nav deviate from the routes noted as many roads in the area are only single track!)

Le Cormoran is a delightful campsite with the beach just across the road from the entrance. It is situated just a few kilometres north of Utah Beach.
There are around 100 touring pitches but more mobile home pitches. Pitches are of a good size and average at least 100 sq mts but there are some quite a bit bigger, all are separated by hedges.
Electricity (10 amp) is available to all pitches with water points in each section.
There are several unisex toilet blocks dotted around the site all of a very good standard. The toilets are do not have seats and no paper is supplied.

There is a nice swimming pool complex on site. Children are well catered for. There is a Bar which doubles as an Ice Cream Parlour. Whilst there is no restaurant they do have a takeaway although this seems mainly to sell pizzas. Next to the bar is a small shop where you can buy bread and some essentials.

Motorhomes are well catered for with there own hard standing area. The site also offers a special price of €15 for motorhomes that arrive after 18.00hrs and leave first thing in the morning, this price includes electrics and waste disposal.
WiFi is available at a modest hourly rate and can be received in the touring areas. Camping Cheques are accepted at this campsite.

One of the main attractions of this area are the close associations with the Normandy Landings in WW2. Ste Mere Eglise has an excellent Airborne Museum and on the coast near Ste Marie de Mont is the Utah Beach Museum. Entrance charges for both are at reasonable levels. For shopping there is a Super U in Ste Mere Eglise. Other wise there are miles of sandy beaches!

David Klyne. CLIC. September 2007
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Camping Les Haute Coutures
Route de Ouistreham
F14970 Benouville
Basse-Normandie Region
France

Tel: 00 33 2 31 44 73 08
Fax: 00 33 2 31 95 30 80

E-mail: info@campinghautescoutures.com
Web site: www.campinghautescoutures.com/..

Another site I have used for an overnight before catching the Caen to Portsmouth ferry. This site has a large static population, which is mainly privately owned.
Tourers tend to be situated near the gate for early morning departures.
All facilities are well maintained and there is a nice little bar.
Gates are opened in time for late arrivals and early departures.
The site overlooks the canal and there is always something to watch.
Pitches are on close cut grass and surrounded by hedge and flowerbeds. Some are a bit tight for larger caravans.
There is a restaurant in the village nearby and a large caravan dealer with an excellent accessory shop within a five-minute drive. An enormous Carrefour fifteen minutes away will cater for last minute stocks!

David Cuff. CLIC. October 1999

Camping Mont St. Michel
Mont St. Michel
F50170
Basse-Normandie Region
France

Tel: 02 33 60 22 10

The site is located where the D2756 meets the D976 about 2km from Mont St. Michel.

The pitches are divided up with some rather sparse hedges and are a reasonable size.

There is one fairly large toilet and shower block near the entrance, which is clean.

Nearby there are several eating places and a small supermarket which has most things in it.

Not a very inspiring site but it is convenient for the Mont, however there is also a car park beside Mont St. Michel with literally hundreds of motorhomes there. (or as the French say camping cars).

August 2004 for a van, 2 people and electricity was 15 euros

Colum Murphy. CLIC. October 2004

Camping Municipal Bayeux
F14400 Bayeux
Basse-Normandie Region
France

Tel: 02 31 92 08 43

The site is situated in the north of the town on the ring road and there are lots of sign posts from various parts of the town.

It is divided up into a series of avenues with the pitches numbered and the space reasonable.
The facilities are quite good except the men get two French and one English style toilet while the women get four English. I changed sex a few times.

Bayeux has all the shops, bars, supermarkets etc. that you will need. Bayeux is the home of the Bayeux Tapester a must visit.
A really good day trip from Bayeux is Omaha Beach and the American cemetery then east along the coast to see the Batterie Allemande (series of German artillery guns still in situ) and finishing at Arromanches to see the Mulberry harbour and the Cinema 360 for the short ‘The Price of Freedom’ film.
The British (and German) Cemetery is in Bayeux with a beautiful view of the Cathedral. We were looking for the grave of Joseph McCarthy, a family relative, so we looked in the registers near the entrance. There was only a John McCathy from Newcastle then I read on ‘son of Patrick McCarthy killed in France 1915’.

September 2004 price for van, 2 people and electric was 13 euros.

