Yelloh Village La rive Review
Splash Park and Pools at Domaine de la Rive
One of the main draws of this campsite is its extensive pool area.
During both of our visits the outdoor splash park and pool weren’t yet open for the season but we did get a sneak peak at it as they were preparing it.
Outdoor Pools
Not only is there pools and flumes outdoors, but there’s also a spray park with a giant bucket that tips water everywhere. In Summer/peak season it’s guaranteed to be packed with excitable children running around enjoying the jungle features.
Don’t worry though, because adults can enjoy the outdoors and relax too around the new outdoor lane pool. Shaped for lane swimming with an infinity style, the lane pool would probably be where I’d be spending my sunny days.
Around the outdoor pool area we noticed quite a few sun loungers dotted about. I’m unsure if in peak season there will be more but I have heard lifeguards are quite strict when it comes to people leaving towels on loungers and going out for the day. I believe they have a 30 minute rule and if your towel has been sat alone for 30 minutes plus, they will take it away to allow other families to use them.
Indoor Pools
The indoor pool facilities open when the campsite does, so we enjoyed using them during our stay.
When you enter the pool area you’ll find loads of shower and changing areas and then a cupboard to store your shoes. For some reason, I’m unsure why, the French don’t allow you to take your shoes into swimming areas, but as I don’t like leaving them in a public cubby hole, I tend to wrap them up in my beach bag instead.
The pool area has many different sections. There’s a large lazy river section with cubby’s waterfalls and jacuzzis. There’s a wave pool (which unfortunately wasn’t working during our 2023 stay however it was still good for swimming in). Then there’s a square swimming pool. But, the place we spent most of our time was of course the kids pools.
The campsite has 2 indoor kids pools. 1 of the pools is aimed at babys and the very young and the other is aimed at the slightly older children. They are situated right next to one another so it was perfect for parents like me to sit in the baby pool with one whilst keeping an eye on the elder child in the bigger pool.
The bigger kids’ area has slides and splash buckets and kept our 3-year-old entertained for hours. It was the perfect place for her to make friends and practice her swimming. In fact, she also had a few swimming lessons there.
Although there was a lifeguard on duty, the pools are generally unsupervised, so it’s so important to be monitoring your children and looking after yourselves and those around you.
Swimming Lessons
One day we noticed a sign outside the swimming pool stating that they do swimming lessons. As our daughter is 3 and loves the water I enquired and was contacted later that day by the swimming teacher Pierre. The classes ran for 30 minutes and cost us 30euros and although I felty the price was a little steep, it kept our 3 year old entertained and she was so excited to be swimming without armbands.
Suitable Swimwear
In 2019 when we visited the rule was strictly enforced but in 2023 there was actually a sign stating all long swimming shorts are allowed. However, as it is law in France that in public swimming pools you need to wear tight swimwear – I’d pack a pair of jammers just in case it’s a bad translation.
The Lake and Beach at Camping La Rive
Although the campsite is around 30 minutes from the coast, it still manages to have a beautiful sandy beach thanks to its location on one of the Grands lacs of Biscarrosse.
We loved sitting down here in the evening with a few drinks and a picnic watching the incredible sunset across the lake. You can hire pedalos, kayaks and paddleboards and explore. We found the lake to be really clean and surprisingly not too cold for April and I actually took a little paddle.
The beach is real sand and not shingle so it’s great for kids who love to build sandcastles, dig holes and generally get messy in the sand. The water is nice and shallow close to the shore. It’s crystal clear and perfect for paddling and swimming.
Campsite Facilities
The campsite facilities at Domaine de la Rive are second to none. We’ve explored and worked at a whole host of campsites and this is definitely one of our favourites.
The award winning site had so much to keep us – solo mum with 2 kids – entertained.
We found all the campsite facilities clean, well maintained and fully functional.
Being low season during our stay (April, Easter weekend), we didn’t expect everything to be complete or open, but barring the outdoor pool area, everything was perfect and ready for customers.
Camping La Rive Reception Area
The campsites reception is located just outside the main barrier opposite the main car park.
Other than the campsite shop, this is the first facilities you’ll find. If you’re camping directly with the campsite, in a tent, mobile home or a caravan – here’s where you’ll check in.
