French Campsite NIGHTMARE: Closed Pools & Filthy Conditions Ruin 40 Families' Holidays (2025)

on September 19, 2025, at 8:06 am by David Miller

Imagine a family getaway on the coast: long swims, sun-drenched aperitifs, and laughter echoing across a tranquil campsite. Now, scratch that picture and replace it with closed pools, dirty bathrooms, and a battalion of disgruntled holidaymakers brandishing a petition. Welcome to the not-so-relaxing adventure experienced by dozens of families at two Vendée campsites this summer—a cautionary tale that’s as far from the glossy brochures as you can get (unless you count sand in your sheets).

Promises of Comfort, Reality of Chaos

La Fresnerie, a proudly four-star campsite in Saint-Gervais, just fifteen minutes from the enticing Atlantic, seemed to promise the serene escape of dreams. Early holidaymakers, however, quickly had their reverie shattered on July 20th. Instead of poolside fun, they faced a pool closed for bacterial contamination, cold water in the bathrooms, malfunctioning accommodation, and communal areas that looked forgotten (and not in a charming rustic way).

The level of dismay didn’t go unnoticed. Around forty campers banded together, quickly gathering signatures for a petition and summoning the gendarmes on multiple occasions in early August. The evidence was hard to ignore: snapshots showed grimy sanitary blocks, broken playgrounds, and deteriorating facilities in general. Soon, social media was awash with negative reviews, tarnishing La Fresnerie’s once-picturesque reputation.

Management tried damage control, offering a 30% refund. But this proved insufficient for campers left marooned in their holiday let-down. One deeply frustrated camper summed up the sentiment: “We don’t want money; we want the services we were promised.” It turns out that for many, suncream can’t fix everything.

Finger-Pointing, Frustration, and More Broken Promises

In stepped Philippe Gicquel, manager of the Vnaya company—the group that took over La Fresnerie in 2016. He claimed his team had had to deal with “unruly families” at the start of the season and mentioned a catalogue of misdeeds: broken water heaters, pipes clogged with pétanque balls, and punctured inflatables. Gicquel said he’d reinforced his technical crew to bring the site back up to par, though he admitted repair work was hampered by slow supply chains. In his view, most accommodations were both recent and functional—though clearly, this assessment was not unanimously shared by the guests.

Meanwhile, at La Dive, another Vnaya acquisition (this time in Saint-Michel-en-l’Herm, southern Vendée, purchased at the end of 2021), the summer unfolded in a near-identical pattern. One visitor booked a mobile home, only to wind up with a cheaper lodge tent that looked nothing like the website’s photos. His sister recounted waiting a sweltering hour and a half just to get the keys. Grievances piled up like sandcastles at low tide:

• Dirty mobile homes
• Uncomfortable mattresses
• Lack of promised activities and entertainment
• Non-existent “4-star” services

As one vacationer bluntly put it, “We pay for four stars, and there’s nothing.”

Tempers Flare, Pools Close, and Lessons Are Learned

Things came to a head on August 2nd, when authorities ordered the closure of La Dive’s pool following several failed water tests. The prefecture’s shutdown notice was posted at the entrance for all to see. In the evening, residents rallied in protest, blocking access to the campsite. The manager promised compensation and a speedy reopening… which, in the end, did not happen. For some families, this was the last straw—one Breton family cut their holiday short and simply left.

Attempts to reach the site’s owner for further comment yielded nothing but silence.

This episode is more than just a chapter in the “how not to spend your summer” playbook. It’s a vivid reminder of how quickly a seemingly idyllic getaway can turn into a tug-of-war between guests and those running the show. And, as the dust settles, there’s one piece of practical advice that stands out: before booking, check up-to-date reviews—not just those dreamy sunlit photos in the brochures. Memories may fade, but negative reviews (and unexpected cold showers) linger longer.

Jules Jourdain, a travel enthusiast and specialist in the world of campervans, pens thematic articles combining practical advice, travel stories, and sector news. His aim: to support travelers in their journeys on the open road.

You might also like:

• Childbirth : What Is A Mermaid Baby ?
• This really disgusting habit affects 2 out of 5 women (and you’re probably part of it)
• I Can’t Take It Anymore : For Families Hosting Ukrainian Refugees, The Downside Of Solidarity
• Kentucky nurse revives drunk raccoon found in dumpster using CPR
• Midwest refinery shutdown sends West Michigan gas prices climbing