Camping Maisonneuve

A lazy start and a short hop to Brive-la-Gaillarde. Easy parking on a Sunday and a chance for more coffee and pastries.

Such a pleasant morning. Even the sparrows came to join us for nibbles.

We had a stroll around the town. Brive-la-Gaillarde is known for its large food market held three times a week in Georges Brassens Hall. The former home of WWII Resistance activist Edmond Michelet is now a museum focusing on the wartime period. The Labenche Art and History Museum displays Mortlake and Aubusson tapestries. Dating from the 12th century, St. Martin’s Collegiate Church has a neo-Romanesque bell tower.

We managed a peak inside the church during Sunday morning worship. The church was very full and the heady aroma of incense punctuated by the sound of the church bells. It was quite some experience.

We then tackled the winding roads through the Dordogne towards our campsite. The change in scenery was very noticeable. Much greener and less humid, despite a temperature of 30 degrees.

The Dordogne is a French department of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region largely corresponding to the Périgord, located in the southwestern quarter of France. It owes its name to the river of the same name that crosses it.

We arrived at Camping Maisonneuve. Since 1964, the Dejean family has been welcoming visitors to Camping here, their corner of paradise, set in the heart of the Périgord Noir in the Dordogne. For 55 years they have shared, friendship, love, dreams but also obstacles, progress, inspiration and traditions… all in an authentic setting to make unforgettable holidays for others in the Dordogne.

This is an exceptional campsite located on the banks of the “Le Céou” river that crosses the campsite. This river is exceptionally clear and clean. We set our little pitch for a couple of nights on one of about 50 pitches by the river. There is also a swimming area for campers at the bottom of the campsite so that the river is accessible to those who do not have pitches by the water. Apparently the water is replenished by sources that give it an exceptional clarity and does not attract mosquitoes.

Sharon and Billy ventured into the shallows to test the water. Billy’s not a keen swimmer but he was pleased to cool off from the heat. There were so many families out swimming, using inflatables or canoeing, and even some fishing from the back of their tents and caravans. It is easy to see why this is such a popular place to holiday.

Dinner in the restaurant finished a pleasant day. Duck breast for Sharon and baked Camembert for me; delicious. A number of balloons flew past as we ate. A very nice end to a very nice day.