As we were booked with Eurocamp, a tour operator we were directed straight to their reception instead. I’m always unsure whether to check in first with the campsite or with the tour operator because every campsite has a different procedure.
Some campsites like you to check in with them first, get your wristbands and barrier entrance. Others like you to check in with Eurocamp/your tour operator first then go to the main reception for extra administration. Then there’s campsites like La Rive which don’t require you to use their main reception at all.
We found Eurocamp were able to check us in, set up our barrier entrance and give us our wristbands. So, if you’re booking with a tour operator, head straight to their reception desk, just after the main barrier instead of waiting at the main campsite reception.
If you do need to use the main reception during your stay, either because you’ve booked with them or you want to buy Wi-fi then there’s no need to worry as the reception staff we spoke to were really friendly, helpful and spoke perfect English.
One thing we really loved about the main reception was the style and cleanliness. The building is so sleek and gives the campsite such a prestigious feel.
There are information boards with the coming weather, local information, leaflets and even a kids play table to help take the stress away during peak time arrival days.
We arrived at 8pm, a little after our scheduled check in of 15:00 – 19:00 but we were still able to check in normally at the Eurocamp reception as usual.
If you’re arriving late (after 10pm) and the receptions are closed there will be a security guard on site to direct you to your accommodation or pitch. Unfortunately you will have to leave your car behind the main barrier until reception re-opens in the morning.
La Rive Spa and Gym
Had I not been pregnant this is where I imagine spending most of my holiday. With massages, skin treatments, Sauna, Jacuzzi and gym, this is the perfect hideaway while the children are at kids club.
Washing machines
Located at the front of the campsite next to the wine & produce shop was the laundry room. Inside were a few washers and dryers. Washing tokens cost 5 euros and drying tokens are 4 euros. To use the machines you have to buy a token at reception.
Shower Blocks
The campsite has 2 new and modern shower blocks. Sanitaire Terre and Sanitaire Mer. They are located in the camping emplacement areas and have baby baths, change tables and more. They are regularly cleaned and also have suitable areas for those with reduced mobility.
The facilities at La Rive for campers are regularly cleaned.
Communal BBQs
Dotted around the campsite are a few communal charcoal bbq’s. Although some accommodations, like our Eurocamp Azure and our Eurocamp Aspect, come with gas bbq’s those that don’t have the opportunity to use one of these communal ones. Electric bbq’s are banned on site, I assume they use more power than a campsite can handle.
Tennis Courts
The table tennis courts are situated away from the main campsite and we didn’t see them get used in low season. They are open from 9am to 7pm in low season and 8pm in high season. From July you need to reserve a time and it’ll cost 5euros per hour. You can hire balls and rackets from the main reception.
Soft Play
Since our first stay in 2019 the campsite have renovated a few areas and added a big soft play. It’s a great option for a rainy day, however we used it to avoid the mid-day sun and found it was a perfect and quiet time for kids to play. We did find the rainy days to be extra busy in there and as there is no food/drinks or seating for adults, it really is all about the kids. It’s open from 10am until 8pm and is located near the swimming pool.
Baby Club
I’d seen this marketed online and via the campsites app however I never actually discovered where it was. I’m quite gutted really as it would have been perfect for our 7 month old. I *believe* it’s unmanned and to be used under parental supervision. The opening hours are 10:00-18:00
Paradise Land Bouncy Castles
I definitely think this is a new addition. These bouncy castles were an excellent addition to an already fun packed campsite. There are 3 bouncy castles targeted at different ages. One of them was a giant slide whilst one of the others has a smaller slide for younger kids. Our 3 year old really enjoyed the pirate themed bouncy castle. This inflatable park is open daily 10am till 8pm.
Campsite Shops at La Rive
Unlike most campsites this Domaine de la Rive has more than just a supermarket. There’s a swim shop, gift shop and a hire shop. You don’t really need to leave the campsite…
The Supermarket
Because we arrived to the campsite late and the supermarket was opposite the main car park we managed to run in just before closing at 20:00 and we must say prices were pretty reasonable.
