Camping Bel Swimming Pool and Toddler Pool
Camping Bel has a small, relaxed pool area rather than a big resort-style waterpark. There are no huge waterslides, splash towers, or grand pool terraces, but that is part of why this swimming area works so well for families with younger children.
The main swimming pool has a maximum depth of 150cm, so it felt easy to use as a family. There is a shallow toddler pool with a small slide going into it, which was perfect for little ones who want to play in the water without being overwhelmed by bigger children flying down slides.
During our May half-term stay, the whole pool area felt calm and easy. Children were using balls and inflatables, and there was no lifeguard present during our visit, so parents do need to stay close. That said, the atmosphere was relaxed rather than chaotic, and we often felt like one of the only families there.
There is a jacuzzi inside a glass pyramid, and the pool area is surrounded by fixed sun loungers and parasols. I actually liked this setup, as it kept the area neat and stopped loungers being dragged everywhere.
One thing that stood out was that people were having picnics and drinks by the pool, which you do not see at every campsite in France. The difference here was that everyone seemed respectful. People tidied up after themselves, and we did not see wasps, ants, or mess around the pool area during our stay.
The pool area is a little dated, especially the older paving slabs, but it was clean, well maintained, and had a more relaxed, old-school campsite feel. It is not the most impressive pool complex we have visited, but for a peaceful family swim with younger children, it worked brilliantly.
Camping Bel Swimwear Rules
During our stay, the French swimwear rule did not seem strict. The pool was unmanned, and plenty of people were wearing looser swimming shorts rather than tight swim briefs.
That said, swimwear rules on French campsites can change, and they may be enforced more strictly at busier times. I always recommend packing a pair of Speedos or jammers just in case, especially if you are staying at several campsites in France.
I have a discount code for Budgy Smuggler if you need swimwear for a French campsite. Use code FAMILYCAMPINGEUROPE for 10% off.
The Beach near Camping Bel in La Tranche-sur-Mer
One of the biggest selling points of Camping Bel is the beach. The nearest sandy beach is around 300m from the campsite entrance, so it is close enough to walk with children, beach bags, buckets, spades, and all the usual family beach chaos.
La Tranche-sur-Mer has a long sandy coastline facing Île de Ré, and the beaches can feel quite different depending on where you go. On our first day, we stayed close to the pier which was calm, quiet, and brilliant for younger children. There was hardly a wave, so it felt easy for paddling and beach play.
The next day we travelled further along Plage Centrale, closer to the town, and it had a completely different feel. It was livelier, with more atmosphere, and the waves were much better for bodyboarding. This is one of the things I really liked about staying at Camping Bel. You can keep things calm and easy near the campsite, or walk a little closer to town for more going on.
The beach closest to Camping Bel felt peaceful during our May half-term stay, but if you walk along the coast toward the centre of La Tranche-sur-Mer, it gets busier and more lively. It is only a short walk into town too, so you can easily combine a beach trip with an ice cream, a wander, or a drink without needing to take the car.
Things To Know about Plage Centrale:
- Toilets & Showers: On the day we left they were fitting beach cabin style toilets to the beach. I guess they are a June – September thing, though the town with public toilets isn’t too far away. We didn’t notice any showers (but we also weren’t actively looking as we just ran in the fountains).
- Snack Bar: There were a few Paillotee snack bars along the beach front from the natuique club to the town centre.
- Ease from the campsite: We left the campsite, turned right and followed the road to the end. Then we joined the path/bike track right again which went along past the lake and then you could access the beach from the “club nautique” or carry on the path to access it closer to the town.
- Parking: There are several parking options near Plage Centrale, including the Maupas and Plage Centrale parking area. Parking is paid during the main season, so check the machines when you arrive.
- Shade: Do not expect much natural shade on the beach itself. Take a parasol, beach tent, or UV shelter, especially in summer.
- Buggy/Scooter Friendly Access: Plage Centrale is one of the easier beaches to access from town, with a promenade and accessibility features listed. That said, once you are on the sand, a buggy can still be hard work, so a beach trolley may be useful.
- Lifeguards: Plage Centrale is supervised in the main season, with longer lifeguard hours in July and August. Outside supervised hours, you need to judge the sea conditions yourself and follow the beach flags.
- Sand Quality: This is a large sandy beach and part of La Tranche-sur-Mer’s long stretch of sandy coastline. It is a good beach for buckets, spades, beach games and family beach time.
