A Superb Quiet Site in Franche Comte Eastern France

[stardogfather]

France – Camping Le Larmont, Pontarlier.
If you mention the department of Doubs to most Brits, you are almost certain to be met with a blank expression. Few could place it, even fewer have been there. This is a pity. It is a delightful part of France, nestling into an eastern corner of the country, bounded to south and east by Switzerland. It is very rural with enormous forests and has the Jura mountains in the south.
We first stayed at Le Larmont, in Pontarlier some six years ago. Being of a financially cautious nature (tight according to my wife) I tried to find a route to the Alps that would avoid French motorway tolls. Going through Belgium and Luxembourg (just about the cheapest diesel in Western Europe), we cut through Switzerland towards the French Alps The introduction of the Swiss vignette partially defeated the original purpose of choosing this route, but we have come to enjoy both the area and the caravan site so much that we spend more time there each year.
Pontarlier, the largest town in Southern Doubs, sits on a plateau at a height of 850 metres with numerous bumpy bits around (the Jura) rising to 1400 metres. Its main claim to fame is as the home of absinthe, the fierce liquor of “left bank” renown. Camping Le Larmont, a 3 star site on the southern edge of the town, backs onto the mountain of the same name with access to a forest with marked walks, bridleways, cycle tracks and cross country ski routes. The low ridge between the suburb in which the caravan park sits and the rest of the town really emphasises the rural feel. Although you are only a kilometre from the main E23 leading to Switzerland, you would be hard pushed to hear the road. It is probably the quietest site we have ever stayed on.
The good sized pitches are separated by low shrubs or hedges. They are all flat with hard standing and are set out on 4 terraces. There is a dedicated tarmac motorcaravan area, but it is entirely up to you whether you choose to park up there or on one of the other pitches. The site is unusual in that it is kept open all year, come what may. This March, when snow was falling at the rate of 2 feet a day, snow ploughs cleared the motorcaravan area 3 times a day.
The site has a laundrette and the bar and epicerie/boulangerie are open during French school holidays. The amenities block, which is kept immaculately clean is unisex, but cubicled. The motorcaravan “borne” at the entrance is free for caravan park residents and available to people passing through for a small fee.
The management is particularly welcoming to motorcaravanners. There is even a special price for those of us who prefer to be self-sufficient and don’t use site loos or wash rooms.

[corrinla]

thanks for this nice post, next month, I'm going to go a camping.