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Camping Fans

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· Millau, Occitanie
1 acre hosted by Pauline, Anouk And Yves L.
1 tent pitch
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Wonderfully unspoilt riverside site in the heart of the Aveyron countryside

In the words of Bjork, ‘It’s, oh, so quiet'.  We’re in the heart of the Aveyron, one of France’s largest, least-populated, départements, and, we might venture, one of its most beautiful. Yet there’s hardly a soul to be seen. It’s high season, a time when the roads are choked with traffic and café tables permanently occupied by the hungry hordes. Yet Belcastel feels like a slice of France that is still relatively unspoilt by mass tourism.

A fabled medieval settlement, home to some 200 residents, Belcastel sits on the tranquil banks of the river Aveyron. Its 11th-century chateau and spread of ancient houses, set on cobbled streets, nestles on the wooded slopes along the river bank. The town's humpbacked Gothic bridge, positively demands an impromptu game of Poohsticks. It’s easy to see why this has been officially voted one of the most beautiful villages in France.

Just down the road, in the idyllic hamlet of the same name, Camping Fans is set within 55 acres of tranquil riverside valley meadows. This picturesque family-friendly site is the pride and joy of wonderful campsite chiefs Pieter and Marcelline Quartero. Essentially, it’s a tale of two campsites: an  ‘Aire Naturelle’ site that caters to the bulk of campers, including a couple of groups in the fully-furnished glamping tents (akin to a miniature circus pavillion on a wooden deck),whileThe Secret Valley is secluded between the wooded slopes of the valley. To call the pitches spacious would be an understatement. Even in the height of the summer season, this place never feels crowded and kids can run around the place as they please.

The main draw here, though, is the river. Its gently-flowing waters are safe for all children of swimming/paddling ability, and there's a small sandy beach to navigate your way in. With the summer sun in full beam, there's a steady stream of parched campers lining up to jump of the jetty into the cooling waters of the tranquil Aveyron. The river is also teeming with wildlife, from herons and coypus to trout and the sweet-tasting écrevisse (crayfish to you and me) – the perfect addition to a summer salad.

There's a pleasingly lazy pace to life round here. There are no ‘animations’ for children (‘we think children are much more capable of amusing themselves than whatever we as adults may possibly come up with’) and Pieter and Marcelline pride themselves on their daily break between 12.30pm and 3pm. Fresh bread and croissants are delivered from the village boulangerie every morning in high season – the perfect accompaniment to the excellent morning coffee to be had in the communal barn.

Camping Fans by name; camping fans by nature – Pieter and Marcelline know exactly what campers want out of an Aveyron holiday under canvas. And no doubt this gorgeous, unspoilt riverside site will be winning a few more fans, season after season.

