Camping La Motte
F17270 Le Fouilloux
Pitou Charente

Gps: N 45.21194 W 0.13618

Tel: (0033) 05 46.04.08.39
Mobile: (0033) 06 30.46.82.33

E-mail: enquiries@lamottecamping.com
Web site: http://lamottecamping.com

La Motte just outside of Montguyon, which is South of Montendré in France

The site owner Chris lives on site, having owned La Motte for only a couple of years after buying it from a French couple who had opened it only 5 years previously. Chris has some wonderful ideas to develop the campsite, and is slowly progressing at realising these (slowly due to the French planning rules cannot be fast-tracked. He is in the throws of building a bar as the site is at least 3 miles from anywhere. He is looking to convert the small lake he has into a swimming hole add an entertainment area in a small amphitheatre he is building, and is levelling some of the wooded areas to make them more conducive to camping and caravanning.

On the camping side there is a tent area with 3 pre-erected tipis and is in planning to erect a kitchen area for the campers complete with small fridges for use of the tenters.

As usual, there is recycling on site which Chris takes one stage further he is installing soon solar panels to pre-heat the water for showers and he already uses gas that’s provided from petrochemical waste output. Everything he does is aimed at giving the campsite a low carbon footprint.

I visited Chris to fish the lake and spent 2 days at the site, as Chris knows there are fish but wanted to know what type.

He has a large stock of small pasties (Common Carp) and Roach all quite small (4-6oz).

Graham Wilson. CLIC. June 2008

Camping Le Bois Soleil
2 Avenue de Suzac
F17110 St Georges de Dionne
Poitou-Charentes Region
France

Tel: 33 (0)5 46 05 05 94
Fax: 33 (0)5 46 06 27 43

E mail: camping.bois.Soleil@wanadoo.fr
Web site: http://www.bois-soleil.com/

Date of Visit June 2001

This site is really three sites. There are completely separate camping areas. “La Foret” is across the road and in the pine trees. This area mostly contained the static and holiday caravans. “Les Pins” is all touring caravans and has approximately 160 pitches. It is well laid out in terraces and hedging separates pitches. The pine trees provide some shade but they do not hide the sun. “La Mer” leads directly to the beach. The front section nearest the beach contains French seasonal static and mobile homes. The rest of this section is for touring caravans and again has approximately 160 pitches. “La Mer” leads directly over the dunes to the beach. It is used only in the high season although due to the busy nature of the whole site there were a few campers on it when we were there.

Each section has its own shower and toilet block and undercover food preparation and dish and clothes washing area. All are regularly cleaned and hot water is free and plentiful.
Reception is in “Les Pins” along with shop, boulangerie, take away, laundry, restaurant and bar. There is a very well equipped play area along with tennis courts and mini golf. The shop is very well stocked and is like a mini market. Everything was available from toys and shoes to wine and fresh produce. Although prices were slightly above supermarket levels they were not excessive and we could have bought everything there.
Our visit was the last two weeks in June and the site was busy.

Pitch sizes varied from tent size to twin axle plus awning plus 4-track plus separate gazebo area! I had e-mailed a reservation the week before which was promptly confirmed along with a request for caravan size and preferences for shade or open pitch and whether I wished to be near toilet or beach etc. On arrival I was greeted warmly and given a choice of available pitches that satisfied my criteria. The pitches themselves are gravel and sand based. Water and waste are adjacent to each pitch so no long walks are necessary. I was able to connect my aqua roll mains adapter and have a permanent water connection throughout the stay. Due to the terracing I was on the low side of the drain otherwise I could have run the long waste pipes directly to the drain.

The site is family orientated and a “no noise after 2200” hours rule is enforced. The main attraction of this site is of course the beach. This is fifty yards from “Les Pins” or “La Mer”. The sand is golden and stretches all the way to St. Georges de Didonne (a forty minute paddle through the water). Round the point from there are another long stretch of sand all the way to Royan. The other direction is full of little coves and seaside villages etc. it is a veritable Blackskegmouth on sea but more peaceful and a lot prettier and cleaner.

All in all this was one of the better sites we have been to in France. (And we have been on a few) it is the first time we have been on a coastal site. The whole place has a great atmosphere. It was helped by the weather. After an inauspicious start of cloudy warm for two days we then had completely cloudless skies for 12 days with temperatures to match. One day showed 36C on the external gauge and 42 in the caravan with the fans running!

As far as entertainment goes there is a weekly karaoke and live singers in the restaurant on a Sunday. This was low season so perhaps there is more in high season. But we found it very pleasant.

