Canvas Holidays (Wyndham Vacation Rentals) has many beautiful and well located sites through Europe. I think when I first heard about Canvas Holidays, I actually thought it would only be tents. Now I know this is a really popular way of seeing Europe, and facilities in European campsites are said to be amazing. Canvas Holidays are so much more than a camp site though, amazing variety of accommodation is on offer, with facilities to match families and couples holidaying. They offer nearly 50 years of experience too. That really did show when I visited the French la Croix du Vieux Pont site on a Canvas Holidays trip in June.
Travel
So, as we were a (gorgeous blogging) group coming from different parts of the country, we choose a central place to meet – St Pancras. We caught a train from St Pancras to Dover (1 hr 10mins) then hopped onto DFDS Seaways Prices start from around £40 for a family of four with a car (2 hours) ferry – Dover to Dunkirk.
Please note, this is not the merry gaggle of bloggers on the trip.
This part of trip flew by. I was surprised how quiet the ferry was. We spent the time grabbing lunch (A hot meal for less than £10 per person) and a drink, we wandered about, and took photographs on deck.
We had a minibus to take us from Dunkirk to the Canvas la Croix du Vieux Pont site (2 hrs 10 mins) which got me to thinking really this is most suitable for someone who travels on the ferry as a car/bus passenger, rather than a foot passenger. In actual fact, I think most people would bring a car, because of the amount of packing they tend to do for this kind of holiday and getting out and about whilst you are there, but definitely something to consider.
Accommodation
At this site (as is the case at all the Canvas Holiday sites) there are lots of different accommodation choices. Everything from 2-3 bed mobile homes, Delux 2-4 bed lodges (exclusive to Camping la Croix du Vieux Pont, Berny Rivière) and Maxi and Safari tents. We stayed in the largest of the Delux Lodges, a 4 bed wooden detached house. It had an outside front area, complete with lounges, a huge wooden table and chairs and a BBQ. Every Evening Kate (Wit Wit Woo) and I, sat on the balcony enjoying an evening drink, as the evenings were lovely and warm. It was so peaceful. I took myself off one morning, leaving my lodge partner to take advantage of the peace ( we didn’t stop talking whilst we were together) and quiet. I wandered around the site, it had a lovely community feel. I thought everything was well spaced, but close enough not to make you feel alone.
The grounds are well established with hedges and garden areas.
The four bedroomed lodge that we stayed in, comfortably slept 9 people, so perfect for larger families, extended families or if two families wanted to share. It functions just like a house with bathroom, and heating so perfect for a non camper like me. Nadine (Juggle Mum) and Amy (and one more means 5) also had a 4 bedroom lodge but one that overlooked the gorgeous lake. These are available a an extra cost. However Mark (Sonny & Luca) , had the luxury of a two bedroom lodge all to himself.
This is the details of our four bedroom lodge:
- Kitchen: Fully equipped kitchen with cooking facilities, microwave, dishwasher, electric kettle, toaster and fridge-freezer.
- Living room: Spacious lounge area with sofa bed and dining table chairs, plus stereo, monitor and DVD player. Stairs lead to the second floor.
- Bedrooms: 2 double bedrooms, 1 twin room and additional bedroom sleeping 4.
1 double room has door leading to upstairs balcony. - Bathrooms: Bathroom with bath and shower plus separate toilet, plus second shower room and separate toilet upstairs.
Clean, well equipped and boy did I sleep well, great accommodation!
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The Berny Rivière Site
There really has been so much thought put into the site. Tree, and flower lined pathways, indoor and outdoor pools.
A beautiful lake, with swans, and area to sit, great place for a morning coffee, I think!
A man made beach area, right by a restaurant and bar.
It’s so picturesque!
Activities and Fun
How cool to play table tennis by the lake.
Erm…moving on.
Paddle-boats and canoes on the lakeside.
If you go to the Canvas website, you can see the many different activities and types of holiday available including golf and water sports, that’s on top of the activities that are based on each of the Canvas sites.
Late night beach volleyball anyone?
