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Camping and caravanning holidays in France were firm favourites when I was growing up.  I have fond memories of long drives down through France to get to a site, the excitement of finding our tent or our caravan, of kids clubs and trips to the Boulangerie for breakfast, and of swimming pools and lakes to swim in.  Canvas sites still provide all that but they also provide much much more too!

When faced with the Canvas website though with more than 200 campsites across Europe. How are you supposed to choose. Which Canvas Sites are best for families?

It’s hard to say that these 10 are the actual best Canvas sites for families but they are sites that have been thoroughly tested and that should help you make your mind up.

We’ve separated the post out into Countries, as Canvas Holidays has amazing sites across Europe not only in France (which is often the first place people think of).  I have also linked into the post reviews not only written by the Mini Travellers team but by other bloggers too, many of whom have worked in collaboration with Canvas Holidays but whose views are always their own.

France

Camping L’Ideal de Annecy, French Alps

As the name suggests, this campsite is ideal for exploring Lake Annecy and its surrounding area. The area is fantastic for those seeking an active holiday with plenty of outdoor activities to keep everyone entertained. If you’re looking for the ultimate thrill you may want to try paragliding in nearby Talloires. Lake Annecy is the one of the best places in the world for flying sports! If you prefer to keep your feet on the ground, there is still plenty to do. The area is popular for hikers and there are many trails just a short walk from the campsite. 

The campsite itself has plenty to keep everyone entertained with a fantastic pool complex and a wide range of activities to try. Just a short stroll away at Lake Annecy, there are plenty of water sports to enjoy from a sedate pedalo ride to the livelier water-skiing. During high season, in the evenings you can enjoy the onsite entertainment.

Louise from Mini Travellers visited Camping L’Ideal with her family in August and loved it, she had this to say: Camping L’Ideal de Annecy itself was beautiful, set in the surroundings of the French Alps just a couple of miles above Lake Annecy.  This site was much smaller than we had stayed at for the majority of our multi stop camping holiday but the first thing we noticed was how very well equipped it was for such a small site.

You can read Louise’s full review of Camping L’Ideal here: http://staging.minitravellers.co.uk/review-camping-lideal-de-annecy-campsite-in-the-french-alps/

Les Dunes Camping, Perpignan, France

Les Dunes Camping is located in Torreilles Plage, 5-star Camping Les Dunes is a relaxing and friendly campsite with direct access to a natural sandy beach. Sheltered by sand dunes, you can hire a sunlounger and relax on one of the most peaceful and beautiful beaches in the area. You can read a review of a trip to Les Dunes camping at Easter – they summarised their trip by saying “As a campsite Les Dunes is not only well maintained and tidy…but also has a huge amount to offer families in terms of activities and clubs. We weren’t able to make the most of some of the activities due to the timing of our visit…however I’m certain that during peak season this place will be incredible for children looking to make friends and enjoy a bit of independence during their stay.”

Camping La Sirene, in Argelès sur Mer, France

Camping la Sirène is the perfect location for an active family holiday. The highlight of this campsite is undoubtedly the breathtaking pool complex, and there’ll be no tearing the children away from this amazing attraction, with its own palm fringed desert island and a multitude of water slides to try out over and over again.

Monica from The Travel Hack visited with her family and agreed that the pool complex made the trip “I was surprised how much of a difference the incredible pool complex made to our holiday. George is 3.5 now and this is the first holiday where he’s been totally confident on water slides and swimming and we couldn’t get him out of the water. We spent all day in the pools and by dinner time we had two very tired little boys!” You can read their full review of Camping La Sirene.

You can watch a video of their trip here too:

Camping Le Clarys Plage, Vendée, France

Camping le Clarys Plage is a lively site located in the heart of the popular Vendée, close to St-Jean-de-Monts and a five-minute walk from a golden, sandy beach. Among the modern facilities, the superb pool complex is undoubtedly the main attraction.

All the family can enjoy the water slides, jacuzzi, fountains and bridges, separate covered pool and children’s paddling pool. The bar terrace overlooks the pool area, providing an excellent spot to relax with a cool drink, and in the evenings you’ll no doubt return here for the entertainment.

