When I got an email back in March from Eurocamp asking if we would like to go on holiday to one of their parks, I couldn’t quite believe my eyes. I had to re-read it several times, confirm they were legit (I’d actually never heard of them), and then forward onto the other half who also couldn’t believe his eyes. I had only been blogging for 8 months and someone was offering us a holiday. At first, we didn’t know if we could afford it – whilst Eurocamp would kindly be arranging our accommodation and travel from Dover to Calais, we obviously had to find spending money and any other travel expenses. But how could we turn down a holiday?! In the end we just decided to go for it; opportunities don’t come up like that very often. We decided to book up and after much researching, we decided to go to one of the parks nearest to Calais called La Bien Assise as I would be driving at the other end – my first driving experience in Europe.
Last week was the big week!
We travelled down to Dover first thing on Sunday morning to catch our midday ferry. We had one seriously excited toddler on our hands as we going on a ‘big boat’ and we were all feeling pretty chipper, despite the weather being a little bit pants. To say the ferry crossing was a bit rough was a bit of an understatement, the water was very choppy but we all survived without any sickness and arrived in Calais an hour and a half after setting off.
Time for the driving nerves to kick in!
As I got myself ready to drive, I kept telling myself, “drive on the right, drive on the right”. I needn’t have worried because with an other half paying full attention to help me and the French country roads and motorways being a delight to drive on, we arrived at our Eurocamp park after about 20 minutes, pulling off the roundabout into the entrance.
Checking in
When you arrive through the gates of La Bien Assise, there are three different cabins for the various companies that use the site. Eurocamp is white and green, with a flag banner outside saying reception. Of course, because we are a bit dim we pulled over to one of the other cabins who told the other half to run back the few steps to the correct one! I was in the driving seat and it was pouring with rain, I was staying put!
Upon arriving into the reception, the other half discovered a couple of other people checking in and then he came out saying that we were all to follow the small white car who was our courier. These couriers are the on site staff who show you to your home for the week and are then around for you if you need any help. Off we all went, following the little white car only we were in slightly the wrong order and initially we found ourselves in the wrong mobile home! This was quickly rectified by the courier, who in fairness had only been working there for two weeks and we soon arrived at the home which had been allocated to us. It was right at the back of the park. I pulled the car into the grassy space to the side of the home and leapt out and inside in seconds because the weather was so grim!
Accommodation
Eurocamp has a number of different styles of accommodation. There are standard tents, Safari tents (which do look super cool), mobile homes and in some parks, tree houses! Because we have a toddler and because I really do like my home comforts, we opted for a mobile home and when we arrived it was this one…
As arranged beforehand, Eurocamp had kindly supplied some extras for us. This was a welcome pack (priced at £12, an essentials pack (priced at £3), all of our linen (priced at £20.00 for a double pack and £14.00 for a single for 2015 holidays), and three sets of beach towels (priced at £12 per set). I have to say that it was lovely walking in and seeing everything there ready for us. I also booked in addition to this, a baby bath, a potty, a changing mat, a bed guard and a highchair – all of which were free to add on. Also available free of charge are travel cots but we didn’t need this. You can also pay for a toiletries pack at a cost of £3.
The mobile home had a lounge/dining area, a kitchen area, a bathroom (toilet, sink and shower), and two bedrooms, one double and one with bunk-beds and a single bed.
In the kitchen there was a microwave, a small fridge freezer and cupboards that were stocked with basic cooking supplies. For a list of what’s included, click here.
Daddy trying to tell Zach it’s dangerous!
In the living area, there was a long corner seating area and dining table (seen in one of the photos above), and some cupboards. It also included a little digital radio and a gas fire which was used most mornings and evenings!
The bathroom was small but fully functional, clean and had a pretty good shower considering we were on a camping site!
Activities around the park
La Bien Assise is one of Eurocamp’s smaller parks. I was a little worried that we’d be stuck for stuff to do but on the five full days we were there, we spent 3 out on day trips (which will be featured in separate posts!), and two within the park. Admittedly, one of these days mostly involved hibernating as we were hit with very strong winds!
The park is absolutely beautiful to walk around. With hundreds of trees, a beautiful châteaux, some stunning buildings and a couple of gorgeous horses, we enjoyed exploring!
A gorgeous little waterfall we stumbled upon!
