Pool complex
Parc de Fierbois has 2 pool areas: an outdoor pool in the main part of the campsite and an indoor pool towards the lake.
The indoor pool is a basic, no-frills swimming pool, perfect for a rainy or cold day. It has lovely views across the lake and is nice and deep for swim practice.
However, it is extremely old-looking, under-maintained, and unclean. The whole area needs a bit of a scrub and a paint job. The glass building is green, the plastic around the pool is broken and dangerous, and the pool itself is green.
Then there’s the outdoor pool.
It’s a well-designed area with deep sections and shallow sections, (almost) rock pool-style areas, and waterslides. On paper, it’s a fantastic outdoor pool area. However, once again, we were let down by the cleanliness and maintenance. The pool floor was green, there were weeds growing around it, and the glass screens and fences around it were broken.
There were a fair few sun loungers out, but as it was high season when we stayed, these soon got filled. Thankfully, there were some nice grassy areas around the poolside on which we could lay our towels.
Parc de fierbois also offers swimming lessons with trained Maitre Nageurs (swim teachers/lifeguards). Kesy, a really lovely lifeguard, taught our daughter a lesson that cost us 20e.
The outdoor pool is open from 10 a.m. until 8.30 p.m., and the indoor pool is open from 7 a.m. until 8.30 p.m. I really love that Parc de Fierbois have a pool open early in the morning for serious swimmers.
Swimwear rule
Many of you will be happy to know the swimwear rule wasn’t enforced on Parc de Fierbois. Plenty of holidaymakers roamed around in board shorts with no questions asked. However, as it is a law, this can change at any time should the campsite wish. So always ensure you pack a pair of speedos/jammers just in case.
Lakes, Pedalos and fishing
The lake has changed from what I remembered in 2012 and what the Eurocamp photos show.
It used to be a beautiful, sandy area where you could relax and feel like you were at a beach. Now, it’s a grassy, pondy area that is not as inviting as it used to be.
We really enjoyed the inflatable park in the middle of the pond. Still, it’s a shame this was partially deflated during our holiday.
The lake was unmanned, and there were no lifeguards in this area. Therefore, it’s really important to stay vigilant and supervise your children. The lake was deep. I couldn’t touch the ground when we swam in it.
Just to the left of the stairs towards the lake is a shack-style bar where you can buy ice cream and hire water equipment like SUPs, canoes, and pedalos.
The lake is also great for fishermen(and women), and there are numerous spots around the 7-hectare lake to prop up a chair and chill while trying to catch a carp or Roach.
Campsite Facilities
We really loved the range of facilities that Parc de Fierbois offered.
Treetop climbing, nature walks, pony trek, camels, etc.
Receptions and Check-in
We checked in with the main reception as we stayed directly with them. During our stay, we dealt solely with the campsite staff.
I’ll admit, it wasn’t the friendliest of welcomes. The man at reception wasn’t a smiley greeter, but I figured he’d probably had a bad day.
On arrival, there was an issue with our booking, and the fridge cabinet I had booked mysteriously disappeared, even though I had confirmation that I had ordered it. Therefore, I had to rebook it.
We were given an information booklet, a key to our fridge locker and directions to our pitch.
What a beautiful pitch! We arrived at a massive, green, lovely emplacement. We were just opposite the toilet block, so it was great for people-watching, washing up, and sneaking a wee. But we were far enough away that we didn’t get any unwelcome smells.
We returned to the reception a few times during our stay. Once, I asked for a barbecue, which we paid for in the afternoon one day, but by morning the next day, it was taken away. I was kind of hoping we would have it for a 24-hour period, but unfortunately not.
The next time we went, we wanted to order a second fridge box for our last couple of days. Unfortunately, the receptionist charged my mum an entire week instead of just two days for the second fridge box. So I queried this with them, and they refunded me.
While we were in reception, I noticed that holidaymakers could also buy cigarettes and tobacco from the reception desk, wash tokens, stamps, and use Wi-Fi, and hire pedal go-karts and bikes from there.
Play Areas & Sports Field
There are a few different areas for playing on Parc de Fierbois.
