Camping le Lanfonnet

The toilets and showers were okay, and the small grassy spot by the lake had a lovely view, with people sunbathing there. But our one night in late September was a poor experience. We were touring the region in our campervan and got a pitch beside the entrance and road, right by the loud music from the neighbouring restaurant. We assumed the site might be full, but later saw plenty of quieter, much nicer pitches. It felt like they just wanted our money, with no care for customers. The pitch was very muddy and mosquitoes were everywhere. Given how big the site is, I imagine that little lakeside area gets packed in high summer. We won’t return.

The location worked well for getting out on the trails, which start just behind the campsite and climb into the massif. The lake was about a five-minute walk, depending on where your pitch was. There’s also a small on-site supermarket, usually well stocked and fairly priced, with fresh bread each morning. A reasonably priced restaurant is opposite, and there are other places to eat nearby, or you can walk, drive, or bike to Talloires. I stayed for five days and had a lovely time. The staff were friendly, the atmosphere relaxed, and the pitches spacious. My spot had room for a big tent and car, shade for most of the day, plus trees for a hammock and clothesline. The showers and toilets looked a bit dated, but everything worked and I got a hot shower every day, at different times. We had beautiful sunny weather for hikes and swims, with good facilities, plenty of shade, and space. I’d recommend it.

The campsite is lovely, near the lakeshore, and there’s a little shop on site. We stayed in a tent, and even though it was busy, people were considerate and we slept well. The toilets and showers are a little dated, as they are at plenty of campsites I’ve visited. A few more might help, and it’s best to shower at quieter times, but that’s camping during the busy summer holidays. I’m not sure why the place gets such poor ratings. Maybe some British visitors struggle because the older woman at reception doesn’t speak English. Our French made things much easier. If you’re looking for luxury, choose a hotel or lodge instead of camping.

Everyone was so kind, from the reception and supermarket staff to Yassin, who was awesome. They were very busy with check-ins and the phone ringing constantly, but still kept smiling and took time to explain the campsite and area, including where to eat and which beaches were best. That made us want to return next year. We had an amazing stay at camping Le Lanfonnet. Our stacaravan was very clean and roomier than I expected, and it had all the essentials, so we didn’t need to run to the shop.