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Camping Chez Gendron

33820 Saint Palais, Nouvelle-Aquitaine
1 acre hosted by Alexander K.
Bordeaux wines on your right, cognac on your left and a patchwork of sunflowers, forests and rivers in between
“CHEZ GENDRON” read the large black letters, stamped along two rows of oak barrels at the entrance to the site. It’s clear you’re in the wine region. In fact, though nestled snuggly within the vineyards of Gironde, one of the oldest regions for red in the world, not all of the grapes around here are destined for those dark and fruity bottles of merlot. Turn left at the campsite entrance and you’re straight across the border into Charente Maritime a region just as famous for its cognac and just as stripy – like long green corduroy, the vineyards cover field after field after field.

The views, then, are not half bad and from its spot in the centre of the countryside, Camping Chez Gendron looks across the Gironde valley to the distant river, 5km away. To make the most of the spectacle it’s best to go for a wander, as the camping area itself is dotted and shaded by shrubs, trees and mature vegetation that can sometimes block the view. It makes for a pleasantly green place to pitch your tent though, and the campsite has a relaxed, natural feel with only two hard standings in favour of more grassy camping spaces.

The facilities are precisely what you would hope for. Clean, well maintained and providing everything you need, but without the artificial clamour of a large commercial campsite. There’s a swimming pool and adjacent, shallower paddling pool, both overlooked by the campsite’s bar with a pleasant terrace for enjoying your glass of vino. Kids can enjoy games like volleyball or table tennis and, when they’re finally worn out, find a quiet spot by the tent to snooze in the shade.

The tourist information folk love to tell you about the city of Bordeaux, bustlingly urban Royan and the beaches of the west coast – all, admittedly worth their salt and within driving distance – but really the more modest local surroundings have their own quiet charm that deserves to be explored. Largely absent of people but full of rustling wildlife, heading out by bike allows you to enjoy this peaceful landscape. Vineyards, sunflower fields and pockets of woodland furnish the immediate vicinity, levelling out into flat marshy riverbanks along the Gironde estuary. It takes around an hour and a half to pedal to Blaye, home to a huge and fascinating military citadelle, open every day with free admission to the main area. It’s a great spot for a picnic too, making the ideal cycling daytrip.

The overall feel of the campsite, then, is much like the local wine it so proudly alludes to with its grand, oak-barreled welcome sign: natural, smooth, well-rounded and leaving a very pleasant aftertaste.

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Location
33820 Saint Palais, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, FranceTraditional, ancestral territory of various First Nations according to To respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking
Hosted by Alexander K.Joined in January 2015
From the host
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Nearby attractions
The campsite lies on the border of Gironde, famous for its bordeaux wines and Charente Maritime, for its cognac, so tasting the local tipple is an important part of any stay. Chez Gendron organise visits to the local wine chateaux with English translations for larger parties, just ask at reception. Elsewhere it's just under half an hours drive to Blaye with the magnificent Citadelle-de-Blaye (0033 05 57 42 12 09), a historic military stronghold with 17 hectares of barracks, amouries, powder magazines and officers quarters. Cyclists will enjoy the local cycle paths with good routes upriver along the Dordogne, back along the Gironde estuary or between the wine fields. Mountain-bikers, meanwhile, will find no less than 40 km of off-road trails just behind the campsite.
Food and drink
Fresh bread is deliviered from the bakery each morning. A small onsite restaurant serves fresh, mainly organic, food and cold drinks. If you want to explore the local area, try the village of Saint Ciers-sur-Gironde, only 2km from the campsite. It has a large supermarket for stocking up, several small boutiques, and a weekly market along with one or two decent restaurants.

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