Independent Campsite Reviews

Site was good, during June NO orgainised entertainment which was a disapointment. Shop was well stocked and all facilities including pool and reception well maintained and staffed. One comment I must make is that the owners are so un-friendly, they never acknowledged any 'guests' or made any attempt to speak or mix with them. Even in the evening in the most excellent bar/restarant they never spoke or even smiled to anyone...if they continue to do this people will soon go else where for their holiday. Over all a well kept site with things to do for all ages. A must is to visit the zoo at La Palmyre, about an hours drive from Marennes, plan to spend the day as it is so good.

Booked via Eurocamp and we stayed there for 7 nights.

Large site but not at first obviously so, placements are similar size from what we could see (large enough for caravan, awning, car and plenty of room to spare). All usual facilities you would expect from site as large as this with swimming pool (good one and supervised), shop - large for a camp site and well stocked. Toilet blocks were kept clean and all round would recommend it. Only proviso is that if you want some peace and quiet in the evening you request a pitch away from the bar area where something happened most nights. We were well away and sound was minimal but we did feel sorry for the ones a bit nearer especially with young families.

Main town is not far away (about 5 minutes drive, but beach at Marennes is not brilliant, would suggest going to nearby Ile de Oléron for beaches or La Tremblade but they were both very busy when we were there.

We visited Sequoia Park early in the season, end May beginning of June 2003. It was our first time in France on this type of holiday and as we were there at the beginning of the season we could really see the campsite come to life.

It is a fantastic site with good facilities and an excellent well maintained pool. The food in the restaurant is small portioned but excellent however the bar is a little dear and evenings were very quiet, as there was no entertainment. Outside of the campsite there wasn't much to do at night.

As for activities: the beach at Royan is beautiful with some beach side rides for the kids and the zoo in Royan was great. We went on the Remy Martin tour and by all accounts of other holiday makers it is the best brandy house tour!

All told we really liked Sequoia Park and would definitely go again, it is quite large and when full it must be hectic.

We stayed both in 2003 and will be going again this year (2005). First time going in summer holidays so will let you know how it goes but in 2003 we had a fantastic time. Didn’t see the owners so couldn’t comment!! Used it as a base and explored the area with ease!

Not enough entertainment or food places really for the size of the site but the pool was great, albeit having the same problems as the rest of the Med - lack of sunbeds, towels on sunbeds, etc. MAKE SURE MEN TAKE TRUNKS AS NO SHORTS OF ANY TYPE ALLOWED IN POOL!! EVEN KIDS! [This is normal most places in France - webmaster]

All in all had a wonderful time, and hope this year will be as good, if not better!

Our first visit to France we stayed here for 12 nights July 2003, campsite spotless as were the shower and toilet blocks with good sized pitches. Swimming pool absolutely freezing considering average daily temperatures 30degrees (men beware swimming trunks only no shorts allowed). Site owners not very friendly. Bar prices very expensive. Overall good base to explore surrounding area.

Visited Sequoia Parc in July 2003. A lovely campsite with good amenities and nice spacious pitches. The only problem is in order to fully appreciate this site you would have to be Dutch! The majority of the evening entertainment was conducted in Dutch with little attempt to speak even French (which is supposedly the native tongue) The children's club was geared mainly towards the Dutch children and the British, French and other European children weren't made particularly welcome (unless they could speak Dutch) We have nothing against the Dutch but if we had wanted a holiday in Holland we would have booked a campsite there!!

We stayed in Sequoia Parc for two weeks this summer. The site in my opinion is way too big and the staff less than friendly. It is part of the Yelloh and Les Castells group and having stayed in La Grande Metarie in Brittany the previous year (also part of Castells) we expected great things from the site.

Apparently the size of the camp has almost doubled in a couple of years without greatly increasing the facilities. However, given the excessive heat this year the 2 tennis courts and 1 football pitch were not used that much. Getting a drink at the bar or an ice cream in the evenings meant quite a long wait, as it seemed to me they were always understaffed.

The owners had added an extra pool but had not increased the access to the pool area which was always crowded, very slippery and quite dirty given the number of people arriving and leaving the pool. There were insufficient shelves for flip-flops so people were leaving their footwear at the side of the paths.

I stayed in a mobile home, which was fine, and the pitches for tents and caravans were quite large with room for the caravan, awning and car with room left over. But because the site was so big people would take shortcuts through our pitch to get to the pool a bit quicker, which was very annoying.