Of course, there is a supermarket just down the road with BETTER prices, but as campsite supermarkets go, the Petite Casino on site really wasn’t too expensive AND it had a really wide range of goods – even some British style Fish and Chips in case you’re missing some home delights.
The Local Wine & Craft Beer Shop
I’m gutted to say that this shop no longer existed when we stayed in 2023!
Local Produce Shop
This has also gone 🙁
Location: Bike Hire and Other Rentals
The Location shop has everything you could require during your stay. Not only do they hire bikes and scooters (electric ones too), which every child seems to have, but you can hire: vacuum cleaners, fridges, microwaves, Irons, toasters, cots and baby equipment, bed linen, towels, outdoor furniture, coffee makers, adapters and even a Gopro camera!
Boutique, Swimwear, Newsagent & Gift Shop
If you need to buy swim trunks but don’t fancy a trip to the city like we did, here’s where you’ll find them. You can also grab postcards, newspapers from home, gifts for loved ones, beach towels and beachwear, bodyboards, inflatables (for the lake not the pool), parasols, sunglasses, flip flops and so much more. So if there’s anything you’ve forgotten during your stay – we think this is a really handy little boutique.
ATM: Cash Machine
Situated in between the shop and the reception there is an ATM on site although most shops will accept card payments too – but watch out for bank charges.
We use a transferwise card to ensure the best exchange rates when taking out money or making card payments in Europe.
The Bar, Restaurant & Takeaway
This is one area of the campsite we really enjoyed on our short stay.
The Bodega Bar
The Bodega bar is situated opposite the main restaurant. It’s a lovely spot and has been renovated since our first stay here. It’s super modern and I love the wooden beach bar style. Here you can get your morning coffees, lunch time cocktails and evening beers/wine. It’s a lively spot and we took the opportunity to go daily. The staff were friendly, polite and drinks were reasonably priced. Open 7 days a week 8.45am until 10.45pm
The Restaurant
We ummed and ahhhd over whether to eat in the restaurant during our first stay in 2019, firstly because I’d bought enough bbq food to feed a family of 5 and secondly because campsite restaurants are usually really expensive. However, we bit the bullet and went for it.
We ordered a beer, Chorizo pizza and the sea bass with creole sauce and rice – I also asked them to alter the seabass to add on some grilled vegetables too and they did this free of charge! On the table we were given table water and bread (a thing I love about many French restaurants) and the total cost was just 39 euros.
But not only was the food good value, it was tasty too. I absolutely loved the seabass (something I would never normally order – but I was feeling adventurous), veggies and the sauce. Unfortunately I can’t comment on desert because our meals were large and filling enough to not require one, BUT, I did have a look at the menu and they seemed to have a wide range of tasty delights and I did see the table next doors Ice cream sundae which look delicious and could have feed 4 people.
I imagine things have changed in the 4 years we have been away from the campsite and unfortunately we never got to try the restaurant out this time round (2023). I mean, nap schedules and bedtimes made it near on impossible to plan a restaurant meal in. We did see the menu and it looked really nice. The thing I like about the restaurant on La Rive is it’s not like a standard “campsite” “touristy” menu. There are lots of options that aren’t “standard campsite foods”.
Le Delices De La Rive
Here’s where you’ll find your crepes, ice creams, galettes and more. Obviously this was the 3 year olds favourite food place. They sold soft whippy style ice cream as well as scoops and freezer ones. The Nutella panini seemed appealing but as I’m still trying to shift baby weight…
Pizzeria Augusto
These pizzas are amazing. So good that I wolfed mine down before I even managed to photo it. The best campsite pizza we’ve tried in a long time. Prices were reasonable, toppings were decent and if I return we will definitely be getting pizza again.
Food Trucks
Just outside the park there were 2 food trucks stationed. During our stay the food trucks were very similar both selling burger-ish meals. We did try them both out and they were both great but I think these trucks may change regularly.
Salad Bar/Poke Bowls
I’m gutted we never tried the salad bar. I love a good salad, but I figured it’d be a hard sell to the kids. The prices in the salad bar seemed very reasonable for poke bowls and they also sold smoothies and pancakes too.
