Independent Campsite Reviews

Le Chant d’Oiseaux is an established campsite which is in its first year under new ownership. The site had a maximum occupancy of ten touring units (mostly British) during our 10-day visit, plus one static caravan and three gîtes close to the owner’s house. The camping field is part of an old farm set in the sleepy northern reaches of the Loire valley between Saumur and La Flèche. The farm sits amidst arable farmland and conifer woodlands which infuse the camp’s still air with the delicate fragrance of pine resin. All the generous, level pitches are shaded to some extent by mature trees and some pitches enjoy total shade from a heavy leaf canopy. The only noise during the day when the campers were out (sampling the victual delights of the Loire region) was indeed the song of the bird(s). It’s just about the most peaceful place I have ever been to. It also happens to be a campsite. The site livened up late afternoon when the campers returned, but even then, the cackle of the green woodpeckers rose above the delighted squeals of my five-year-old splashing in the swimming pool. What really makes this site work is the boundless energy and genuine thoughtfulness of the English owners. The small touches such as the facility to pre-order groceries prior to your arrival are priceless. The twice-weekly get-together when the owners cook up a meal for the entire site is a great icebreaker and sets the whole site on first-name terms. Most of the Loire valley’s electrical storms seem to pass to the southeast of the area. When one dazzling nighttime storm raged overhead, the owner came out to our tent and invited us to take our child into the farmhouse if it all became too frightening. How many campsite owners would do that? Any problems on site were quickly resolved, when the ice pack freezer malfunctioned in the 40 degree C heat, the owner made his own domestic freezer available to freeze our ice blocks. We moved on from this site to a large 3-star site in the Vendee. When I asked my five-year-old which of the two she liked best, she chose Le Chant d’Oiseux.

My only gripe about the site was an occasional queue for the showers or loos. This was odd as the ratio of loos to campers was far better than other much larger and more expensive sites I have visited, and may be a reflection of the fact that everyone climbs out of the pool at the same time. Perhaps we were just unlucky.

The perimeter of the "wild camping" field is bordered by a small river. I spent a few idyllic hours in the sun, fishing for pristine roach, not a person in sight, just the buzz of the insects, the twittering of the birds, and the azure flash of the kingfishers darting under the bridge. Heaven on earth.

A fab site for either a short visit or longer stay. Syb and Stu go out of their way to ensure that everyone enjoy their holiday. Perfect location, lots of room, great holiday feeling - give it a go, I'm sure you will love it.