- Waves & Wind: Conditions can vary. Some days can be calm enough for paddling, but Plage Centrale can also have waves suitable for bodyboarding. It is worth checking the flags, wind, tide and waves before letting young children go too far into the water.
Camping Bel Facilities
Camping Bel has fairly simple facilities compared with larger resort-style campsites, but it has a lot of personality. This is not a campsite with endless activities, huge sports zones, mini golf, pedal go-karts, or a big arcade. What it does have is a clean, friendly, easy setup that works really well for young families.
Receptions, Customer Services and Check in
Camping Bel is a family-run campsite, so the main reception felt small and personal rather than corporate. When we arrived, we checked in at the main campsite reception, where one of the owners directed us to the Eurocamp and Homair reception.
We arrived early, so we rang the Eurocamp rep, Abi, using the telephone number provided. One of our children had been travel sick on the journey, and Abi did what she could to get us into our accommodation early. She gave us all the information we needed, including a map, the barrier key, and the key to our accommodation.
Every staff member we met during our stay was warm, welcoming and helpful. Everyone we spoke to was bilingual in French and English, and we had no trouble communicating with either the campsite team or the Eurocamp team.
Eurocamp and Homair Reception
The Eurocamp and Homair reception at Camping Bel was one of the best-stocked we have seen in a long time. There were free-to-borrow books, games, toys, beach equipment and other bits families might need during their stay.
We had forgotten our buckets and spades, so we borrowed some from reception, which was really useful with the beach being so close. The walls were covered in local information, and there were plenty of flyers for nearby days out, attractions and things to do around La Tranche-sur-Mer.
Play Areas at Camping Bel
Camping Bel has several outdoor play areas spread across the campsite. None of them are huge, but they are useful, well kept, and gave our children plenty of places to play.
The first play area we found was next to the bar, which was probably the most useful one for us. It meant we could sit with a drink and catch up with friends, and the children could play nearby. This play area had a pirate ship climbing frame with a slide, a modern metal climbing frame, smaller play equipment for younger children, and a hopscotch area. It felt safe, with a soft mix of grass and sand underfoot. It was partly fenced, but still easy to see the whole area.
The second play area was near the Fun Station kids’ club tent and the central toilet block. This one was better for older children, with parkour-style circuits and climbing equipment. There was not much here for my 3-year-old, but my 6-year-old really enjoyed it. The only downside was that there were no seats for adults, which would have made it much easier to use.
The third outdoor play area was near another toilet block. I assume these play areas are placed close to the washing-up and toilet areas to keep children entertained when families are doing campsite jobs. This one was a bit calmer and suited my 3-year-old better. It had two slides and felt a little less full-on than the play area near the central toilet block.
Indoor Soft Play and Baby Play Area
One of the biggest surprises at Camping Bel was the indoor soft play near the entrance. Both of my girls really enjoyed it. It had two levels, ball pits, and some wooden table games. It probably would not entertain children for a whole day, but it was perfect for getting them out of the sun or giving them somewhere to play if it rained.
The soft play was incredibly clean and well maintained. I thought it must have been new, but it has actually been there for years, which says a lot about how well the campsite looks after its facilities.
Next door, there is a baby play area for children aged 0 to 4. This had soft toys, a little play house, and another ball pit. Like the main soft play, it was clean, tidy, and ideal for younger children.
Bouncy Castle
Camping Bel has a bouncy castle, which would normally be one of our children’s favourite things. They did not use this one as much as I expected, mainly as it was inside the pool area and got very slippery.
I think we would have used it more if it had been near the bar or in a more social part of the campsite. Still, it is a good extra for children, especially on a small campsite.
Sports Facilities
Near the bar area, there were a couple of table tennis tables, but we did not see them used much during our stay. Our girls are still a bit young for table tennis, but older children may get more use from them.
There is also a badminton court and a half-size court near the bar. My husband said the smaller court looked too small for proper tennis, but the marketing photos do show people playing tennis, so it may be fine for a casual game. There was a sign on the fence stating that court hire cost €2 for 30 minutes during our stay.
There was a small basketball area too. It was more of a single hoop in a small enclosed space than a full court, but my daughter enjoyed practising in there.
Gym
Camping Bel has a small cardio gym with cross trainers, rowing machines and spin bikes. There were no weights that I saw, and there was no air conditioning.