Entertainment & Activities for Children & Adults
Kids Club
As well as the babyclub and other childrens facilities, La Rive also has its own kids clubs. With 3 groups running from the ages of 5 – 17 years old, the kids clubs have something for every child. The animation staff can speak both French and English, so your child needn’t feel left out.
There’s a wide range of different activities and on Thursday they even run an all day session where kids can stay from 10am till 6pm non-stop.
There’s a whole range of activities and entertainment for the children each day of the week.
Entertainment for the whole family
It’s not just the kids that La Rive caters for. There were so many activities for all the ages. We even participated in an Easter egg hunt and found the adults more keen to win than the children. From zumba to petanque tournements, the animation team had something for every family member.
The evening shows are a big hit here and are held in the Arena. That means the noise is mostly contained. However, if you are on a main walkway/road than noise of passers by leaving the show can be a disturbance. We found, being on a back road, it was very peaceful past 10pm.
I do remember, last time we stayed we struggled with the noise and definitely wouldn’t have been able to get any shut eye before 11pm. If you do find yourself on a main road or very close to the arena, i’d advise packing a white noise machine to help you block it out.
Other Child Friendly Activities
The Arcade
The place kids love due to flashy lights and loud sounds and the place adults hate due to the drain on their wallet. The playroom at Camping La Rive has so many retro arcade style games including pinball machines, table football, air hockey pool and of course go kart race simulators.
Throughout the evening this games shack was filled with excitable children trying to grab teddy bears and compete against each other. Although it can be a bit of a money grabber, I have fond memories of arcades as a kid and I think things like pool and air hockey can be a great way to bond and spend time with your family.
Parc de Jeux
The park at La Rive has been newly renovated for 2023. It was partially finished during our stay and I think they were waiting for 1 more climbing structure to be fully ready. Otherwise, the park was good to go and great fun. Our daughter loved it. We found information outside the park on age ranges for each structure and definitely stuck to them. The floor is sanded and the park is gated. It’s situated opposite the bar area which means you can sit and relax with a nice coffee while children play.
Football and Basketball court
The multi sports court was in use all day from about 9am till 11pm and it’s probably the area where most children made friends and bonded with each other. We heard kids speaking in French, Spanish and English, all bonding over their love of football.
Bike and Scooter hire
I think every child on the campsite had either a scooter or a bike. We had no idea how popular they were. Hattie brought hers with her and the campsite ground was perfect for scooting. The bar, restaurant and entertainment area is a “pedestrian zone” and children are encouraged to leave their scooters and bikes in the racks outside – however this pedestrian zone didn’t seem to be observed that well…
Skate Park
If your child wants to show off their scooter, bike or skating tricks then there’s a small skate park onsite located near the swimming pools. It is a small park so perfect for younger children.
Ping pong tables
Away from the main facility area there is a couple of ping pong tables located within the tent/caravan camping area. We didn’t use it, but i assume you can hire the table tennis equipment from the main reception.
Accommodation at Camping La Rive
There are 765 emplacements at Domaine de La Rive. Some filled with tents, some with mobile homes, some with caravans and some with campervans. We noticed there were definitely more mobile homes than camping emplacements.
Campsite Accommodation
The campsite has a wide range of lodges, comfort pitches, mobile homes and chalets. These are all dotted around the campsite but the interactive map on their website allows you to pinpoint where they all are.
Eurocamp Mobile Home
During our first stay in 2019 we stayed in Eurocamp Azure mobile home. It was brand new to site that year and you could tell by how well maintained and clean it was. To read our full accommodation review – click here or to watch the video tour, click here.
During our 2023 stay we opted for an Aspect. As we were staying for 15 nights we needed to have enough space to be comfortable. For 15 nights over August we paid around £700 for our Aspect which is a MAJOR deal! You can find our Apect review here.
Not only does Eurocamp have the brand range of Azure mobile homes and Aspects but they also have comforts and classics, suitable for families up to 6 or 8 people depending on which type of accommodation you choose.
Should I Book Direct Through the Campsite or Through and Operator?
Most people assume that booking direct with the campsite will save them money, but this isn’t always the case. In fact, when deciding to book in 2023 I compared campsite prices and Eurocamp prices and found Eurocamp much cheaper. In fact, for just a camping emplacement we were looking at over 700euros yet our mobile home, a top tier mobile home, cost only slightly more.
