Independent Campsite Reviews

Halfway between Lyon and Marseille, cradled between the Rhone Valley and the Gorges d'Ardeche, le Domain d'Imbours is a special jewel of 270 hectares of land of oak forests. Pool complex with slides, as well as an "accrobranche" (climbing course through the treetops).

Numerous lodging possibilities are available as le Domain includes a campground, mobile homes, chalets, a hotel and 100 small cabins equipped for 2-8 people, spread throughout the hills of the estate.

Known for its Mediterranean climate, the southern Ardeche offers wonderful natural sites to visit: grottos, canyons, as well as the Gorges and the Pont d'Arc.

In only 10 square kilometers, you go from the garrigue brush to the sharp slopes of the Cevennes Mountains that then open out into vast plateaux.

This is a magnificent campsite with spacious, well-delimited pitches. The activities are of a very high quality, for the children as well as for the adults. The facilities: superb pool, motor cross (even for children), horse riding, caving, ... many and varied activities for every taste. Shop, bar-restaurant, ... and a very important point: the staff is super-friendly!

Knowing this site well, having spent holidays there from 1990 to 2004, I can tell you that all useful information is available at the website http://www.domaine-imbours.com/ [link also at the left of this page, with the rest of the site details]

From the site’s creation until 2001, the site was managed by a non-profit organisation. Then, France Location bought the site.

The principal developments have been:

- Addition of an ill-considered number of chalets and mobile homes;

- Repair of the campsite’s swimming pool;

- Installation of an aquatic centre, extended by a swimming pool.

We were at this campsite in April 2005; it was a bit sad, and there weren’t many people. The weather was against us, as it was cold, and the Mistral was blowing at 110km/h. The shop was practically empty, and there was no adult entertainment, as far as I could tell. On the other hand, the children’s club was very good, and the chalets were spacious and clean. I think it would be better in the summer. We did some quad biking in the Provençale scrub, a short trip on the Ardèche in canoes, and saw some llamas in the wild. We used the car a lot, as there was not much to do locally. The landscape and the Vallon Pont d’Arc remain unmatched.

I spent my summer holidays at Domaine d’Imbours from 1997 to 2000, and I must say that this year, 2005, I was disappointed in the site. The appearance of mobile homes and chalets has spoilt the nature of the site. Gone are the large pitches, natural surroundings, ...

The chalets remind me of little housing developments! However, I must say that the activities are still just as good, for children as well as their parents.

It is true that the site is a bit over-developed (too many mobile homes and chalets) but I am completely in agreement with Charlotte (below): once one has experienced Imbours, one wishes to return. The site offers numerous activities (tennis, aquagym, as well as external activities such as horse-riding, caving, canoeing...). The staff is pleasant, the activity leaders (adult and child) are brilliant, and also the surroundings of the site are really superb, the Ardèche is heavenly. Come and see ... it’s worth it!

Well I’ve been every year since I was 9 months old. I’m now 18 years, and this year I’m working there.

It really is paradise there.

Everything is available, and the shop has reasonable prices!

Every day everyone has a good time, and if you leave feeling low you must have picked up the blues - come back!

Contact me at cha0720@msn.com (but in French - this is a translation by the webmaster)