Probably our favourite campsite on the trip!
I had zero expectations for this location. It was our first stop on our family camping adventure and we absoultely LOVED it! It's a Huttopia campsite on the banks of the Verdon with a 2 beautiful swimming pools and private access to the beach…
We arrived and once we were given our pitch number, we were then encouraged to order fresh bread and croissants for the following morning (I can tell you that it didn't take much encouragement!). There were basic supplies in the shop, and every other day there was a local farmer selling fresh vegetables and fruit, homemade jam and local wine.
There were two swimming pools and two park areas, so the kids were very esasily entertained on site. The sanitary blocks were really clean and well managed, with plenty of loos & showers for everyone and great washing up and laundry areas. There was also a freezer provided for ice blocks.
The restaurant was great for just grabbing a pizza or simple drink, but I have to say that it was the only negative bit of the trip. The food that we had on the first night wasn't fantastic - the pizzas were burnt, the salad was pretty basic, however having visited other Huttopia sites since then, I'm sure that it was just an off night for them.
The best thing about the site for us was the private access to the beach on the banks of the Verdon. We could see the river from our pitch, and it was the most beautifully clear water. They open up the damn twice a week, so the currents get quite strong then, but for the other days, there is a gentle flow that you can float along in, and swimming with the kids is great fun! And when you just need a little downtime before bed, heading down to the beach to throw a couple of stones into the water was a perfect activity.
What to do when you're there:
Go into Castellane for a walk around. We loved the Côté Fontaine restaurant for lunch - the salads were INCREDIBLE, they did a delicious crepe for the kids and the service was brilliant. 15mins drive
Head to Lac du Castillon and rent a pedalo or SUP to explore. We actually parked 30mins drive
Visit Lac de Sainte-Croix and hire a boat/SUP/pedalo to explore the gorges. It can get busy, but the turquoise waters and amazing rock formations really do blow your mind. We parked at Plage du Galetas, and then took our SUPs onto the lake, but you could hire boats and pedalos from there. 1.5hrs drive
Throw stones into the river, jump off the rocks on the other side of the beach and float down the river in the deeper section. At the campsite.
Best bit:
The private beach and access to the Verdon.
Worst bit:
The meal on the first night.
Good for Kids?
YES! There are two parks, two pools and great wash facilities specifically for babies and children.
Please note: There is a road that separates the two sections, however they feel like two separate areas, so there was no concern for me about that as they just stayed on our side of the road until we could take them across.