Camping Le Paradis
We discovered this place through word of mouth. Literally. In 2019, we met a fellow camper from a district right next to ours who raved about it. On a whim, we headed there and were very surprised. The layout and atmosphere of Camping Le Paradis won us over at first glance. What we found was the literal contrast to almost everything we had seen in this region so far.
2020 was the year of the COVID-19 outbreak and travel restrictions. A historical year. Nothing went as planned. For us, this meant postponing our May trip to September and keeping a daily eye on infection rates and travel warnings. The rules in France were comparable to those in Germany: mask, distance, hygiene. The outdoor area is tastefully and lovingly designed. The paths are suitable even for 2.5 m wide caravans. The entrance to our section was a bit tight, so we got to perform some "Showtime" with the mover—which absolutely fascinated the motorhome owners nearby. The booked pitch was excellent: large, level, and with all connections like electricity, water, and drainage right at the site.
The sanitary facilities are outstanding and clean. This applies to the showers, the sinks, and even the chemical toilet disposal point. Just a few steps from our pitch flows the Vézère, a tributary of the Dordogne, which invites you to paddle or just dangle your feet in the water. On the site itself, there are several well-maintained pools for cooling off and pedal cars for the older kids. A highly recommended spot for a relaxed holiday with the whole family.
Opportunities
The campsite is located in the area of Saint-Léon-sur-Vézère; the village itself is about a 10-minute drive away. There are great restaurants there, but no shops for daily needs. To stock up, you head to Montignac. Right on the main road, there is a smaller Intermarché where we found everything we needed. Refueling is no longer an issue (Update 2021); previously, it could be problematic for foreigners in the afternoon when the cashier was off duty and the machine didn't accept foreign credit cards.
Destinations & Planning
About half an hour away lies Les Eysies, where the National Museum of Prehistory is a highlight for diving into local history. If your interests expand, you can reach Sarlat-la-Canéda or Bergerac. A note for your schedule: The roads here are very winding; overtaking is almost impossible and average speeds are far below what you might be used to in Germany. If time is a factor, keep this in mind.