Surrounding areas:
There is much to see and do. Every one has their own personal itinerary of what they wish to do and see so the following is ours to give a flavour.

We visited St. Emilion [50 miles] as this is Isobel’s favourite of favourites in the FDJ stakes. The village itself is fabulously pretty perched on the hill as you approach. It dates back hundreds of years. Even if you do not like wine it has to experienced.

La Rochelle is an absolute must. We joined the locals at lunch in one of the many cafes of the Vieux Port. This area is famous the world over for its seafood so I had to start with Moules Mariniere. [Mussels in a wine sauce with shallots and herbs] Sit there in the sun on the quayside with the French and enjoy a lengthy lunch and watch the world go by. There is nothing better. We were also privileged on this day to be in La Rochelle for the arrival of all the yachts on the BT Global Challenge round the world yacht race. They had docked at the end of the penultimate stage. A day we shall not forget in a hurry.

The Isle d’Oleron is another worthwhile visit. If you cross the viaduct at low tide you can see all the flat bottom fishing boats whizzing out to the oyster beds. The harbour at La Cotiniere is especially pretty. We spent a pleasant couple of hours people watching in the hot sun.

The weather was so hot we were very lazy and never ended up going to Bordeaux, Saintes or Rochefort. Royan was interesting. It has a huge marina and excellent waterside restaurants. St Palais sur Mer is a lovely fishing village. Meschers has Troglodyte dwellings to visit.

We all choose our own favourite places to visit. I never travel without the Michelin green guide for the area of our holiday. It is so useful and full of hints and tips for the area. I always keep a log of our travels and a brochure of the sites we have visited. If anyone reads this report and wants further information in the future I can land mail copies of site plans etc if requests are e-mailed to me. Any other information I will help with as long as you realise that comments are my personal views.
We visit France out of the high season so what I find good those with young children may not. However I think all ages will find something at Le Bois Soleil. For ourselves we shall definitely return.

I have not quoted any prices as they vary. We were using the excellent Camping Cheques.

David Cuff. CLIC. September 2001

Camping L’Ocean
50 Route d’Ars
F17670 Couarde sur Mer
Poitou-Charentes Region
France

Tel: 00 33 5 46 29 87 70
Fax: 00 33 5 46 29 92 13

E-mail: campingdelocean@wanadoo.fr
Web site: www.campingocean.com

A view of the site click here

To find site:
From La Rochelle follow signs for Pont de I’Ile de Re. (The toll booths are on the La Rochelle side, you automatically buy a return ticket which in 2006 during the summer season cost €27 for a car towing a caravan) Once on the Island watch out for Autres Direction sign at roundabout which will take you onto the D201 towards Le Bois Plage and Couarde sur Mer. As you approach Le Bois Plage follow signs for St Martin en Re which bring you to the D735. Turn left here and follow signs for Couarde sur Mer. Stay on main road and campsite is about 2/3kms towards Ars en Re on the right and is clearly signed from Couarde.

There is a large car park at the entrance where you must park and go and select a pitch. Reception will then book you in.

Although we were using mainly Camping Cheques our first night was at full fee and we were expected to pay for this in advance. I also noticed that with some customers they had requested payment by Camping Cheques also in advance but the policy did not seem to be applied across the board. They also require a €30 deposit for the barrier pass plus a deposit for swimming pool pass bands.

Camping L’Ocean has about 160 touring pitches and almost as many mobile homes. Pitch size is, in most cases, quite generous. Most are on grass although as the season progresses it gets worn away by the use of groundsheets and you end up with areas of compacted sand. Some pitches have water and waste points available to each pitch. Electricity, 10 amp, is also available.

There are two toilet blocks although one was closed on the last day of August! The remaining one was of a high standard with seated English toilets but no paper.

Near to reception is a shop which opens until 1.00pm and reopens in the evening for a couple of hours. Bread is baked on the premises, although a touch expensive.
Opposite is the Bar/Restaurant/Swimming Pool complex. Whether it was because it was the end of the season I am not sure but the Bar hours seemed a bit hit and miss. The Restaurant seems only to be open in the evening. There is also a takeaway which is open in the evening and some lunchtimes.

Internet access is available via a fixed computer and there is a WiFi connection available in the Bar area. Cards for both can be purchased at reception. The service is run by www.passman.fr which seems to supply the service to several campsites I have stayed on.

Whether it was due to the time of our visit, late August/early September but both of us were quite badly bitten by insects which did not make our stay very comfortable. Even the famed Avon Skin so Soft was not effective.