Katie from Otis & Us spent a week at Camping le Clarys Plage with her family in August 2019 and said “Our stay with Canvas holidays was superb. It is a great family friendly site and the kids loved the facilities here, including the waterpark, and play park. The Moda 3 bed mobile home was everything we needed for our week, and Clarys Plage was a perfect choice for a family holiday in the Vendée, France.”

You can read their full review of Camping le Clarys Plage

https://otisandus.co.uk/camping-le-clarys-plage-vendee-canvas-holidays-review/

Les Alicourts Resort, Loire Valley, France

Les Alicourts Resort has been awarded four red tents by Michelin and is set beside a glorious lake, deep within rural countryside. Canvas Holidays emplacements are generally spacious and grassy with some shaded by mature oak trees. The pool complex and luxurious spa centre are the main attractions.

The fantastic pools with wave pool and water slides keep children amused for hours, while adults can relax in the spa, indulging in treatments such as massages, a sauna and Turkish bath. For the golfing enthusiasts the campsite boasts a nine-hole golf course and driving range. You will find an excellent range of facilities including mini golf, football, fishing, go-karts, adventure playground and horse riding. In the evenings, throughout the season, there is a wide range of entertainment.

Jenny and Family from Travelynn Family visited Les Alicourts Resort at the end of August 2019 and had this to say:

 “As a family, we’ve always shied away from such places, preferring to venture away from organised fun and find our own adventures. But our recent experience of Les Alicourts with Canvas Holidays, one of the largest holiday parks in the Loire Valley, has swayed my view and made me realise that there is definitely a time and place for them.”

Why not read their full review https://travelynnfamily.com/les-alicourts-canvas-review/

Camping Holiday Marina, Port Grimaud, France

Holiday Marina is a small, modern campsite just 900m from the beach and set on the banks of the River Giscle. The campsite is set in a wonderful location within walking distance of picturesque Port Grimaud, just up the coast from Saint Tropez.

Holiday Marina has a spacious swimming pool with a separate pool for children, plus a jacuzzi. There is also a fantastic bar terrace which overlooks the pool and marina. Children will love the large play area while teenagers will never get bored with the sporting activities including football, basketball and archery. In the evening relax in the restaurant and sample some regional specialities or enjoy the entertainment in the lively bar.

Helen & Nick Gaskell reviewed Holiday Marina Resort on behalf of Globetotting and had this to say” Holiday Marina Resort is a Canvas Holidays site and, in my opinion one of the best holiday parks in France for families with young children. I also think this is one of the best campsites in Port Grimaud in general. If you’re looking to go camping in St Tropez then Holiday Marina is also a good option as the ritzy town of Saint Tropez is just a short boat ride away.

You can read their full review about their trip to Holiday Marina Resort below:

https://globetotting.com/camping-port-grimaud-france/

Italy

Camping Bella Italia, Lake Garda, Italy

Camping Bella Italia is ideally located on the banks of sparkling Lake Garda. This is a bustling, lively site, with all of the facilities you could wish for, but the pace of life, however, is reassuringly relaxed. A hedge-lined avenue winds through the site, giving stunning views of the lake and mountains.

At the campsite centre is a lagoon-style pool and three small water slides, surrounded by a large terrace, and a poolside bar. At the long, shingle lakeside beach you can take to the water on pedaloes, canoes or even windsurfs. If you prefer to keep it sedate, take a seat and enjoy a spot of fishing. The lakeside restaurant is one of three on site and the terrace offers superb views of the lake – the perfect place to end the day, while planning activities for the next. 

Louise from Mini Travellers visited in August 2019 and had the following to say “The sun soaked shores of Lake Garda are new to my family and I’m delighted to report we have had the most wonderful time at Bella Italia on Lake Garda. Bella Italia is huge! On first arrival it seemed a little daunting but its friendly staff and extensive facilities quickly made it home. If you come to visit some of Italy’s most famous and beautiful places, it’s perfectly situated; 20 minutes from Verona, around 2 hours to Venice and Milan with lots of local options to explore and soak up the ambiance.”

You can read Louise’s full review here: http://staging.minitravellers.co.uk/review-bella-italia-with-canvas-holidays-on-lake-garda-italy/

Camping Marina di Venezia, Venice, Italy

Camping Marina di Venezia is a superbly equipped site, one of the largest in the area. Located close to Punta Sabbioni with direct access to a sandy beach, this is an excellent location for a fun-packed family holiday. Emplacements are set amongst the shade of pine trees, away from the main facilities.

