For us, it’s all about the lake at Moulin de Campech. This campsite in southwest France is set around its still waters. The campsite bar and restaurant are in a 16th-century watermill which overlooks it, prime pitches are situated on the edge of the stream that feeds it and the sound of ducks, frogs and trickling water offer a soothing soundtrack to your stay.
This is a fairly traditional campsite where tents, campervans, motorhomes, caravans and dogs are all welcome. It attracts an international crowd but Brits seem to be particularly keen, with many campers returning again and again. Perhaps that’s because the site has British owners; Sue, George and Dot who offer a warm welcome and hot, home-cooked food from the site’s restaurant. The great-value set menus are a daily delight and the terrace is a sociable spot.
There’s rather a grown-up feel to the site though families are welcome and kids will naturally gravitate towards the on-site pool. There are woodland walks which will keep dogs and their owners happy and there’s information on walks and cycle routes that’ll take you further into the Lot-and-Garonne countryside too. Fishing is free for all stays of 2 nights or more. You can fish the lake for trout for a small extra charge (10 eur per kilo), and keep your catch to cook on the barbecue. Facilities are simple but there are flushing loos, hot showers, places to do laundry and a little shop. And all pitches have electric hook-up.
Out and about in this region, the pace is just as chilled with plenty of now sleepy bastide towns and villages, which were once fortified in the Anglo-French wars. Now the biggest fight you’ll see is likely to be over fresh produce at the weekly markets. There’s a good one twice a week in nearby Casteljaloux which also offers thermal baths and, just outside the centre, a lakeside beach with an aqua park that’s great for kids and a golf course that’s good for grown-ups.
There's information on local walks and cycling routes on site and if you don't have your own bikes but fancy cycling, you can hire them to be delivered to site from Velo Gascon (+33 6 86 73 39 04). There are lots of lovely towns and villages to discover in the area. One of the closest is Casteljaloux, 10km away. Just outside of town there's a lake with an aqua park (+33(0)7 57 42 95 04) and also Casteljaloux Golf Course (+33 (0)5 53 93 51 60). There's another golf course a similar distance away at Barbaste; Golf Albret.
There's an on-site bar and restaurant in the mill with seating on the terrace overlooking the lake. It's open daily, however, bar is open in the afternoons and evenings, and the restaurant is open in the evening. Both serve a very reasonable fixed-price menu as well as a la carte options at the restaurant.
There's a market every Saturday morning in Casteljaloux where you'll also find a choice of places to eat out at too. The nearest wine caves are at Buzet-sur-Baise and Château Moncassin for a tasting.
