I am a seasoned camper in France and found this site in a well known camping book, but am unable to find it listed on any English camping review websites. The site is located about 0.5km off D760, down a private drive lined with sweet chestnut trees and in the grounds of a beautiful Chateau lived in by the extremely helpful and friendly owners. All pitches are large, flat or slightly sloping, grassy and hedge screened. The site is extremely pretty, has some tree cover (but cannot be described as wooded). There are some pitches shaded with horse chestnut trees (just be aware of falling conkers late season). Water and electricity are available on most pitches. Waste bins are small (not large hoppers) and scattered within a short distance of every pitch (much more convenient). Although there is a bar and restaurant available high season (find the owners and they will open the bar low season), this is a quiet and immensely tranquil site (especially low season). I have never felt better rested when camping. They have a largeish heated outdoor pool (again, very pretty). The showers are the best that I have ever found in France (taps that stay on, a large and dry space to get changed within the cubicles, good water pressure with hot/cold mixers and lots of pegs to hang your clothes. There is no silly dance needed to get back into your clothes without getting wet again. Toilet paper is provided, such normally being hit and miss (normally miss) with campsites in France. A crazy golf course exists, although appeared closed during our low season visit. Bread/croissants can be ordered for the morning. Launderette facilities on site. The owner will speak English should you need this, although will not force English on you should you not wish to speak it (when I go to France, I like to feel I am not in England). Some owners tend to force English on you regardless of your greater fluency in their own language (often simply due to their own wish to practise another language). The owners are quite genuine and clearly like English people (I am very occasionally unconvinced of this at other sites). If you do visit this site, be sure to take lunch at "Les Quatre Vents" restaurant in nearby L'ile Bouchard (English also spoken). The site owner will direct you. Traditional French cuisine at silly (low) prices. The emphasis here is on quality of food (and not service and/or decor). I consider the chef quite excellent (although he denies this). Do not pass up this site if you visit the Loire (a good central location). Highly recommended. Open until October. Visit www.larolandiere.com
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