At the centre of the site is the fabulous pool complex, where you’ll find no less than six swimming pools plus a large children’s pool with fountains, all surrounded by a spacious sun terrace. If you are feeling active, there are plenty of facilities to keep you amused, including scuba diving, aqua aerobics and tennis. As evening falls, wander along the site’s beachside promenade, where you will find a choice of shops, bars and restaurants.

Louise from Mini Travellers visited in August 2019 and had the following to say “I can’t recommend enough the location of Camping Marina di Venezia and again the Canvas reps and accommodations were spotlessly clean and well-equipped meaning that at the end of a long hot day we could just come back and relax.”

You can read Louise’s full review here: http://staging.minitravellers.co.uk/review-camping-marina-di-venezia-campsite-near-venice/

Netherlands

Camping Duinrell, Holland

Camping Duinrell is an exceptional site in a superb location. Set in the lush woodland surroundings of a nature reserve, with a fantastic tropical water park and its own theme park, this site is ideally suited to families of all ages. Spacious, grassy emplacements provide plenty of space for the children to play, and there is a well-stocked supermarket and good choice of restaurants and snack bars. It gets amazing reviews year on year.

Visit the amazing tropical pool for an exhilarating selection of twisting water slides, including the Rocketstart, plus indoor and outdoor pools. If you can drag the family away, head to the free theme park to try out thrilling rides like Splash, Falcon and the Water Spider or, for younger children, the chance to meet Rick the Frog.

Nell from Pigeon Pair & Me visited in July 2019 and has this to say: Duinrell theme park, in Holland, is a bit of a legend. It’s close enough to Wassenaar Beach to make staying there feel like a seaside holiday. Sand collects between your toes, and you have to guard your sandwiches against cheeky gulls. But don’t expect kiss-me-quick hats and dodgy amusement arcades. Instead, Duinrell Wassenaar’s rollercoasters and carousels are planted on a nature reserve. You’ll find a serene environment with trees, lakes, moorhens, ducks and frogs – real ones, as well as Duinrell’s two froggy mascots, Rick and Lelli. We had a Duinrell Canvas Holidays break earlier this summer, and came away determined to go back.

You can read their full review of Camping Duinrell below:

https://pigeonpairandme.com/duinrell-canvas-holidays-family-holiday-holland-theme-park.html

And here’s the video

Switzerland

Camping Manor Farm, Interlaken, Switzerland

Camping Manor Farm is a firm Canvas favourite. Awarded the highest Swiss rating, this south-facing campsite is surrounded by mountains with views towards the Eiger. The lakeside setting and private beach make this the perfect environment for water sports, fishing, or swimming if you’re hardy enough during the cooler seasons!

Divided in two by a road, with an underpass for pedestrians, this is an immaculately kept site with open emplacements in a meadow setting. There is plenty of space for children to run around and visiting the ducks on the lake will become a daily ritual. Unwind on your emplacement and make the most of the relaxed atmosphere. Facilities include a mini-market, restaurant and bar, plus mini golf and football for the children.

Louise from Mini Travellers visited in August 2019 and had the following to say “Location wise this is absolutely perfect. Situated on the Thunersee lake, the site is surrounded by stunning vistas of mountains and snow covered peaks which you never tire of. The option of using neighbouring Neuhaus facilities is also a bonus; (Charged locally) it includes a range of water sports and activities catering for all levels of adrenalin from paragliding to pedalos! The tourist cards we were provided with on arrival following payment of the tourist tax, gave us free access to buses and the boat which was a fun way to travel the short distance to and from the town. It also included the local municipal swimming pool which was immaculate, we spent a full afternoon there and a variety of discounts for other local attractions and activities.

You can read Louise’s full review about Camping Manor Farm here: http://staging.minitravellers.co.uk/review-camping-manor-farm-interlaken-switzerland-with-canvas-holidays/

Canvas Holidays has been arranging great outdoor holidays for UK holidaymakers for over 50 years – you can call their UK based call centre on 0345 268 0827 for advice and bookings. They’ve recently launched a new loyalty programme MyClub where holidaymakers have the chance to win the cost of their holiday back (one winner each week) as well as extra discounts and offers.

Why not PIN this post about 10 of the Best Canvas Holidays Sites for Families