Pool complex at Camping Le Soleil des landes
The Le Soleil des Landes pool was the most overcrowded one we have ever seen on a campsite. The whole area needs an extension, especially with the number of holidaymakers the camp allows.
The waterslide platform felt unsafe and unstable, the pool was scarily busy, and the splash area was underwhelming. I definitely wouldn’t recommend this campsite solely for its pool facilities.
However, the site has a few redeeming qualities, which you’ll discover as you read.
Suitable Swimwear
The campsite had a strict no boardshorts rule, and we didn’t see anyone breaking that rule – so if I were you, I’d pack your budgies!
Beach
Cap de l’Homy is the closest beach to the campsite and takes around 10 minutes to drive. A free shuttle bus outside the grounds will take you to the beach in July and August.
However, we preferred the beach and area at Contis Plage just down the road. The town of Contis is a typical Landes beach town, and there’s also a beach bar which is open for breakfasts.
Like most of the Landes coast, the waves are powerful and dangerous, so take precautions.
Campsite Facilities
This campsite is very basic, so expect something other than 5* resort-style facilities.
Receptions and Check in
The reception area is small, and on hectic arrival days, it can get busy. I don’t remember seeing many local information leaflets in the reception, but they had a book exchange area and board game hire.
Check-in was easy and we were given a map, brochure, wristbands and a code to unlock the security barriers.
Whilst the campsite is a Marvilla park like other sites we have stayed at La Vallee and St Avit Loisirs, we didn’t see any other tour operators on the campsite.
Play Areas
Play park
The play area here was nice, modern, well kept and had every kid’s favourite – a zip wire.
Our daughter really enjoyed the play area here and we enjoyed that it was located just around the corner from the bar and restaurant. There’s equipment for all ages, and it’s all on a soft sanded floor. The park gates are open from 9 am to 9 pm.
Table Tennis
Table tennis tables are located at the back of the sanded park area. There are 3 tables in total.
Multi-sports
The multisports court is perfect for playing football, basketball or netball with friends. There’s also a running track around the outside – great for some early morning sprints.
Tennis Courts
If you fancy a go, the tennis court is chargeable at 8 euros an hour and is booked from the reception area.
Bodyweight Gym
the campsite has a great bodyweight gym area. There’s a wide range of equipment and we found it was rarely occupied.
Arcade
The arcade room is situated just off the bar area. Inside there’re lots of arcade games as well as a TV area. Children (and adults too) can enjoy; air hockey, table football, pinball, car racing and more.
Kids Clubs & Facilities
There are 2 groups for the kids club; 4-11-year-olds and 12-17-year-olds. Activities will vary from shows, crafts, dancing, sports and even pool time. The kid’s clubs are free but only available in high season months (July and August).
Animation for kids and adults
Marvilla parks run an extensive animation schedule that rivals other campsites we’ve visited. In fact, during our holiday (in August), they decided to rehash Saint Patricks Day for one evening show and made everyone dress up in green.
Karaoke, quizzes, night swimming and dance shows are offered during the Summer weeks.
The entertainment stage is located near the bar/restaurant, so if you were hoping for a quiet campsite meal – make sure you book on an entertainment off day like Saturday.
Bars, Restaurants and Takeaway
The campsite restaurant was open to outside customers too and served an extensive Landais menu. Many of the meals are meat-based and traditionally French.
The bar area was separate from the restaurant and served cocktails/mocktails and the usual beers and wines. Prices were reasonable and to be expected of a campsite bar.
Another “hut” style area also sold ice creams, crepes and snacky foods. Whilst all the bars were separate, they were all run together with the same staff serving from each area.
Other Facilities
Campsite Shop
Le Soleil Des Landes is one of the only campsites we have been to without any food provisions. There wasn’t even a small epicery in reception. For the size of the campsite and the number of holidaymakers it could hold – I assumed there would be a small campsite shop available, but there wasn’t. However, a small supermarket down the road is within walking distance. We did the walk with our toddler, but I recommend against walking with children as the road isn’t paved the entire way and can get very busy.
Spa/Beauty Salon
The campsite has a small hut which holds a petit spa. Outside there was a jacuzzi, but this looks like it’s no longer used. There’s an osteopath, masseuse, naturopath, reflexologist and a beautician. You can pre-book appointments via telephone: 07 88 44 77 10.
Bike Hire
Bike hire is an outsourced service by RicoVelo. You can hire; Kids’ bikes, electric bikes, tandems, child seats, trailers, etc. A standard mountain bike day hire is 13 euros, and a week is 49 euros.
Pets
Animals are allowed on the campsite. However, customers are only allowed to bring one per accommodation.
Shower blocks
The campsite has toilet blocks for the few camping emplacements it has. As we stayed in a mobile home, we didn’t make use of the shower blocks, but we did have a look. The toilets were clean and tidy, laundry facilities were public, and child-friendly/child-sized toilets and sinks were available.
WIFI
Free WIFI is available near the reception (for 30 minutes every 6 hours). If you want WIFI available on your pitch, it’ll cost 9 euros a day and 24 euros per week (with various offers in between).
Disabled Accessibility
The campsite is flat, and Homair has some reduced mobility mobile homes on the campsite. The town located near the camp is flat and paved the entire way. However, we sometimes found the route bumpy. The road to the shop took a lot of work. I would not recommend it with reduced mobility.
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Available accommodation at Marvilla Parks Le Soleil Des Landes
There are three categories of accommodation; Emplacements, Classic mobile homes and Comfort mobile homes. Within those categories, there are other options; extra bathrooms, bedrooms, wheelchair accessibility, Extra large, deckings, etc.
