Unbelievable Camping Les Perouses: Your Dream French Getaway Awaits!
Unbelievable Camping Les Perouses: My Dream French Getaway (Maybe, Probably… After a Few Hiccups!) - A Review That's Actually REAL
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Okay, buckle up buttercups, because you're about to get the real scoop on Camping Les Perouses. They tout it as a dream French getaway… and, yeah, parts of it are. Like, majorly dreamy. But let's be honest – who doesn't have a slightly wonky dream now and then? This review is going to get messy, honest, and maybe a little bit rambly. That's how I roll.
First impressions? The sheer scale of Les Perouses is… well, it’s massive. Nestled in the French Alps, the views are genuinely breathtaking. You're surrounded by mountains, the air is crisp, and you immediately get that giddy, holiday feeling. That “aha!” moment I had looking around, felt like a postcard landscape, even if the reality had some rough edges.
Accessibility: The Good, The Slightly Clunky, and The "Could Do Better"
So, accessibility is HUGE for me. I need to know if a place truly caters to everyone. Les Perouses tries. They genuinely do.
- Wheelchair Accessible: They've got ramps, which is a huge plus. The common areas – the reception, the restaurant, the pool area – are pretty easy to navigate in a wheelchair. BUT… not all the pitches (campsites) themselves are equally accessible. Some are hilly, some are on gravel… it's definitely worth ringing ahead and being very specific about your needs. Seriously.
- On-site accessible restaurants / lounges: The main restaurant has ramps but is it perfect? No. The tables are a little too close together, and it gets packed. But the staff are friendly and accommodating.
- Facilities for disabled guests: They do have adapted bathrooms, which is fantastic. However, more adapted rooms need to be made available and they'd probably need to be more functional to make sure they are up to standard.
- Other Accessibility Considerations: I really appreciated the elevator since there's a lot of ground to cover. However, navigating the grounds could be tricky for people with mobility issues so it would be helpful if they had better transport.
Accessibility - It's A Mixed Bag, Honestly!
The restaurant also offered:
- Alternative meal arrangement: Which was a major plus. I have some food sensitivities, and they were incredibly accommodating.
- Buffet in restaurant: Though not ideal for accessibility.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax: Paradise Found (With a Few Tumbles)
Okay, let’s talk about the good stuff. The stuff that made my inner child squeal with delight.
- Swimming Pool: Seriously, the outdoor pool is glorious. Pool with a view. The pool area is huge, with sun loungers galore, I swear it looks like a painting. Swimming pool [outdoor]. I spent hours blissfully floating, gazing up and the azure sky. Pure, unadulterated joy.
- Spa/Sauna: This is where things got REALLY good. Spa. Sauna. The spa area is gorgeous. Steambath. I opted for a massage. It was pure, unadulterated bliss. I’m talking, "melts-into-a-puddle-of-happiness" bliss. Seriously, the masseuse was magic. I could have stayed there for days, buried in fluffy towels drinking herbal tea. That was dreamlike. Then I had a foot bath, which felt amazing, after the long day of walking on gravel.
- Fitness Center: There is a gym/fitness which I did not go to, because I was enjoying the spa, the view, and the relaxing feeling that one feels in the French Alps.
- Things to do, ways to relax: I was looking for relaxation, and I found it.
The Dining Experience: From "Ooh La La" to "Where's the Salt?"
Let's be honest. Food is a HUGE part of the French experience. So, what did Les Perouses serve up?
- Restaurants: Yes, plural! Including a vegetarian restaurant.
- Asian Cuisine/Western Cuisine: There was some of everything.
- Breakfast [buffet] - Buffet in restaurant. The breakfast buffet was decent, though a little chaotic at times.
- Poolside bar: Great for sipping a cocktail while you watch the sunset.
- A la carte in restaurant: The dinner service varied. Some nights were spectacular. Some nights… well, let's just say my steak could have been a little less “chewy.”
