Camping Simioune in Provence 3 stars — Hotel in Carpentras

After our second stay at camping La Simioune, it is time for a review. We stayed here for the first time with our tent 2 years ago for summer holiday and just came back from our 2nd stay, this time in one of the campsite's chalets. Our family consists of 2 adults and 3 kids aged 2, 4 and 7. ||The campsite is perfectly situated in a quiet - forest - area yet only 10 minutes away from the highway. This allows for a relaxed stay whilst being able to visit a multitude of interesting cities and sites. For example: Avignon,Nimes, Montpellier, Aigues-Mortes, Aix-en-Provence, Gordes, Senanque, Tarascon castle, Montelimar, the Gorges d'Ardeche, the Luberon, the Camarque; all of these great places are maximum 1:15mins from La Simioune. ||Given the proximity to the highway and half way on the route to Spain, a number of guests will only stay for a few days. Some however - like us - stay for a full holiday and the campsite is perfectly equipped for that. ||The sanitary block has just been fully renovated and is in perfect condition. There are even special family showers with one shower for an adult next to one for kids. The playground offers plenty of choice and the trampoline is often the preferred choice. There is also a soccer and basketball field available as well as table tennis tables and mini-football. Our kids also loved the 3 dogs as well as the donkey, goats and horses that live on the campsite grounds. Also worth noting is the new forest adventure park at a few hundred meters from the campsite. There you can enjoy aerial tree top trails for young and old including a 220m long zip wire. My 7 year old son loved it. ||The places are spread out over the campsite. When we stayed with our tent, we had a place at the very back of the site which - if you prefer some tranquillity - is probably the best place. They are in the more wooded area of the site. The places more to the front and center are better if you like to be more 'in the middle' of what is happening as they are close to the (nice) swimming pool, playground and reception/restaurant area. ||As mentioned, our recent stay was in one of the 5-6 persons chalets. And whilst everything is there, they can feel a bit cramped if you need to spend a lot of time indoors like we had to given the low temperature. I would imagine that this is not so much of an issue in summer time though, as the terrace is pretty large. And besides, the prices are very reasonable as well, I would even say rather cheap (at least of season) and good value for money. ||The owners Sebastien and his wife go through a lot of efforts to ensure everyone enjoys a pleasant stay at La Simioune and always stand ready to help. ||The mixture of guests is about 90% French in August whilst in other months it is predominantly German, Dutch and Belgian. During high season, some events are organised a few evenings a week (dinner, music, etc). Nothing to dramatic though and if they aren't exactly your cup of tea (like for us) don't let this hold you back; it certainty is not disruptive. ||I would certainly recommend a stay here, whether it be short or long. The campsite is great for staying on site the entire day whilst the proximity of so many cool places and things to do ensures you won't be bored...

HARASSED (read full review) (+update below)

After my initial disappointment to see the snack-bar closed much earlier than was communicated verbally and shown on the signs outside of the reception (19.30 instead of 20.00), I placed a 1 star review.

That was unfair, as the rest of the campsite is fine. Good shower/toilet facilities, a pool (didn't make use of it) and the ordered croissants were even delivered to our place the next morning. The camping is quite remote, but that is okay. There is power, (drinking) water and WiFi available from the spaces.

But after what happened within half an hour of placing my initial review, I have to keep my rating at 1, just because 0 is not possible and here is why:

We (my elderly parents and I) were HARASSED by the owner and an employee of the campsite. They searched all over the campsite to find who placed the review... They told us very angrily to leave and were extremely rude to us. They even brought the money we paid to stay at the campsite, assuming we would take it and leave immediately that same night. They could not understand how it is strange to us that a snack-bar for take-away closes half an hour earlier than expected. They kept yelling at us and the woman went into a full tantrum .

In conclusion, the campsite is fine, some employees and what seemed to be the owner are very rude if you have any criticism as per many other similar reviews.

UPDATE:

I strongly object to the inclusion of false claims and personal information in your response. Publishing personal details without consent is a violation of privacy laws, and I kindly request that you remove them immediately.

Here are the specific inaccuracies in your response:

Claim: "It was written everywhere at reception and in the snack bar that we closed the snack bar at 7:30 PM." This is not true. All printed signs at and around the reception clearly indicated a closing time of 8:00 PM. Only a single handwritten note, placed directly above the snack bar window, mentioned 7:30 PM.

Claim: "You waited until we closed the curtain at 7:52 PM." I arrived at 7:40 PM, reasonably assuming—based on the posted signs—that the snack bar would be open for another 20 minutes.

Claim: "You threw yourself at the snack bar door and drummed for a portion of French fries to take away. My 18-year-old employee had to lock herself in because she was afraid of you." This is a gross misrepresentation. I simply tapped lightly on the snack bar window to check if someone was still present. To claim that I behaved aggressively or frightened anyone is both false and offensive.

Claim: "We came to tell you that your opinions and behavior were inappropriate and insulting." What actually happened: You drove around the campsite in a golf cart, asking guests if they had written the review. Upon finding our pitch, you approached my parents angrily, intimidating and scolding them, and even suggested they should leave the campsite.

Given these events, I stand by my original 1-star rating. Your response only further justifies the concerns raised...

A beautiful site set in peaceful pine trees. The only sound is the Cicada and the breeze in the trees which is an amazing relaxing sound. The pitches are a good size for large tents, caravans or motorhome. The owners and staff are all so friendly, polite and hard working but always find the time to smile and say bonjour. Due to the location on the Rhone valley 20 minutes from the Autoroute Du Soleil there are a lot of overnight transit guests who are pausing on their way to further destinations. It's interesting to sit and watch their caravan parking skills and giving each one a score in your head.🤣||There are two nice swimming pools with one reserved for adults only which we thought was a brilliant idea. (We didn't have any children with us) There's a little snack bar on site serving tasty food, Cold beers, wine and even cocktails! ||Sanitary block was very clean, nice facilities and looked after multiple times every day. ||In the area there are so many interesting places, castles, chateaux, villages, vineyards, lavender, where do I stop?? If you like Provence but don't like the crush of the Côte D'Azur then this is for you. Highly recommended!! ||||Adam and Cher. Visited 4th July...