Colum Murphy. CLIC. October 2004

Camping Saint Michel
35 Route du Mont-Saint-Michel
F50220 Courtils
Basse-Normandie Region
France

Tel: 02 33 70 96 90
Fax: 02 33 70 99 09

E-mail: infos@campingsaintmichel.com
Web site: www.campingsaintmichel.com

Directions:
From A84 north exit 34, south exit 33, follow signs for Mont Saint Michel, onto D43, site just through Courtils on the left - you can’t miss it!
Beautiful site, nice and open, pitches of various sizes, we had the pick. Small hedges and a few trees.

Lovely reception block with bar and snack bar, we were early in the season and never saw it open. Nice pool, says it’s heated - but it wasn’t while we were there.

All level, small animal enclosure at the back of the site - donkeys!! Very noisy at times!! Chickens, goats, pigs etc. Children’s adventure area, table tennis, boules pitch. Good toilet and shower block.

Half the site is static chalets and half set aside for touring vans, motor homes and tents. 6amp electricity.

Carol Hodgson. CLIC. June 2005

Camping Vallee de Selune
7 Rue Marechal Leclerc
F50220 Pontaubault
Basse-Normandie Region
France

Tel: 0033 233 603900
Fax: 0033 233 603900

This is a small, private site at the bottom of the Cherbourg peninsula. It is English owned.

Price 2 Adults + electric 11.40 euros

A fairly basic site on the edge of the village.
The site is sloping with level pitches at the upper part. It has one central toilet/shower block which although old was spotlessly clean. Electric points are placed at every two pitches and standpipes to every four, so services are well provided. Electric is 6 amp with French 2 pin plugs.
The site office is closed through the mid afternoon siesta period. It sells basic food and bottles of wine.
We used this site solely as an overnight stop. It’s at the bottom of the Peninsula about 85 miles from Cherbourg ferry so is reachable in about 2 hours. An easy drive off the afternoon ferry. It’s very easy to find as it is literally just off the A84. After skirting Avaranches take the first exit to Pontabault, in about ¼ mile cross the river and turn immediately right, site is second turn on the left. To rejoin the Autoroute turn right and go to the end of the town and junction is clearly signed.
For anyone wanting to stay longer then it’s handy for Mont St. Michel and the North Brittany coast.

Date of visit June 2004

Harry Burrows. CLIC. July 2004

Camping La Vallee
88, rue de la Vallee
F14510 Houlgate
Calvados
Basse-Normandie Region
France

Tel: 02 31 24 40 69 & 02 31 24 42 42

E-mail: camping.lavallee@wanadoo.fr
Web site: www.campinglavallee.com

21 euro per night low season or camping cheque (p43, 2009 book).

Large site set on a hillside, somewhat terraced but most pitches still very sloping except some reserved for motorhomes and the bottom of the site. Some tents looked very uncomfortable due to the slope.

Railway line adjacent but infrequent trains. Moto ball pitch close by (U Tube video) so some noise when this is active!

Reception unfriendly. Toilets etc OK except for lots of complaints about lack of warm water for showers or washing.
Open air and covered swimming pools.

Short walk to Houlgate, nice beach, boring seaside town!

Jim Cheney. CLIC. June 2009

Chateau de Brevedent--- Second report below --- Fishing site
4 rue Alfred Kastler
F14000 Caen
Basse-Normandie Region
France

Tel:-++33 231 64 72 88
Fax:-++33 231 64 33 41

e-mail: Brevedent@les-castels.com
Web site: www.campinglebrevedent.com

Contact: Madame Bony

Report compiled June 2000. (up-dated June 2002)

Camping le Brevedent is part of the Castels & Camping chain and has a four star rating. It is situated in northern Normandie close to the coast but giving good access to other parts of Normandie/Brittany and other areas of France. It is also in the Caravan Club’s European Guide, and I also believe it is in the Camping and Caravanning Club’s European brochure, but I’m not certain of this.

The nearest ports are, in order of nearness, le Havre, Caen (Ouisterham), Dieppe and Cherbourg. From le Havre it is a relatively easy 45 minute drive to the site. From the Port follow the signs for Pont de Normandie, a toll bridge costing 38 FF for car and caravan to cross, 33 FF for a car. It is a massive bridge and one that will take your breath away as you cross! The French take trips down the river from Honfleur to view it!

