Le Jardin de Sully

Le Jardin de Sully covers 7 hectares of tree-lined parkland in Saint-Père-sur-Loire, in the Loiret, opposite the Château de Sully-sur-Loire, which is reached in about fifteen minutes on foot. The site, rated 3 stars, carries the Flower Camping label and highlights an eco-responsible approach. It borders the Loire and the long-distance footpath, and lies on the Loire à Vélo and Scandibérique cycling routes.

Accommodation ranges from mobile homes of 16 to 38 m², for 1 to 6 people, to Homeflower Premium models of 29 and 35 m², along with more unusual options: pods with views of the river, 9 m² Campétoiles for one or two people, and a 19 m² Marquises canvas bungalow without washroom facilities. One mobile home is fitted out for people with reduced mobility. The pitches take tents, caravans and motorhomes, for a maximum of six people, in sun or shade.

The campsite describes itself as open all year round, 365 days out of 365, and courts winter motorhome travellers: hard-standing pitches, 10-amp electricity and a heated washroom block, one of the two on site. Special rates are offered for business travel, short or long, for rentals as well as pitches. The pool, snack bar, kids’ club and entertainment evenings, however, are reserved for summer.

Orléans, Gien and Montargis can be reached by car, and the website says the site is about two hours from Paris.

Château de Sully-sur-Loire, walks along the Loire, Orléans forest, Germigny-des-Prés, Saint-Benoît-sur-Loire and local markets.

Two washroom blocks serve the site, one of them heated, accessible to people with reduced mobility and equipped with a baby area. All pitches can be connected to electricity and the campsite lends adapters if needed. A laundry has a washing machine and a tumble dryer, with a table and iron. Wi-Fi is free for two hours per stay, for six devices, with a possible extra charge at reception.

For rentals, the campsite offers towels, sheets, chairs, baby cots and fridges. Non-classified dogs and cats are allowed, up to two pets per pitch or rental, for an extra charge and on a lead. A TV and library room, a giant Connect Four, a table football, an air hockey and a pool table, chargeable, round out the offer in high season. The snack bar only operates in high season, in the evening according to reviews.

The outdoor pool is heated and comes with a heated paddling pool, water games and sun loungers. It has no slide and opens only in July and August; swimwear is required, shorts are not allowed. The nearby Loire is not suitable for swimming, which is prohibited at this spot. Outside summer, you should therefore count on the heated washrooms, electricity and accommodation, without pool, snack bar or games room. Canoe hire and bike hire are both close by, respectively less than 100 metres away and a quarter of an hour’s walk.

In summer, the campsite holds entertainment evenings twice a week, with bingo, concerts by local artists and quizzes, and a kids’ club for ages 4 to 12 with crafts, sports and outdoor games. The playground with slide, the mini-golf, the tennis court, the table tennis tables, and the pétanque, volleyball and home-ball courts are free; sports equipment can be borrowed easily.

Around the campsite, the Loire can be enjoyed by canoe-kayak and fishing, with fishing permits by the day, week or year. The GR3 and the Loire à Vélo pass nearby, and the Orléans forest is good for walks. The Château de Sully-sur-Loire can be visited on foot; Gien is 28 minutes away, Chamerolles 42 minutes, Guédelon and Beaugency about an hour. The circus and illusion museum is 11 km away, the Family Park treetop adventure park is in Neuvy-en-Sullias, and the Beauval zoo is 130 km away.

Outside summer, the campsite suggests the Château de Sully-sur-Loire, the banks of the Loire, Germigny-des-Prés, Saint-Benoît-sur-Loire, local markets and hiking trails, in a quieter atmosphere than in season. Orléans, with its fine arts museum, its cathedral and the Parc floral de La Source, or the Briare canal bridge round out the day trips.