Over the May half term, we spent a week at the Atlantic Club Montalivet Campsite. Having visited the Atlantic coast before staying at Cote D’Argent Hourtin-Plage and having a fabulous time when the boys were small. I had high expectations of our stay at Campsite Atlantic Club Montalivet. The question is did it live up to expectations?
Review Atlantic Club Montalivet Campsite
We booked through Eurocamp, and having spoken to the helpline I was aware that it was a new park for them this year. Booking our holiday in the sale at £335 for the four of us in one of their ultimate accommodations, which includes linen, beds made and end-of-stay cleaning. It was an absolute bargain. Which is just as well. Our mobile home was very good, clean and practically brand new. When we visited they were putting in other new ones of the same specification.
However, camping at Atlantic Club Montalivet could do with some of that Eurocamp magic that we know and love. It was obvious that the park was previously under a different brand and well, in my opinion, there is a reason why Eurocamp is the market leader. It has all the ingredients but just needs some polishing around the edges. Saying that for the price you couldn’t really go wrong and we still had an unforgettable holiday.
Where is the Atlantic Club Montalivet Campsite
North of Bordeaux on the Gironde peninsula it is around an eight-nine hour’s drive from Calais. Located right on the beach sandwiched between golden sands and the pine forest of the nature park, in the heart of the Gironde. It is a beautiful location. The pine trees are all around the mobile homes and offer much-needed shade in the heat. With miles of beaches to explore and wild Atlantic surf the area is a natural choice for both Europeans and domestic holidaymakers.
How to get there
We drove down from Calais after getting the Eurotunnel across from Folkstone. This is our preferred way to travel to France, although you could easily get the ferry across from Dover. This time we came across after school on Friday and drove for a couple of hours into France reaching our overnight stop around 10.30 in the evening. Normally opting to travel the following day we found this to be much easier. Since we beat some of the rush at the tunnel it also meant that we were already acclimatised to the hour time difference. Turns out we also missed the nightmare that was Dover on Saturday.
You can reduce the drive by catching the Gironde ferry from Rayon to Verdon. This will save you about an hour and a half in travel time, it costs an additional 51€ for a family of four. Up until this visit we have been reluctant to try it because of the timings. However, now we have this would be our preferred route in the future.
If you do prefer to fly then the nearest airport is Bordeaux-Mérignac which is 84km. You will need to hire a car to reach the campsite due to its location as the campsite is the last one you come to on the Avenue de Europe.
Check-in & Check-out
We knew that our mobile home was not due to be ready until around 4 pm, so we timed our arrival for then. We headed to the Marvilla Parks reception desk. Here we were given a map and keys. As well as some information about the entertainment programme. However there was not much detail on the opening times of all the amenities. Or anything about the local area at all.
While on the campsite you need to wear a wristband, which is a fabric ribbon and is much more comfortable than some of the plastic ones we have had elsewhere. There are security barriers for the cars with everyone being given a unique code. As it was likely our departure time was ahead of the normal check-out times, we were instructed to leave the keys in a postbox.
Arriving to the beds already made and not having to worry about cleaning before leaving was a godsend. I am definitely going to be booking ultimate accommodation again in the future. When we left we just emptied the bins and stripped the beds. Which was handy since we needed to get away early to catch the ferry.
Facilities & Amenities at the Atlantic Club Montalivet Campsite
We have some big plans for the Summer holidays this year which will involve a lot of sightseeing in both Scotland and Germany. So for this reason our May half-term break was intended to be one of lazy days by the beach and pool. Therefore the swimming area was the most important thing for us.
Swimming Pool
There is something for the whole family. With both an outdoor swimming pool and heated indoor pool which is under cover. The outside pool area consists of a kid’s pool made up of a small splashdown and paddling pool. There is also a larger outside pool, although if you want to swim lanes then there are some cordoned off in the inside pool. Outside there are also several water slides including The Wave which is a giant U-shaped slide that you go on in a rubber ring, similar to what you would find at a water park. There are eight slides altogether.
Around the outside pool, there are plenty of sun loungers. Visiting out of season meant that we had no problems ever finding somewhere. Many of them are placed in the shade under giant awnings. There are full changing facilities, toilets and showers. Along with a snack bar which we visited was open from 12.30 pm onwards. Selling a range of hot and cold drinks, alcoholic beverages, ice creams, paninis and snacks. It was very popular.
Shops & Eateries
I think this is what we found frustrating the most. There is a small grocery store which is open every day, although it does not have a wide range. It is okay for that first night. Plus they also do bread each morning and beach toys such as spades, buckets and body boards. There is an Aldi a couple of minutes by car up the road which you will most likely drive past. We tended to get all of our groceries from here. Other than the bits we brought from home, if you need some ideas this will help – Eurocamp packing list.
In the square there are also some other shops, which I think must be operated by independent owners since they seem to have opening hours of their own choosing. There was a bakery lady selling bread and rather nice cakes who was open each morning. What I would call a treats hut selling candy floss, churros and other sweet things. He seemed to be open most evenings until around 9 pm. There was a gift shop that was very sporadic. Then along the other side, there was an ice cream stall, creperie and wine bar. All of which I think I only saw open once. Despite there being entertainment most evenings. I am sure if you visit in high season these will be open more often.
There is also a restaurant and bar which was open every day. They also operate take-out pizza but when we visited this was only at the weekends. However, we did spot that you probably could still get takeout if you asked. Pricing in the restaurant was not bad considering it had a captive audience. A kids pizza cost 7.50€, pasta 11€, pizza around 14.50€ and burgers at 16€. A bottle of wine started at 15€.