- Coffee/tea in restaurant: Decent coffee, thankfully.
- Desserts in restaurant: Oh, the desserts! They were amazing.
- Snack bar: Good for quick bites.
- Room service [24-hour]: Which I never utilized because breakfast was the big one for me!
- Happy Hour: A decent happy hour.
The Problem with the Food: Real Talk
Here's where I need to be honest. The quality varied.
- One night, I had this incredible coq au vin that was pure heaven. The next night, the supposedly "fresh" salad was a little wilted. It felt like there were some quality control issues.
Cleanliness and Safety: A Mixed Bag, Sadly.
This is another area where I had mixed feelings.
- Daily disinfection in common areas: Definitely noticed this – everything seemed pretty clean.
- Anti-viral cleaning products: Good to see.
- Room sanitization opt-out available: Another good thing.
- Staff trained in safety protocol: Seemed like it.
HOWEVER…
- I did notice a few cobwebs in my room (in fairness, I requested a room that hadn't been occupied recently, so maybe they were missed).
- Room sanitization opt-out available: Helpful.
Services and Conveniences: The Essentials (and the "Nice to Haves")
- Concierge: Super helpful.
- Convenience store: Handy for snacks and essentials.
- Daily housekeeping: Clean and efficient.
- Laundry service & Dry Cleaning: Lifesavers after a week of hiking!
- Cash withdrawal: Necessary.
- Air conditioning: Needed!
- Terrace: Enjoyed this a lot!
The Room Itself: Comfortable, but Not Without Its Quirks
- Air conditioning: Thank heavens!
- Free bottled water: Appreciated.
- Wi-Fi [free]: Worked great!
- Non-smoking rooms: Essential.
- High Floor: Loved the views.
- Separate shower/bathtub: Good design.
For the Kids (or The Young at Heart):
- Family/child friendly: Absolutely!
- Babysitting service: Available.
- Kids meal: Yes.
Getting Around:
- Car park [free of charge]: Yes.
- Taxi service: Available.
- Bicycle parking: Yes, but more secure bike storage would be great.
The Weird Bit: An Incident That Needed a Bit More "Oomph"
There’s one incident I absolutely have to share. It wasn’t a dealbreaker, but it’s a good illustration of the… slightly wonky charm of Les Perouses.
One evening, I was enjoying the pool, and a stray dog wanders in. Now, I love dogs, but they're not allowed in the pool. So I go to find staff. It takes a little while to find anyone. The staff were eventually really friendly. However, the dog was a bigger problem because he kept going in!
Final Verdict: Worth It? Absolutely.
Look, Les Perouses isn't perfect. But it's got soul. The scenery is stunning. The spa is a slice of heaven. The staff are genuinely lovely. And even with the occasional clunk and slightly dodgy meal, the good far outweighs the bad.
Would I go back? Absolutely. Just… I’d definitely call ahead to confirm the accessibility accommodations, and I'd be prepared for a few little adventures along the way. Because that, my friends, is what makes a holiday truly memorable, right?
Astonishing La Scala Nice: Your Dream Hotel Awaits!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because planning a trip to Camping Les Perouses in Saint-Clement-des-Baleines, France, is about to descend into glorious, chaotic absurdity. My brain is already a tangled mess of "ooh la la" and "where the heck is my passport?!" Here's the itinerary, or at least, the sketch of one, peppered with the kind of reality you won't find in a glossy brochure.
Pre-Trip Meltdown – AKA The Calm Before the Storm
- Days Leading Up:
- Packing: Three attempts. First was "minimalist chic" (lol). Second was "preparing for the apocalypse." Third, I gave up and just threw everything I might need into a giant duffel bag. The important thing: duct tape. Always duct tape.
- Learning some French: My Duolingo streak? Shattered. My vocabulary currently consists of: "bonjour," "croissant," "merci beaucoup," and "help, I've accidentally ordered escargots." Pray for me.
