Description: As we wanted to visit places (Reims and Verdun) we needed a reasonably priced accommodation which is centrally located near the above sites. We thus arrived at the camp site La Forge de Sainte Marie in the town Thonnance les Moulins. La Forge de Sainte Marie is an organization with multiple sites in France.
Environment and activities
Thonnance les Moulins is located in a beautiful rural area. The peaceful environment is both an advantage and a disadvantage. The disadvantage is that in the immediate vicinity of the campsite is little or nothing to do. A car is necessary if you are looking for entertainment. On the other side, there is also plenty of entertainment. There is an indoor pool and a small lake where fishing is allowed. Riding lessons are also given. There are also sports activities including archery, aqua aerobics in the pool, table tennis, archery, bike and hiking, etc. There are cheese and wine tasting evenings and TV evenings, for example the World Cup and the Tour de France. For children there is plenty to do. Outside are various playgrounds across the entire site is also an entertainment program for children. Surrounding villages and towns are Poissons and Joinville. Poissons is small and not many shops and / or sightseeing. Joinville is approximately 15 to 20 minutes drive west of les Moulins Thonnance and has more facilities including a large supermarket, a petrol station and a supermarket.
The campsite.
On this site are a number of caravans that you can book if you are not a camper or have a caravan or tent with you. We paid € 185, - for a double mobile home for 5 nights. The double mobile home that we had booked, appeared to have room for 4 people and if you deploy the bank, even room for six people. For us this was the first time in a mobile home but that 6 people would stay in this mobile home is very difficult for me to imagine. The space in this mobile home is in fact very small. Because we are both tall, I have been here several times during the stay bumped to edges, curbs, walls and other protrusions. The mobile home is equipped with two tiny small bedrooms, a shower, toilet and a living room / kitchen. In the kitchen you can cook at a four burner stove. The bathroom is very small and the water pressure in shower was good enough. The beauty of this site is that it abuts against a hill, creating different levels which is camped. There is also a balcony at the entrance of the mobile home. The balcony is not covered so the afternoon is not possible to sit because of the heat. On this balcony is a garden furniture set with six chairs and a table. Outside mobile homes you can, as said, with your own caravan, motor home or tent found on this site. On each place is an electricity connection and water connection.
Reception.
To my surprise the reception is fully staffed and speak good English and French and run the legs off their backs for the. The opening hours are somewhat limited and are from 8.00 am to 12.00 pm and 14.00 pm to 19.00 pm. In high season the opening hours are 9.00 am to 20.00 pm. At the reception you can get information about such activities and attractions in the region. There is also the option for internet at the reception. The costs are € 5, - for 30 minutes and € 10, - for 60 minutes. It is also possible to connect to the network to ask your own laptop to the internet. Since we had no laptop with us, we have not and I know the prices are not.
Other facilities.
Shop / mini supermarket
Next to the reception is a shop / mini supermarket. Here you can buy necessities such as bottled water (tap water is drinkable, but tastes like chlorine), food and toilet paper. But alcoholic drinks are available here. Additional service is here that you can specify that you want fresh bread next morning. A real bakery, the baguettes and other oven fresh pastries each morning market. We ordered two baguettes every day for the next morning. These costs € 1.20 each.
Sanitary Buildings.
At two locations on the site are stone buildings with showers, toilets, large sinks, washing machines and dryers. We did not use the showers and toilets because it was present in our own mobile home. However, we used the washing machine. Use the washing machine will cost € 5, - per wash. A coin for the washing machines can be bought at the reception. The washing machine was doing well and comes out clean. Major disadvantage is that in every brick building only a single washing machine. The probability is very high that someone is before you. We ourselves have to wait half a day before we finally were able to use the washing machine. These toilet blocks are cleaned very regularly. The times that we went inside the floor was still wet from cleaning and smoke it to fresh detergent.
Restaurant.
In the area where the reception and shop is located, is also the restaurant where you can eat a snack and drink. Reservations are not necessary in low season. During high season it is advisable to book. The menu offers a variety of meat or seafood. There are also vegetarian and children's order. The prices of the restaurant are comparable to the prices of Dutch restaurants and possibly even slightly cheaper. Especially with soft drinks € 1.10 per glass on the cheap side when compared with Dutch restaurants and bars. For a lasagna and a filet mignon (pork dish), respectively, we paid € 12, - and € 13, - which is also not very expensive as is. The quality of the food is, at this price, better than we expected. The overall prize money is very good. The steak is € 20, - one of the most expensive dishes on the menu but also a real winner. That this specialty is evidenced by the excellent taste and tenderness. All dishes are served with salad and chips or potatoes (your choice).
Conclusion.
The Camping La Forge de Sainte Marie Thonnance les Moulins we really enjoyed. The site is in one of the most beautiful regions of France and the site itself is due to its position on a hill one of the most beautiful sites I have ever come across. For a reasonable price you can rent a mobile home. The facilities are excellent and the staff is friendly and very helpful. Any drawbacks here can think that there are only two washers and two dryers for the whole site and some limited opening hours. The activities and playgrounds have children will not be bored. The restaurant is good and not expensive. Our general impression of the camp is that this is a peaceful site (off season). The atmosphere is cozy and intimate. Reason enough for us to come back here.
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