One other thing that is not mentioned in any of the brochures, is that in this area the traffic can be very heavy especially trying to get onto the Ile D'Oleron.

Visited Sequoia Parc two years running. Had booked to go back a third time but had to cancel due to my son breaking his arm (2005). Great pools. Watch out for the lifeguard with the mahogany tan (tannyman), we thought he was a bit of a Hitler at first; however, when you get to know him, he is a great guy, and very safety minded.

Tents can get extremely hot, so the second year we opted for a mobile home via French Life. Toilets and showers extremely clean. Zoo at La Palmyre an absolute must: however, avoid the lighthouse on the way there: not for the faint hearted, very steep.

All in all a fantastic holiday; will definitely be visiting again soon.

[This review will be of interest primarily to french-speakers, but is included in English for completeness]

We came to Sequoia Parc from 2 to 16 July 2004.

We would like to make you aware of the lack of information regarding the heavy majority of foreign (non-French) visitors to this site. And the lack of consideration for French clients on the part of the entertainment team. In fact, when my 9-year-old daughter wanted to join in the activities of the "hibou club", being the only French child, they strongly advised us against leaving her there. Furthermore, the welcome extended to French tourists verges on disrespect, for example, one Saturday, the weather being dire, a film show was planned: to our great astonishment, this was reserved for the Dutch, the French having to content themselves with returning to shut themselves up in their accommodation.

You will understand our disappointment with our stay in this establishment.

We visited the site in August in 2004. It was too big, too noisy and impersonal. We were camping, and the pitches were all arranged on top of each other so you had no privacy as there was another pitch in every direction. We were kept awake by a Welsh family drinking and talking loudly outside until 3am on a couple of nights.

We had no problem with the Dutch people, they were very friendly and our neighbours were really lovely, although it did mean our own two teenagers had no one to hang out with. Most of the teens seemed to hang out by the entrance to the site and were drinking and smoking.

The pool was so crowded that often we could not even find a space on the concrete to sit and were forced to sit by the bins. The only time to get a space was to go last thing at night. The water was also freezing!

We prepaid for the site and the managers walked past us several times, yet on our last day as we checked out they informed us that they wanted an additional 50+ euros for a pup tent on our site. We had put this up for our oldest son who had not slept in it much as the weather was very bad at night. If we had been informed that there was to be an extra charge at the time we would have dismantled the tent.

Like others have said there was nothing much to do in the surrounding area and we will be going back to the Vendee in future.

From a young couple of mixed origin:

We arrived at this campsite in June 2005. The site is very very well maintained. Very pleasant, and magnificently planted with flowers. That said, the personnel is not very... no, not at all "professional". Forced smiles, curt responses, forgotten "good morning", over-enthusiastic "goodbyes". It’s a fact that the campsite will lose not just their future clients but even their regulars.

But it doesn’t stop there! The dates we had stated at the time of confirmation were not recorded accurately. We were worried that there may no longer be room for us on our dates. Happily, this was rectified very quickly. But you can see there was still an air of "couldn’t care less" on the part of the personnel. Because our arrival was imminent. They told us that arrivals were possible only after 4pm. No flexibility. Ok.

St Just-Luzac is a small town, that we didn’t even bother to visit ... a place far from anywhere with tourist appeal.

Leaving Paris at 2.30pm, we should have arrived around 8.30 or 9pm. But we lost 3 hours finding St Just-Luzac, and after that the campsite (with their signposts TOO discreet, not to mention hidden) only arriving after nightfall! Unfortunately, no one left to welcome us! Reception closes at 7pm. Result: we saw ourselves sleeping in the car in front of their shop, "Viva". A charming Swedish girl responded pleasantly, and explained the little she knew about the workings of the campsite, even though she had worked there for only 3 weeks (again, a lack of training for the personnel), as she couldn’t answer all of the questions. I was lucky, but my embarrassment for the campsite and its lack of communication showed on my face.

The friend of this young lady offered to let us stay the night at their home. It’s embarrassing, I find it really embarrassing, to put people out, making them feel obliged to welcome us into their home because of the campsite. They made us very very very welcome, for which VERY WELL DONE.

But the next day, once we arrived at the site, I explained the problem to one of the receptionists, "V", who responded, "but we have a life madam, we are not here to wait for our clients at whatever hour they choose"! This is not a good response to a client: not only is it not fitting, it cannot be justified!

Fortunately, the price of the cottage was reduced! Normally, on hiring a cottage, an inventory is performed by both parties, to bring to light any problems if there are any. Nothing was done, we were given the key and "goodbye". Though they did lead us to the cottage.

