Camping Saint Disdille ***

Our family holiday at Camping Saint Disdille with our 6 and 8 year old kids
Why Camping Saint Disdille exceeded our expectations

• An impressive choice of activities both on the campsite and in the surrounding area, making every day different.
• Excellent value for money, with facilities and services that feel worthy of a five-star campsite at a much more family-friendly price.
• Just a five-minute walk from Lac Leman, also known as Lake Geneva, where crystal-clear water and a peaceful setting made us forget all about having a swimming pool.
• Spacious pitches in a quiet location next to a nature reserve, with the added comfort of private sanitary facilities and a covered terrace.
• A fantastic entertainment programme and outdoor activities suitable for every member of the family, whatever their age or energy level.

From the moment we arrived, we were amazed by just how much there was to do. Whether on the campsite itself or in the surrounding area, there always seemed to be another activity waiting to be discovered.
The best part was that we never had to stick to a plan. Each morning, we simply decided what we felt like doing, depending on our mood—and, perhaps more importantly, on how energetic we were feeling that day. Some days called for adventure, while others were all about slowing down and enjoying our surroundings.
One thing that genuinely surprised us was the quality of the campsite. The facilities, the organisation and the overall atmosphere easily matched what we would expect from a five-star campsite, yet the prices were far more affordable for a family holiday.

Before arriving, we had wondered whether we might miss having a swimming pool. As it turned out, the thought never crossed our minds again.

Lake Leman (also known as Lake Geneva) was simply too good to resist. At the beginning of July, the water was already around 24°C, making it perfect for swimming. Although the lake is not directly beside the campsite, it is only a five-minute walk away, making it easy to head there whenever we felt like a swim.

The lake itself was one of the highlights of our stay. The water was incredibly clear, and swimming there felt wonderfully peaceful. Unlike a busy pool, there was a real sense of space and tranquillity, surrounded by beautiful natural scenery. It was exactly the kind of place where you could spend hours without ever feeling crowded.

Our pitch was wonderfully spacious and located right next to the nature reserve, which made the whole area feel especially peaceful.
One feature we particularly appreciated was the covered terrace. By late afternoon, it became our favourite place to sit together with a drink, unwind after the day's activities and simply enjoy the mild evening air.
Another real advantage was having our own private sanitary facilities, complete with a shower, toilet and small kitchenette. It added a level of comfort that made everyday family life so much easier and helped make the entire holiday feel even more relaxing.

One of the things we appreciated most about Camping Saint Disdille was the variety of activities. The entertainment programme was packed with options throughout the week, giving the children plenty of opportunities to have fun while also creating moments we could all enjoy together as a family.
With our two children, we tried all kinds of activities. They had great fun learning archery, which is open to children from the age of five, and we even took part in a family beach volleyball tournament. We also joined a few fitness sessions and, of course, made the most of the lake with paddleboarding and pedal boat rides. Whether we were in the mood to be active or simply wanted to enjoy the outdoors at a slower pace, there was always something that suited us.

One of our favourite discoveries was the little tourist train that links the campsite with the centre of Thonon-les-Bains. It turned every trip into part of the adventure and meant we could leave the car behind completely.
Our children absolutely loved riding on the train, so convincing them to head into town was never a challenge. The journey itself became part of the fun, making every outing feel a little more special.
We ended up using it several times during our stay. On Thursday mornings, when the weekly market takes place, the return journey costs just €3 per person, making it a very affordable way to visit the town.
The market was one of the highlights of the week. We wandered between the stalls before choosing a selection of local specialities to take away with us: creamy Abondance cheese, produced in the nearby mountains, and féra rillettes, a regional delicacy made from fish caught in Lake Leman.
Rather than eating in town, we packed everything up and headed back to the lakeside for a picnic at lunchtime. Sitting by the water, sharing local food and enjoying the peaceful surroundings turned into one of those wonderfully simple holiday moments that the whole family loved.

We also joined one of the guided hikes organised by the campsite, choosing a route that was perfectly suited to our six-year-old: Mont Forchat, around a 35-minute drive away.
Everything was exceptionally well organised, allowing us to relax and simply enjoy the experience together as a family without having to worry about planning the day ourselves.
Reaching the summit was rewarding in every sense. Not only were we treated to a small surprise snack waiting for us at the top—a moment that delighted both the children and the adults—but we were also rewarded with breathtaking views.
From the summit, we could admire Mont Blanc, Thonon-les-Bains, Lake Leman and even Geneva's famous Jet d'Eau in the distance. It was one of those panoramic views that stays with you long after the holiday has ended.

For our final evening, we decided to book one of the gourmet cruises on Lake Geneva—and it turned out to be the perfect way to end our holiday.
Every Friday at 7 p.m., a privately chartered boat welcomes around sixty guests on board, creating an atmosphere that feels both friendly and intimate.
Over the course of around an hour and a half, we cruised across the lake while enjoying a series of tastings featuring regional cheeses, cured meats and local wines. As we sailed past Évian, we sampled each speciality at a leisurely pace, surrounded by the soft evening light, the reflections dancing across the water and the colours of the setting sun.
Choosing this experience for our last evening made it even more meaningful. Looking back towards the shoreline, we found ourselves recognising many of the places we had explored throughout the week. It felt like reliving our holiday from an entirely new perspective.
Considering everything the cruise included, we also thought it offered excellent value for money. At €30 per adult and €20 for children under 12, it became one of the most memorable experiences of our stay—and one that the whole family will remember for years to come.

One final detail deserves a mention: the free Wi-Fi. The connection was fast and reliable enough to plan our daily outings, share a few holiday photos with family back home or simply stay connected whenever we needed to—all without any extra cost.
Looking back, what we remember most is just how effortless everything felt. The children were constantly entertained, every activity was easy to organise, and each day unfolded naturally without ever feeling rushed or overplanned.
Camping Saint Disdille gave us exactly the kind of family holiday we had been hoping for: plenty to see and do whenever we felt like being active, but just as many opportunities to slow down and enjoy the peaceful surroundings.
We came expecting a week by the lake. We left with so many more memories than we had imagined.
Swimming in the crystal-clear waters of Lake Geneva (ou Lac Leman), discovering local flavours at the market, hiking to breathtaking viewpoints, enjoying evenings by the water and sharing new experiences together—those are the moments that made this holiday so special.
Sometimes, the best family trips are not the ones packed with famous attractions or carefully planned itineraries. They are the ones where everything simply falls into place.
That is exactly how our stay at Camping Saint Disdille felt.

Anonymous interview conducted by the Camping Direct editorial team following a family stay at Camping Saint Disdille.