Camping de l'Aloua on the shores of Lac d'Annecy
We stayed at this campsite last year and loved how it was just a 250m walk to the lake, and has two great pools for the kids. It is also conveniently located next to a Carrefour and Aldi supermarket. The campsite is situated in the town of Sevrier, and is a 30 minute cycle or around 40 minutes by bus into Annecy. Our plan was to have a few relaxing days on the lake, and maybe visit some of the surrounding towns, and the Tuesday food market in Annecy. The campsite offers canoe hire and bicycle hire including wagons for children, so we may considering hiring one before cycling into town again!
Check-in was after 2 PM, which is quite normal in France since most places typically close for lunch between 12 PM and 2 PM. After settling in, we quickly set up our camp and then made our way down to the lake with both of our paddleboards in tow. The lake is perfect for kids as it is shallow a long way out and is crystal clear, widely considered to be the cleanest lake in all of Europe. The gentle lapping of the water and the picturesque surroundings create a peaceful atmosphere. We paddled far out and the kids jumped into the water to snorkel.
We spent a few hours enjoying the lake and scenery, then made our way back for a quiet dinner. Sam recalled there being a park nearby, so we decided to head over to explore. We discovered a large play park filled with equipment, as well as Steve enjoyed a refreshing beer, while I opted for a generous, large glass of crisp white wine!sports fields that offered a variety of activities, including volleyball, football, pétanque, and even table tennis.
The facilities have seen a few updates since last year. While the toilets and shower cubicles have not changed size or layout, they have been modernized with the addition of key fobs. Upon check-in, we were given wrist passes that allow us to take up to three showers per day. These wrist passes need to be scanned in the shower to activate the water flow. The rest of the campsite remains the same. There is a good size pool and smaller toddler pool. The bar is located next to the pool and serves croque-monsieurs, salads, pizzas and ice creams. Similar to other campsites, bread and pastries can be ordered before 7pm for delivery the following morning.
Today’s ice cream choice was and Oreo sandwich and Esme chose a watermelon ice lolly. Steve had a beer and I had a large glass of white wine!
We headed back to the van for what we hoped would be a peaceful and restful night, but things quickly took a turn for the worse when Esme was unexpectedly stung by a wasp multiple times on her foot. Sam had been playing with three little boys in the opposite camp, and fortunately, his grandparents and parents quickly came to help, suggesting remedies like white vinegar and some sting relief cream. The language barrier was a bit challenging, but we managed to overcome it with a mix of franglais and Google Translate! A lovely couple from the Netherlands also came to the rescue, and we ended up having a lovely conversation about campervans and our shared experiences. We then met two friendly couples in vans from England who were stationed on the opposite pitches! It was indeed very nice to meet so many helpful and kind individuals, even though the circumstances were not ideal! After receiving all the attention and care, Esme finally settled down with a concoction of creams and some Calpol. I have no doubt she will be hinting at wanting a double ice cream, probably strawberry and something purple, tomorrow to lift her spirits for her sore foot.