Playpark
There are two small play parks located next to each other. They are fairly basic, old, and no frills. However, they kept my 3-year-old entertained. Unfortunately, there were a few pieces of broken glass in the gravel, and my 1-year-old also kept trying to eat the gravel floor, so we generally avoided the parks as much as possible.
Treetop Climbing
This is one of the campsite wins. Our daughter loves treetop climbing and high ropes courses. The one at Fierbois was perfect as it had a small section for children and a larger area for adults. The adult section looked amazing and had some really cool zip lines. The staff was super friendly, and we definitely recommend this activity.
Table tennis
Like all French campsites, Parc de Fierbois has numerous table tennis courts. Above the shop, an entire roof area is filled with tables, and everyone seems to love it.
Pony Rides
The Pony Rides at Parc de Fierbois were our daughter’s favourite activity. She loved riding Nutella around the campsite. The pony ride was 20 minutes long and cost 10 euros. My mum and Mike held onto the horse while the 4-year-old rode it.
Skateboard
On our last day, just outside the main entrance, we discovered that Parc de Fierbois has a small skate park, which is a great facility for active teenagers.
Tennis courts & Multisports
At the entrance to the campsite, there was also a large Tennis area and multisports court.
Football field & Archery
Parc De Fierbois has a large field with football nets and an archery section near the tennis courts.
Pedal karting
From the campsite, children (and adults, too) can hire pedal go-karts to (safely) race around the campsite. Ours were still a bit too little for this, but children 5 and over will absolutely love this activity.
Camel Rides
Not only does the campsite have pony rides, but Parc de Fierbois also offers its guests camel rides. As you can imagine, I was very surprised when I saw camels on the campsite during our second night. They are definitely not the usual animals to find in the Loire Valley.
Arcade Room
The arcade room is in a back room off of the bar. It’s okay. It has a reasonable amount of equipment. However, the doors to the arcade were smashed, and it once again showed signs of an under-maintained campsite.
Kids Clubs & Facilities
The kids’ club was for ages 4 and over, but as our daughter was only 3, we skipped out this time. However, we did see the animators numerous times during our stay, and they seemed like an excellent team. The staff were happy, smiley, chatty and bilingual.
Our daughter and her new best friend often joined in with the mini disco at 6.15pm at the bar, and there were many children of a similar age on the campsite, which was lovely.
Animation for kids and adults
The animation schedule was far better than I expected for a countryside campsite. We had live music, electric light shows, hypnosis, talent shows, and dance parties. They really pushed the entertainment. On our first night, we listened to an excellent live band from our camping emplacement.
Throughout the day, there were other activities like Yoga, Archery, basketball, and aquagym, and the animation team really was an absolute credit to this campsite. In fact, they were probably one of the only things that we thought was good at Parc de Fierbois.
Bars, Restaurants and Takeaway
We love a campsite drink, so what did we think of Parc de Fierbois’s food and drink facilities?
Bar
The bar had a happy hour between 6pm and 9pm, offering a very reasonable 2 euros off a pint and 1 euro off a half. This made the drinks very good value. We went most nights for this because it was lovely to sit outside in the sun with a drink and soak up the atmosphere. It also coincided nicely with the mini disco, which was held at 6.15pm.
However, in general, we weren’t overly impressed with the bar. We found it soulless, dated, dirty, and, like a lot on the campsite, undermaintained. We also found some of the bar staff rude and tutting when we ordered a hot chocolate for our 3-year-old.
They sold ice cream, cocktails, coffee, beer, wine, and soft drinks from the bar. However, I ordered soda water from the tap and was charged 2 euros for it, and I might as well have had wine.
The bar was open from 9 a.m. until 11 p.m. and is also where the mini disco and evening entertainment are held.
Restaurant & Takeaway
We didn’t use the restaurant during our stay. It was only open in the evening, and we didn’t fit it in. However, the setting looked really lovely and atmospheric. One night, they even had a singer perform for the restaurant.
However, we did have takeaway on a few occasions and were really impressed with the food quality. Although the takeaway menu was a bit gourmet and not what we expected to find on a campsite, we really enjoyed it and would definitely use it in the future.
The takeaway service ran from 18.30 to 21.30. On our first night, we were running really late getting the tent up and only just missed the cut-off time for takeaway. Thankfully, the staff took pity on us and gave us all they had left, which was some children’s fish and chips. It was delicious, filling, and half the price of an adult meal. We definitely couldn’t complain about that.