On the Island there are several towns that are worth a visit, including St Martin en Re and Couarde sur Mer. I am sure there are more but as we only stayed 6 days and we did not have time to explore further.
The Island is over 20 miles long and flat so its an ideal place for bicycles and there is good provision made for them with special routes.
There are lots of uncrowded sandy beaches although several we saw had large deposits of seaweed which made it less desirable for swimming.

David Klyne. CLIC. September 2006
For images of this site, and other reports, go to Caravantravels

Castel Camping Séquoia Parc
La Josephtrie
F17320 Saint Just-Luzac
Poitou-Charentes Region
France

Tel: 05 46 85 55 55
Fax: 05 46 85 55 56

E-mail: sequoia.parc@wanadoo.fr
Web Site: www.sequoiaparc.com
A member of Les Castles chain.

Directions:
From the A10 autoroute leave at junc 35, Saintes. Then follow signs to Ile D’Oleron D728. Cross the junc with D733 and St. Just is on the right in about 5 miles. Site is signposted.

Price 2 adults Low 20 euros Med. 25 euros High 30 euros all fully inclusive including tax sejour

A very large site of 400 + pitches.
On approaching the reception up the drive first impressions are of grandeur with the chateau in front of you and splendid roses and hydrangeas at the roadside. The site is barrier protected so you need to pull into the large car park on the right and walk to reception. Reception is very large and efficient; it also serves as the information room and library (English books available), it also has an Internet facility. Ask for a site plan and pitch availability and they will let you walk round and select your pitch. This I think is important as more than half of the pitches are for statics and ready erected tents run by tour operators. We chose the area to the left on entry and this proved to be a more quiet area with it’s own toilet block.
The majority of tour operators’ pitches that were being used were at the other side of the site, although there were one or two around us. Some of the pitches on this site are the biggest I’ve ever seen, you could actually get 2 vans on ours it was that big, all are served by tarmac roads.
Electric hook ups, 10 amp, are also shared by the ready erected tents and are either two pin or English both on the same post. The toilet blocks are ample, very modern and spacious. A little gripe here was that the centre section of roof was open to the elements, not a problem with rain but with nesting swallows in the rafters. A little off putting for some no doubt.
Dish washing and laundry facilities are excellent.
Nearly all the recreational facilities are near the reception. The swimming pool complex is massive and very busy. Sports pitches were at the outer edge of the site and were in the process of being extended.
In the courtyard area near reception was a large bar and restaurant. Although I thought the set menu prices were expensive. The result of a captive audience no doubt. A pizzeria, which was very popular, makes them fresh in a clay oven whilst you wait. A large supermarket has an excellent selection of foodstuff and also serves as the wine shop. Bike hire is available and judging by the amount parked up it must be popular. Our stay overlapped the end of the camping cheques date and we then had to pay 25 euros a night. High season was 30 euros.
The whole area is blessed with ample things to do hence its popularity. As a result I feel this site will be hectic to say the least in peak season and would not be my choice. Out of season, terrific and I would definitely go back, especially using camping cheques.

Date of visit June 2004

Harry Burrows. CLIC. July 2004

La Brande Camping Caravaning
Route des Huitres
F17480 Le Chateau D’Oleron
Poitou-Charentes Region
France

Tel: 33 5 46 47 62 37
Fax: 33 5 46 47 71 70

E-mail: Via the web site
Web site: www.camping-labrande.com

To find site:
From the Viaduc (which is the bridge from the mainland to the island) take the road towards Chateau d’Oleron. Watch out for signs to the Route des Huitres and you will soon pick signs to the campsite.

Camping La Brande is on the île d’Oleron which is an island off the west coast of France.
There are about 220 pitches of which 140 are for touring units. The statics are grouped together rather than being dotted within the touring are. Parts of the site are under quite heavy shade but there are other pitches with a more open aspect.
At the furthest point from reception is a new touring section with little shade, as yet. Pitch size varies but the majority are of a good size and several are larger than average.
Electricity is rated at 6 amps and connections are via Continental 2 pin adaptors.
There are water points dotted around the site but they are a bit sparse in parts.
The site has two toilet blocks, both of a good standard but are unisex. There is a mix of British and Turkish toilets. The British style toilets have seats and toilet paper is provided.

There is a nice swimming pool complex which includes a water slide and the main pool can be enclosed in poor/cooler weather. Next to the pool is a bar and a games area. Free WiFi is also provided in the Bar area. Bread can be ordered at Reception. In the main season there is a shop but this, along with other facilities is not available throughout the site’s lengthy opening season, check with the site for more details as this may change from year to year.
Children are well catered for with a playground, crazy golf and for older children electronic games.