Result, the cottage was superb, nothing against it, very clean, well lit etc. Only problem was the water heater: we had hot water only every 1 minute 39 seconds. Great!

In the surrounding area, nothing to visit. In the campsite, no activities, so we felt more as if we were in England than in France! We also noticed that other holidaymakers rarely left the site. We understood why, when the closest interesting tourist town (Royan) was 40km away, or La Rochelle at 60km.

You really must visit the zoo at La Palmyre. You’ll need the whole day: beware that you will not get back to your cottage or tent with your car after 1030pm, everything is closed, entry and exit.

Even our Irish neighbours confirmed to us that they would not be returning. Curious, I posed the same question to others ... same response from everyone.

To close, as I know there are so many things to say that I could never finish, I felt "observed like a curious thing". It was clear that my presence at this campsite was not taken well. For your information, West Indians do have the right to take a holiday.

At one point, the warden directed the following question at me, with an air of "Stop, what are you doing here?", looking me straight in the eye, ignoring my Portuguese friend, while we were cycling quite innocently around the site: "WHO ARE YOU? DO YOU BELONG HERE?".

Finally, on the day of departure, the inventory was carried out, with a fine-tooth comb! See what I mean?

"10 happy customers are worth one, one unhappy client is worth 10"

Goodbye Sequoia Parc.

I went to this campsite last year. I am fourteen years of age and I went with my family, mam, dad, sisters of years 16 and 5 and a brother of 8. We went at the middle/end of June and the site wasn’t that busy. There was a lot of Dutch but they all seemed to be very quiet. The owners of the site are definitely unfriendly but that didn't bother me that much as I went with the Irish company Kel Air/Campotel and their couriers were so friendly and helpful.

The pool complex was very big and I did not have a problem with getting sunbeds by the pool. The really tanned lifeguard is very unlikeable at first with me and my cousin nearly got banned from the pool because of going down the slide the wrong way but I learned he is actually very funny when he chased me and my friends around the pool!!

The takeaway wasn’t that busy when we were there and the people who served you and cooked in the take away were so so friendly and you could have a laugh with them. As I am a teenager I feel I have to say in the above opinions on the site the teenagers have all got very negative comments but I hung around with other teenagers from Ireland and we didn’t go around the place drunk like what was described above.

As much as I liked my holiday I felt a lot more has to be done for teenagers and adults in terms of entertainment.

We were in Sequioa Parc in July 2005 for 15 nights. We brought our own caravan, and requested a large pitch. We were given no choice as to where we could pitch, despite a huge number of large empty pitches just lying there. In the following days little two man pup tents were on these pitches so we complained again, this time they let us move. I agree it is a super site, but unless you’re Dutch the staff weren’t very nice and that includes the owners.

We stayed for 2 weeks (18/6/05-2/7/05) with our 15 month old daughter and had a great time. The pools were excellent, and there was a playground for children up to 12. There was some evening entertainment, which was conducted in French, English, and German. The staff were very efficient, some friendlier than others. Our main disappointment was that the area was not very 'touristy', and it only comes to life in August when the French people descend. Having said that though, there was a lot to do providing you don't mind driving.

Hi everybody,

We (me, my wife and 2 children of 6 and 8) visited Sequoia Parc last week. Just got back this Sunday (24/7/05).

I have read all your remarks before we went there, and I was almost reluctant in going, because of all the negative things I read. I made my mind up than to give you my honest opinion about it.

Yes, most (90%?) of the visitors are Dutch (as are we also), but the staff we spoke, all spoke multiple languages (from Dutch, English, French, Italian, German to Spanish), and yes, the Dutch do tend to brag about themselves! But they were all very friendly and helped us in everyway. Children entertainment was done in 3 languages (kids disco, playback show, ghost hunt, making drawings).

The entertainers worked from morning till late in the evening (23.30 + h.) Absolutely my compliments to all of them!

In regards to the campground: Location and facilities are excellent. As we drove around the surroundings (to La Palmyre Zoo, to Oleron Island, to La Rochelle) we saw many far worse camp grounds (close to the road, all stacked close together etc.). Each mobile home (we had a mobile home) had plenty of space around for your car, a tent and room to 'entertain' yourself and the kids. Mobile homes were good, clean and well equipped.

The 3 pools were great, with excellent supervision. Everything was kept very clean! As it was about the first week of the main season, it was pretty busy, but you still had plenty of place to sit (although the lying chairs naturally were all taken; but if you are a little patient, you will find a space a little later - we always did).

