Détente et Clapotis ****

With our children aged 6 and 10

Camping Détente et Clapotis: ideal for family holidays by the lake and in the countryside in Isère

• A campsite situated on the shores of Lake Paladru, in an unspoilt natural setting in Isère.
• The lake slopes very gently, making it perfect for young children to swim in complete safety.
• The lake water is particularly pleasant in summer, around 28°C, a far cry from the image of cold mountain lakes.
• Direct and free access to the lake from the campsite.
• A preserved natural site committed to environmental protection, holding the European ECOLABEL.
• A very pleasant environment free from mosquitoes, ideal for enjoying summer evenings.

A campsite perfectly suited to families with children thanks to the wide range of activities on offer for both children and adults.

A peaceful arrival on the shores of Lake Paladru

As soon as we arrived at Camping Détente et Clapotis, we immediately understood why so many families return here every summer.

The setting is particularly relaxing: Lake Paladru right in front of us, unspoilt nature, a calm, family-friendly atmosphere, and above all that feeling of really being able to slow down.

With our children aged 6 and 10, we were looking above all for a safe place, close to nature and family-friendly. And from the very first hours, the children were clamouring for the kids’ club.

It must be said that the entertainment team immediately put them at ease with a variety of activities and a very friendly atmosphere.

When we found out that the kids’ club also offered a lunch service twice a week, we decided to make the most of it and treat ourselves to a proper day out together whilst the children spent the day with their new friends.

We started the day by exploring the Cirque de Saint-Même, a stunning natural site located about an hour’s drive from the campsite.

The walk to the waterfall is very accessible – an easy thirty-minute stroll, perfectly suited to families with children.

Once there, the scenery is superb: the forest, cliffs, river and waterfall create an incredibly refreshing atmosphere in the height of summer.

We even enjoyed a swim in the river before having lunch at the Chalet du Cirque, a lovely little restaurant right on the site.

Next, we headed to Voiron, about twenty kilometres away, where we’d booked a tour of the famous Chartreuse cellars.

The tour is fascinating and offers a chance to discover the full history of this iconic regional liqueur. We finished with a tasting of Chartreuse… in moderation, of course.

After visiting the cellars, we continued our day with a stroll around the Grande Chartreuse monastery.

The place is particularly impressive, both for its natural surroundings and for the spiritual atmosphere that pervades it.

Even without entering the monastery, you can sense something very special in this valley surrounded by mountains and forests.

In the late afternoon, we returned to Camping Détente et Clapotis to meet up with our children, who were delighted to tell us all about their day at the kids’ club.

We then all enjoyed a swim in the lake together.

The big advantage here is the gentle slope and the water temperature: the children can play for ages in complete safety and the water remains very pleasant, even for adults.

We would also have liked to have enjoyed the massages offered right at the campsite, but we hadn’t booked early enough. That will definitely be for next time.

The day ended exactly as we like our holidays to be: a sunset on the terrace of the campsite restaurant, a glass of rosé in hand, whilst the children played quietly right next door on the playground.

At that moment, we simply said to ourselves: everything’s fine, we’re making the most of it.

Lake Paladru is truly one of the campsite’s greatest assets.

Unlike many mountain lakes, the water here is particularly pleasant in summer and can reach around 28°C.

The very gentle slope allows young children to swim safely, making days by the water particularly relaxing for parents.

The campsite offers direct, free access to the lake with a designated beach area.

Activities for all ages

Camping Détente et Clapotis offers a wide range of activities for the whole family:

• kids’ club
• swimming pool
• playground
• multi-sports ground
• fun activities and entertainment
• a variety of water sports nearby: paddleboarding, sailing,
• rowing and water sports

The children loved switching between the mini-club, swimming and playing by the lake.

Walks and exploring around the lake

The area around the lake also offers some lovely walks or bike rides.

Although the view of the lake is sometimes obscured by private properties, the paths remain very pleasant and offer a peaceful, green setting.

The campsite is also an excellent starting point for exploring the natural landscapes of Isère and the iconic sites of the Chartreuse Mountains.

Our stay at Camping Détente et Clapotis gave us exactly what we were looking for: peace and quiet, nature, activities for the children and some proper downtime for the parents.

Between the lake, the walks, exploring the Chartreuse region and peaceful evenings watching the sunset, we enjoyed a simple, rejuvenating holiday in a beautifully unspoilt natural setting.

A family-friendly campsite where everyone can easily find their own rhythm, between activities, swimming and shared moments by the water’s edge.

Anonymised interview, conducted by the editorial team at Camping Direct following a family stay at Camping Détente et Clapotis.