We didn’t see any camping emplacements during our stay, so I’m still determining how many they have and where they are situated. However, we’ve stayed on quite a few Marvilla Park campsites now (La Vallee, Saint Avit, Des Menhirs), and it looks like they are trying to do away with camping pitches in preference to mobile home accommodation. This may not even be an option in 2023.
We stayed in a three-bedroom Classic mobile home with Aircon and a decking. The accommodation was comparable to a Eurocamp Comfort but with lots of things missing. For example, with the Eurocamp accommodations, you usually get blackout blinds and many more shelves – but for some reason, these were removed by Homair/Marvilla (you can see more in our accommodation review & Video).
Do You Need a Car to Get around?
In Summer there’s a free shuttle bus from the campsite to the local towns and beaches. However, this is on a first-come, first-serve. Getting to the camp would also be a challenge without a car. Although, once at the campsite, you are right in the town centre and can walk to shops, restaurants and markets.
How to get to The Campsite
Should I hire a car?
Things are available from this campsite via public transport. There’s a shuttle to the beach. The camp is in the town centre of Lit-Et-Mixe. However, public transport is limited, and I recommend hiring a car or bringing a vehicle.
Ferry port
Portsmouth to Caen is the best crossing if happy to travel down through France. The option with the least driving on the continent would be to get a ferry to Spain and travel upwards along the west coast of Spain/France.
Driving Directions
From Caen/Ouistreham:
Take D514 and D515 to N814 in Hérouville-Saint-Clair, Take N158, A28/E402, A10 and A63 to Rte des Plages/D41 in Lesperon. Take exit 13 from A63 Follow D41 and D66 to Rue des Arènes in Lit-et-Mixe
TOTAL: 7 hr 28 min (759 km)
From Bilbao:
Get on E-70/AP-8 from Corredor del Txorierri/N-637
13 min, Follow AP-8 and A63 to D947 in Castets, France. Take exit 12 from A63. Take D5 and D66 to Rue des Arènes in Lit-et-Mixe
TOTAL: 2 hr 35 min (233 km)
Day Trips from Camping Le Soleil des landes
One of our favourite regions in France…
The local town of Lit-et-Mixe is just footsteps from the campsites entrance – but if you want to travel further afield there are plenty of options…
the Beach
The main reason we visited this campsite was to explore the beautiful Atlantic coast of France. With ferocious waves and golden sands, there’s no better way to spend a day. We loved the beach at Contis plage the most and visited the closer Cap de L’Homy and the free shuttle bus from the campsite was a definite win. But of course – there’s more than just those two to discover in the Landes.
Col D’ibardin
On the border with Spain and France, this mountain features spectacular views of both countries. It is also popular with consumers thanks to its range of shops and restaurants, which are free from French tax and offer a wide range of “duty-free” items such as perfumes and cigarettes. https://tendance-voyage.fr/le-col-dibardin-le-guide-complet/
1h20 from the campsite
Dune du Pilat
One hour and 20 away in the opposite direction will take you to one of France’s most famous landscapes, the Dune du Pilat. This Dune is the highest in Europe and has breathtaking views. So take a picnic and enjoy the sun, sea and fresh air.
Canoe
Twenty minutes down the road in Castets, there is a Kayak/canoe club where you can sail down La Palue. Base rate: €14/price for one kayak, €28/price for a canoe.
Accrobranch parc
La Haut Adventure parc is 21 minutes from Lit-Et-Mixe and offers a sport-filled adventure in the trees. There are three courses, and guests as young as three can profit from 88 workshops.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the mobiles close together?
Fairly, like with all coastal campsites. We didn’t feel too overlooked, though.
Is the campsite flat?
Yes, the whole area is relatively flat (until the beaches).
Are there mosquitos at Camping le soleil des landes?
Surprisingly we didn’t notice any this Summer, but I did expect them.
Is it easy to get a sunbed around the pool?
Nope. not in Summer. The pool area needs to be bigger for the capacity of the campsite.
Do you need to wear a wristband?
Yes. Like all other Marvilla parks, La Vallee, Saint Avit and more, you will receive a blue wristband on arrival.
Do men have to wear swim trunks?
Yeah. We didn’t see anybody in board shorts here.
Are there BBQs on site?
There are communal bbq’s dotted around.
What’s the weather like in Spring/Summer?
Boiling. Whilst we were there, the temperatures were insane. Some days were hitting around 40 degrees Celsius. However, the Atlantic coast is very unpredictable, and the year before, we stayed at Le Vieux Port (just up the road) at the same time of year, and the weather could have been better.
Can you park on your pitch/Emplacement?
The emplacements are relatively small; some may have to wedge their vehicles at awkward angles.
Can you take pets on the campsite?
Yes, animals are allowed to stay here.
Where’s the nearest supermarket?
The supermarket is within walking distance down the road. The campsite has no shop, so you’ll visit here often. However, I don’t recommend the walk for younger children as there aren’t pavements. There is a small greengrocer just across the road from the campsite, where we found some lovely fresh vegetables and local produce.
Can You Use Inflatables at the Pool?
The pool was so hectic that there wouldn’t be enough room for an inflatable.
Is It Loud In The Evenings?
We didn’t find it loud, and we have stayed in lots of noisy campsites, Sylvamar especially. There was entertainment; however, the noise seemed well-contained.
What Can We Do If It Rains?
There is a cover that can go over the pool, but I dread thinking how busy it would be on a rainy day. To put it simply, this region is all about being outdoors. Other than trying out local restaurants or heading to the shops, there are only a few museums or soft plays to explore. We like the sound of the aviation museum in Dax and the soft play in Tarnos.
Review conclusion
FAMILY CAMPING EUROPE SCORE
Reviewed by Breanne Lovatt
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