Loire September and October

[AlanNancy]

We are thinking of going to the Loire in September returning to the UK mid October. Will most/some of the campsites still be open in October?

Alan

[ianfish]

Maybe not as many as you think. Have you got an ACSI guide? That will give you the dates for all the sites in there. We were surprised how many sites closed by the middle of September, but we did always manage to find somewhere open and that was the same time frame you are looking at. Can recommend Sites & Paysages de L'Etang at Brissac Quince, not far from Angers. but it closes around 16th Sept.

[shipbroker]

We were on a site nr Le Mans and they were digging winter trenches first weekend of September and were closing as we left....

 

Geoff

[moorgate]

Alan.  River Loire is over 600 miles long.  Which part are you aiming at ?  Can suggest campsites open for you in many areas if you say where you would like to go. 

[marchie1053]

1 hour ago, AlanNancy said:

We are thinking of going to the Loire in September returning to the UK mid October. Will most/some of the campsites still be open in October?

Alan

Many/most of the Camping Municipal sites will have closed by end of September. There is a nice Municipal at Montoire sur Le Loir [about 30 minutes drive from Chenonceaux & within 45 minutes of Blois if you're aiming for Chateau country]. The Municipal at Chinon is also very good, but larger and busier. Both are within easy walking distance of their respective town centres. Amboise [Ile D'Or] is a wee gem of a site, and again, within easy walking distance of the mediaeval town centre, but, again I think it closes before the end of September.

Steve

[AlanNancy]

36 minutes ago, moorgate said:

Alan.  River Loire is over 600 miles long.  Which part are you aiming at ?  Can suggest campsites open for you in many areas if you say where you would like to go. 

We will be free to roam. We went to Chinon two years ago and loved the place.We have ACSI so I'll take a look, but if anyone has suggestions please post them.

Alan

[moorgate]

Sites we have used - and which will be open for the dates  you have given  - include those at Nevers, Briare, Azay Le Rideau , Allonnes (near Saumur) and Nantes. That covers a 300 mile stretch from well upstream of Orleans down to the mouth of the river.  I am sure others will find more for you. Don't be put off by the fact that many sites will be shut. 

[AlanNancy]

19 hours ago, moorgate said:

Sites we have used - and which will be open for the dates  you have given  - include those at Nevers, Briare, Azay Le Rideau , Allonnes (near Saumur) and Nantes. That covers a 300 mile stretch from well upstream of Orleans down to the mouth of the river.  I am sure others will find more for you. Don't be put off by the fact that many sites will be shut. 

Many thanks, that gives me the incentive to get planning.

Alan

[Babstreefern]

When chatting to campsite owners in France, they state that their top earnings are only 8 weeks per year.  Mid-September, they will be closing down.  Do like on Ianfish says, look at ACSI, or on the CMC website.  Even UKCS website have campsites abroad, look there as well, as you will get various campsite websites to look at

[Woodentop]

Lower Loire, as already said Chinon is a good site and a beautiful area BUT it has poor security and the area is plagued with Romas.

 

Last time we stayed there they tried to get into out van at 3am but it woke me. They did however get into a Dutch MH next to us, some Brits in a tent, and two French tents one of which was a member of staff. The Gendarmerie arrived (including one woman officer who spoke some English), mooched around taking pictures, and told us to report to the Police Station after 10:00, The same English speaker was there, they took details and gave us a copy (in French) of their report and that was it - they were otherwise not interested.

 

The upper Loire at, for example, the Sancerre area is very different. Relaxed, attractive, and they make superb white wines. There is a small municipal at Crezancy en Sancerre that I can highly recommend but you must ring first. Natalie, the manageress, speaks little English but you can easily make yourself understood. You must ring as there is a height barrier at the gate and you need to be sure she will be there to let you in. Superb clean facilities and 10A correctly wired blue sockets for EHU. If you have satellite it is a clear takeoff. The site is on the base of a former railway station so is grass on a very solid and well drained base. There is a baker and a couple of bars (plus a winery) in the village and Sancerre is about 6 miles. [There is a wine 'cave' on the left as you go down the slope towards Sancerre: not only do they make very good wines, they are good enough to be chosen by JS and M&S at £15+ per bottle!]

 

If you get down to the river you can go south to Puilly-sur-Loire where they make the famous and fabulous Pouilly Fume.

 

Its about 22 miles SW to the biggest nearby city of Bourges which is the only city/town in France that I have ever visited that does not have a McD's in the centre, but it does have the third biggest Gothic Cathedral in the country. Another large place is Nevers about 27m SSE.

 

NNW of Bourges near Nancay and less than 30 miles from Crezancy across country is the Pole Des Etoiles. Built in 1953 until the Chinese opened their new station (FAST) a few years ago this was the second biggest radio telescope in the world (after Aracibo in Puerto Rico.) It has a visitor centre which is inexpensive and is well worth a visit if such interests you. Parking is free.

 

 

 

[MGBGTV8]

Come a bit further down to Haute Vienne, we had good weather right into November last year, and a wonderful area to explore.

 

[Mr Plodd]

Businesses like campsites in France pay the equivalent of council tax  for the maximum  period they operate,  that’s either for six OR twelve months. Most campsites opt for six months operation so open (mid) March through to (mid) September. Some go from the beginning of April to the beginning of October, but they are few and far between. 

 

Andy

[David P]

AlanNancy

We go to the Loire most years, have only missed this year (owing to illness) and 5 years ago as our Daughter got married. Its not on the river but a 30 min drive from Saumur. It's like a CL type campsite, it has 10 pitches, 3 gites set in a 17th century farm house. They are open for when you are there. If you want piece and quiet, this place is ideal. It ticks our boxes, that's why we keep going back. We have seen it develop from what it was to what it is today. If you want a big site with loads to do the it's not for you.

Look Here.

http://www.loire-gites.com/  

[pfr]

We are planning to visit Camping L'Isle Verte at Montsoreau in mid Sept. It is apparently open until mid Oct.

[KontikiKid]

The site at Sully sur Loire should be open, but it's not the best.

 

The town/chateau is, however, lovely.

 

Russ

[meadowsweet]

I know it's not the loire but camping maisoneuve in Castelnaud le Chapelle near sarlat in the dordogne is open from 1 April to 31 October and is a truly beautiful location. 

[rovinmad]

On 02/07/2019 at 22:46, David P said:

AlanNancy

We go to the Loire most years, have only missed this year (owing to illness) and 5 years ago as our Daughter got married. Its not on the river but a 30 min drive from Saumur. It's like a CL type campsite, it has 10 pitches, 3 gites set in a 17th century farm house. They are open for when you are there. If you want piece and quiet, this place is ideal. It ticks our boxes, that's why we keep going back. We have seen it develop from what it was to what it is today. If you want a big site with loads to do the it's not for you.

Look Here.

http://www.loire-gites.com/  

But no pets allowed