L’Étang de La Fougeraie

La Fougeraie campsite, also known as Étang de la Fougeraie, covers 8.6 hectares in Saint-Léger-de-Fougeret, in the Nièvre. The site stands at an altitude of 417 metres in the Morvan regional nature park, 11 km from Château-Chinon and 35 km from Autun; Paris is a little under three hours away by road, and Lake Pannecière and Lake Settons are close by.

Rated 3 stars, the campsite has around eighty pitches, more than fifty of them for tents, caravans and motorhomes, on plots of 80 to 250 m² beside the lake or on stabilised terraces. For rentals, it offers mobile homes for 6 and 8 people, seven chalet models, lodges, cabins on stilts and a fitted tent. It describes itself as an eco-responsible campsite and accepts the VACAF holiday allowance.

As for opening, the two types of accommodation do not follow the same calendar: pitches operate from 1 April to 30 September, while rentals, chalets first among them, are open all year round. Only February is closed, with the annual closure announced for that month. A four-season chalet is also in the catalogue. The restaurant and the pool remain seasonal.

The campsite lake is home to carp and sturgeon and can be fished all year round, except in February, which gives the site obvious appeal for a quiet off-season weekend.

Fishing in the lake all year round except in February, hiking and mountain biking from the campsite in the Morvan regional nature park.

Reception is open from 9am to 12.30pm and from 3pm to 7pm. On site, a small grocery shop sells everyday products and regional specialities, and a bread service supplies pastries and baguettes every morning, with a breakfast option. The bar-restaurant is open from May to September, every evening except Thursday, by reservation: the indoor room and covered terrace look out over the heights of the Morvan, and the menu includes pizzas and takeaway dishes.

The campsite provides two washing machines, two tumble dryers and an iron (chargeable), and lends ironing boards, clothes airers, electrical adaptors, books and hiking maps free of charge. The free wifi deliberately covers only part of the site, to encourage guests to disconnect. Mountain bikes, fishing equipment, fridges and baby equipment can be booked with a rental.

For swimming, a small water area includes a swimming pool heated to 29 °C and a paddling pool, with sun loungers at the water’s edge; it is open only from mid-June to September. Outside this period, it is therefore the rentals and the lake that make the site appealing. A chill zone with hammocks and swings completes the picture, and the bar serves as a meeting place in summer.

Children have a large bouncy castle, all-terrain scooters, two large trampolines, swings and a jump box linked to an adventure course. Families can play badminton, volleyball, pétanque, Mölkky and table tennis (paddles provided), or try giant acro games, laser tag in the open countryside and pedal karts. Giant board games, including a Connect 4, round off the offer.

Fishing is one of the stars: the lake holds more than 2.5 tonnes of carp, along with sturgeon, and welcomes beginners and regulars all year round, except in February. Hiking and mountain biking trails start right at the campsite and run through the forests of the Morvan; climbing, horse riding and water sports are available in the surrounding area.

In July and August, two or three show evenings are scheduled each week, including a magic show and a magical happy hour, and activities are planned for children in high season. The rest of the week stays quiet. A brochure of outing ideas helps visitors choose between Lake Pannecière and Lake Settons, the neighbouring villages and the walks in the regional nature park.