Pizzeria
One lunchtime, we tried the campsite pizzas. They were reasonably priced and okay tasting—nothing special, but it filled a hole, and it was nice to have the option on-site when the other options were closed. As we didn’t have a car for the majority of our stay, we relied on the campsite facilities.
Campsite Shop
The campsite shop was great, although somewhat expensive. One can of Pepsi Max cost us 4 euros, and we couldn’t find any bottles of wine under 7 euros (expensive for French prices!).
However, the women who worked there were lovely, and we found a wide range of products to keep us fed and watered throughout our stay. The shop closed for lunch between 12 and 4 p.m. but was open from 4 to 7.30 in the evening and 8 to 12 in the morning.
Vending Machine
When the shop closed, the campsite had handy vending machines outside that sold coffee, crisps, fizzy drinks, and chocolate bars. They didn’t accept cards, so make sure you take some coins with you.
WIFI
Wifi access is free around the campsite, and all you need to do is connect to it.
Bike Hire
Bike hire is available from the main campsite reception. For an adult bike for one day, you’d pay 13 euros plus a 30 euros deposit. For an adult bike for seven days, it’ll cost 59 euros. For a children’s bike, it’s 10 euros for one day and 40 euros for seven days.
You can also hire Rosalie and go-karts for 30 minutes to an hour. The bike hire is available from 9 a.m. until 8.30 p.m.
ATM
There is no ATM on the campsite; the nearest ATM is at the Intermarche in Saint Maure De Touraine.
Pets
Pets are welcome at this campsite, and our neighbour had two loud dogs with him, which liked to escape onto our pitch. Thankfully they were super friendly and lovely little puppies, so we forgave them for waking up the baby. I imagine our wild children woke them up early in the morning in retaliation.
Shower blocks
The shower blocks were just opposite our emplacement. They were lovely and modern, but they were often filthy. The cleaners came early in the morning and did a quick, haphazard wipe over things, and then we wouldn’t see them again.
Every shower and toilet had masses of cobwebs, and things just weren’t clean. By the evening, the sanitary block was filthy. The washing area had blocked sinks, the showers were disgusting, and you don’t even want to know what Mike found in the urinal… let’s just say it wasn’t a number 1!!
I understand that’s a bad camper problem and not a campsite problem. However, I would suggest that cleaning should be done twice a day (at least) in high season as the toilet blocks are constantly getting used.
One thing I loved about the toilet block was that children had their own separate area for washing and toilets, which was amazing for encouraging our 3-year-old to develop independence.
Fridge unit
In the sanitary facilities, you’ll also find the fridge unit. This is (as Mike calls it) “The biggest con in camping” Basically, a normal-sized fridge is split into many key lockers. Then customers like us pay 3 euros daily to store our cold items in them. Our first locker, which we booked for the week, was tiny and half the size of the other lockers because it was at the bottom of the fridge. Annoyingly, we still paid full price for it. We had no idea the others were any different until we booked an extra fridge compartment because we didn’t have enough space.
Laundry
The laundry area was also in the sanitary block. We had to get tokens from the main reception, and we were charged 6 euros for a wash and 4 euros for a dry. We brought our own detergent, but we could get some at the shop if needed.
Youtube Video Of Our Stay At Parc De Fierbois
Available Accommodation
We stayed in a tent, but the campsite had plenty of mobile homes and pitches, and Eurocamp was also present.
Our Pitch
We paid 590 euros for 6 nights on Parc de Fierbois, and our pitch was probably the best thing about the campsite. It was luscious, green, and absolutely huge. We had a tap and electric hookup and were in a great location for facilities and toilets. It was a welcome change after our stay at Le Col Vert on the worst pitch we’ve ever had.
Campsite (other mobiles)
We looked at some of the mobile homes on the campsite, and there is a wide range of choices. There are amazing tree-top cabins, wooden chalets, and standard mobile homes. They even have a gite/apartment you can rent for your holiday.