From the bridge follow the signs for Pont l’Eveque and then Lisieux. Approximately five miles down the Lisieux road you will come to the turn off for le Brevedent look out for a house on the corner on the opposite side of the road junction and turn left there. Follow this road into the village of Blangy le Chateau, a straight run with no turn offs. At the village the entry is narrow so be prepared to slow right down, but don’t worry too much as everyone, French included, slow down here.
As you get to the village, turn right to get to le Brevedent. Ignore the signs for Camping du Lac, this is not where you’re heading for. The road to le Brevedent is of average width so keep a close eye out for locals who know the road. Again, there is nothing to worry about just a cautionary warning.

The site has 140 touring pitches, tents & statics belonging to Eurocamp. We found that, in general, the people in the tents were less respectful of neighbours than any of the other holiday makers. Their children seem to be left for others to take care of and not by their own parents, so be warned.
There is also a large playground away from the lake with swings & slides etc. Also there is a covered area where table tennis can be played, even when it’s raining! A couple of small hard courts can also be found but I’m not too sure if they are in use, they weren’t when we were there, but I’m sure football can be played on them.
Eurocamp also organise activities for children with the excellently slightly insane Patrick doing the organising. He does a hell of a job witnessed by the way the kids seem to adore him. Check out Patrick as a Pirate! Brilliant!

The site has two functional toilet blocks with a new one to be opened soon (June 2000). All are clean and contain the shower blocks also. Showers are free with plenty of hot water.

Two swimming pools are to be found at the rear of the Chateau. One is for children and the other for adults. Neither are supervised and this is well signed to that effect. We did see a healthy parental presence when the kids were in the pools and an ad hoc rota seemed to spring up which was heartening to see!

Canoes and boats can be used but speak to the Eurocamp reps if you’re not with them. Life preservers must be worn by non adults at all times.

On arrival you will be met by either Anne (the owner), Christophe (the manager), or Michelle or Katy. All speak excellent English which is good as Michelle and Katy are Scots and English respectively! Anne & Christophe both speak English fluently also. They are extremely friendly and helpful and do as much as they can to pleas without interfering.
The Eurocamp reception is in one the tents to the left of the main reception.

If you wish a pitch by the lake this will have to be booked prior to arrival in busy periods. In low season you might be lucky but pre book to make sure.
Fishing is allowed in the lake but swimming strictly prohibited. Fishing is permitted free of charge and the fish are carp and smaller types. The carp are disguised as submarines! One we fed was absolutely huge and I don’t fish!! One game to be played was to feed the fish away from the fishermen and watch them puzzle why they aren’t catching anything!
There are approximately only twenty pitches around the lake itself, but another dozen or so are just across the access road where the lake can be seen easily.
Another tip is if you have a large outfit is to inform the staff at the time of booking, especially if you want a lake pitch. The pitches on this site will accommodate a big TA but manoeuvring is difficult. We got on no problem as we were there in low season but in high season getting on and off will be tricky and will require the help of the people on either side. We got off by the good graces of someone waiting twenty minutes for us to leave, which made things a whole lot easier.

The chateau serves meals in the evening and the menus are to be found on the notice boards at reception. Also to be found there are the weather forecasts, usually, when we were there, concocted by Michelle and Christophe! Christophe was nearer the mark where Michelle was ever the optimist! The meals are excellent value for money, and this is from personal experience! Excellent stuff! Simply order them for the time you require, take your own crockery, back to
the ’van and scoff!!

Trips to a Ciderie and a Calvados Distillery are arranged (take your own transport!) and also day trips into Paris are organised, going to the Eiffel Tower and other sites. This is an all day trip and I recommend you book a meal for your return.

In the evening the bar opens between 21:00 & 23:30. There are good beers for sale, Leffe is excellent!, along with Calvados, Armagnac and plenty of other spirits. There are also board games which can keep you ’amused’ for hours I gave up Solitaire before I threw it out of the window!

All the staff at the site are extremely friendly and helpful, never a frown was in evidence despite a gale which brought down a tree. The Eurocamp staff were genuinely concerned for their campers and a tour of the site was made by the owner to see the extent of damage and to assess the effect on the tourers.

This site is used by a lot of people as a stopping over point on the way to/from the ferries. This is a shame as the people that run it have a wonderful site which deserves to be visited as a main base for Normandie.

We had a few (!) drinks at the bar and had a brilliant time chatting and taking the mickey out of all and sundry, made new friends of the staff there to the effect we don’t think of them as ’staff’, more like friends. Everyone is made welcome in the place to the extent that one couple have returned for fifteen years and take the same pitch each time! Can’t say more than that!

