Camp site: Camping Au Coeur du Lac, Lake Annecy - electric included (4-6 August)

Day 1 - Tuesday 4 August

Up at 7AM to the sound of drilling and heavy machinery - workmen have decided to repave the entrance to the aire, blocking us all in. Had a cup of tea, tidied the tip of a van as best we could and then spotted and headed to Lidl next door. Drove the 100m on the wrong side of the road before a near head on with a truck..close call. Parked in Lidl and reversed into a post, luckily it hit the bike rack and no damage. Picked up some basic sandwiches for the journey and a cold coffee. Left the coffee on the belt. Head in the shed! Started the 5h 30m journey to Lake Annecy with tolls this time as we couldn’t face a similar journey as yesterday. A couple of aire stops en route for coffee and then headed into the first major tunnel, on exit, what a view! Towering viaduct motorways and fearsome mountains, this was stunning scenery. Arrived at the campsite at around 16:15 - was told pitch 21. Narrow doesn’t describe it. Facing the wrong way - naturally, had to carry out a 13 point turn dodging trees, children, tents and motorhomes, in boiling heat all in front of about 30 French people. I felt like abandoning it there and then. Mel had already done a runner. Finally pitched and felt like the slope of Mont Blanc. The levellers could only do so much. Grabbed a beer, nailed it and then both dived in Lake Annecy, bliss! Swam for an hour or two and then had a wander to Lidl for essentials. Huge storm incoming, we must have had the awning out for all of 30 minutes. 50 MPH winds, rain coming down in sheets and forked lightning and thundering booms. Grabbed everything and put away and retired to the van. Van temp still showing 33 degrees inside, the mains fan provided welcome relief. Until we had a power cut. No electric and stuck inside falling over each other and the huge fridge blocking the walkway (the van fridge has also packed up). Mel knocked up some very nice nibbles considering. Had a couple of Limoncellos, read and went to bed mentally and physically exhausted with a huge lightning storm all around us.

Day 2 - Wednesday 5 August

Lie in today until at least 9am, woke with pins and needles in our legs and arms as we are sleeping like bats in a cave. Had a hearty breakfast of cheese burgers on pitta bread as they needed eating then decided to walk to Annecy as it is only around 7KM. Bags packed and off we trot - must have been all of 25 steps before Mel’s first moan about her ankles or the heat or similar but on we went. Stopped about 2K in for a desperate cold can of coke and Sprite. Gorgeous little beaches all around the lake and was getting busier and busier the closer we got to Annecy. We arrived about 2 hours later among the hustle and bustle. Stunning place with incredible architecture. Stopped at Cafe Des Arts for a couple of beers courtesy of Tom at work’s recommendation. Spot on. Then headed for a couple of pastries from a boulangerie which was excellent and finally an ice cream - two boules in a large chocolate cone each. They were far too big and left us feeling quite sick. Went to book the boat back, the woman said just turn up at 17:15 and pay on board. So we headed for an Aperol Spritz and beer inbetweener. Headed to the pier and noticed people had tickets. As we approached, the burly bloke said that the boat was at full capacity. But he could squeeze us on. Until he saw we offered to pay on card. Fraudster. So a long 7km walk back ensued. Let’s say Mel REALLY wasn’t happy. We trudged back in the heat and arrived at the local beach at about 18:40 and dived straight in…I am sure steam came off us. Headed to Lidl for supplies, showered and had an Limoncello spritz whilst Mel concocted a beautiful delicate pasta dish with pesto and fine meats. After a video call from Harry and his success in his exams (well done mate), we retired to the van and read and passed out exhausted.

Day 3 - Thursday 6 August

Awoke around 9ish after another fractured vertical sleep. Mel knocked up a rather marvellous sausage, bacon and champignon baguette smothered in BBQ sauce…mmm divine. Relaxed day today so nipped for a cold coffee on the shore and then headed to the local plage with books in hand - still reading Phil Collins autobiography. Read about 100 pages, swam a lot, relaxed a lot, drank a local beer and a tandoori chicken sandwich and some crisps. A wonderfully relaxing day. Phone has ran out of data due to Facebook background usage, whatever that means - used 15GB in 2 days so exceeded my fair usage policy in the EU. Resets in 28 days. Great. Going have to sort some kind of Esim but nowhere has wifi to even order it. Then I had itchy feet around 4pm so went for a shower and a limoncello at the van and headed to the local bar - Saint Rock - a very cool venue, literally - first place we had been with actual air conditioning - bliss! I had 3 or 4 pints of Kronenbourg Blanc and Mel a gin and tonic or 4. We had set sights on the pizza place next door - you could bring them into the pub…winner! Went to order, literally just ran out of dough. WTF. So we shared a dry nachos. Around 21:00 went for a dirty kebab next door, instant regret. Bed at 11pm for another shocking nights sleep.

🏕️ Campsite Rating

  • 🚿 Facilities — 6/10 Very sparse and not the cleanest

  • 📍 Location — 9/10 Amazing position, right on the beach

  • 💷 Value for money — 8/10 £30 a night. excellent value

  • 🚐 Pitches — 4/10 Pitches are exceptionally tight and not at all level. The main downside here

  • 🧹 Cleanliness — 7/10 Acceptable

  • 🤝 Atmosphere — 8/10 A family friendly atmosphere

  • 🛒 Convenience — 8/10 Easy to get to

  • 🌄 Scenery — 8/10 Beautiful views from every angle of mountains and lake

  • ❤️ Would we return? — No.

⭐ Overall

Lovely location right on the beach of the lake BUT -

The pitches are the main reason we wouldnt stay here again. we simply could not enjoy any privacy but the main reason was that we couldn’t get it anywhere near level so sleep was very poor.

But at £30 a night, we’d still say it’s excellent value for what you’re getting. In one of the most spectacular parts of Europe, you’re paying less than many UK campsites charge for far less.

Our verdict: 7/10 - Great if you like sleeping upside down.