- Financial Juggling: Suddenly realized I'm spending way more money than initially planned. Deep breaths, deep breaths. Maybe I'll sell a kidney… (kidding! …mostly).
- The Dreaded Checklist: This is where I convince myself I've forgotten everything. Passport? Check. Sunscreen? Check. Sanity? …In the process of being lost.
Week 1: Arrival and Tent Tango – or, How I Found My Happy Place… Eventually
Day 1: Arrival - The Great Tent Debacle (and the French Charm Offensive)
- Morning: Ferry from somewhere to somewhere, and the feeling of 'Did I bring the right bag?' and then the next second is 'I love this trip so much!'
- Midday: Finally! Arrived at Les Perouses. Driving on the left side of the road was terrifying, especially when trying to navigate tight campsite spaces. But the campsite is gorgeous! It's nestled among pines, and the air smells like freedom and pine needles… swoon.
- Afternoon: The real test… pitching the tent. This is where things get interesting. Let's just say the instructions resembled some kind of ancient hieroglyphic. After a 3 hour battle with poles, pegs, and a whole lot of swearing, I managed to mostly erect the thing. It looks like it was hit by a tornado, but hey, it's standing! (Mostly.)
- Late Afternoon: Now, the real test: the friendly campsite owner, a woman who seemed more like a wise forest spirit, came over and simply glanced at my tent construction and shook her head, and offered to help. She fixed me up.
- Evening: Crack open a bottle of Rosé (essential) and watch the sunset. My neighbor, a very jolly Brit named Dave, offered me a beer and a story about a seagull he'd been battling all day. This, I thought, is what vacation is all about. The pure joy of the unknown.
Day 2: Island Exploration – The Lighthouse and the Lighthouse Keeper's Secret
- Morning: Deciding what to do and not do is so complicated! But I need to get out of here.
- Midday: We're now in the legendary lighthouse. It looms over everything and it's where the best view of the ocean is! I felt like a giddy child, running around the tower and getting the best shot of the world.
- Afternoon: My camera broke so I went to a café and I saw a woman who looked like the woman from my dream. So I got to talk to her about the lighthouse. It turns out, she's the keeper. Incredible.
- Evening: A dinner made with some ingredients from the shop in the campsite and the best wine that I bought from the local store.
Day 3: Beach Bliss and Bread-Induced Coma
- Morning: Beach day! (After a near-catastrophic encounter with a rogue French baker and an entire baguette that I consumed in under five minutes. Seriously, the carbs are dangerously delicious here.)
- Midday: The beach in Saint-Clement-des-Baleines is stunning. Wide, sandy, and the water is that perfect shade of turquoise that makes you want to weep with joy. Spent hours just lounging, reading, and occasionally battling the seagulls who were clearly plotting to steal my sandwich.
- Afternoon: More beach. More sunshine. More happiness. Developed a slight sunburn. Worth it.
- Evening: Ate dinner. Passed out. The baguette coma came back to haunt me.
Day 4: The Bicycle Adventure and The Great Cheese Quest
- Morning: Decided to rent a bike and explore the island properly. This means I'm going to have to use my legs. I haven't used those in ages, so it's going to be a brutal day.
- Midday: Cruised along the cycle paths, past vineyards and charming villages. Ended up getting hopelessly lost. (GPS is a fickle mistress.) The key, I discovered, is to embrace the detour! Found a tiny, tiny cheese shop in a side street.
- Afternoon: The Great Cheese Quest! Bought way too much cheese. (There is no such thing as "too much cheese" in France, fight me.)
- Evening: Back at the campsite. Ate cheese for dinner. Follow-up: Cheese is a good idea.
Day 5: Market Mayhem - a Sensory Overload
- Morning: Visited the local market. This place is a riot of colors, smells, and sounds. Fresh produce, seafood, pastries… Lost myself in the chaos. (Also bought a ridiculously oversized hat, which I'm now convinced I need to wear everywhere.)