They have two children’s play areas. One for the toddlers and one for the slightly older children. Since no-one was on it and of course, for the purpose of this review, we let Zach go on the slightly bigger one too! The toddler side has two Little Tikes play centres, one with a smaller slide and one with a larger on. They also had a couple of pieces of rocking equipment. Zach had a whale of a time on all of these and happily played away while we sat and watched him. They also have a set of two swings that were a winner too!
The side for the older children consisted of a huge wooden playzone with large slide and a slightly smaller Little Tikes set. Again, he loved both of these things but we were very careful to be right beside him on the climbing frame! Unfortunately, he decided that we too needed to go down…sorry Eurocamp!
There is also a mini golf area for any budding golfers along with an outdoor exercise area! This was great and I definitely should have used it more! Zach liked to try it out too! Alongside this, there was a little games room with a couple of air hockey tables, a table football and a pinball. All of which require Euros to play, but nevertheless, a fun addition!
There was of course, also the swimming pool. It’s a heated pool that can be both indoor and outdoor as the cover opens up. There is also a small paddling area for the little ones and a slide. The water at the end of the slide was freezing so I didn’t use it but the other half did and it looked like great fun! Around the pool was also a sunbathing area – I managed to re-create one of the main photos on the website on the hot day! We loved the swimming pool. It was quiet, warm and large enough when the kids from next door came and joined us!
Me doing my best website image impression! See here for the original!
Onsite food
There are four different options on site when it comes to eating. Option 1 is to visit the nearby supermarket and cook yourself. Option 2 is the bar food. Option 3 is the restaurant and option 4 is the take-away. We used option 2 and 3 along with making our own breakfast and lunch.
The restaurant – La Ferme Gourmande
This is a lovely restaurant that has a wide variety of dishes. It is reasonably priced and we spent about €73 which included a bottle of wine! They have a few set menus, a children’s menu and an extensive wine list. The food was delicious and was definitely our best meal of the week.
The bar
Zach was obsessed with that giant wheel in the middle!
The other half checking out the drinks menu!
The bar serves your basic style of food. They have no qualms to admit that it is mostly microwave food although they do serve freshly made pizzas too. Our favourite from here was the chicken in a creamy mushroom sauce. I had this twice! They could do with serving less chips and maybe introducing some rice or something similar but it seemed to be a generic thing in France – everywhere we ate the food came with chips! Even when we ate in the restaurant, Zach’s burger came with chips! The bar did have a side portion of veg that you could order and so we did because Zach wanted some and we wanted him to have some! Otherwise, the food was pretty delicious!
There is a little shop onsite that sells the basics. We picked up things like milk, eggs, ham, cheese and toilet roll, and you can place an order to pick up a fresh baguette or croissants the following morning! That was delicious! The shop is only open from 8-10am and 5-7pm. If you run out of loo roll between those times, I’d recommend nipping to the communal toilet blocks!
We definitely weren’t left disappointed with the food. Just a different side to chips would be beneficial!
Overall, we thought this park was wonderful and our whole Eurocamp experience was fantastic. We would absolutely return again for another holiday and would definitely look at going to other parks too – especially as my driving was better than I thought it would be!
Thank you so much to Eurocamp for having us and for giving us a wonderful family holiday. We’ll be sure to see you again soon. Cheers!
Disclaimer: We were given a complimentary holiday to a Eurocamp park of our choice in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
For more advice on Eurocamp parks along with other camping tour operators, see MyFamilyHolidays.com.
Mama, My Kid Doesn't Poop Rainbows says
Wow this brings back memories. I was a kids club courier for keycamp another life time ago. Looks like a fab site and a fab holiday. Lucky you!
#twinklytuesday
Mummascribbles says
Thansk so much! How fun to be a kids club courier! We had a really fab time. So sorry for the delay in my response to this – playing massive commenting catch up!
Tanita says
Lovely pictures of your stay! Looks like you had so much fun! Great review thank you for sharing x
Mummascribbles says
Thanks so much for the lovely commenting – it was fab! So sorry for the delay in my response to this – playing massive commenting catch up!
Mim says
Oh wow what an awesome trip! It looks like you had a ball and can’t wait to hear what you got up to on the day trips! I’d love to try Eurocamp – it looks like such a brilliant option for a family holiday. Glad you had a brilliant time! Mim x #twinklytuesday
Mummascribbles says
It really was fab! I still have one more post to publish on the day trips hehe! Talk about behind! So sorry for the delay in my response to this – playing massive commenting catch up!
