Camping De La Plage
Route Nationale 98
F83310 Grimaud-Cogolin
Provence-Alpes-Cote d’Azur Region
France

Tel: 33 494 56 31 15
Fax: 33 494 56 49 61

E-mail: mailto:campingplagegrimaud@wanadoo.fr
Web site: www.provence-campings.com/...

Camping De La Plage has direct access to the N98, if you miss the entrance coming from Ste Maxime continue to the roundabout outside Prairies and come back on your self.

This site is a complete contrast to Prairies, there is not one mobile home on site. However the site is used a lot by customers who store their vans and they are moved on site just before the owners arrive to set them up. This seems popular with the English as well as the French. The site has two parts either side of the N98, on the beach side there is little shade except towards the road. On the other side of the road pitches are in wooded surroundings so there is plenty of shade. I understand that this part of the site is only open in the main season.

There are several toilet blocks dotted around the site. They are of a reasonable standard although not all toilets are English style. On site there is a good supermarket, a bar/restaurant. There are no sports facilities. The beach on this site is both larger than and consequently not as busy as the other two sites. Pitches are of a good size and level. There are plenty of water/electric connections although a longer lead may be required on some pitches. When pitching the van it is important to consider where the sum and maximum breeze will be as there is little natural shade, we found that we ate our evening meal much later than usual in order to eat when the heat of the day got a bit cooler.

We liked this site, it was friendly and certainly just before the high season had few children present. Out of season you could probably find a vacant pitch and this may be true in season but you will have to be prepared to move pitches if they are booked. This site is popular with repeat bookers, one we met had been coming for 26 years. To book go direct to the site in season but there is an alternative address when the site is closed.

Date of stay June/July 2001.

David Klyne. CLIC. July 2001
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Camping du Pont d’Avignon--- Second report below
10, chemin de la Barthelasse
F84000 Avignon
Provence-Alpes-Cote d’Azur Region
France

Tel: 33 (0)4 90 80 63 50
Fax: 33 (0)4 90 85 22 12

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

To Find Site:
Leave the A7 autoroute at junction 23 and follow signs to Avignon. Eventually the river will be on your right. At this point watch out for signs to ’Pont d’Avignon’ and keep river on your right. Once you have passed the Pont d’Avignon on your right start to move out to the left hand lane. Watch out for signs for the ’Ile de la Barthelasse’, you have to cross the Daladier Bridge to get to the island. When you see the bridge ahead the road does a ’S’ shaped bend, crossing traffic on the other carriageway to get on the bridge. The campsite is signed from the bridge. If you are coming from the direction of the A9 exit at junction 22/23 and follow signs for Avignon and exit on bridge to get onto the island.

Avignon is well worth a 2 or 3 day diversion en route to else where. Access from the campsite into the City is easy, walk across the Daladier Bridge or catch the ferry that crosses the Rhone and drops not far from the Pont d’Avignon or as we did a mixture of both. You have to pay to go onto the Pont St-Bénézet but its only 4 Euros and this includes an audio device to help explain the history. Just by the pay desk you can access the Ramparts and you get wonderful views over the river. There is much more to explore including the ’Palais des Papes’.

Camping du Pont d’Avignon is quite a large site. It is divided into two halves, one being for tents with pitches being on grass and the other side for caravans and motor caravans with all hardstanding pitches. One thing to watch is that you have to negotiate a kerb to get onto the pitches. If you take it easy it is not a problem.
Although this is a Municipal it has lots of facilities that you would normally associate with commercial sites. There is a bar/restaurant and quite a good shop. In front of the bar area is a rather nice swimming pool. In Reception you can use the internet.
Around the site there are several toilet blocks which are OK but do not come up to CC standards.
This site accepts Camping Cheques until the 2nd of July and from 22nd August.

David Klyne. CLIC. July 2004
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Camping Pont d’Avignon
10, chemin de la Barthelasse
F84000 Avignon
Provence-Alpes-Cote d’Azur Region
France

Tel: 33 (0)4 90 80 63 50
Fax: 33 (0)4 90 85 22 12

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

Site visited September 2006

Situated along the river across from the old town, this is a large Municipal site.
Pitches are reasonable size, level, and hedged.
Toilet blocks are OK but could be a lot nicer - especially if fitted with loo seats!
There is a bar serving hot snacks, and a swimming pool and tennis courts. Also a mini-market for essentials.

The old town of Avignon is the attraction here, with the magnificent Pope’s Palace, and the world-famous bridge.