Excellent site one of the best we have ever stayed at. Would recommend it to everyone, whether it’s their first time in France or not!

If you wish any further information please contact andy.grant@virgin.net, and I’ll be more than pleased to help.

Andy Grant. CLIC. June 2000

Andy re-visited this site, and sent the following

1)
The Reception area at LB has been renovated and re-designed. For those that have been, the small reception is no more!
The small games room has disappeared and the reception is now a friendly open area. The ’desk’ is to the rear of the reception and more space is given the information on the Pays d’Auge region plus other areas of interest.

To the right is access to the shop which also seems to have grown! Maybe I’m wrong but it certainly feels like it!:O)

2)
There is now has a snack bar/restaurant on site. It has replaced the old covered play area next to the children’s play area.
It is well decorated in pastel colours, not at all garish and very pleasant on the eye. As one goes through the door, the counter is to the left, a large TV is in front of you above a picture window. There are three occasional tables to either just sit and blether or whilst you wait (a short while) for your table to become free.
The evening meals are booked at the counter or at reception and the menu consists of a three course menu of the day (14? in 2002) which are excellent value and other set meals, the dearest of which is 6? (steak etc).
Martyn is the person responsible for the running of the restaurant, a Dutch bloke who speaks impeccable English. Helen is the waitress who will surprise you!
Cathy and I ate there a good few times and not once were we disappointed.

It’s excellent for families with young children also, for in addition to the meals for the youngsters, the play area has been upgraded and is right outside the restaurant - making it easy for the kids to play and for the parents to keep an eye on them. It works beautifully!! The kids all eat their food and belt outside to play - raining or not!!

It is a first class addition to the site and is proving extremely popular with all those using the facility.

There are one or two new staff on site this year. However, they are of the same high standard of friendliness and willingness to help as the ’regulars’. Everyone from the owner, Anne, via Christophe - and right down to the groundsman Michel, do everything possible to ensure your stay is a good one.

Miss this one at your peril!............and don’t forget to ask Anne & Christophe about the Pony Club on Saturdays.

Andy Grant. CLIC. June 2002

Chateau de Brevedent - - - - - Third report below --------- Fishing site
4 rue Alfred Kastler
F14000 Caen
Basse-Normandie Region
France

Tel:-++33 231 64 72 88
Fax:-++33 231 64 33 41

E-mail: contact@campinglebrevedent.com
Web site: www.campinglebrevedent.com/en

Last visit April 2006

Site is now run mainly by Raphael who is the eldest son of Anne Bony, and his fiancee Jess. Anne still shares her time between the campsite and her work as an authoress, but is very much in evidence, particularly during high season. The ambience is still a site run by a family for families, and all the established features are maintained. Michel is the one person who can appear in ten different places at approximately the same time. The restaurant goes from strength to strength via the culinery skills of Marie-France and Maureen.

There are many new plantings throughout the park making the general picture even more beautiful, our latest visit was when all the apple trees were in blossom which is a fabulous spectacle, and the carp in the lake were mating. Yes despite rumours to the contrary there are some 60 carp in the lake, all of substantial size, I have seen most of them, but never caught one!

Latest developments are the renovation/rebuilding of the toilet block nearest the chateau, bringing the total up to 3 modern units. There is also a cafe/verandah under construction near the chateau which will provide a serene venue for those balmy summer evenings when it is too warm to be indoors.
The family have also purchased a number of mobil homes which are let directly from the site. These are of a particular French construction and offer full comfort with a continental styling.

The site has always been a magnet for musicians, amateur and semi/pro, and soirees in the chateau can occur at any time. Many a young person has been encouraged to develop their musical talents via these impromptu performances, and any budding musicians would be advised to take their instruments if possible.
In 2005 as a result of the musical activities, a Festival of Music was arranged on the site at the end of the season, in September, groups of musicians from France, UK, Holland and Germany appeared on 2 stages before an appreciative crowd drawn from the whole of Calvados and beyond. The success of that event has encouraged Anne and her family to repeat the event in 2006, and visitors should ask Raphael for details.

Peter Lees and family. Internet. May 2006

Castel Camping Le Brevedent - - - - - Fourth report below --- Fishing site
4 rue Alfred Kastler
F14000 Caen
Basse-Normandie Region
France

Tel:-++33 231 64 72 88
Fax:-++33 231 64 33 41

e-mail: Brevedent@les-castels.com
Web site: www.campinglebrevedent.com

This site was opened after the war, and its policy was laid down as:
A friendly reception
A clean site
A quiet site
....and this is still the case, with all staff friendly. The chateau has been in the family for 400 years, and looks as though a bit of tlc is needed, but the whole place is attractive, being in a valley with a hillside of trees beside it.