Mackenzie Glanville says
The pool looks great, but my favourite image is the ‘poor daddy’ one #Twinkly Tuesday
Mummascribbles says
Haha, Zachary does love to involve us in things!! So sorry for the delay in my response to this – playing massive commenting catch up!
Debs @ Super Busy Mum says
We went on a Eurocamp holiday ourselves last month and had an amazing time. Its great to see that you guys made some amazing memories too. The parc you went to looked lovely!! x
Mummascribbles says
Thank you! Hope you had a wonderful time too…how lucky we are 🙂 So sorry for the delay in my response to this – playing massive commenting catch up!
Nichole Goodland says
My husband has been raving about Eurocamps for a long time because it is one of his childhood memories. I have to say looking at some of the parks it is definitely something to try because it just looks great for children. 🙂 x
Mummascribbles says
I would definitely recommend – it was fab and they have so many destinations to choose from! So sorry for the delay in my response to this – playing massive commenting catch up!
Rachel says
Wow sounds like a fab holiday! Glad you had a nice time. I like the idea of having a mobile home #twinklytuesdays xx
Mummascribbles says
It was lovely – whilst the tents looked awesome, I’m just not much of a camper! So sorry for the delay in my response to this – playing massive commenting catch up!
Mummy Fever says
Looks like a good trip – would you fit travel cots in the caravans do you think? We still have two in travel cots and two older ones #TwinklyTuesday
Mummascribbles says
Hey, So sorry for the delay in my response to this – playing massive commenting catch up!
They do bigger caravans, ones with three bedrooms so I definitely think you’d manage to get one that fits two travel cots 🙂 If you ask the, they are really helpful 🙂 🙂
Fionnuala says
Oh Lisa this brings back so many memories. We were on holiday with Haven Holidays and with Keycamp back in the 80s and 90s as kids. Thanks for sharing!
#TwinklyTuesday
Fionnuala from http://www.threesonslater.blogspot.com
Mummascribbles says
Got to love a good holiday camp! I have fond memories of Butlins as a child! So sorry for the delay in my response to this – playing massive commenting catch up!
Silly Mummy says
This sounds lovely – glad you had a good time! Those pizzas look really nice – I want pizza now! #TwinklyTuesday
Mummascribbles says
Mmm I know – they were lovely! So sorry for the delay in my response to this – playing massive commenting catch up!
Random Musings says
This looks like great fun! The food looks fab for a camp site. Glad to hear you all had a good time. I spent so long looking at your pics the page timed out before I commented! Thanks for hosting #TwinklyTuesday
Debbie
http://www.myrandommusings.blogspot.com
Mummascribbles says
Haha there were a lot of pics! Glad you enjoyed looking at them though! So sorry for the delay in my response to this – playing massive commenting catch up!
mummyofboygirltwins says
Gosh I have never been but it does look perfect for families doesn’t it? Travelling there would put me off, but looks like you had fun! Great post and ver informative about everything on offer! Thanks for sharing and glad you had a lovely break xx
Mummascribbles says
Thanks so much lovely! The travelling wasn’t too bad at all, other than the rocky water haha! So sorry for the delay in my response to this – playing massive commenting catch up!
Tianna says
what a unique kind of trip! looks like you guys had a blast!
Mummascribbles says
Thank you – it was fab 🙂 So sorry for the delay in my response to this – playing massive commenting catch up!
Lizzie Woodman says
My boys would definitely love this! Glad you had a great trip 🙂 #TwinklyTuesday
Mummascribbles says
Thank you – it is definitely one for the kids! All the adventures to be had 🙂 So sorry for the delay in my response to this – playing massive commenting catch up!
Tin Box Traveller says
We’ve never holidayed with Eurocamp but it sounds like you had everything you needed on site. The pool and restaurant look great. I’d love to stay in one of their treehouses – that sounds like a fun experience #TwinklyTuesday
Mummascribbles says
Oh I know – I would defo do the treehouse if Zach was a little older – I mean how fab is a treehouse holiday?! It was fab for what is quite a small parc 🙂 So sorry for the delay in my response to this – playing massive commenting catch up!
Sophie @ Mum, M & More says
I’ve been looking into Eurocamp recently as we have friends that go there e a lot and it looks like such a fun family holiday! Lovely review #twinklytuesday xx
Mummascribbles says
Thanks so much – I can defo recommend them! If you do go I hope you have a fab time! So sorry for the delay in my response to this – playing massive commenting catch up!