James Russle. Dunc n Dots caravan travels. March 2007

Camping La Vieille Ferme
296, Boulevard des Groules
F06270 Villeneuve Loubet plage
Provence-Alpes-Cote d’Azur Region
France

Tel: 33 (0)4 93 33 41 44
Fax: 33 (0)4 93 33 37 28

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

To find site:
You can leave the A8 at either junction 44 or 47 (Don’t return to the autoroute via junction 47 as you can only go in the direction of Nice). From junction 47 follow the N7 in the direction of Antibes (do not attempt to use the N98 because of low bridges) At Loubet-Plage continue in the direction of Antibes. The campsite is mentioned on signboards but not often. After a mile or so you will pass an Intermarche on the right, a little further on you pass a wooded area called Parc de Vaugrenier take the first right past here marked Les Groules and the campsite is on the right in about 200 metres. From junction 44 drop down into the outskirts of Antibes and follow signs for Biot/Villeneuve-Loubet Plage/Nice on the A7. Passing Biot station on your right continue straight on across roundabout. Take next left, Les Groules.

Although as the crow flies this campsite is only about 300metres from the Mediterranean there is a railway line in the way so to get to the pebbly beach is a 15 minute walk. However the round trip from the campsite to Biot and then Loubet Plage along the beach makes a nice stroll.
La Vieille Ferme is a good quality campsite that is open all year, which is quite unusual in France.
Although pitches vary in size they are generally of a good size and are mainly hard standings with water and drainage shared with your neighbour. The pitches mainly used by tents are set out on terraces. The campsites also has chalets and a few permanent vans.
The toilet blocks are to a good standard with seated loos and toilet paper. Chemical toilets can be emptied at one of the toilet blocks but unfortunately the provision for rinsing water was not always available, it seemed to be turned off!
The Reception area houses a TV room which also has an internet connection and vending machines, a laundry and a small shop selling basics like bread but it was only open 3 hours a day during our visit. I understand that in the main season it does takeaway meals so must also have revised hours.
The campsite has an excellent covered swimming pool with a roof that slides open in hotter weather. There are a few facilities for youngsters like table tennis and electronic games.

We enjoyed our stay here because it served our purpose well. Like any site in a semi urban setting there will always be some background noise from traffic and trains so don’t expect the level of quiet you get in the countryside!
Our reason for choosing this campsite was we wanted easy access to Monaco and for that purpose it is ideal. The Biot Gare SNCF is only 15 minutes walk away. We also used the train to visit Cannes from here. On the main road there is a regular bus service into Antibes and no doubt goes to Nice the other way. There is an Intermarche 10 minutes walk in the other direction. It is perhaps not a site for an out and out beach holiday, although there is parking all along the N98 beach road which I suspect gets pretty full in the main season.

David Klyne. CLIC. June 2005
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Camping Nostradamus
D17 Route d’Eyguieres
F13300 Salon de Provence
Provence-Alpes-Cote d’Azur Region
France

Tel: 04 90 56 08 36

E-mail: Gilles.nostra@wanadoo.fr
Web site: www.camping-nostradamus.com

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To Find Site:
Leave the A7 Autoroute at junction 27 and follow signs for Salon de Provence, in Lamanon follow signs for Eyguieres. As you approach the town you come to a roundabout, take the turning for Salon de Provence, road number D17. A short distance along this road is a right turn signed to the site. After a 100 metres or so the site is on the left over a small stone bridge. Once over the bridge don’t pull too far forward as the entrance to the is immediately on the right through the barrier.

Its just as well first impressions don’t immediately put you off a campsite. Considering that we were less than 50 miles from the Mediterranean the rain was coming down in stair rods, every pitch was awash with water. We had made it thus far and it had been raining since north of Orange and it seemed to be getting dark despite only being late afternoon, perhaps there was something in the name! The first saving grace was the owner Gilles, who insisted on coming out of reception in the pouring rain to personally meet Margaret. She was impressed, better keep an eye on these Frenchmen!

The campsite has about 75 touring pitches which are of a good size although they vary in shape, a few being long and thin. All have good shade from tall mature trees.
There are two toilet blocks but only the smaller, newer block was fully open during our visit. The block was of a good standard with seatless toilets and no paper. The campsite does have a swimming pool and bar but this was not open in the low season.
Bread and a few essentials, including wine, can be purchased from reception.
This is a convenient stopover site for those travelling further along the Mediterranean or would be worth a longer stay in its own right.
Out of the main season the site accepts Camping Cheques.

Date of visit mid May 2005.

David Klyne. CLIC. June 2005
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Les Cigales
505, Avenue de la mer
F06210 Mandelieu la Napoule
Provence-Alpes-Cote d’Azur Region
France

Tel: 33 (0)4 93 49 23 53
Fax: 33 (0)4 93 49 30 45

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

Site visited September 2006

Our home for 2 weeks on the Cote d’Azur.
Les Cigales is right in the middle of the town of La Napoule, not far from Cannes. Although in the middle of town it is very quiet, yet once outside the gates bars/ restaurants/ shops are within walking distance.

