VVF Haute Provence, Lagrand

There’s a lot to explore close by, from easy-to-reach hiking trails and hilltop villages to Sisteron and its citadel, the Route du Temps (Time Route), the Méouge and Riou gorges, lakes, and wild waterfalls. The VVF Lagrand sits in a peaceful, idyllic spot between the mountains and countryside, and we had a lovely stay. We made good use of the heated, cleaned pool every day, even in September. The accommodations are spacious and functional, but very dated and in need of a serious renovation. The staff tried hard to make us welcome, though there were clearly too few of them. Two people can’t manage an entire village, and the service suffers as a result. We still recommend the holiday village for its location between Provence and the Alps and its quiet, relaxing setting. Hopefully VVF will renovate the site so its potential can be fully realized.

I had to clean as soon as we arrived because there were so many cobwebs, cockroaches, ants, and flies. The interior is very old and uncomfortable, and there’s nothing to keep children busy. The pool was unheated and unusable, and the place was so quiet it felt like a nursing home. For families with young children, there’s really nothing to do except pay extra for horseback riding: €40 for half an hour or €80 for an hour. I’d avoid this place at all costs.

There’s a pretty nice pool, and the VVF is in a magnificent location. The accommodations work, but they’re definitely showing their age, with ants and other insects around and worn-out bedding. The kids’ club runs one activity a day for two hours, often in the afternoon.

The staff we met were friendly and accommodating, and the setting was peaceful with a magnificent panoramic view. But the accommodation was a letdown and didn’t match the photos: the mattress was a rectangular piece of foam, the bathroom felt like an old gym changing room, and the paint was peeling with mold growing. There were only two electrical outlets if you looked hard enough, and rain came in under the door during thunderstorms. It was too expensive for what we got. It could have been a pleasant stay.