Camping Municipal La Roussille

The municipal campsite of La Roussille is in Châtelus-Malvaleix, in the Creuse, about 25 km from Guéret, on the borders of the Berry and the Marche. It is run by the town hall and sits on the edge of the La Roussille leisure area, facing a lake surrounded by heathland. The shops in the village and the Friday market are a few hundred metres away.

The site is small: 18 pitches facing the water, for tents, caravans and motorhomes. The campsite itself does not run any rental accommodation. Next door, the municipality manages a hamlet of eight chalets facing the lake, which can be booked through the town hall or through Gîtes de France and are a separate offer from the campsite.

Opening period: the town hall announces that campers are welcome from 1 May to 30 September. The campsite is therefore closed from October to the end of April and is not suitable for a winter stay. The neighbouring leisure area and the chalet hamlet are described as open all year round, but this does not apply to the camping pitches.

Municipal rates remain very low: €6 per night per adult, €3 per child aged 3 to 12, free under 3, and €4 for an electric hook-up. Holiday vouchers (chèques-vacances) are accepted. To book or ask for information, you need to call the town hall, which is open on weekdays.

The facilities are those of a simple municipal campsite. The pitches are close to the lake and the leisure area, which has a sandy beach with supervised swimming in summer. Electric hook-ups are available on the pitches for €4 per night, and a caravan storage space (garage mort) can be rented for €1.50 per night.

For laundry, the town sells washing machine and dryer tokens at €3 each. The reception office is run from the town hall, Monday to Friday from 10am to 12pm and from 2pm to 4pm: this is where you pay for your stay by cheque, in cash or with holiday vouchers.

There is no restaurant or grocery shop on site. Supplies are bought in the village of Châtelus-Malvaleix, where the shops are a few hundred metres away, with a market on Friday. Tourist offices also mention bikes and mountain bikes to rent, a children’s play area and a tennis court on site, but these services depend on the leisure area and should be checked with the town hall before you set off.

The lake of La Roussille is the focus of leisure activities: fishing, swimming in summer, pedalos and a sandy beach. The leisure area also has a pump track, a basketball court and a mountain bike area, which appeals to families and sports enthusiasts. Children can easily find things to do without leaving the immediate surroundings of the campsite.

A network of walking trails starts from the village: the “Portes de la Creuse en Marche” circuits allow outings on foot or by bike through a landscape of hedged farmland, heathland and ponds. The Creuse lends itself well to quiet walks, fishing and days with no fixed plans.

As the campsite is only open from May to September, these activities are best enjoyed in spring and summer, when swimming is supervised and the paths are easy to walk. For longer trips, Guéret is about 25 km away. Activities vary with the seasons: it is best to check with the town hall before you come.