During our May half-term stay, temperatures reached around 35°C, so the gym was not the most tempting place to spend time. Still, if you want a quick cardio session before the beach, it is useful to have it there.
Evening Films and Games
Several evenings a week, the owners put on an outdoor cartoon or film near the bar and pool area. It was shown in a cute little seating area, and I thought it was a sweet idea. It was a little late for our children, and I did not see many people watching when I walked past, but it gives families another low-key evening option.
Camping Bel does not have a dedicated arcade, but there are a few grabber machines, toy machines and a pool table in the bar area. I did feel there could be a little more for rainy days, but with the soft play, baby play area, beach nearby and town within walking distance, the campsite does still have enough to keep younger children occupied.
What Camping Bel Does Not Have
If you are used to bigger campsites, you may notice that Camping Bel does not have some of the classic family campsite extras. There is no mini golf, no big football field, no pedal go-karts, no large arcade, and no huge sports complex.
That said, Camping Bel is so close to the beach and town that we did not feel trapped on site. For our family, the trade-off worked. You get fewer big facilities, but you get a calm, clean campsite where children can play, swim, borrow beach toys, use the soft play, and walk to the beach without needing a full entertainment programme every day.
Camping Bel Entertainment, Kids Club and Mini Disco
Camping Bel is not the campsite to book if you want loud shows, big evening productions, or late-night entertainment. The atmosphere is much calmer than that. But that does not mean there is nothing going on.
We were a bit gutted that we did not get to meet Monsieur Camembert during our stay. He is the resident clown at Camping Bel and, from what we were told, has been entertaining families on site for years. It is exactly the sort of quirky, personal touch that makes Camping Bel feel different from the bigger, more polished holiday parks.
Eurocamp Fun Station Kids Club
We loved using the Eurocamp Fun Station kids’ club during our stay. The team were Irish, spoke perfect English, and our girls warmed to them straight away.
One thing to know is that, despite it being May half term for UK families, our girls were the only children there during the sessions we attended. For us, this was actually lovely. It felt almost like they had their own private activity session, and it gave us a bit of time to sit together.
The downside is that it did not have the same lively group feeling you might get at a bigger campsite with lots of children joining in. If your child loves making holiday friends at kids’ clubs, it may depend on how busy the site is during your stay.
Mini Disco
One of our girls’ favourite campsite activities is a mini disco, and Camping Bel did have one during our stay. It was run by the Fun Station team at the kids’ club tent on Monday evening.
Again, our girls were the only two children there, so it did not have the same energy as the mini discos we have been to at larger campsites. They still enjoyed it, and the team made an effort, but it felt more like a small private dance session than a big campsite disco.
For younger children, this quieter setup may work really well. For older children or families looking for a big social entertainment programme, Camping Bel may feel too calm.
Bar, Food, Shop, WiFi and Practical Facilities
Bars, Boulangerie and Takeaway
The bar at Camping Bel is simple rather than atmospheric, but it does the job and the prices were very reasonable. During our stay, a pint of beer was less than €5 and a glass of wine was less than €3.
The downside was that drinks were served in plastic cups, including wine and beer, which was not ideal and did not feel very eco-friendly.
We did enjoy sitting here with a drink while the girls had ice creams and played in the park next to the bar, but it was not somewhere we would spend a whole evening. It felt more like a handy campsite bar than a proper holiday bar with a strong atmosphere.
The bar sold a few snack-style food options, but there was no proper restaurant or full takeaway on-site during our stay. It was also the place to collect morning bakery items, including bread, croissants and pain au chocolat, which were all lovely.
Inside the bar there were a few arcade-style machines, including grabber machines, toy machines, a pool table and a TV. Again, it was fairly simple, but the staff were friendly, the ice creams were good, and the drinks were cheap.
Campsite Shop & Nearby Supermarket
Camping Bel does not have its own campsite shop, but this was not a problem for us as there is a large Super U complex around a 5-minute walk away.
During our stay, the Super U was being renovated, which meant parking was limited. The campsite and supermarket had arranged a delivery service, and I was able to get our food shopping delivered directly to our pitch, which was brilliant.
We walked to Super U on another day and found it an easy, safe walk with the children. Having a proper supermarket this close is one of Camping Bel’s biggest practical advantages, especially if you want to self-cater.