Discos, Karaoke and live music, if you want something more lively in the evening, they have that too!
We also got to experience just a few of the many FREE Family extra activities. This programme runs at this site from 24 May to 31 August.
I’ll never forget the Water Walkers, but also the games and fun that they have with the younger children. The entertainment staff are excellent, and I can imagine my children really loving the programme.
Food/Dining
If you just want to stay on site there is everything available you could want with a supermarket, a restaurant, bar, and a beach side bar and restaurant. There is even a takeaway for things such a pizza and a bakery.
You can also download information on the Canvas holiday site about for local markets, restaurants and supermarkets. I think if I were to go again (for longer next time) I would definitely spend some of the time exploring the area. With the local delicacy’s being tureen’s in pastry, ham, gingerbread, and champagne-based mustard. Or a favourite of mine, local cheeses, especially Brie. As well as vineyards in the Reims, which produce the infamous Champagne grapes, Pinot noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay Blanc.
We did have a wander around a lovely French village, and take a trip to Disneyland Paris, which is only an hour or so from the Canvas site. I’m going to show you the photographs of that though in another post.
Cost
Prices start from £299, but to give you an example there is currently a 12 night break (5th July) in a select plus home at the same site that I stayed (sleeps 8) for £1199.
Overall, I had an amazing short break, and the whole time I was there I was picturing myself with my family, and I just know that it would work for us. I would definitely recommend The Canvas Holiday Berny Rivière site, to sum it up in two words…beautiful and fun!
We stayed at this site with Al Fresco last year and had a blast. The perfect place for a family to have a relaxing holiday
We ARE a georgeous blogging group! Well said!!
I’m not quite sure what I’m doing on that photo of me later on in your post- it may have had something to do with ‘Kippering off’! I enjoyed reading your post Amanda and mine is coming out on Monday!
How fab, what an amazing experience. My family would love it there from what you have said.
Oh wow such beautiful photos, it all looks so lovely. We are hoping to go to France next year and I have looked at that site a few times as we could do Eurodisney at the same time.
We have often thought about staying there next time we go to Disneyland Paris but never read a review before – it sounds lovely thank you for all the information.
I super jealous of your short break Amanda.It looks and sounds like you all had really good time.If I drove I would love to take the kids to France one day.
It looks amazing and nothing like the old-fashioned holiday camp that I had in my head. I love that there’s so much to do for everyone and all the water around the grounds really gives it a relaxing feel x
Oh wow his looks lovely! This is exactly the sort of thing we’re considering booking for 2015 so I’ll be sure to add Canvas to my list to check out xx
Thank you for sharing your experience Amanda. I am already drooling over and imagine my family there in a couple of years when A will be a bit older.
Oooooh – I like the sound of this place. We’ve kind of been without holidays for a few years due to very young kids and family health problems, but we’re now feeling ready to dust off our passports and this sounds like exactly the kind of place we’d like to visit. Bookmarked for me to come back and think about it some more. Thanks for sharing – sounds like you had a fab trip. x
Great post Amanda and love the pic of you in the water wallker will we be seeing you do this at Gosse fair this year. The holiday looks great
I’m killing myself at that photo of you zorbing!!
I’m going back for another look!
Some of the ones that didnt make the post, shall never see the light of day…Ican’t believe I thought it would be cool to pose in there, in a very C & A way!
Dammit! You discovered my secret! We LOVE Canvas – with the kids the age they are (9 and 6) Canvas offers the perfect holiday. Activities, kids clubs, fabulous pools, and cheesy entertainment to keep them happy with a Fanta while we chat and drink wine, it’s just perfect for our needs right now. We’d been thinking that in a few years they might want more, but having seen you in that water zorb I’m having another think – GG would LOVE to do that!
Looks fab,I saw a lot of the photos on Instagram but the prices sound good too, I’ll have to look into it a bit further I think, we love France.
I really like the idea of this type of holiday abroad. I enjoy these holidays in the uk but would much prefer the foreign weather and food. Thanks for giving me something to think about when looking at holidays next year.