It is in the middle of nowhere, so finding it (in the evening for instance) is not all that easy. But an online routeplanner shows it is on the D728 from Saintes. Our navigation system did not recognise the road, so we had to follow the signs for the last couple of miles, and they where a bit small. However, if you come from the A10 and exit at Saintes, simply follow the D728 to St. Just-Luzac. Ignore the sign that says you have to turn right into St. Just at the roundabout, but keep following the road for another 2 km (about 1,5 mile?). There is a road to the right, with signs you can't miss. Campground is then 500 metres ahead. Both roads (A10 toll-road, and D728) are indeed very busy, but there were (for us) no jams.

Pricing was pretty high, but I believe that is all over France in general (or at least in the tourist areas). A ½ Litre beer cost €5 at the terrace/café and €2 euro in the shop, but a bottle of excellent (but simple) red wine only cost €1.95 or less. We went to La Palmyre Zoo however and I got a can (33 cl.) of water from a machine. It cost me €2!!! If you drink something on a terrace anywhere (La Rochelle for instance), we paid (2 adults +2 children) between €8 and €10 each time.

A simple comparison: We ate at McDonalds - only 3 miles from the camp site (our kids hate French food) - and paid €19,30 for our meal. As we got back Sunday, we had the same in Holland and it cost us €16,25. So, yes, they take advantage of you. But I don't think I'd like to have a drink on a terrace in London somewhere, because I think it would be even more expensive, no?

Close by there is not much to do: you have to drive for 20-50 minutes (for the ocean, Oleron Island, larger cities, La Palmyre Zoo etc.). We did not find that as a problem.

We also had a serious problem: our son fell in the toilets of the pool (as they were kept very clean, the floor was always wet and slippery). He broke his collarbone! We went to the pool staff, but they did not recognise it for what it was. The put a cream on it and that was that. As we did not find that satisfactory (upper shoulder was blue and thick), we went to reception to ask if someone had good first aid knowledge. Luckily they did, and confirmed our guess and advised us to go to the doctor in St. Just. They called him for us, and we went there immediately. He forwarded us to the hospital in Rochefort, where they took X-rays to confirm the fracture. Solution - as you might know - is easy for children (fixing the shoulder in position for 2/3 weeks). We were at the reception at 17.30 h. and got back from the hospital (1/2 hours drive) at 22.30 h. The guy at the reception who helped us, asked very interested the next day when he saw us, how it was, and what the outcome was. Excellent!

I have one last remark in regards to the languages: The Dutch don't go on a holiday in Holland (because there are only Germans- same problem), but go to France. What's the problem about that? The Dutch speak English far better than most French, so I believe you can communicate a lot easier to them, because I don't think a lot of English speak French?

We had a great time there, and because it is a well known camp ground and in high season very busy, things will go wrong (but that will happen everywhere).

We've been visiting Castels sites for about 6 years now and have traveled around Brittany and Vendee. We always book with Castels sites because you can be pretty confident you will get a decent standard site with good staff and good facilities, this site is no exception to this rule.

As with all sites there is good and bad and you can't please all of the people all of the time, I've listed below my opinion of the good and the bad and let you decide for yourselves which of these are important to you.

To summarise - we enjoyed our holiday at this site despite some of the negatives below, I suspect this was due in no small part to the location of our accommodation, any nearer to the bar or entrance and we would not have been so happy and the fact that we like to go out and do things, not hang around the site all day every day. We did enjoy ourselves but will not be returning.

The Good :

• The site is extremely well looked after, it's the cleanest and best kept site we have visited in France.

• Lots of clubs and activities if you like to get rid of the kids when you are on holiday.

• The site has a very relaxing and friendly atmosphere during the daytime and early evening.

• Although the site is huge you don't feel like you are on a huge site, it's laid out in sections which gives the feeling of lots of little sites.

• The pool area is excellent and strictly patrolled to ensure safety and comfort for everyone.

• The onsite restaurant is excellent.

• Proper swimming trunks only allowed (no shorts), it's such fun watching the men who have not brought quality trunks with them walking around in the ill fitting, yellow, peach and pink trunks that are sold at the site shop.

• Plenty of staff who all speak English and are helpful when requested.

• Majority of holidaymakers were either Dutch or French (nice laid back people).

• Best beaches that we found were Vert Bois on Oleron and Cote Suavage (park on the corner just before the lighthouse on the road to Palmyre. Both are 30 minute drive but worth it.

