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Planning to go to the Archeche in the summer with the wife and our two young children (5yrs & 10months) and was looking for campsite recommendations
Really rated this place in 2012. Up on the plateau, so a little cooler and much less crowded than some of the miserable sites near the river. Nice owner, good prices and big spaces between tents
http://www.campingdebriange.com/?lang=fr
Enjoy
My parents live in the Ardeche so, whilst I've never been camping around there, I've certainly driven/cycled around it a fair bit. The campsites on the Ardeche river itself look absolutely rammed from June-September and you could probably walk across the river on canoes without touching the water.
I'm biased (cos my parents live there), but I'd look along the Chassezac river for places to stay - it's much quieter (although not "quiet"!) and a bit less touristy, whilst still being on the beaten track and only 20 mins to the Ardeche gorge. The Chassezac has all the same cliffs, canoeing and walking that the Ardeche has. Plus it's right on the edge of the Cevennes national park. Les Vans is a good size of town to base yourself near, and has a massive traditional market on Saturdays.
I'd look along the Chassezac river for places to stay
That's a great shout, after 15 years of going there as kids we much preferred being away from the main gorge. Personally I wouldn't want to camp in mid-summer but if you have to then at least go somewhere slightly less busy.
We ventured east to la Drome with 3yo Ellie last year, was stunning, very quiet and very French. The campsite we stayed at (le Grand Bois) was actually Dutch, but comes highly recommended
Camping ardechois, packed but cool fun pool and let us park motorhome at bottoom on grassy knoll right next to river so it was really nice. Still blinking expensive and busy.
I've been to the Chassezac and Ardeche a few times. Most of the sites around Vallon Pont d'Arc are pretty packed in high season, and not such good value.
The Chassezac sites are a bit quieter, and really good for combining family river time, climbing (sport and bouldering) and mountain biking.
Specifically - Mazet Plage camping is OK, but not that shady. Les Actinadas is shady but a bit cramped and dusty.
Around Chaulet Plage there are more swimming spots, including some fun canyony bits and three campsites right next to each other:
Camping Les Blaches - the biggest, with mostly spread out and shady camping spots. Haven't actually stayed here but walked through on the way to the river.
Camping Chaulet Plage - smaller, grid layout but with well defined shady emplacements so doesn't feel too crowded.
Camping La Vignasse - behind Camping Chaulet Plage, so a bit further from the river (this is good if you have wayward children). Similar in size to CP, but Jean-Luc the owner is a local Mountain Bike Guide and an ex-vigneron, which is why the wine he sells is excellent.
Thanks for all the recommendations especially around the Chassezac as wouldn't have thought to look there