Camping Domaine des Mathevies

Natalie and Patrick McAlpine, the owners of Domaine des Mathevies on the outskirts of medieval Sarlat-la-Canéda, first met in India. Their subsequent travels brought them to this neglected campsite and they set about transforming it into the eco-minded sanctuary it is today. A labour of love, it’s a place where adults are as well catered for and contented as their kids – where you can sit back with a frothy latté, play pétanque over a leisurely glass of St-Émilion as a paraglider is swallowed up by the salmon-pink sunset below.

Set on a gentle incline with masterful views over the wooded valley, there are 40 pitches to choose from, many of which enjoy shade from walnut, cherry, fig, apple and plum trees, and all of which have electricity hook-ups. If you’re arriving late and don’t fancy pitching up for the night, there are four spanking new cabins from which to savour the best views over the hills, plus seven more well-furnished cabins dotted around the edge of the site.

Beside the Cosy Nook Café there’s also a self- contained traditional gîte with all mod cons (Sky TV and a CD player) within its exposed stone walls and beamed ceilings. Perfectly sized for a family, with two double bedrooms, it’s recently been refurbished and is partnered by another, Le Point de Vue, a mere two minutes’ walk away. Both have two good sized bedrooms and Le Point de Vue boasts a self-contained, fully-furnished guest wing. The real ace, though, is the spectacular sunset view you can enjoy, and the privacy the place affords; giving you all the amenities plus the chance to retire to your own little palace.

The site itself is a real playground for kids, with a toddlers’ play area near the Cosy Nook Café (so you get to relax with them in plain view). Natalie and Patrick have two kids and it’s this empathy with the little ones that seems to have led to so many thoughtful details to keep them happy. There’s an excellent sand pit for younger kids and a terrific climbing area, but if that’s not enough to keep them occupied there’s a children’s pool as well as a larger swimming pool for adults, as well as tennis courts and a table-tennis table.

The Cosy Nook Café lives up to its moniker with swallow-you-up couches, a cosy ‘daybed’ for reclining on, honey stone walls and delicious bar snacks that together make it one of the most inviting campsite cafés in France. Fresh bread and croissants are delivered every morning; the best spot to take breakfast is under the shade of the linden trees. And just in case you sneaked your computer in with you, the Nook has Wi-Fi as well as satellite TV for movies or sport in the evening. With the gastronomical Mecca of Sarlat close by, coupled with what is one of the Dordogne’s friendliest, most charming sites, you may well find yourself staying much longer than planned.