WIFI
There was free WiFi around the bar and pool area, but I could not get my phone to connect to it during our stay. I would not rely on the campsite WiFi if you need to work, stream, or upload content.
Bike Hire
There is no bike hire directly on-site at Camping Bel, but there was a bike hire company just outside the campsite gates on the route into town. They also had Rosalies available, which could be a fun option for families.
Pets
Pets were not allowed in our Eurocamp holiday home at Camping Bel. I could not fully confirm the rules for camping pitches, so I would check directly with the campsite or your booking provider before booking if you want to bring a dog.
Some sources suggest pets are not accepted, but I did think I saw one or two dogs during our stay, so the rules may depend on pitch type, or direct campsite permission.
Shower blocks & Laundry
We had a shower in our accommodation, but we still had a look at the campsite shower and toilet blocks to see what they were like.
They were slightly rustic and dated, but they were clean, well maintained, and perfectly usable. I would not hesitate to use them if we were staying in a tent or on a touring pitch.
They had everything you might expect: Toilets, showers, sinks, washing up areas, clothes washing sinks and even a child's toilet.
The Laundry was located in a special laundry room near the main reception. You needed to buy a token from the bar area to use them, but the machine was very customisable and we managed to put our clothes on a nice, intense 2.5 hour wash. Tokens were 6 euros for a wash and 4 euros for a dryer.
Accommodation at Camping Bel
We stayed in a Eurocamp Premium mobile home with outdoor lounge at Camping Bel. The holiday home itself was one of the smallest we have stayed in, but the outside space made a big difference.
We love Eurocamp’s outdoor lounge decking areas. The covered decking gives you a proper outdoor living space, with comfortable sofas and a plancha for cooking. It makes the accommodation feel much more social, especially when you are travelling with children or spending time with friends.
The decking was fully covered too, so we could still use it in different weather. We had a little bit of space out the front for the children to play, which was useful on a smaller pitch.
Camping Bel has Eurocamp mobile homes and camping emplacements, so you can either book a holiday home or bring your own tent, caravan or campervan. The camping pitches we saw looked grassy and a good size, and the sanitary facilities were clean, well maintained and easy to use.
Should You Book Through the Campsite or Through an Operator?
This depends on how you want to stay.
If you want a mobile home, we booked through Eurocamp and stayed in one of their Premium options. If you want to camp with your own equipment, you need to check prices directly with Camping Bel.
I would compare all accommodation options before booking, especially if you are travelling in peak season. Check what is included, whether bedding is provided, the cancellation terms, cleaning rules and arrival times.
Things to Do Near Camping Bel and Day Trips from La Tranche-sur-Mer
We did not touch the car during this stay, which says a lot about Camping Bel’s location. Between the beach, the town, the supermarket and the pool, we had enough close by for a short May half-term break.
That said, we have visited the Vendée many times, so there are plenty of places I would recommend nearby if you are staying for longer or want a bigger family day out.
La Tranche-sur-Mer
You really cannot stay at Camping Bel without visiting La Tranche-sur-Mer itself. The town is an easy walk from the campsite and has a lovely seaside feel, with gift shops, seafood restaurants, bars, cafés, crêperies and ice cream stops.
La Tranche-sur-Mer has food markets in the town centre on Tuesday and Saturday mornings throughout the year, in Place de la Liberté and under Les Halles. In summer, there are extra markets in other areas of town, plus evening markets.
Our girls loved the water fountains in town, which they could run through and cool off in. It made a nice change from the beach and campsite pool, especially on a hot day.
O’Gliss Park
O’Gliss Park is one of the closest big family days out from Camping Bel. It is a large water park in Le Bernard, around 15 minutes from La Tranche-sur-Mer.
We still have not managed to visit O’Gliss Park on any of our Vendée holidays, mainly as it is open seasonally, but it looks like a brilliant option if you are staying during the main summer season. The park has slides, wild rivers, water play areas, a wave pool and lagoon-style areas, so it would be a good choice if your children want a much bigger water day than the pool at Camping Bel.
O’Fun Park
O’Fun Park is part of the same group as O’Gliss Park and is another big family activity park close to La Tranche-sur-Mer. The La Tranche-sur-Mer tourism office describes it as the largest attraction park in the Vendée, with more than 30 activities and a Far West theme for 2026.
There are activities such as treetop climbing, inflatables, water-based activities, team challenges and adventure-style courses. The treetop climbing starts from age 2, which makes it a good option for younger children, not just older kids and teens.