Reception and the shop (fresh baguettes every morning) are the first buildings that you reach, with a ‘sanitation’ (toilet block) being renovated in the next building. The restaurant is in another converted building near the small children’s play area, with a larger play area, complete with football pitch in the next camping area. The bar is in the chateau, and opens at 9pm. The pitches by the lake face the trees on the hill, and are overlooked by the chateau, and the swimming bath. This was not sampled as the weather was not suitable. There are toilet blocks at both ends of the site, one of which is new.

At present there are Eurocamp tents and statics on site, plus some ‘chalets’ owned by the site. Eurocamp are leaving at the end of the season, and some more site owned chalets will be erected, but, as far as we could ascertain, it will still be a camp site. I feel that they would lose a lot of their UK/Dutch/German regulars if they went to chalets completely.

Madame Gurry gives a talk about the history of the site each week, and has written a book about it. We enjoyed the talk, and, as the book is being republished within the next month, we paid our €10 to Ann Bony who will send it to us. Ann Bony leads a country walk each week, boots advised if there has been rain.

No mobile phone reception because of the location, but there are two cardphones on site (cards €8 for 50 units) There is a PC in reception which is available for the internet for a charge.

Electric Hookups - both ‘continental’ and ‘uk’ types on site. Converter lead and polarity tester are essential.

John & Jean Haseltine. CLIC. June 2006

Chateau de Brevedent --- Fishing site
4 rue Alfred Kastler
F14000 Caen
Basse-Normandie Region
France

Tel:-++33 231 64 72 88
Fax:-++33 231 64 33 41

e-mail: Brevedent@les-castels.com
Web site: www.campinglebrevedent.com

We stayed here in September 2007.

Despite being quite a fair size, this is a quaint 4 star Castels site with well matured landscaping, giving a feeling of warm ambience.
The site is located close to Lisieux and the A13, making it handy for an overnight stop en route or worthy of a longer stay to tour, explore and take in the beauty of the region and friendliness of the people.

Access roads to site are tricky and narrow in places so best to stay on the D51 to get to the site.

On our way to the site, ALL the access roads were closed for a car rally race for the day. No one could enter or leave all day until the racing finished at 6pm, then the Gendarmerie gave us a police car escort through the narrow roads to the site entrance. He ploughed the road for us to give us priority which was really cool. Where else would you get service like that?

Some statics are on site but pitches are mostly touring. Pitch sizes are ample with easy access on site. They are mainly level to slightly sloping set amongst the apple orchard or by the lake.

Electric hook ups are ample and are of the French 2 pin type. Mains water supplies and waste facilities by each of the rather dated but clean and functional shower blocks. Chemical disposal facility.
Heated swimming pool and baby pool, again dated but clean.

Good reception area and very friendly and helpful staff.
Reception open until 8pm which is useful to know if arriving late or if delayed. Gates are locked between 10pm and 8am. Grocery shop, bar, restaurant, cafe, kids club, play areas, lake for fishing on site and many other activities on site. Local baker brings fresh bread every morning.
25kms from the coastal towns.

I would highly recommend this site. It’s well worth a visit.

Laurie and Sandra
This report appears on www.madcaravanner.co.uk and was copied with the authors permission.
CLIC September 2008

Le Ridin
Lieu dit Mayocq
F80550 Le Crotoy
Baie de Somme
Basse-Normandie
France

Map ref: N50.23910 W1.632010

Tel: +33 (0)3 22 27 03 22

Web site: www.campingleridin.com
E-mail: contact@campingleridin.com

We arrived via sat-nav and the Camping Cheques book, which both agree on the directions - ¾ of a mile down a single-track road with no passing places.

The book says “Camp in the midst of an authentic Picardy farm”
There was a farm here once. The farm buildings are now the bar and restaurant and the barn has a fitness suite inside.
The 160 pitches of which only 40 are touring pitches are crammed in to a field across the road
There are very few square pitches (ours was triangular) but has 10amp electric (be careful some are 4 or 6 amp as well) some have water and drain on pitch so the Aquaroll can be set-up for continuous supply.