Eurocamp & Canvas Holidays
Suppose you can find a better deal with Eurocamp or Canvas Holidays over the campsite’s accommodation (which is likely). You can stay in a premium Azure, Premium with lounge decking, or comfort-style accommodation. Make sure you check them both out and compare prices with booking direct. Please have a look at our Eurocamp accommodation guide for help with choosing.
Should I Book Direct Through The Campsite Or Through And Operator? (How To Book)
Consider comparing the tour operators’ full price and booking Fierbois directly. We have often found booking with Eurocamp cheaper, especially during school holidays. Still, it’s worth double-checking all of the options. We generally enjoy booking with Eurocamp when we are not tent camping, for the English head office and their flexibility, fantastic customer services and help with ferry crossings and information.
Do You Need A Car To Get Round?
Yes, a car is highly recommended. The campsite itself is large but manageable on foot or bike. However, the surrounding Loire Valley is best explored by car due to the spread-out nature of attractions like châteaux, vineyards, and charming villages.
How To Get To The Campsite
Parc de Fierbois is easily accessible by car, train, or air:
By Car: Located near Sainte-Catherine-de-Fierbois, it’s a short drive off the A10 motorway.
By Train: The nearest train station is Tours, which connects to Paris and other major cities.
By Plane: The closest airport is Tours Val de Loire Airport, with options to hire a car.
Should I Hire A Car?
Yes, hiring a car is highly recommended for exploring the Loire Valley. The area has limited Public transport options, and many key attractions are not easily accessible without a vehicle. A car allows you to visit châteaux, vineyards, and scenic towns at your own pace.
Ferry Port
For UK visitors, the closest ferry port is Caen. Other options include Saint-Malo or Calais. It’s a straightforward drive to the campsite via major French motorways from these ports. Remember to consider toll costs when budgeting your drive.
Driving Directions
Address:
Parc de Fierbois,
37800 Sainte-Catherine-de-Fierbois,
France
GPS:
47.146471, 0.652265
Google map: https://g.co/kgs/rLeJj6j
Day Trips
Château de Chenonceau:
One of the most famous Loire Valley châteaux, known for its stunning architecture over the river Cher.
Château de Villandry:
Famous for its meticulously landscaped gardens.
Tours:
A vibrant city with historic architecture, lively markets, and great dining options.
Chinon:
A charming medieval town known for its wines and fortress.
Futuroscope:
A futuristic theme park near Poitiers, perfect for families.
Local Vineyards:
The Loire Valley is renowned for its wines; many vineyards offer tours and tastings.
FAQ’s
Are The Mobiles Close Together?
We found this campsite great for pitch sizes. Our camping emplacement was especially amazing. The mobile homes seemed to have some garden space, too.
Is The Campsite Flat?
Mostly. The walk to and from the lake is uphill/downhill, but the campsite is flat otherwise.
Are There Mosquitos?
Yes, being near the lake attracts mosquitoes, especially in summer. Bring repellent and citronella candles.
Is It Easy To Get A Sunbed Around The Pool?
During peak season, sunbeds can be hard to secure. If you fail to get a lounger, there are some grassy areas in the pool area to relax on.
Do Men Have To Wear Swim Trunks?
They didn’t during our stay, and long board shorts were accepted. However, this can always change, so make sure you pack some tight-fitting swimwear just in case.
Are There BBQs On-Site?
Yes, barbecues are allowed and regularly used on this campsite.
Can You Use Inflatables at the Pool?
A few were used in the pool, but more were used at the lake.
What’s The Weather Like In Spring/Summer?
The Loire is fairly central in France and has fairly good weather—not as good as the South, but not as bad as the North. Prepare for a mild and pleasant Spring and a warm Summer with potentially cooler evenings. Expect a few days of rain, too.
Can You Take Pets to the Campsite?
Yes, pets are allowed, but check restrictions for specific accommodations.
Where’s The Nearest Supermarket?
There is a small on-site shop but head to Sainte-Maure-de-Touraine for larger shopping trips, about 10 km away.
Is It Loud In The Evenings?
Entertainment areas can be lively, but quieter pitches are available further from the central facilities.
What Can We Do If It Rains?
You can use the indoor pool, visit local châteaux, or explore indoor attractions like wine caves or museums in Tours.
Review Conclusion
Our Thoughts On Parc de Fierbois
FAMILY CAMPING EUROPE SCORE
