Observations of Overseas Site Reviews

1. Here is a post from a newcomer asking about sites in the South of France on another forum:

"I'm looking for decent campsites in the South of France, ideally near the coast. All the sites I seem to be finding seem to be the French equivalent of Parkdean / Haven with a massive emphasis on rentals and hazy details about the camping pitches. So far I've looked on UKcampsite and CC&C site, to no avail. I'm looking for a site ideally with fully serviced pitches, or at least EHU and a toilet block but ideally without noisy bars and club houses. I just can't seem to find what I'm looking for. Am I looking in the wrong places? Any ideas?"

There are lots of sites on UKCS which fit his criteria, but despite all the reviews he didn't seem to be able to find what he wanted.  Lots of us on the other forum tried to give advice but he then decided that 'The South of France' was too far to go during a two week holiday and turned his attention to 'The Loire'.

It's  really hard to advise complete newcomers about just how different French sites are to those in the UK.  I once had a quite nasty message from someone when I gave advice about his 'South of France' holiday saying 'You have ruined a family holiday and we are never going back to the South France again......'   I'm not sure what he was expecting to find but obviously the sites I recommended didn't meet his preconceptions.  On the other hand forty four years ago we found French sites met and exceeded our expectations so much that we now store our caravan in France, and with the exception of a very few odd occasions haven't used UK sites in years!

I suspect the big difference is that many of the top UK sites, including Club site, have undergone considerable investment in recent years and if you are an experienced UK tourer but the Continent is new to you your expectations are likely to be challenged as sites in Europe generally have not had the same level of investment beyond the addition of more statics. Having said that there was a certain excitement about European sites being different when we first started to go. If you found a decent little Municipal for 4/5 euros a night (or the FF equivalent) then it made the holiday!!! 

David 

Although the days of €4 are gone municipals are still available for well under €20 per night. We use them almost exclusively although sadly many have fallen into private ownership with the resulting increase in fees.

Our last good municipal find was was one for just 6 euros including hook-up but that was some years ago.  However, there are still bargains and you can hardly complain about this site with a lovely swimming pool.  Camping Millau Plage - 13 euros per night including hook-up, two adults, car and caravan (and one pet if you have one).  The ACSI Card is accepted there between 1st April to 5th July and then 24th August to 27th October this year!  It's in a lovely setting alongside the river Tarn, with a view of the Puncho d'Aghast where paragliders take off every dry day, a few miles to the beautiful Gorges du Tarn, Jonte and Dourbie.  

There are many other sites in the ACSI scheme for just 13 euros - today that is just £10.92!  In France there are 32, in Spain 5, Portugal 1, Italy 1 and the Netherlands 1.

I find few people can write an objective review on anything, whether it is a caravan site or a product bought on Amazon. I also have limited sympathy for caravanners (or anyone else) travelling abroad the first time and complaining about facilities or other aspects not being acceptable. There is an overwhelming amount of info on the internet social media to source from seasoned travellers that people seem too lazy to research. Probably too busy following the latest exploits of some C class TV nonentity to spend time on what should matter. The site we are currently on near Lake Constance (Gutshof) was booked through the club because after extensive searching, it met our criteria. Very often however we do not and with only one exception have we ever had a duff site ‘over there’. The reviews of Gutshof are mixed but our take is very positive and will leave such a review in due course.

Just in case people have not rushed to the the overseas reviews I should add there are positive reviews as well. It's true of UK reviews as well that if there is something that irks someone its likely to be the main content of their review. On some forums when you add a review you have to go through a list of responses to questions rather than just starting off with the negative.

David

A few years ago our friends came away with us in their MH. It was their first time taking it to France and as such they were a bit apprehensive. 

The first site we stayed on was in Angers,  it was a lovely site (now owned by camping Huttopia) we did pitch next to each other and they found it a bit strange to have hedges on 3 sides and a gravel strip at the front of the pitch (for the MH wheels in bad weather). The facilities block was a mixed one so that was a bit of a surprise to. However they took it all in their stride.

We did many sites over that 6 weeks, I think they were all different in some way. One of the comments from out friends was that the sites themselves were a holiday as they were all different not just row upon row of vans. The really liked the fact that they could have a meal on site and that it was nice. The pools for our female friend made the holiday as she loves to swim. 

Now 2 years on and they have been back to France again, twice on their own and are getting more adventurous, even trying out some of the CCP Aires. They say it has changed the way they holiday in the UK now as well. No longer do they automatically book this clubs sites they now look around for something more interesting and different. 

We hosted a 'First Timers in France' a few years ago (for the Caravan Club as it was then).   It was noticeable that the majority of people were so used to Caravan Club sites, that they just couldn't get their head around pitching any which way!  However, many of them have gone on to tour more extensively, and one couple have been to Morocco and Turkey since their first tentative steps into Europe. I bet reviews of sites in those countries make interesting reading.

Val

Not sure if you have heard of them but the Roaming Radfords have a YouTube channel where they post stories of their travels. They have been to Morocco and I got the impression they were quite impressed. OK the sites are different by European standards and it seems very good value. Also the people running them seem very friendly. I have been to Casablanca but that was on a cruise so probably doesn't count but you get an impression of the difference between the well off areas and the less so but everyone has a satellite dish!!! Years ago there used to be someone on one of the forums who used to tow his caravan with a red Volvo and he went to Morocco several times and used to post his blogs with photos of his trips.

Going back to France I noticed that one of the Castel sites had a couple of poor reviews. Going back in years these were always considered the "bees knees" Having said that some were better than others and apart from being in the grounds of a Chateaux they could be somewhat rustic. Perhaps the Club should promote the idea of Vive la Difference rather than giving the idea they have partnered with sites that meet Club standards?

David