Domaine Le Poteau
Europe France Midi-pyrénées Gers
Domaine le Poteau, 32440 Castelnau d’Auzan, Gers, France
It was almost a decade ago that Cool Camping first pulled into the gravel drive leading to Le Poteau Campsite. Situated on the edge of the sleepy village of Castelnau d’Auzan, this charming spot lies in the heart of Gers’ bountiful wine- and Armagnac-producing départment. Hidden among the corrugated corduroy of vineyards, the campsite’s immediate appeal made it a shoo-in for our very first guidebook to France. It also made it a firm favourite with Scottish couple Alasdair and Fiona Downes, who visited the site in 2015 and promptly decided there was nowhere else they’d rather be. Today they’ve packed up the tent and live in the small house across the driveway, tending to all the new arrivals in what is now their garden.
The campsite itself, though kept to a manageable 20 or so pitches, sprawls out to offer ample space. There’s an assortment of shrubbery, small trees and bushes to obscure your tent from your neighbours, whilst across the driveway, a covered dining area and a cute terrace bar are there to be sociable in. Alasdair was a chef in his former years and cooks up a mean four-course meal a couple of days a week, enjoyed in the shaded setting of the orchard. Glance at a menu board on other days of the week, and you can pre-order some of his traditional French food to take away instead.
The church spire of pretty Castelnau d’Auzan peeps above the surroundings. The village is a short walk away and has its own little tourist office and a few bar-restaurants. You get a real taste for agricultural France as you pass tractors chugging along roads lined with tall trees that have grown from either side of the road and entwined together above you. There are as many of these tree tunnels as there are vineyards around these parts and they seem to echo the rustic, picture-perfect atmosphere of the settlements. Montreal-du-Gers, Fources and Larressingle are all designated plus beaux villages and can be easily reached by bike. Or you can simply stay put in the garden-like setting of this plus beaux campsite. Long may its years of secluded success continue.
Gallery
The Owner Says
We’ve been careful to preserve the things that made us fall in love with Domaine Le Poteau. It’s a friendly, relaxing, quiet and beautiful little site where you can unwind, enjoy the wildlife and forget the hassles of the outside world. The most stressful thing you are likely to encounter is our very disorganised and not very serious boule tournaments. When you do peel yourself off your hammock or lounger, the beautiful Gers region beckons; rich with culture, gastronomy and outdoor activity. A fabulous, friendly, unspoiled region to explore.
Our pitches are large and shaded and carefully spaced to offer privacy and solitude and the two toilet blocks are kept spotlessly clean.
We have a beautiful and stylish Bell Tent. The main tent has a very comfortable bed, lamps, seating and storage. There is a separate kitchen tent with everything you might need to rustle up something delicious using fabulous local produce or to simply heat up a tin of beans! We also have a fully equipped tent. Slightly less glamorous but practical and roomy if you are travelling light.
We also have two gites, located at the far end of the vineyard, far enough away from the campsite to provide solitude but close enough to make participating in the campsite activities an easy walk past the ripening grapes. They are well equipped and have beautiful views over the surrounding countryside and village. Our guests describe them as "magical" "calm" "Idyllic".
We have a brand new (2018) 7m above ground pool nestled in a little hollow below a meadow and above our woodland. It is an unusual but delightful spot for a dip.
The vineyard, which used to produce Domaine Le Poteau’s own wine and Armagnac, still borders our quiet little site, where you may see Jean Jacques, the vigneron, checking his crop. We make sure that as much fabulous local produce is available to visitors as possible – from bread and croissants delivered fresh from the village to the wine you can sip in the orchard and the ingredients used in the traditional French meals served in the evenings.
The local village, Castelnau d’Auzan is just an easy stroll from the campsite and gites. It is a really friendly and very welcoming village where you will be able to eat and drink with the locals and enjoy a bit of banter if you like. We feel that it is really important to support the excellent local businesses which support the life of our community. The village hosts several events in summer. The other villages that surround us also offer a wide range of markets, festivals, cafes and restaurants. Check out the links on our website for sample of the huge range of visitor attractions and activities within easy distance of Le Poteau.
Alasdair & Fiona DownesReviews
Add Your ReviewFantastic facilities in a superb setting.
Chilled and delighted, only too short a stay
Lovely campsite set in a lovely part of France
Great relaxing campsite to chill out and experience real France
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Pitches
20 grass camping pitches (2 gîtes also available) 1 Bell tent and 1 equipped tent
Who's In
Tents, campervans, caravans, dogs – yes. Large groups – outside of peak season only.
Facilities
Electrical hook-ups available. Wash-block with showers, toilets, basins, hair-dryers, shaving points, washing machine and tumble dryer. Covered washing-up sinks. Boules court. Small, above-ground swimming pool. Firepits available. Donkeys on-site, lots of wildlife and a small pond on the edge of the vineyard.
Nearby
Alasdair is a keen cyclist and has the lycra to prove it. The quiet routes and wide range of options is one of the things that attracted him to Le Poteau and he is very happy to give tips and advice on where to go. From meandering rambles through country lanes to lung-busting challenges, there's plenty of choice. He and Fiona also have decent knowledge of the local walking routes – just ask. Montreal-du-Gers (9km), Fources (12km) and Larressingle (18km) are all Plus Beaux Villages and essential visits – the photo opportunities are unmissable! In Castelnau D’Auzan (5–10 mins walk) there is a large outdoor pool (larger than the above-ground one on the campsite), tennis courts and a park. You can also try wild swimming in Lac d’Aignan or Lac de Lupiac (each around 30 minute's away).
Food & Drink
Evening table d’hôte meals are served in the orchard around 2 times a week – Alasdair used to be a chef and whips up some fine fodder – and take-away French food is also often on offer. Local wines are served with dinner. They also make their own zingy lemonade, which is excellent. Fresh bread and croissants can be ordered in the evening for the next morning. In the village (walking distance) there are several small restaurants and an epicerie. The nearest traditional market is in Eauze (10km) every Thursday.
Open
April–September (gîtes open all year).
The Damage
Pitch and 2 people from €16–€20.
Getting There
The N124 from Toulouse takes you nearly all the way there; you join the D931 towards Eauze where you take the D43 to Castelnau d’Auzan.
Public Transport
This is a very rural location and the nearest train stations – Auch, Agen and Mont de Marsan – are all around an hours drive away. The nearest airports are Bordeaux (1½ hour's drive) and Toulouse (1¾ hours).
Facilities
- Campervans permitted
- Campfires permitted
- Caravans permitted
- Dogs welcome
- Electrical hook-ups
- Laundry
- Showers
- Swimming pool
Looking For...
- Bicycle routes nearby
- Nice Views from Site
- Remote location
