Camping le Rochat Belle Isle

We booked this site via PitchUp UK, who charged an eye watering £18 booking fee on top of the site charges! We thought it was probably worth paying as the photos on the website made it appear like a nice location for a short stopover. Sadly, it was not the case. First let me cover the only two positive points. The manager was very pleasant, and the toilet/shower block was clean. Otherwise, the rest of the place was a shambolic disappointment. There appears to be a high proportion of permanent residents and their associated trucks, trailers and diggers etc, were parked haphazardly around and about. Associated with this were lots of comings and goings and what sounded like work related wheeling and dealing going on. A previous reviewers’ comments about a ‘shanty town’ appearance are quite accurate. Several of the freshwater points did not work and worse, the chemical disposal point had no water feed at all. I had to take a separate water container to flush out and clean up. The lid was missing and it didn’t appear to have been cleaned, ever! The drain was caked and spattered with dried effluent and old toilet paper. Again, as others have mentioned, large dogs are given free reign and lay around the site with their owners no-where to be seen. The PitchUp web site specifically states that dogs listed under the UK Dangerous Dogs act are not permitted on site. We spotted two Mastiffs and a Belgian Malinoise, a dog which has strong protective and territorial instincts. Whilst none of the dogs presented any threat to us my wife felt very uncomfortable just walking around the site. Other issues were loud rhythmic music played into the late evening. Waterlogged pitches, (we got stuck and had to be pushed out). Some of the electric bollards had no power supply. The refuse and recycling area was dirty and the washing up facilities was another area that needed a good clean. According to a notice on the toilet door you are required to take grey water off site and dispose of it. In the adjoining park perhaps? It didn’t say. Having booked and paid for three nights we felt enough was enough and left after two. Ironically there was a small but tidy Aire du Camping Car just outside the gate, with hindsight I wished we had stayed there.

Good site, next to lake. Been here before,so no new surprises. Facilities very clean and staff are friendly and helpful. Showers are mixed sex, so don't be surprised. Pitches are good size, dog friendly site. Will be back again as convenient location.