After two years camping in the Dordogne, we wanted to try a different area of France. Steve fancied somewhere with slightly more dramatic scenery and the kids weren't bothered as long as the campsite had a pool and people to play with. The photo to the right shows the campsite in the foreground and the village of Chamalieres sur Loire in the background.
It took a lot of hunting around, reading reviews and trawling on the Internet to find an area and a campsite that matched what we wanted. Eventually we booked a pitch at the Cosy Camp campsite in Chamalieres sur Loire in the Auvergne region of France (near to Le Puy en Velay).
It was quite a bit bigger than last years site (80ish sites vs. 40ish) but the reviews were good and it still seemed small enough to be friendly. Pictures on both sides show our tent with views each way.
I think we made a pretty good choice. Despite the campsite only opening last year, most things are pretty spot on, the scenery is stunning, the facilities great (food is lovely in the area despite lentils being the specialty ;)) and the owners really friendly and helpful. 
We were a little spoiled this year as we met up with three other families that we'd met last year so the kids had instant friends (as did we) and it made for a very relaxing couple of weeks.
We had hoped to spend a lot of time in the Loire River which ran alongside the campsite, but due to the weather it was churned up and didn't look too inviting - it was also pretty high and fast moving.
It didn't matter too much as the pool was lovely Beth managed to perfect her diving whilst Toby sped back and forth with his new flippers (I think he amazed himself at how fast he could go, especially under water!).
We had hoped to spend a lot of time in the Loire River which ran alongside the campsite, but due to the weather it was churned up and didn't look too inviting - it was also pretty high and fast moving. It didn't matter too much as the pool was lovely Beth managed to perfect her diving whilst Toby sped back and forth with his new flippers (I think he amazed himself at how fast he could go, especially under water!).
We had a few trips out when we could drag the kids away. I think all of our favourite was the day we hired bikes and rode along an old railway line cycle path. The kids loved going through the tunnels (some over a kilometre in length) and I think the adults liked the scenery and beer at the halfway point!
The town of Le Puy en Velay is quite stunning as it has two 'mounts', one with a statue on top and the other with a monastery on top, both can be seen from quite a long way away.
We did get to the market there but unfortunately didn't get to see an awful lot of it as it started to rain so we went to a museum about the area instead.
On one of our last days we visited the medieval village of Chalencon. It was very picturesque with some beautiful views over the valley. The two photos of 'old buildings' are both taken in Chalencon.
The photo above and to the right is of the cafe and family room at the campsite. They had a couple of ponds around the campsite and herbs, vegetables and fruit growing all over the place which you were welcome to pick. Much of the food in the cafe came from the gardens.It was a fab holiday but over way to quickly. I think I'll have to get the maps out soon and start planning for next year . . .
