Jasper V.
The owners were kind and took our complaints seriously, and they seemed keen to improve things. They do stick fairly closely to the rules, which at least makes expectations clear. We also noticed that friends, family, or acquaintances of the owners were around quite a bit. That sometimes affected the evening or dinner atmosphere, and it could be distracting if you wanted the owner's attention. Our lodge had a kitchen, fridge, made-up clean beds, and useful furniture. The sheets smelled lovely. There were just enough plates, cups, and cutlery for four, though a few more would have helped. You can borrow a BBQ from reception. The lodges aren't shaded, so above 28 degrees it got hot inside until late. It cooled down around 23:00, and then the kids and we slept well. The pool felt small for a campsite this size, and it was mostly children going in and out. We heard they hoped to renovate or expand it next year, depending on permits. The lake was popular for swimming, and there were lots of fish, so the kids and I enjoyed fishing there. I personally found the lake a bit dirty and would rather swim in a clean pool, though the water must be healthy with so many fish. Tip: small worms are sold in a fridge at a nearby French supermarket, close to the fishing gear. The table d’Hôtes was tasty and good value, and the owners organized it well. Thursday pizza night and the chorizo paella were favorites. There was plenty for children to do, and ours enjoyed every minute. We had a good summer stay. Nearby, Sidiailles is about 20 minutes away by car, with a nice climbing forest and a clean lake. There's a shallow swimming area for little kids, summer lifeguards from 13:00 to 18:00, plus a coffee counter serving food, drinks, and ice cream. Montlucon is a nice city to visit, around 30 minutes away by car.