The staff seem to be able to speak German and Dutch more than English

The site has:
A heated pool, which was not used by anyone whilst we were there
A restaurant/Pizzeria, which also doubles as a takeaway.

The reception is also the site shop which is also a Depot de Pain (remember to order) and is the area for WiFi - when it works
There are two sanitaires on site one being round the back of reception There is also a Picnic area

Locally you will find:
Loads of bike trails and the books says horse riding
A narrow gauge tourist train in season around the bay haulage is by a steam loco (when running a full service €14.50 for the round trip but €11.40 for 2/3 of the route on a reduced timetable).

Bird watching from many hides around the bay
This is the Bay of The Somme so there are many reminders of the Great War.

Shopping:
You are around 4 miles from the nearest Supermarché (Champion) although the Camping cheques book says 2km (as the crow flies maybe)

We chose this as a different site to stop-over on the road to Calais being around a one hour drive from the docks

Graham Wilson, CLIC. June 2008

L‘etang des Haizes --- Fishing site
F50250 Saint Symphorien-le-Valois
La HAYE-DU-PUITS
Basse-Normandie Region
France

Tel: 33(0) 2 33 46 01 16
Fax: 33(0) 2 33 47 23 80

E-mail: etang.des.haizes@wanadoo.fr
Web site: www.etang-des-haizes.com

Site visited June 2002

This is one of my favourite camp sites, about an hour’s drive down the Peninsula from the ferry Terminal at Cherbourg making it an ideal stopover campsite before you travel down through France. However, this site is so much more than a stopover site and we find we are spending longer and longer here because of its superb facilities.

We like a quiet site, preferably with somewhere to fish and swim and this site certainly fits the bill.
We first arrived at this site at about 2 p.m. on a boiling hot day in June. The temperature was in the late eighties. We pulled up outside and realised that it was lunch time and the site was closed. The owner Patrice Laurent rushed out and lifted the barrier for us and told us to park where we liked, and we could come and book in later.
There were two choices, the apple orchard or a lakeside pitch. There are plenty of pitches in the Orchard and about twelve situated around the lake.
I notice a very large pool as we drove in beautifully designed with a jacuzzi pool and four water slides which are self operating. There is a bridge to walk over and the steps leading into the pool are covered in rubber so you cannot slip if you are not too steady on your feet. Every time we have stayed on this site (four times so far) I have never seen more than half a dozen people using it!

The bar area is very nice with a library and a big terrace where you can sit outside and look over the pool and lake, there is a library in the bar which everyone is welcome to use and magazines in the reception area.
Bread and milk can be ordered from the bar and I believe snacks are served there as well.
The site is beautifully maintained and run by Patrice and his English wife.
In the evening everybody has a walk around the lake and most people stop and chat on their way round.

The toilet and shower block is in one large building and the toilets and showers are mixed. I personally did not find this a problem, they were clean and well maintained.
There is a small playground for the children and a pedalo for hire during the day, but I have not seen this used.

The fishing lake is very well stocked, and some may say overstocked. I had only ever tried lake fishing until I stayed at this site but within five minutes I had caught my first small carp and within about twenty minutes I caught - and lost - an estimated 20lb plua carp. We caught fish all day long as did most of our fishing neighbours.
If you book a lakeside pitch you can just hop over the fence and the lake is in front of you. When we were there last year, the same people were there from the year before some setting up their rods at 7 a.m. and not packing up until about 11 p.m. with their other halves bringing their meals out to them!!! (Editor note) That’s how it should be......isn’t it ?

This area is served by three supermarkets, one in La Haye du Puits which is couple of minutes down the road. There is a very good market on a Wednesday.
The nearest beach is St. Germaine sur Ay, which was very quiet when we visited. Stand on the beach and gaze at the Jersey coastline in the distance!
There are also mobile homes to rent on this site as well as some chalets. To be quite honest I did not even know about these until I looked at this year’s brochure as they are so well hidden!
Places of interest to visit are Coutances, Barneville-Carteret, Carentan, Cherbourg, Granville, Saint Vaast la Hougue, Tourlaville and many more.

Christine May. CLIC. 27th January 2003

Parc Monaco
F61290 Longny au Perche
South East Orne
Basse-Normandie Region
France

Tel: 02 33 73 59 59
Fax: 02 33 25 77 56

E-mail: monaco.parc@wanadoo.fr
Web site: http://www.campingmonacoparc.com/

Parc Monaco is in the Perche national park about 30 minutes east of Alencon, in South East Orne (61).