Camping Fans is a wonderfully unspoilt riverside campsite in the heart of the Aveyron countryside, arguably one of the most beautiful regions of France.This is a true haven of peace and tranquility, surrounded by meadows, woods, brooks, valleys and the beautiful Aveyron river which flows past the campsite.The river is perfect for swimming, as the current is slow, and some parts are just ankle deep, allowing for little ones to have a splash about too. A small jetty allows for easy access in and out of the water. Camping Fans is a tranquil place, with amazing hiking routes on your doorsteps, as well as beautiful charming French villages to explore such as Belcastel and its medieval chateau, complete with cobbled streets and traditional village centre. The humpback bridge provides the perfect spot for a spot of Poohsticks. There's a pleasingly lazy pace to life round here. There's no "animations" for children ("we think children are much more capable of amusing themselves than we as adults may possibly come up with") and the owners pride themselves on their daily break between 12.30 and 15.00. Fresh bread and croissants are delivered from the village boulangerie every morning in the high season – the perfect accompaniment to the excellent morning coffee to be had in the communal barn. Camping Fans by name; camping fans by nature – the owners know exactly what campers want out of an Aveyron holiday under canvas. And no doubt this gorgeous, unspoilt riverside site will be winning a few more fans, season after season.
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100%
2 Ratings · 2 reviews
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Catrin S.recommends
August 8, 2023
Camping Pitch 1
Tranquil & close to nature
From the warm welcome upon our arrival right through to the last day, we had a superb holiday. If you like a tranquil campsite off tourist destinations, this is the place to be. The children (and adults) loved to swim in the river that runs next to the campsite and forms a natural border. The owners try to leave the campsite mostly untouched; following the motto "Where nature can be." Thanks to the great number of trees, there was always shadow, important in Southern France's hot summer. A little stream running behind our tent provided both a playground for the more adventurous as well as the night's lullaby. Don't miss out on the delicious dinner cooked by Pauline on Sunday nights as well as the perfect French fries on offerTuesday and Thursday evening.
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Na S.
June 21, 2019
*Disclaimer: what you are about to read is wrought with childhood sentiment and hyperbolic excesses* Camping Fans is a true pearl among campsites, snugly situated in a picturesque valley on the river Aveyron. The valley alone is a sight to behold, let alone the magnificent countryside and wealth of medieval sites and villages all within an hour's drive. Including the abbey church of Sainte Foy in Conque, a masterpiece of Romanesque architecture and the most beautiful church I have seen. The campsite itself is a magical, intensely relaxed place. The spacious plots and the lack thereof, the cosy café where Pieter and Marcelline (the proprietors) serve fresh baguettes and croissants from the local bakery and delicious espresso's, the beautifully decorated sanitary facilities (basic, but complete), and the bathing area on the river (including a stream which can be tracked all the way up to "The Secret Valley"...) all add to the atmosphere. But I forget the twice weekly dinners held in the "small barn" which time and again are a showcase of Marcelline's delicious cooking. On pain of rambling on: every aspect of the campsite is the result of the love and attention of Pieter and Marcelline, who work tirelessly year-round to make Fans the wonderful place that it is, for over twenty years now. My personal relationship with the campsite began in 2001, when I was five years old. Many years and many visits later I still haven't had enough of the place. And another funny thing: during my last visit, after a ten-year hiatus, I was surprised to see many familiar faces, who like me have made a habit of Fans.
Location
Millau, Occitanie, 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
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Hosted by Pauline, Anouk And Yves L.Joined in February 2016
From the host
Wonderfully unspoilt riverside site in the heart of the Aveyron countryside.
Nearby attractions

Aveyron is a dream for the outdoor enthusiast. There's canoeing just an hour from Camping Fans and plenty of great hiking routes with the Grande Randonnée 62B directly accessible from the site. Gorgeous Belcastel (officially among "the most beautiful villages in France") is just a short drive away. It's quaint cobbled streets, distinctive 15th-century stone houses and medieval castle sit on the tranquil banks of the Aveyron river. Every Friday night its marché nocturne brims with plenty of stalls for eating, drinking and good company. Villefranche de Rouergue boasts many historic buildings and its famous Thursday morning market. Enchanting old Rodez also boasts a market on Saturday morning. The atmospheric medieval village and ruined twin towers of the château inférieur at Peyrusse le Roc are an essential visit. An hour's drive away, the Tarn-side city of Albi hosts a UNESCO World Heritage Site around its cathedral and the renowned Musée Toulouse Lautrec (0033 563 494 870) in honour of its most famous son. Toulouse is just a couple of hours' drive away.

Food and drink

Fresh bread and croissants are delivered from the village boulangerie every morning in the high season. Home-cooked hot meals are offered twice a week. There's a great little market in Rignac every Tuesday morning – perfect for basic and artisan produce. You can also order take-away pizas from the village. L'hôtel restaurant du Vieux Pont (0033 565 645 229) in Belcastel offers stunning views and an impressively refined French cuisine. For something a little less grand, Chez Anna (0033 565 639 561) serves fast food from its delightful terrace. The famous wine region of Marcillac is just 20km to the north-west of Rignac. Be sure to visit for the Sunday morning market and pick up a nice bottle of red to accompany the local specialty, tripoux (stuffed sheep's tripe).

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