One slight downside of this campsite is a continuous low level noise coming from a nearby oyster production facility. In time it does become less intrusive and noticeable. It effects pitches around the perimeter of the site from the swimming pool.

Camping Cheques are accepted out of the high season.

Date of visit September 2010.

The Ile d’Oleron is only about 20 miles long by 8 wide so it is relatively easy to explore either by car or bike. Other than the main road running the length of the island many of the other roads can be narrow, winding and bumpy so best not to be in a rush! For serious shopping there is a nice Shopping Centre in St Pierre d’Oleron which includes an E LeClerc supermarket. Sea food is the life blood of the island and there are many seafood restaurants to enjoy. There are, of course, many local markets.

David Klyne. CLIC. September 2010
For images of this site, and other reports, go to Caravantravels

Twin Lakes--- Second report--- Fishing site
F17130 Soumeras
Charente Maritime
Poitou-Charentes Region
France

Tel/Fax: 0 03 35 46 49 77 12

E-mail: twinlakesinfo@hotmail.co.uk
Web site: www.twinlakesfrance.com/

Well finally got here May 2007

10 amp electric Reverse Polarity

The pitches are a good size, divided the usual French way with hedges and trees with grassy area for tents and an overspill field too
There is a BBQ built which is free to use but Gas grills are allowed. No BBQ’s on pitch

Water close by most pitches, waste water goes in drain at sanitary block
Chemical toilets can NOT be emptied as site only has Fosse Septique (but if you use soap powder instead of chemicals this is acceptable - works well too)
Bar and Snacks available usually until 11pm in season

FISHING IS FREE TO CAMPERS, also no licence is needed as it’s private water

We planned to stop here 5-7 days on our way through France towards Spain and thanks to the friendliness of Sandra and Gary we ended up going no further South at all staying 14 days.
During this time we felt like locals (thanks to the locals who regularly use the site bar) and family the site was that way organised, regular lunches and coffee mornings, high Teas all French Style and Sunday Lunch takes at least 3 hours to eat properly.

Fishing:
This is what I was here for as Gary has some wonderful Carp in his two lakes and I went for them
Baits were simple Bread Crust, Sweetcorn, Cat Food, Dog biscuit. If you use maggots all you get are Pumpkinseeds.
Editor note: Graham will have a link to where you can see the carp he landed...it made me green with envy ;o)

Graham Wilson. CLIC. May 2007
For more reports from Graham go to www.madcaravanner.co.uk/

October 2007:
Graham has reported that this site now offers 16amp hook-ups in addition to the 10amp ones they had before.

October 2007:
Paul Gill also reports: The wash block is being replaced over the winter and new facilities for us smellies (tent campers ;o) ) will be available.

Twin Lakes--- Fishing site
F17130 Soumeras
Charente Maritime
Poitou-Charentes Region
France

Tel/Fax: 0 03 35 46 49 77 12

E-mail: twinlakesinfo@hotmail.co.uk
Web site: www.twinlakesfrance.com/

Access down an unmade road just off the turn from the main Road (D730)

Large grassy pitches divided by hedges in usual French style
Electric 10 and 16amp REVERSE POLARITY
There is a BBQ built and free to use but Gas grills are allowed no Charcoal BBQ’s on pitch

Water from taps close by, waste-water into hedges
CARAVAN Toilet Cassettes MUST use Bio-degradable fluids NOT normal chemicals as the site uses Fossé septiques Bar/reception next to Bottom Lake
TV area now improved with new wall with English satellite TV
Pool table (free) in covered open space next to bar

Fishing:
Two Lakes (obviously) view 1-- view 2-- Stables near site
Tackle available if you forget yours (or don’t have any) just ask San or Garry, also no French licence needed as it’s private water
You can fish wherever you want for a small charge, daytime only
BARBLESS hooks is the only rule (I’d add LARGE hooks and not under 15lb line for Carp)
Species to catch Carp (Common and Mirror in both lakes) Roach and this year some Perch are showing there is also the usual French nuisance fish the Pumpkinseed and a few Eels
Record in 2008 so far is 38lb for a Mirror Carp

The site has a few static caravan’s but is mostly for touring van’s and tents and has increased touring pitches for 2008 Toilet/shower facilities cleaned twice a day (new large toilet block that will be built at the end of 2008).

There are two swimming pools and (one kiddies’ pool) in season, separated from campsite as per French rules, with sunbathing area.

Bar serves only wine and beer due to local licensing laws. The Areas specialty Pineau is available too - you’ve got to try it.
Food can be available on request as are English snacks, which the French campers apparently love.

Graham Wilson. CLIC. June 2008

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