BBQs
Despite being in a pine forest most of the accommodation we saw, and definitely all of the Eurocamp accommodation had gas BBQs. We only ate out once the rest of the time we prepared food at the mobile home. If for any reason your accommodation doesn’t come with a BBQ then there is also a communal barbecue area. This operates off charcoal which can be brought at the shop.
Paid for Wifi
Another bug bear. We really struggled to get data while at the campsite. After trying to perserve for the first day or so we ended up purchasing wifi. Although you do get an hours free. The wifi itself was not too bad. It tended to drop in and out a bit in the evenings. For three devices for five days it cost 53€ so it was not cheap. There were other packages with the best value being for 7 days.
Things to do at the Atlantic Club Montalivet Campsite
Outside of the swimming pool complex, there is a lot of things to do at the Atlantic Club Montalivet Campsite. Again travelling out of season meant that we did not have to worry about having access to any of the sports facilities.
Sports Facilities
These were all located together and easy to find. With table tennis tables, tennis courts and beach volleyball all being available. There was also a multi-sport pitch which was set up for football and basketball. The children used to congregate here after dinner and have a game amongst themselves. It was a safe environment and I know that Charlie liked the independence it gave him.
Play Area
This needs some work. It was located near the sports areas. There are several smaller kids’ climbing frames and slides nestled in the pine trees with sand all around. There are also lots of picnic tables so parents can sit etc. However, there were also some wooden constructions for older children, a bit like high nets but fully enclosed. However they were shut, I assume because they are not safe and need some work. Hopefully, once Eurocamp take over the campsite further then this will be addressed as I know Harry in particular would have loved these.
Animation Team
This is something which I did not expect but was available every day. There is a board in the main square which tells you what is going on and when. They ran various fitness classes in the aquatic area of the indoor pool. Along with sports tournaments such as water polo in the outdoor pool. The pool games in particular were a hit with the kids. They also did a mini disco each night at 8 pm.
Responsible for the children’s club which ran each morning. We don’t tend to use them so did not enquire, but it appeared to be free and divided into three different age groups up to the age of 12.
Mini Golf
There is a small mini golf course which costs 5€ each and has in my opinion seen better days. It was open in the mornings and afternoons.
Horse Riding & Farm
Located next to the mini golf there is a small farm which is open at selected times of the day/week. It appeared to be closed more often than open when we visited although it is free to wander around. The boys had a look and said that there was not much there other than some chickens and the ponies. However one day we did see an escaped sheep.
In the same place, you can also arrange pony rides and horse riding on the beach. They must be booked in advance. Prices range from 16€ for a pony ride in the vicinity of the farm. There is also direct access to the beach, where they offer rides for 36€ or 50€ if you want it at sunset.
The Beach
The beach is a huge selling point it is just a short walk down a wooden walkway to reach the beautiful beach. The whole of the Atlantic coast is stunning with wide golden sands and waves crashing in the background. It is shallower here in comparison with some of the other beaches in the area we had seen. This could be why there are surfing classes available.
There is a beach bar at the top which overlooks the sand and is the perfect place to watch the sun go down. It was probably my favourite part of the whole campsite. With cocktails from 7€ and milkshakes from 5€.
Bike Hire
We brought our bikes from the UK. But it looked as though you could hire them at reception. We did not see it advertised anywhere but there were quite a few that all looked too similar for there not to be avaliable.
Things to do near the Atlantic Club Montalivet Campsite
We had intended on doing very little while on our camping holiday. This was just as well as we discovered quite a lot of the things were not operating because of being out of season. However if you want to do a few day trips of activities then there are some things close by:
- Parc de l’aventure – this is a high rope course and mini golf course which is located a few minute’s drive away. When we visited it was only open during the afternoons at the weekends. Needless to say, we realised this too late and so the boys missed out. Check their website – Parc de l’aventure ahead of arrival for opening times during your visit.
- Surf school – there are several places where you can learn to surf. The closest one we found was right next to the beach bar! Although you would want to be a confident swimmer due to the rip currents that are in the area.
- Water sports – if you are looking for something more suitable for children then head to Hourtin Port. Here you can get access to wakeboarding, but also a giant inflatable water assault course. Neither were operating when we visited but during high season they are popular.
- Bike trail – there are several trails all around the area many of which keep the bikes off the roads and so are suitable for families.
- Vendays Montalivet – the main village is a short drive away and has a tourist information office. As well as a pedestrianised main street lined with beach shops, restaurants and bars. It also has another wide expanse of sand and a market that operates daily in the high season.
- Lake Hourtin – the largest freshwater lake in France, there are various places to do water sports, paddle and sunbathe. If the Atlantic coast is too rough for your little ones then the lake is like a bath. Head to Piqueyrot for a small white sandy beach, restaurant and pine tree cover. Or Carcans which has plenty of parking and a longer sandy beach.
- Day trip to Bordeaux – it is about an hour and a half drive to Bordeaux but if the weather is bad then there are plenty of inside activities in the way of museums. We visited the Museum of Sciences and Nature – 1 Day in Bordeaux. A wine lover? Then head to the wine museum with interactive displays & tastings in a curved aluminium & glass building.
Have you visited the Atlantic Club Montalivet Campsite I would love to hear about your experiences in the comments below.
If you are planning on a visit to a Eurocamp campsite then you maybe interested – 14 Ultimate Tips For Your First Eurocamp Holiday.
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