I think our girls would love it, since they already enjoy similar treetop adventure parks in the Vendée.
Puy du Fou
Puy du Fou is one of the biggest attractions in the Vendée and is around 95km from La Tranche-sur-Mer by road, so it is a full day out rather than a quick local trip.
If your children are old enough to sit and watch shows, I think Puy du Fou is absolutely worth considering. It is not a normal theme park with rollercoasters. It is based around huge historical live shows, with fire, horses, action, stunts and dramatic staging. The official site describes it as a park based around cinematic-style shows taking visitors through different periods of history.
I have never seen anything quite like it, and I would definitely recommend it once your children are at the right age for longer sit-down shows.
Futuroscope and Aquascope
Futuroscope and Aquascope are much further away, so I would only add them to your plans if you are happy with a long day trip or travelling in that direction before or after your stay.
Futuroscope is around 178km by road from La Tranche-sur-Mer, with a drive time of around 2 hours. It is a future-themed park near Poitiers, with rides, shows and immersive attractions.
Aquascope is the newer water park at Futuroscope. The official site describes it as a 6,000m² indoor water park with 8 slides, so it could be a good option if you want a big water park day that is not weather-dependent.
For a Camping Bel holiday, I would see Futuroscope and Aquascope as a bigger travel-day add-on rather than a simple local day trip.
Do You Need a Car at Camping Bel?
We did not touch our car during our stay, which says a lot about the location. The beach, town, supermarket, restaurants, bars and ice cream stops are all close enough to reach on foot.
That said, if you want to explore further than La Tranche-sur-Mer, visit water parks, go to Puy du Fou, or take bigger Vendée day trips, you will need a car.
Camping Bel is the kind of campsite many families will drive to rather than fly to, especially if they are travelling from the UK with children, beach gear, food, bikes, toys and all the usual camping holiday chaos.
How to Get to Camping Bel
Driving is the easiest way to get to Camping Bel, especially if you are coming from the UK or planning to explore the Vendée during your stay.
If you want to fly, the closest useful airports are La Rochelle and Nantes. I would recommend hiring a car from the airport, as public transport or transfers are likely to be slower, more expensive, or less practical with children.
Nearest Airports to Camping Bel
La Rochelle is the closest airport to La Tranche-sur-Mer, and Nantes is another realistic option with more flight choice.
If you fly, I would hire a car. Camping Bel is walkable once you are there, but getting from the airport to the campsite without a car would be a faff, especially with children and luggage.
Ferry Routes from the UK
If you are driving from the UK, there are a few ferry route options.
Portsmouth to Saint-Malo with Brittany Ferries gets you much closer to the Vendée than Calais, but it can be a more expensive crossing. From Saint-Malo, the drive to La Tranche-sur-Mer is around 3.5 hours.
Dover to Calais or the Eurotunnel can be cheaper and more flexible, but the drive across France is much longer. From Calais, you are looking at roughly 6.5 hours of driving to La Tranche-sur-Mer.
A middle-ground option could be Newhaven to Dieppe with DFDS. The drive from Dieppe to La Tranche-sur-Mer is still around 5 hours, but it cuts down the road time compared with Calais.
For us, the best route would depend on ferry prices, cabin costs, crossing times, and how much driving you are willing to do with children.
Driving Directions
Camping Bel is located at:
Address: 4 rue du Bottereau, 85360 La Tranche-sur-Mer.
GPS: 46.348531, -1.431950
What 3 Words: ///envied.armloads.growing
If you are driving from the UK, your route will depend on which ferry port or Eurotunnel crossing you use. Most families arriving from northern France will head down toward La Roche-sur-Yon, then follow signs for La Tranche-sur-Mer.
From La Roche-sur-Yon, take the D747 toward La Tranche-sur-Mer. As you arrive in La Tranche-sur-Mer, follow signs toward the town centre and then Rue du Bottereau. The campsite entrance is easy to miss if you are expecting a large holiday park entrance, so keep an eye out once you get close.
If you are driving from La Rochelle, head toward Nantes / La Roche-sur-Yon, then follow the smaller roads toward Puyravault, Triaize, Saint-Michel-en-l’Herm and La Tranche-sur-Mer.
The final part of the journey takes you into a built-up seaside town rather than a remote campsite area. Camping Bel is close to houses, the beach, the supermarket and the town centre, so expect normal town roads rather than wide resort-style access roads.
