From
regular contributors and Merryhill Music Festival visitors Joe and Karen
In September this
year (2010) we had a 26 day break at Domaine Laborde a Dutch run
naturist site in the north of Lot et Garonne and just south of the
Dordogne River.
We had a one night
stop over at Les Grand Pins Chateroux a non-naturist site but one with
the best restaurant on a caravan site we have ever been to.
The trip to Domaine
Laborde can be done either on pay roads or none we chose the A20 turning
off at Cahors.
The directions
provided by the site where brief but sufficient and it is well
signposted from several directions no excuse to get lost in this
instance.
The approach to the
site is like many sites both in UK and Europe via narrow back roads but
as said very well signed.
On arrival we parked
up and went to reception the staff all Dutch spoke good English. There
was a pitch allocated to us but as it was the end of the season we had
the option of choosing another. I would suggest if you do go that you
see if you can do this as though the allocated pitch was fine there were
many better ones and we did use another. Cars are not allowed to remain
on site after setting up and ample parking is provided.
The site has a
central area that comprises of reception where English/French/Dutch and
no doubt other languages are spoken,
A
bar with external patio area and restaurant again with an outdoor eating
area. The meals are basic but good quality if a little on the expensive
side.
One of several
vegetable preparation areas and shower/wash areas are also located here.
Other facilities at the
site include a
massage room, indoor and outdoor pools (with children facilities.)
The site organise
various activities which wind down as the season ends but whilst we were
there there were two variety evenings in the bar a duo singing and then
a single vocalist - free to attend.
There is a Sunday
walk each week about 3-4 miles at a very slow pace sadly not naturist
but great to see local area from off road - It's a free extra.
A canoeing day on the
Dordogne is available - which is at extra cost.
There are 4 areas
surrounding the reception block, on the approach drive to the left are
the car parks, tennis court and new built chalets, and some time
presumably in high season beyond the tennis courts are several pitches
adjacent to what appear to be the site sewage works. To the rear of the
reception area is a lower area again with some chalets and pitches
situated in a long line between two small lakes. On our walk there we
met what I thought was the biggest rat I have ever seen but am assured
it was a Coypu and many flies around the lakes. A beautiful looking area
but like the pitches near the sewage works perhaps best avoided.
To the right of the
reception area is a second lower area which seemed more for those not
requiring electrics and more ‘wilderness’.
The main site was to
the front area of reception where you have an area and can set up in any
configuration you choose within your pitch boundary ideal to orientate
for maximum sun.
You have a choice of
3-6-10 amp electrics. There are ample water stand pipes and the
wash/shower areas though small and no doubt very busy in high season are
ample and serve their purpose. Bring plugs though if you want as none
are provided in any sinks.
There are no rubbish
collection points on the site and you have to take all rubbish to a
central recycling area near the site entrance-still within naturist
environment.
A walk around the
camping site will take about 45 minutes not including photo or beer
stops.
Depending on the time
of season the shop and restaurant are open most days.
The site shop has
only the basic items for sale but there is daily fresh bread and
yesterdays paper both of which have to been ordered the day before.
However there are two supermarkets relatively close and almost
daily markets in the surrounding area.
The area has many
historic villages well worth a visit; our days would usually be a market
or village in the morning then back for lunch and laze naked in the
sun-bliss.
The site is run by a
Dutch family and can be described as Little Holland when we were
there some 95% were Dutch the odd Belgian, Dane, French but not one
German?
All in all a good
well run site one we’d go back to happily.
Couple of points take
plugs for the sinks and basins, only 2 mirrors in wash rooms (queue to
shave), caravan pitches not quite level but no major problems.
Happy to chat and
show our photos of the area to anyone who asks. ..... We are more than
happy to pass on any messages and thanks for another great contribution
guys! the Buns
