If you’re undecided about booking a caravan holiday in France or looking for reviews of Yelloh! Village Le Pin Parasol let me tell you about our experience of this medium sized family-friendly campsite in the Vendée region.
We we invited to stay here as part of a press trip one May half term. The thought of sun, lungfuls of fresh air and plenty of activities to occupy the kids was too good to pass up.
Plus, we were able to bring along friends which was a real bonus as Mr Tin Box couldn’t get the time off work. So, off we set to the Yelloh! Village Pin Parasol campsite France.
If you like to skip to the good bits, here’s a video about our stay in France:
Contents - jump to what you'd like to know
About Yelloh! Village Le Pin Parasol, France
Le Pin Parasol is a five-star campsite and it’s not hard to understand why. The grounds, bar and 2,500m pool complex are immaculate. Mobile homes and glamping tents are laid out around the park in small clusters with clipped hedges.
Over on the touring side of the park there are spacious pitches surrounded by shady trees and colourful flower beds. Since out visit the site has had an upgrade to its main pool and bar complex.
Since our visit the whole site has a had a revamp, so hear the sin mind as you read our review.
Family entertainment at Yellow! Village Le Pin Parasol
We visited in low season so a lot of the entertainment programme hadn’t yet started but there was still lots for us to do.
The kids club ran in the mornings for children aged four plus, there were pool games, and quizzes in the bar during the evening.
Our kids had their fill of fun from the pool complex with its four slides, indoor and outdoor heated pools and children’s splash park. They also enjoyed the large playground and bouncy castle by main reception.
During the peak holiday months of July and August there’s even more going on, like pedalos on the nearby lake, circus entertainment once a week, a mini-disco for the kids, and cabaret nights.
Food and shopping
We catered for ourselves during most of our holiday. If you wanted a break from cooking there was an onsite takeaway serving pizzas, chips and burgers.
The bar also had a menu of hot food, salads and sandwiches. We ate here twice and, while the food was good, it took an extraordinarily long time to arrive at our table. The longest we waited was an hour and there were only a few other families eating at the time.
My advice would be to stock up at one of the large supermarkets in Bretignolles-sur-Mer (20 minutes away) or Brem-sur-Mer (15 minutes away), or visit one of the daily local markets. The onsite shop had basic cupboard supplies, milk and fresh bread, but there was no barbecue meat, fruit or veg.
Overall this is a campsite I would recommend to friends looking for a relaxing family holiday in the French countryside. Even outside of peak season we happily filled our days at the pool, children’s park and playing outside the caravans.
Pin Parasol has a lovely feel about it. Its rural location meant that the peace was only interrupted by bird song. And the small groupings of caravans set back from the roadways meant that it felt safe to allow the kids to run around outside.
Things to do near Yelloh! Village Pin Parasol
We managed to tempt the kids away from the Pin Parasol pool with a couple of days out. The campsite is about 20 minutes from the coast.
We stumbled upon the beach at Olonne-sur-Mer – a nature reserve complete with 1,200 hectares of woodland, edged by 8km of sandy beach. We loved it so much we visited twice, with only a few surfers for company.
On a cooler day we decided to do something a bit more adventurous and headed for Le Grand Defi, eight minutes down the road.
This is an outdoor activity centre with Go Ape-style tree courses, zip lines, paint balling and pony riding. The trails through the trees are graded in difficulty with courses suitable for children as young as two which was perfect for my pre-schoolers.
I’ve written more about our great afternoon at Le Grand Defi.
Accommodation at Yelloh! Village Pin Parasol
This six-berth mobile home was the perfect base for our caravan holiday in France with plenty of social space both inside and out. There was an open plan kitchen and dining area with a fold out double bed if needed.
At either end of the van there were bedrooms – a twin room and double – both with plenty of storage.
I know beds are a personal thing but I like mine firm. The one in our van ticked all the right boxes – it was hands down the best I’ve snoozed on in a mobile home. Next to the twin room there was a toilet.
The master bedroom had a good-sized ensuite shower that also opened on to the living area.
Outside there was a large decked area with al fresco dining table, two reclining seats, a clothes airer. The deck was half covered which was great for keeping the sun off us during the day and the damp at bay at night.
On the grass there was a sun bed, which I sadly didn’t catch a moment to use.
You can also bring your own motorhome, camper van or tent to camp at Pin Parasol.
Booking Yelloh! Village Pin Parasol
Our holiday was arranged through Al Fresco Holidays which is now part of Eurocamp.
You can book Le Pin Parasol direct or through Eurocamp.
You might also like to take a look at this great list best Eurocamp sites for families for even more option.
What we loved about our break at Yelloh! Village Le Pin Parasol
We had such a great week at Yelloh! Village Pin Parasol and came away with plenty of happy memories.
Our highlights were spending quality time with our friends, playing with the kids at the pool and the location close to the coast and countryside activities.
Our stress levels plummeted and there was plenty of chat about holidaying together again. And with Al Fresco Holidays campsites in five European countries, it’s just a matter of deciding which destination is next!
If you’re planning a trip in France with children you might find my holiday checklist helpful.
Disclosure: my friends and family were invited on a press trip to Yelloh! Village Pin Parasol. All opinions are my own.
Jane Batt
Wednesday 27th of June 2018
We haven't stayed with Al Fresco but this looks like such a lovely site I'm wondering why now! Looks like you all had a great time Claire.
Claire Hall - Tin Box Traveller
Wednesday 27th of June 2018
It was a great holiday and lovely to share it with friends too!
Jenny @ my family holidays
Saturday 12th of May 2018
Looks like you had a wonderful time at this stunning campsite. Just wondering if you took your Labrador and if the site is pet friendly?
Claire Hall - Tin Box Traveller
Sunday 13th of May 2018
We flew to France on this occasion Jenny so our dog couldn't come with us. I can't remember seeing other dogs I'm afraid but there were plenty of lovely walks in the area. Did check out the Yelloh! Village website to check for sure.
Jo
Saturday 24th of June 2017
Aww, France, we miss you! We must remember this place next time we are looking for a campsite across the channel. #mondayescapes
Claire Hall - Tin Box Traveller
Sunday 25th of June 2017
It was a fab one Jo, highly recommend for the lovely pitches and facilities!
Chloe: Picture Taker Memory Maker
Thursday 22nd of June 2017
Oh it looks really fun there! We've never tried a holiday like that before - something else to add to the list of experiences to try :)
Jo
Wednesday 21st of June 2017
We've been on Eurocamp holidays but never Yelloh I must check them out as the site looks fab and so does the accommodation. My girls would love the water slides and the monkey bars. You had great weather! #MondayEscapes