Camping Intercommunal du Val de Braye

The Val de Braye intercommunal campsite is in Lavaré, in the Sarthe, beside the lake on the route de Vibraye. It belongs to the community leisure park run by the Vallées de la Braye et de l’Anille community of communes, and is rated two stars. Tourist promotion sheets credit it with a small capacity of about seventeen pitches, each fitted with a water supply and an electrical hook-up.

The setting is that of a quiet, wooded leisure park: playgrounds, a tennis court, fishing, BMX and roller tracks, and bike, canoe and pedalo hire. Pets are accepted provided they are kept on a lead, and the campsite offers access for guests with disabilities.

Opening period: this is a seasonal campsite. The community of communes announces opening from May to the end of August; it is therefore closed from September to April. To find out the exact dates of the current season, the simplest way is to call the leisure park on 02 43 35 15 55.

Near the park, eleven chalets called Les Maisonnettes du Lac are rented all year round, but they are managed by a private owner and are not part of the campsite: they must be contacted separately.

The campsite offers few services of its own, which fits its size. Each pitch has an electrical socket and a water supply, and waste sorting is organised. Pets are allowed on a lead. Access is provided for guests with disabilities.

The neighbouring leisure park provides most of the rest: playgrounds, picnic areas, a tennis court and bike loan or hire. The lake allows swimming; according to the community of communes, bathing is permitted but unsupervised, so you need to stay vigilant with children. There is no swimming pool at the campsite.

For meals and shopping, you need to rely on the shops in the village of Lavaré and neighbouring communes; it is wise to ask about them on arrival.

Activity centres on the Lavaré lake. The leisure park hires out canoes, pedalos, windsurf boards, rosalies, bikes and golf clubs, and offers supervised sports activities. It has recently added a disc golf course, a mini golf course and a fitness trail.

You can also fish, play tennis, use the BMX and roller tracks, or simply picnic under the trees. Children have playgrounds.

These facilities belong to the community leisure park, whose hours and hire periods vary: it is best to confirm them by phone before you come, especially as the campsite only operates from May to the end of August.