MudpieFridays says
I have never heard of them either! Looks like a great break and well done you on being asked after only 8 months of blogging 🙂 Thank you for sharing and thank you for hosting #TwinklyTuesdays
Mummascribbles says
Thanks so much – I still kinda can’t believe it really! So sorry for the delay in my response to this – playing massive commenting catch up!
Sarah Chrsitie says
Ah sounds like you had a lovely family Holiday, the camp sounds great and oooh I would love a tree house sounds great x
Mummascribbles says
I know – if Zach was a little older I’d have definitely gone to one with a treehouse hehe! Had a fab time though! So sorry for the delay in my response to this – playing massive commenting catch up!
Becky, Cuddle Fairy says
What a lovely family holiday! I’d opt for the mobile too – good choice. It looks nice and clean. The food looks gorgeous and the pool looks like lots of fun! I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for hosting #TwinklyTuesday x
Mummascribbles says
Ooo yes., I always need somewhere to plug my straighteners in – I’m not good with tents!! Was ideal for me! We did have a fab time – it was so nice to have some quality time together!
Louise says
Sounds like you had a lovely holiday with plenty to do at the park for the days that you did spend there. The swimming pool looks lovely – I think I would have had the same reaction to going down the slide too! So glad that you had a lovely time and looking forward to reading about your days out 🙂
Mummascribbles says
Thanks lovely! There was no way I was going down that slide. I do not appreciate ice cold water! We did have a fab time 🙂
Doctomum says
Love caravan holidays! Never been on one abroad but gave done a lot in my youth and about to go to one in Cornwall. I looked into eurocamp and was rather taken with some of their camps particularly the ones with awesome pools (like this one). Eurocamp if you’re reading, I’m more than happy to try out your pools! |#twinklytuesday
Mummascribbles says
Haha I’ll put in a good word for you! It was fab. I looked at others with bogger pools and child things to do but this worked perfectly for us. Maybe next time when holidays aren’t so overwhelming for Zach, we’ll try a bigger one!
Laura @ Life with Baby Kicks says
Sounds like you had an amazing time! X
Mummascribbles says
Ooo we did! Feels like forever ago now!
Tim says
Glad to see you had a good time. We stayed in a mobile home at the Eurocamp in Tuscany a few years back (when it was just us and the two boys) and we had a fantastic time. Would definitely go again.
Mummascribbles says
Thanks Tim, it was really wonderful. Suddenly feels like it was ages ago now! I’d love to go to Tuscany – maybe that’ll be the next!
Donna says
It sounds like you had a really lovely holiday! x
Mummascribbles says
Thank you – we did 🙂
Mummy Tries says
I’ve often wondered about a EuroCamp holiday! Sounds like you had lots of fun my lovely xx #thelist
Mummascribbles says
Oh we did – have had plenty more to write about too 🙂 Would definitely go again 🙂
everything mummy says
Sound like a lovely trip! great photos that pizza looks delicious #thelist
Mummascribbles says
Mmmmm it was tasty! Was a fab trip – would definitely recommend!
Katy (What Katy Said) says
Oh I am so excited reading this as we are going in a couple of weeks!! So glad you had a fab time!! xx #TheList
Mummascribbles says
Yay you’ll have a fab time! Was so much fun 🙂 xx
Sadia says
What a wonderful treat! I’ve never seen that sort of vacation spot before, with the camping/mobile home option but all the extras too. I’m glad you had a good time – despite the weather!
Thanks for your patience with me for this week’s #TwinklyTuesday!
Mummascribbles says
It was perfect for me because I am not a huge fan of caming. I need somewhere to plug my hair straighteners in hehe! Now I know it exists and is fab, I’ll definitely be holidaying with them again 🙂
Katrina Chambers says
Fantastic detailed review, looks great. I would totally be astounded to be offered a free holiday – so understand how you felt, way to go!
Kat x #TheList
Mummascribbles says
Thanks lovely – still can’t really believe that it all happened! Thanks for the lovely comment – we did have a wonderful time 🙂
You Baby Me Mummy says
This is great, we are going in September, can’t wait now. It looks like you had a wonderful time huni. Thanks so much for linking up to #TheList x
Mummascribbles says
Oh it was fab! Funny ho it seems like an age ago now! Sure you’ll have a fab time too 🙂