This is a rather unusual site, in that it seems to be a mobile home park which has expanded to cater for camping and caravanning. It’s quite a large site and it’s built on a hill - there are steps cut into the side, but in spite of this access is okay - though there is quite a steep entrance and exit.

Facilities are variable. There is a huge and to be honest wierd swimming pool which seems to be partially maintained. There is what appears to be an attempt at a beach area (?) at one corner where the floor of the pool is out of the water. There are some basic changing facilities but no toilets. Adjacent to this is a lake where you can rent pedaloes etc. The site has some reasonable quality play equipment scattered around.

The washroom facilities are - well different. Uniquely (in France in my experience) the showers are token operated - this annoyance aside they are pretty good and availability is good as there aren’t that many campers. However, there is no chemical toilet unit and no drinking water tap marked (except one which is for motor caravans which has a charge) - this is really odd.

Pitches are scattered in amongst the mobiles, and not that flat or spacious. However, there were picnic tables provided.

The area itself is very pleasant - not too touristy, and not too spoilt.

The whole feeling of the site was a bit odd.

Paul Robson. CLIC. August 2003

Vimoutiers Orne
Normandy
La Campiére
Boulevard Dentu
F61120 Vimoutiers
Basse-Normandie Region
France

Site visited: July 2002

Tariff 2002 in Euros:
Adult 2.60
Child 1.60 (under 10 years old)
Pitch 1.80
Car 1.80
Animal 1.00
Electric 1.80 (summer) 2.20 (winter)

All units accepted. Open all year. 40 pitches (1 ha).

Directions:
Vimoutiers is 100km from Le Havre and 75km from Caen/Ouistreham, 9km south of Livarot on the D579. Follow signs for the Stade Municipal - the campsite is right next door.

This is a small municipal site in the lush Pays d’Auge region of Normandy. It is on the outskirts of the small town of Vimoutiers, next door to the local sports ground and the town park. It is very shady, with lots of colourful flowers planted in beds and tubs. A lovely site, with good, well maintained facilities in one central block. The price includes hot showers and hot water for pot and clothes washing, and is very good value. The showers are set at a good temperature and have plenty of water pressure, but one of those irritating push button systems that means you have to shower one handed to maintain an even flow! However everything was immaculately clean & bright, with loo roll provided (still a rarity on many sites in France).

The pitches are of a good size, level and grassy with bushes used as boundaries. All are within a short distance of the toilet block.
There is a small children’s play area, which is surrounded by a hedge for the benefit of those who want a quiet life.
There is a cat (called Black) who has been adopted by the staff. He was found with a broken tail, which is still crooked, and although a bit timid he’s very friendly and affectionate.
Bins for recycling glass and plastic bottles are provided. The site is next to and industrial area, and there is constant low-level background noise, but it is not too intrusive and didn’t stop us getting a good night’s sleep!

La Campiére is within walking distance of the local Intermarche (closed lunchtimes), which is in the opposite direction to the town, and there are also a couple of supermarkets in the town itself. Vimoutiers is quite small but very pleasant. It is in one of the most famous cheese making regions of France, only a short distance from Camembert and several other cheese making villages. The local cider is very good too!
There are a few restaurants in the town, but when we were there, in early July, it was very quite during the evening and only one of the bars seemed to have any custom.

A kilometre or so outside town, heading towards Argentan, is the Vitou leisure centre, which is basically a small lake where pedalos & suchlike can be hired. There is a small bar/creperie, a mini-golf and a children’s play area (there is a charge for some activities). There is also a small hotel & restaurant, plus some rather attractive holiday chalets, built in the style of the local half-timbered houses. A walk round the lake makes for a pleasant, undemanding stroll. We met a group of tethered goats, who seemed quite friendly and happy to be fed on some choice bits of vegetation. It’s all very low key and laid back.

There’s quite a lot to see in the region, and there is a lot of information on hand at the site and at the Tourist Office in the town. One of the things we noticed was the beautiful halt timbered houses, not painted black and white, as they tend to be here in the U.K., but the more traditional timber and plaster, as they would have originally been. These old buildings tend to be beautifully maintained and still lived in as a matter of course. The countryside is lush & fertile, with rolling hills and little country lanes and this site would be a good base for a leisurely exploration of the area.

Janette Lee. CLIC. August 2002

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