Criteria to check when booking
Before booking, find out about the features of the pitches offered by the campsite. If you wish to have electricity, check that your chosen pitch does indeed have a connection and, if necessary, make sure you have a suitable extension lead. Some campsites also allow you to choose an area or specify your preferences: near the toilet blocks, the swimming pool or other facilities, or, conversely, in a quieter area. Feel free to make a request when booking, even though the final choice of pitch isn’t always guaranteed.
Finally, more and more campsites are offering pitches with private en-suite facilities, usually comprising a shower, toilet and washing-up area. If you’re looking for greater comfort and privacy, choosing this type of pitch could be a good option for your stay.
Choosing the right pitch at the campsite
If the campground allows you to choose your pitch on arrival, take a few minutes to look around the campground before setting up. Opt for a grassy, flat or gently sloping area and avoid dips, where water is more likely to collect if it rains. If you’re pitching a tent, also check that the ground allows you to drive in the tent pegs easily and set up the guy ropes.
Also avoid setting up too close to a pond or river: there may be more damp and mosquitoes in these areas, and, depending on the season, there is a risk of flooding near a watercourse.
Also consider the pitch’s aspect: depending on your preferences and the time of year, you might want to seek out more sunshine or, conversely, enjoy the shade of the trees. If possible, position the entrance to your tent so as to avoid direct sunlight when you wake up or, conversely, to make the most of it if you like being woken by the first rays of the sun. Trees can provide welcome shade, but it’s best to avoid pitching your tent under fragile branches.
Finally, check the view from neighbouring pitches and the lighting around your plot. A street lamp or illuminated fixture nearby can be handy for getting about at night, but may also disturb your sleep.
Which pitch should you choose to suit your needs?
With children
If you have young children, a pitch close to the toilet and shower facilities can be handy, as can one that offers easy access to play areas, the swimming pool and the kids’ club. However, avoid setting up right next to a playground or a busy area if you want to enjoy a bit of peace and quiet. For more independent children, a pitch that allows you to keep a close eye on them as they move about can also be a good option.
Depending on your camping style
The criteria differ depending on whether you’re staying in a tent, a caravan or a motorhome. For a tent, make sure you have enough space to pitch it with its guy ropes and choose a suitable surface. If you’re travelling in a caravan or motorhome, check above all that access to the pitch is easy enough and that it offers the necessary space to manoeuvre and set up your vehicle.
Are you camping in a tent? To find out more, discover the specific factors to consider when choosing and booking your pitch.
For a peaceful stay
If you’re looking for peace and quiet, stay as far away as possible from busy areas and facilities that are likely to be lively, such as reception, the restaurant, the bar, the swimming pool or entertainment areas. Also remember to check where the campsite’s main access routes are.
Proximity to the toilet blocks
If your pitch doesn’t have private toilet and shower facilities, being close to the sanitary blocks can be a real advantage, particularly if you have young children or if you’d rather not have to walk all the way across the campsite to get to the showers or do the washing-up. A pitch just a few minutes’ walk away can therefore make daily life easier, especially when you’re making frequent trips back and forth. Do make sure, however, not to set up too close to the entrance to the toilet and shower blocks, where there may be more footfall, particularly in the morning and early evening.