Camping des Gorges

Usually visit the Alps, however wanted a change this year and went back to tent camping with another family. Arrived at the site Saturday evening after a long drive through France to be greeted by friendly staff. We were shown to a large pitch which was surrounded by hedges and trees, staff pointed out the relevant amenities and left us to set up. Lovely pitch (could fit our family tent and event shelter next to each other with room for the 4x4 and canoe out front). Amenities were spotless, one of the best we've seen. Lovely, large pool. Snack bar which had quality beer and pizza's / chips etc - excellent after a long day. Amazing quality restaurant, serving quality French food - only used it a couple of times but the portions were enormous! Fab access to the Ardeche river, this was usually preferred to the pool as it was so warm and slow flowing - it was usually busy with canoeists as well, but there were never any issues. Activity wise: the river was ace, lovely local walks to ancient villages, the Gorge is stunning and best seen by driving up it or a canoe trip (fantastic, but a long day out) down it. Loads of caves, but the Chauvet cave museum is excellent and has the oldest known cave paintings in the world. Fantastic cycling - Mt Ventoux is 45mins away. Plus the tour de France passed by whilst we were there! Nimes is an hour away with its Roman amphitheatre - brilliant! various other Roman sites around the area that we didn't have time to see. The weather is great, a bit too hot for me - 35-39 degrees whilst we were there. Plus the site has great facilities for the kids - ours were never off the football pitch. All in all an amazing area, if you can put up with the heat it's great. Fantastic campsite which we heartily recommend, probably the best we've stayed at in Europe. We'll be back (possibly in cooler weather). Rob & Sarah, Rotherham (UK).