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quoteIn this weekly series experienced caravan journalist Liz King reviews some of the best touring caravan sites across the UK and Europe. Keep checking back or subscribe to our newsfeed using the Facebook, Twitter or RSS icons on the right of the page – that way you’ll never miss a trick!
Recommended by Liz
Castel Le Domaine des Forges
Rue des Forges
85 440 Avrillé
France
www.campingdomainedesforges.com
English is spoken at this well maintained four star Castel park, with an emphasis on quality, set in the south of the Vendée. There are Castel Premium pitches, but all the huge grassy pitches have water, 10 amps electric hook-up and drainage; there is a motorhome service point, and a section for motorhome users who only want to stay for one or two nights.
Facilities include free fishing, free tennis, free use of the Gym and free use of the heated swimming pool which is open from May to September. Only one dog per pitch is allowed and no dogs are allowed in July and August. Cycling enthusiasts might like to know that The Tour de France will pass through the village in July.
Opening times:
All year
Costs:
Nightly costs from €17 per night for two people, outfit and awning in low season including electric hook-up
Low season special discount; book direct with camp site for 14 nights and pay for 12 or book for 21 nights and pay for 16.
Children under 2 years; free
Children over 2 years and under 6 years; free in low season
Extra people over 7 years; from €2
Pets; €3
Extra charges; includes Wi-Fi, bike hire, BBQs and fridges.
Please check the prices before you make your booking.
Eat and Drink:
There is a small, friendly bar and snack bar on the park; it serves salads, pizzas, French fries, chicken and dish of the day. Mussels and French Fries evenings are held in summer. Breakfast is available in low season. It’s not open all year but there are plenty of places in the village which is in walking distance.
Local attractions:
The sunny beaches of the Vendée are nearby, so tryLongeville sur Mer, Les Sables d’Olonne, Jard sur Mer or La Tranche sur Mer. www.vendee-tourism.co.uk.
Or visit the spectacular Le Puy du Fou. www.puydufou.com/en
Directions; from Talmont-St-Hilaire drive to Avrillé on the D949 and drive through the village centre. Le Domaine des Forges is down a small road on the outskirts of the village and is well signposted.
The Pitches are well spaced
There is free fishing available at the lake
The new sanitary block
Spacious pitches
The Chateaux at the park’s entrance
great review from dave pratt and jo mungovin the wife and i will be at this site the end of july for 17 days cant wait what is the translation headphones were can it or they be bought
This is a gorgeous family site. Very big pitches and friendly. This is our second year!
Thanks Caravan Guard, for a un biased review of Castel Le Domaine des Forges
We are booked up for this site, for the end of June this year. Before moving onto an English owned and run CL type site in the Loire, called Le Chant d Oiseau.
Puydufou is a must if in this area and not to be missed. The Night time event (Cinescenie) is something exceptional. If it’s intend to be done all in one day, it is doable, (we have) but not for the very young and the old alike? (The translation headphones are a must).