The site is situated next to the river ’La Signe’ where there is boating and fishing. Catering for tourers and tents there are also a number of chalets on site.
Hot water a-plenty in loo blocks and dish washing sinks.

Pitches vary in size and are hedged. We had a serviced pitch with water and electricity, and the abundant trees give plenty of shade.
The pool is quite small but nicely laid out with childrens shallow pool, and loungers. The promised boules pitch and childrens play are are not up to much.

No restaurant on site but there are a number just outside the gates.
The gates are automatic and require a special key for which you pay a deposit of €30.
Beaches are not too far away and are clean.

James Russle. Dunc n Dots caravan travels. March 2007

Mas De Pierredon
652 Chemin Rauol Coletta
F83110 Sanary Sur Mer
Provence-Alpes-Cote d’Azur Region
France

Tel: 00 33 04 94 74 25 02
Fax: 00 33 04 94 74 61 42

E-mail: pierredon@campasun.com
Web site: www.campasun-pierredon.fr/uk/..

We arrived at this site at 10am 27/08/04. There was no problem booking in due to the pleasant multilingual staff.
We went to explore and find a pitch and decided on one on the lower terrace (#14) near to the pool, bar and restaurant but far enough away not to hear them.

Facilities:
Site has two heated toilet/washroom/shower/laundry/pot washing buildings, MV waste point and little shop on site. There is a supermarche 900m away.
The toilet/shower block kept spotlessly cleaned twice a day.
No Charcoal BBQ’s allowed but gas and electric one’s were OK.
Some touring pitches had small outbuildings that housed shower and toilet and had outside pot washing facilities.

The pool was heated and has a small kiddies pool too.
There was also a Crazy golf, play area, table tennis and tennis courts plus mountain bike hire.

The bar and restaurant served good food and you get Tapas with your drinks (the Pizza is beautiful).
There is also a programme of live music - Cool Jazz whilst we were there and it was so cool I drifted off into meditation listening to them.

Location:
Mas De Pierredon is in Sanary Sur Mer but is quite a way from the town centre and the sea.
The Camping Cheques book recommends entry one specific way, but it could use some more signage to guide you, late at night you would not find it very easily

The distance on the map as the crow flies from the red dot showing the plage and the Autoroute is 2km

Places to visit:
Sanary Sur Mer nice seaside resort.
Toulon.
St Tropez - not all it’s cracked up to be but the Harbour is nice.
St Cyr De Mer.
Cassis - if you can find a parking place - very popular village.

Graham Wilson. CLIC. October 2004

Port Grimaud - South of France Provence-Alpes-Cote d’Azur Region

For those looking for a holiday with direct access to a beach in the South of France, Port Grimaud could the answer for you.
It is situated on the N98 coast road between St Maxime and St Tropez. There are three sites with direct access to the sea and another two which are within walking distance. I have given details of the three sites below, it is only Les Mures that I have not stayed at.

Port Grimaud is a village that was built on marshland at the mouth of the Giscle River to create a modern community. The houses, in traditional styles, are designed around canals which allow the residents to have moorings. As you can imagine life in Port Grimaud is not cheap. To complete the community there are shops, restaurants and even a hotel. The village was designed by the world famous architect Francois Spoerry. Work started in the 60’s and to a much lesser extent is going on today.

Of the three sites Prairies de la Mer is the only one with all its pitches on the sea side of the road. Both Camping de la Plage and Les Mures have pitching areas on either side of the road with access via pedestrian subways. It is worth noting that in season the N98 is exceptionally busy and an excursion to the nearest supermarket, about 3 miles away, can take at least half an hour one way. So it is best to plan your shopping trips to the less busy times of the day. Avoid Mondays which tend to be busy with the new influx of visitors. Go early, they open at 8.30am and its cooler!

Usually the whole idea of going to the coast for a holiday is to enjoy the sun bathing and swimming. However there are excursions in the locality that are worthwhile. Obviously Port Grimaud is only a stroll away from the nearest site so even as an evening promenade it must be on your list. The Sunday market is worthwhile if you are good at being up early, well at least 9.00am with some of the best products I have ever seen on a French market. St Tropez is a must. Particularly interesting is an evening trip when you can watch how the other half live! There are large pay car parks which are well signed on the way into the town. Ignore the beggars who sit by the pay booths. Alternatively if you want to go during the day why not go by one of the ferries that depart at various points around the bay. Grimaud is worth a visit, either by car or by the ’Petit Train’ which leaves from Prairies. As you enter Grimaud by car there is a wine co-operative where you can buy wine by the bottle or fill a container. Plan de la Tour is another option which is up in the hills above Ste Maxime.

David Klyne. CLIC. July 2001
For images of this site, and other reports, go to Caravantravels

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