- Midday: Tried to haggle (badly) for a scarf. Failed miserably. Ended up paying too much. Worth it.
- Afternoon: Attempted to cook a simple meal with my market finds. Disaster ensued. The kitchen in the campsite is…basic. (Let's just say my attempt at a "rustic vegetable stew" resembled something more like a swamp monster.)
- Evening: Decided to eat out. Found a tiny bistro in a nearby village. Ate a steak. Felt slightly less like a culinary failure.
Day 6-7: Rinse and Repeat - Beach, Relaxation, and Existential Musings
- More beach. More sunshine. More cheese. More wine. More existential musings about the meaning of life while staring at the ocean. Realized that the meaning of life is probably…beach life.
- Started to get the hang of the tent. The sun is the best thing ever. The food is the best thing ever.
Week 2: Departure - The bittersweet farewell
Days Leading Up to Departure:
- Shopping for souvenirs: This is where my impulse control completely goes out the window.
- Attempting to learn more French: My French skills are still woefully inadequate.
- Trying to mentally prepare myself to leave: This is going to be hard. Really, really hard.
Departure Day:
- Morning: Last croissant! Last cafe au lait! Last chance to soak up the incredible views. My heart aches!
- Midday: Packing up the tent (which, miraculously, I managed to do without a complete breakdown). A moment of silence for the great tent.
- Afternoon: One last walk on the beach. One last look at the lighthouse. One last deep breath of that salty, pine-scented air. This is going to be hard!
- Evening: Saying goodbye to Dave and the forest spirit and the beautiful campsite. The journey back home.
Final Thoughts
Camping Les Perouses. A wild, wonderful mess. I wouldn't have it any other way. Just remember: bring duct tape, embrace the chaos, and don't be afraid to order the escargots (even if you regret it). Bon voyage!
Escape to Paradise: Ilha Grande's Hidden Gem, Pousada Riacho Dos Cambucas
Camping Les Pêrouses: Dream French Getaway? Let's DISSECT!
Okay, spill the beans! Is Camping Les Pêrouses *actually* as idyllic as those Instagram photos make it seem?
Alright, deep breaths! Let's be REAL here. Instagram? Filtered paradise. Les Pêrouses? Well... it’s a *vibe*. Some days, yes, utterly idyllic. Picture this: sun setting over those rolling hills, a chilled glass of rosé (bought at the *superb* on-site shop, by the way – more on that later!), the cicadas buzzing… pure magic. Other days? Let's just say my tent battled a fierce wind that threatened to yeet it into the next département. And the rogue pigeon situation? Don't even get me started. They're bold. Very, very bold.
Look, it's not perfection, but that's part of the charm, right? It’s like a slightly unhinged, very French family reunion that you’re invited to. And honestly? I wouldn't have it any other way.
What's the deal with the pitches? Are they cramped? Will I be elbowing my neighbour for the last sausage?
Okay, the pitches. This is IMPORTANT. They vary. You've got your sprawling, sun-drenched fields where you *could* practically host a Medieval jousting tournament. Then you've got the "cosy" ones, which are, shall we say, intimately acquainted with your neighbours. My advice? Book EARLY and specify you want SPACE. Seriously, I once saw this poor bloke trying to erect a gazebo that was wider than his pitch. The ensuing drama? Glorious.
And the sausage situation? It depends on your neighbours' barbecue skills (or lack thereof). But honestly? The *charcuterie* at the shop? Worth fighting for. Just...be polite about it. French politeness is a VERY specific beast.
Tell me about the facilities. Are the showers decent? Because hygiene matters.
Right, the facilities. This is where things get... interesting. The showers? Sometimes hot, sometimes lukewarm, sometimes a chilly blast that wakes you up faster than a double espresso. It’s a gamble, folks. Embrace the unpredictable! I actually found the unpredictability made them a little more exciting. You get a real sense of accomplishment when you manage a fully hot shower.