I would put the campsite address into Google Maps before setting off, then check the final approach once you are close to La Tranche-sur-Mer. The campsite is very well placed once you arrive, but the entrance does not feel like a huge resort entrance, so slow down as you get close to Rue du Bottereau.
Cleanliness and Maintenance
I was really impressed with the cleanliness at Camping Bel. The soft play looked almost brand new, the toilet blocks were clean, the bar and pool areas were tidy, and the whole campsite felt well looked after.
What surprised me most was how clean everything was when the campsite seemed to run with such a small team. The owners were regularly seen around the campsite, and it felt clear that they take a lot of pride in the place.
That seemed to rub off on the guests too. People tidied up after themselves around the pool, the play areas were looked after, and the site had a calm, respectful feel.
Camping Bel is one of the cleanest and best maintained campsites we have stayed at in years. It is not shiny or modern everywhere, and some areas are a little dated, but everything we saw was clean, cared for, and in good working order.
Is Camping Bel Family Friendly?
Camping Bel is a brilliant campsite for families with young children, especially if you want a smaller site that feels calm, safe and easy to manage.
For toddlers and younger children, there is plenty to keep them happy without the site feeling overwhelming. The toddler pool, small slide, soft play, baby play area, bouncy castle, playgrounds and beach nearby all worked really well for our girls.
That said, Camping Bel is not only for little children. We met returning families who had been coming for years, including one woman who first visited with babies and kept coming back until her children were in their late teens. As they got older, they would head off to the beach and town, and they still loved the campsite.
I think Camping Bel works best for families who want a relaxed beach holiday rather than a full-on resort experience. Younger children will enjoy the play areas and pool, and older children may enjoy the freedom of being close to the beach and town. Teens looking for big entertainment, waterslides and busy nightlife may find it too quiet.
Watch Our Full Camping Bel Tour & Vlog on Youtube
Pricing and Value for Money
Camping Bel felt like very good value for money during our May half-term stay. We stayed cheaply for a UK school holiday week, and it felt much more affordable than many larger Eurocamp-style resorts we have visited.
The prices on-site were fair too. Drinks at the bar were cheap, morning bakery items were good value, and having a large Super U within walking distance made self-catering easy.
La Tranche-sur-Mer itself did not feel like a place trying to rip off tourists either. We found the town easy, friendly and reasonable for a seaside location.
For us, Camping Bel was a great choice for a budget-friendly Eurocamp holiday. You are not paying for a huge pool complex, big shows or endless facilities, but you are getting a clean, friendly campsite in a brilliant location close to the beach, town and supermarket.
Camping Bel FAQs
Are the mobile homes close together at Camping Bel?
We found the mobile homes nicely spaced out for a coastal campsite. There were hedges between pitches, and we even had a little green space at the front where the children could play.
Is Camping Bel flat?
Yes, Camping Bel felt flat and easy to walk around. The town and beach areas we used in La Tranche-sur-Mer were flat too, which made it much easier with children, scooters and beach bags.
Are there mosquitoes at Camping Bel?
We had one bite during our stay, but nothing major. We used a citronella candle on the decking, which may have helped. I would still pack mosquito repellent, especially if you are staying later in the summer.
Is it easy to get a sunbed around the pool?
During our May half-term stay, yes. The pool area was almost empty most days, and we had no trouble finding sunbeds.
The loungers are fixed in place, so they do not get dragged around the pool area. This kept everything tidy and calm. It may be busier in July and August, but I imagine many families split their time between the beach, town and pool rather than staying by the pool all day.
Do men need Speedos at Camping Bel?
During our stay, the swimwear rules did not seem strict. The pool was unmanned, and lots of men were wearing looser swimming shorts.
That said, rules on French campsites can change, and they may be stricter in high season. I would still pack a pair of Speedos or jammers just in case.
Can you eat and drink around the pool?
During our stay, people were eating snacks and having drinks around the pool, which is rare on French campsites.
Everyone was respectful, tidied up after themselves, and we did not see rubbish, wasps or flies around the pool area. I would still check the current pool rules when you arrive, as this may change depending on the season.
Are there BBQs at Camping Bel?
We had a plancha on our Eurocamp decking, which was great for cooking outside. We did not have a charcoal BBQ, and I do not remember seeing any communal BBQ areas on site.
