Les Chesnets

Camping MBS Les Chesnets is in Verneuil-sur-Seine, in the Yvelines, on the edge of the forest, on the route de Chapet. Founded in 1995, it covers a quiet, wooded site of about one hectare. Vernouillet-Verneuil station puts Paris Saint-Lazare about twenty minutes away by train, and the campsite lists a shuttle service among its amenities.

The site welcomes tents, caravans and motorhomes on spacious pitches, with 25 touring pitches of 90 to 120 m² according to a reference guide, and offers equipped mobile homes, from the standard model to the top of the range. About a dozen pitches are occupied year-round by residents: they are not counted here. According to Camping France, the site is rated one star.

As for opening, the campsite states that it operates all year round, from 1 January to 31 December, with reception open from 9am to 7pm. Arrivals are from 3pm to 7pm and departures before 11am. The renovated, heated washroom block and an enclosed room with tables and chairs make it possible to stay under cover whatever the weather, for a quick getaway as well as an extended stay.

The location, between forest, the banks of the Seine and the major sights of the Paris region, appeals to visitors to Paris, Versailles or the Seine valley who are looking for a less urban base.

Toy Museum in Poissy, Palace of Versailles, church of Saint-Martin in Verneuil and walks or bike rides along the Seine nearby.

The washroom blocks have been completely renovated: the showers are heated, the water is plentiful, and the whole is described as modern and well maintained. A launderette with dryer, a dishwashing area and electricity hook-ups complete the basic comfort. The campsite also offers internet access, free wifi and parking spaces.

A common room is open to campers and passing travellers. It includes a fridge, a freezer, a microwave and a kettle, so you can store food, reheat a meal or make a hot drink. An enclosed room furnished with tables and chairs lets you eat under cover and suits autumn and winter stays well. Takeaway meals are also listed among the services.

Barbecues are allowed on site and dogs are welcome. There is no swimming pool or restaurant on site: for swimming, the nearest leisure island, the Île de Loisirs du Val-de-Seine, offers bathing and food in season, and a few bistros are within walking distance of the campsite. The campsite mentions a shuttle service, useful for reaching the station without a car.

The campsite does not organise entertainment: it serves as a starting point for nature and cultural outings. Closest by, the Île de Loisirs du Val-de-Seine offers swimming, canoeing, paddleboarding, mini-golf and food, while the Étang du Gallardon, a former gravel pit that has been landscaped, is good for walks and fishing. Other sources also mention a canoe-kayak and rowing base, a fishing lake and a riding centre in the area.

The banks of the Seine can be explored on foot or by bike, in a quiet setting that is easy to reach from the site. In Verneuil-sur-Seine, you can visit the church of Saint-Martin, a listed monument combining Romanesque and Gothic architecture.

For outings further afield, the campsite recommends the Palace of Versailles, with the Hall of Mirrors and its French gardens, the ZooSafari in Thoiry, which combines a drive-through route, wide open spaces and a château, the Toy Museum in Poissy, which traces the history of toys from the 19th century to today, and Giverny, Claude Monet’s village with its water lily pond. The Toy Museum, the Palace of Versailles and the church are suitable for shoulder-season days.