The toilets? They're clean-ish, usually. Bring your own toilet roll. Trust me on this. And the communal sinks? Perfect for washing your dishes, and also great for overhearing juicy gossip. That's where I learned about Madame Dubois' legendary *tarte aux pommes*...
The pool! Is it as crowded as a sardine tin on a hot summer's day?
The pool... oh, the pool. Yes, it *can* get crowded. Especially during peak season. It’s a sea of inflatable armbands, shrieking children (charming, mostly!), and sunbathers vying for prime real estate. My advice? Go early, or go late. And be prepared to share. And by "share," I mean, strategically maneuver your towel so you have enough space to actually, you know, lie down.
But honestly, even with the crowds, it’s still lovely. The water's clean, the sun's warm (often TOO warm!), and there’s something incredibly satisfying about floating on your back, watching the trees sway. Just try not to get splashed. Unless you've been strategically plotting against the kid who's hogging the shallow end... (Just kidding… mostly.)
What about the food situation? Are there restaurants, shops, or am I condemned to camp cooking for the duration?
Okay, the food! This is a big one, and honestly, one of the things I LOVED most. The on-site shop is a treasure trove. Seriously, someone in management understands the importance of *pain au chocolat* and fresh baguettes. They also sell local cheeses, wines, and everything you need to survive.
There's a restaurant too, which is… variable. Some days the food is fantastic, some days it's… adequate. But the atmosphere is ALWAYS good. Lots of families, lots of laughter, and a general feeling of convivial chaos. Plus, you get to try out your (terrible) French on the staff. *That's* part of the fun.
And then, of course, there's the camp cooking! Which I’m terrible at. But, the experience of burning your sausages while trying to chat with the neighbours is priceless. Be prepared for some potential culinary disasters. Pack extra snacks. Seriously.
OKAY, let's get REAL REAL. What was the WORST thing that happened at Les Pêrouses? Spill the beans (or, you know, the burnt sausages).
Alright. This is important. I've been dancing around the edges of "disasters," but I’m going to go all in now. The WORST? The wasps. Oh, the wasps.
I am terrified of wasps. Like, genuinely terrified. And Les Pêrouses? They have a wasp problem. A SIGNIFICANT wasp problem.
It started innocently enough. A few buzzing around during breakfast. Then, they discovered my jam. My *expensive* artisan jam. Next thing I knew, I was basically barricaded in my tent, flailing a rolled-up newspaper like some sort of deranged windmill.
It got WORSE. The wasps started infiltrating the tent, coming in around the seams. I was crouched on my sleeping bag, convinced there was a nest inside, whimpering like a small child. I lost an entire afternoon to wasp-related trauma. I eventually had to call a woman in the next pitch for help (thank you, Madame Dubois – she was an absolute angel!). My jam? Gone. My dignity? Severely dented. My sanity? Questionable.
I did, however, learn a valuable lesson: always bring wasp spray. And maybe, just maybe, be less attached to my artisan jam. The horror… the horror…
What's the best thing about Camping Les Pêrouses? The REALLY good stuff?
Despite the wasps (and the questionable showers, and the occasional over-crowded pool), the BEST thing? The people.
Seriously. You’ll meet some amazing people. Families from all over, all there for the same reason: to chill and have some fun. I met the loveliest couple from Germany who shared their wine and stories. I learned about local hiking trails from a ridiculously tanned Brit. And I bonded with the woman in the next pitch over our shared trauma from the wasps (yes, Madame Dubois again, bless her!).
There’s something about the shared experience of camping – the communal barbecues, the late-night chats around the fire, the general sense of camaraderie – that creates a special atmosphere. It's a little messy, a little chaotic, and sometimes, a little wasp-infested. But that's what makes it unforgettable. And that, my friends, is why I'd go back in a heartbeat, waspTravel Stay Guides
Camping Les Perouses Saint-Clement-des-Baleines France
Camping Les Perouses Saint-Clement-des-Baleines France