Can you use inflatables in the pool?
During our stay, small inflatables were being used in the pool. It still felt safe and comfortable, mainly as the pool was quiet and relaxed.
I would not assume large inflatables are always allowed, especially in high season.
What is the weather like at Camping Bel in spring and summer?
We stayed at the end of May and it was very hot, with temperatures around 35°C during our trip.
Our accommodation did not have air conditioning, so we did struggle with the heat at times. The covered outdoor lounge stayed much cooler, and the pool was a great way to cool down.
If you are visiting in late spring or summer, I would pack fans, light pyjamas, refillable water bottles, sun hats and plenty of sun cream.
Can you park on your pitch?
Yes, we could park on our pitch and had plenty of room to do so.
Can you take pets to Camping Bel?
Pets were not allowed in our Eurocamp holiday home at Camping Bel.
From what I could see, Camping Bel does not seem to be a pet-friendly campsite, but I would check directly with the campsite or your booking provider before booking, especially if you are planning to camp on an emplacement.
We did see a couple of stray cats wandering around the site, keeping an eye on things.
Where is the nearest supermarket to Camping Bel?
The nearest supermarket is Super U, and you can see it from the campsite entrance. It is around a 5-minute walk away and has everything you need for a self-catering holiday.
This was one of the most useful things about Camping Bel. We could get food, drinks, beach bits and everyday supplies without needing to use the car.
Is Camping Bel loud in the evenings?
No, Camping Bel was very quiet in the evenings during our stay. Everyone seemed settled by around 10.30pm, and the only noise we really noticed was birds, the breeze and the distant sound of waves.
If you want a lively campsite with late-night entertainment, this probably is not the one. If you want calm evenings with young children, it is ideal.
What can you do at Camping Bel if it rains?
There is a soft play area, a baby play room, books, toys and games available to borrow from the Eurocamp reception, and a few arcade-style machines in the bar.
I would still pack cards, colouring books, sticker books, small games and a tablet with downloaded films, especially if you are staying for a full week.
Can I use a Wise or TransferWise card on site?
We could use a card on site when spending over a certain amount, but I would recommend having some cash for smaller purchases at the bar, especially if you are spending under €10.
Is Camping Bel good for toddlers?
Yes, and this is probably one of the biggest selling points of the campsite. The toddler pool, soft play, baby room, small site layout, beach access and calm atmosphere all make it a strong choice for families with younger children.
Does Camping Bel have air conditioning?
Our Eurocamp holiday home at Camping Bel did not have air conditioning, and this was one of the only real downsides of our stay.
We visited during May half term and had unusually hot weather, with temperatures around 35°C, so the mobile home did feel warm at night. The covered outdoor lounge stayed much cooler during the day, and the pool helped a lot, but bedtime was still uncomfortable at times.
Is Camping Bel worth booking?
Yes, if you want a small, peaceful campsite close to the beach and town. Camping Bel is not the best choice for big waterslides, loud entertainment or a full resort-style holiday, but it is brilliant for a calm, clean, budget-friendly Eurocamp break with younger children.
Camping Bel Review Conclusion: Would We Stay Again?
We were so impressed with Camping Bel in La Tranche-sur-Mer, and it genuinely felt like we had found a hidden gem.
A small, calm campsite within walking distance of both the beach and town is not easy to find, especially one that still feels friendly, clean and easy with young children. It is easy to see why Camping Bel has so many returning families, and I can completely see us becoming one of them.
It is not a big resort-style campsite, and that is the whole point. You do not come here for huge waterslides, loud evening shows, massive kids’ clubs or endless facilities. You come here for a relaxed family holiday, easy beach days, a safe-feeling site, friendly staff, clean facilities and a seaside town you can walk to without getting in the car.
My only real complaints were the plastic cups at the bar, the lack of a proper lively mini disco during our stay, and the fact our Eurocamp holiday home did not have air conditioning, which was hard during a very hot May half-term week.
Other than that, Camping Bel was exactly the kind of campsite we love finding. It was simple, peaceful, well maintained and genuinely enjoyable with children.
I would recommend Camping Bel for families with babies, toddlers and younger children, especially if you want a budget-friendly Eurocamp holiday near the beach in the Vendée. I would be less likely to recommend it for families wanting big entertainment, lots of waterslides, late nights or a full resort-style experience.
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FAMILY CAMPING EUROPE SCORE
