Camping le Chenal

Great!

The location was good, the pool was decent though shallow, and the restrooms were cleaned daily. The rest of our stay had plenty of problems. We reached reception at 3 p.m., when it opened, but waited more than 15 minutes while the receptionist saw us and smoked a cigarette. Two weeks earlier, I’d called with the measurements of our large six-person tent to check the pitch size. I was told it would be fine, but the pitch was too small and I had to negotiate for a different one. It was overlooked, so it felt like we were right on top of one another. The pitch also sloped and had tree stumps, making it very uncomfortable for tent camping. There was almost no information about activities, just something written in pencil on a piece of paper. It was hard to tell campers and staff apart. The website said departure was between 8 and 10 a.m. At 10, reception was closed. I called the manager, but nobody came. I had to find the supposed owner in the restrooms so he could open the gate and give back our deposit.

There was no baby kit for us, although I’d called well in advance to reserve one and was assured reception had everything. When we arrived, there was no record of the request and nothing available. My son had to spend his first night in his stroller while they found a bed at another campsite. The mobile home was filthy. The pool wasn’t maintained during the first week, and it was never closed at the posted hours. People swam late into the night, leaving shoes and chairs in the water without any supervision. There was no entertainment, despite the schedule at reception, and where was the children’s trampoline shown on the website? One star only because zero isn’t an option. I strongly advise against staying here.

The pool was dangerous, with a loose barrier and broken grates on the bottom. A child was injured. Restrooms were cleaned only twice in 10 days, and there was no entertainment despite what the brochure promised. Security was practically absent too, with young people from outside coming in at night to party and make noise. Seb and Laureline were doing their best to help campers, but management had left them to handle the problems themselves. The campsite’s star ratings had been taped over, and we can see why. I’ve never seen a site in such a neglected state. I’ll never return, and good luck to anyone who chooses to go.