The Bad :

We have just returned from our third and final visit to Sequoia Parc - this is an excellent site but could in no way be described as having a warm and welcoming atmosphere - ignorant comes to mind.

We had a problem with a group of Dutch teenagers which security were unable to sort out - we did it ourselves in the end. We also had a bike stolen, which we reported to the office and they seemed surprised it had happened - as the holiday progressed it became apparent we weren't the only ones who had lost bikes and the site had quite a problem. We tried to speak to the owner (without success) suggesting a sign be put up to warn others to lock bikes - they didn't seem to care and just told us we should have locked them - This site is run purely as a business - they have no consideration for their customers - I suspect next year they will have a bike shop on site.

We are thinking of going to Spain next year - does anyone know if the Dutch take their teenagers there?

Just back from Sequoia Parc. We are a family of 5. We too read disturbing reviews prior to going and we were quite worried. On arrival we were greeted warmly by our French Freedom reps. our accommodation was spotless and well appointed. The only complaint we have would be that there were no mosquito nets on the windows. I feel it should be mentioned that mosquitoes are a big, big problem at some pitches on this site, particularly near the duck ponds and marsh areas. Our daughter was bitten over 100 times and was miserable.... so beware go equipped with antihistamines. There are a lot of Dutch people but they deserve to go on holiday too. The site is spotlessly clean and very well run. The pool area is brilliant and the lifeguards are an added bonus, the older man with "the tan" is very strict but a real gent. I much prefer safety round the pool than a bunch of teenagers making the pool unsafe for my young children. We enjoyed our stay there despite the mosquitoes and the intense heat.

A MUST TO VISIT IS LA PALMYRE ZOO.

Hi we are just back from Sequoia Parc with Keycamp and we had a great time. Totally agree with the mozzies as we all (wife and two young children) were feasted upon for the two weeks and it was so hot you had to leave the windows open at night which of course invited in the little critters as there were no nets.

The pool complex was excellent and our two boys ran/swam themselves into the ground most days there. The entertainment did go on a little late most nights, perhaps it is a continental European thing to keep your young children up until late on holidays but our two children needed their sleep and some nights found it difficult with the noise and we were far away from the entertainment.

The reps from Keycamp were great and helped with any issues/questions we had during the two weeks. Yes you do have to drive to every place, supermarket, beaches, towns etc but we did not find this too much of a hassle and quite enjoyed getting some air conditioning!

We religiously locked up our bikes everywhere and did not have any problems as mentioned above but then again there were so many bike left unlocked. As to drunken teenagers there did not seem to be any issues with these, some people were running around the site quite late (old and young I suspect from the voices and from all parts of Europe I hasten to add) and did find it necessary to shout even though it was not the nosiest part of the day but we had some of that last year at a Pierre et Vacances resort last year. As to the lack of politeness by the staff we saw no sign of this and everyone was very helpful and courteous.

Not sure if we will be going back as we did most of the things that there are to do in that part of France but all in all a great two weeks were had.

Hi we are just back from Sequoia Parc and we had a great time

There are 6 in my family (twins 7,5 & 1+1/2 year old boys.)The Campsite is spotless clean and the staff we very nice .I too was very worried about going to this Campsite after reading these reviews so when I got there i was more than surprised to see how helpful the people were.

We booked through French Life and our Rep was a Scottish girl called Claire (what a lovely girl!) The accommodation was very clean and the there was plenty of equipment as well. I have only a couple of faults with Sequoia Parc: one is the Mossi and that the Mobile Homes had not got Mossi Nets over the windows; two in the Mobile homes there is only the tiniest of Freezers (not great if you have a big Family) and three the Aqua Bar is very dear (€2.50 for can of Coke and €1.80 for and Ice Pop).

On a positive note the parc itself was excellent and the pool area is very clean and everyday there was plenty of staff there maintaining the grounds. There is also a Pizzeria and it was reasonably price (€9.00-€12.00 for a pizza & chips €2.00 euros).

So I can tell you that I will be going back to Sequoia Parc in the very near future and I will be recommending it to all my friends with children because I had four boys who had 10 days of pure fun in France. The zoo is an experience (feeding Giraffes, Elephants & Zebras ).The aquarium is brill. I will say you would need a Car as the Zoo is 40 mins away and the Aquarium is 30 mins away and the nearest Supermarket LA CLERCHE is about a 10min drive. There is a small supermarket on site but it is a little bit dear....