Camping Du Pont D'Avignon

The location made it easy to explore both sides of the Rhône. There’s a cycle path right by the site that runs for miles, and the free passenger ferry to Avignon is a five-minute walk away. In September it ran 10:15-12:15 and 14:15-18:15, with shorter hours out of season. We also walked back in the evening, which took 15-20 minutes along the river and across the bridge. Villeneuve, opposite Avignon, was lovely to wander around, with cobbled streets, cafés, small restaurants, and a great butcher where we bought food to cook at the campsite. We’d booked one night by phone that same day on the recommendation of our Municipal camping group, then added two more nights once we arrived. The staff at reception were friendly and spoke several languages. One receptionist especially stood out, she loves musicals and was wearing a Wicked T-shirt. The pitches were roomy and mostly shady. The pool area was lovely and quiet in September, and we had a drink at the bar overlooking it. The laundry had four washing machines and one large dryer, all coin operated rather than needing tokens, which was handy. We’d read complaints about the basic bathrooms, but found them clean and perfectly acceptable. You do need to bring your own toilet paper. We’d highly recommend both the campsite and a visit to the area.

It worked well for a night or two while visiting Avignon, but I wouldn’t choose it for a longer stay. The toilets and showers are okay, though quite old and could be cleaned more often. Nights can get pretty noisy, especially if you’re sleeping in a rooftop tent. All in all, it was an okay visit.

After motorhoming around the UK and many parts of Europe since 2006, this was the worst site we’ve come across. The pitch was a complete mud bath. We asked to move and got another muddy spot, this one without the electricity we’d paid for. The pitches were tiny, the roads too narrow, and the kerbs ridiculously high. The toilet block was disgusting. We’d booked two nights but left after one and couldn’t get away fast enough. Maybe we arrived at the end of the season, but what a horrible place.

The campsite felt safe and well managed, with fencing all around and security in the evening. Cars aren’t allowed in after 10 PM. It’s a great spot for reaching Avignon, about a 2 km walk to the center, and a small boat runs every 15 minutes until 5:15 PM to shorten the trip. You can hear the city at night, so it’s not the quietest place. Staff were welcoming and gave us clear information when we arrived. The showers and toilets are outdoors, clean, but not in an enclosed or heated building. There was unfortunately a strong smell from the sanitary block.