One of the other perks with booking through an operator like Eurocamp is that the price doesn’t change per person. Whether there’s two people staying in a mobile home or 6 people, the price for the mobile home will stay the same. Well…unless you are a single parent household, then you can get a single parent discount.
Do You Need a Car to Get Round?
It depends. There is lots to do on site, some never leave, but if you do choose to get off site, you’ll probably want a car. Although there are lots of good cycle paths around it’s quite a distance from the campsite to the next village (around 5 km).
Like most smaller towns in france public transport is minimal and if you’re thinking of exploring anywhere other than the campsite itself then I would recommend hiring a car at the airport or bringing your own.
We stayed, 2nd time round, mostly without a car during our stay and I was quite happy using the campsites facilities. However, if I wasn’t travelling alone I’d have definitely liked to explore more. I loved going to Arcachon and the Dune during our 2019 stay.
How to get to The Campsite
The nearest airport to the campsite is Bordeaux 67 km away and around an hour drive. It would be possible to get an airport taxi, however I would always advise guests coming to this park that driving is best.
We drove from within France so luckily our journey was a short 3 hours however depending on how you get there your journey may be fairly time consuming.
Should I hire a car?
If you are planning on flying into Bordeaux, then hiring a car is advisable.
There is Hertz, Enterprise and Firefly car rental situated at the airport.
Ferry port
If driving from the UK, the recommended ferry port is Bilbao which is 310km away, however sailing to Northern France (Roscoff, St Malo, Cherbourg, Caen, Dieppe, Le Havre, Calais) and breaking up the journey on the way down is also an option.
Driving Directions
Address: 6523 Route de Bordeaux, 40600 Biscarrosse
GPS Coordinates: 44.460449 -1.130669
Our Sat Nav couldn’t find the address so I would advise using the maps on your phone/computer first to get the general gist of where the campsite is located.
The site is well sign posted from the main road outside, however our sat nav sent us to a completely different place. The campsite is located off a side road from the main road (70km/h speed limit) through the forest.
Day Trips from Domaine de La Rive
We love to explore the nearby locations and some of the day trips we’d recommend are below. Of course if you’d rather, which I’m sure many families do, you could just stay on the campsite the whole stay – there really is plenty to do.
Bordeaux
We spent a day exploring the beautiful city of Bordeaux. There is plenty to do, especially if you like wine and food. The city has some stunning architecture and your kids will love the Science and Nature museum situated in the cities beautiful gardens.
Arcachon
I think this seaside town is little known by us Brits because we didn’t hear a single English speaking person during our trip – which to us is a great sign of a good place to explore. The town of Arcachon is where the French go to holiday within their own country and is even popular with French celebs. This upmarket seaside town is definitely one of our favourites
Dune du Pilat
If you’re not pregnant the Dune du Pyla is a fantastic sand dune to climb. It’s the largest in Europe and what an incredible sight it is. Although I really wanted to make it to the top It definitely takes a lot of oxygen, more than I have at the moment – however my husband made it and said the views were great.
Biscarrosse Plage
A surfers paradise. The waves here are amazing and we loved watching the surfers ride them out. Even in the cool April breeze there were so many young people donning their wetsuits and getting in the sea.
Les Landes forest
Camping La Rive is located right in the centre of the Landes Forest. It’s the largest man made wood land in western Europe. If you’re taking your bikes to the campsite or hiring some there you can take the cycle path from the campsite and explore around the forests.
Aquapark Biscarrosse
Unfortunately the Aquapark wasn’t open in April during our visit although I’ve seen plenty of photos and the place looks like so much fun for kids and adults alike, it’s definitely worth checking out if you’re staying during the peak Summer season.
Bisc Aventure
For children and adults aged over 4 years old Bisc Aventure is the French answer to Go Ape. With over 180 activities you can climb around in trees, climb up walls and even ride on a giant catapult!
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the mobiles close together?
The mobile homes were quite close to one another and we could see into others mobiles, however most people spend the majority of their time outside the mobile homes anyway and you can always close your curtains. We didn’t hear any noise from other mobile homes except for when they were sat outside on their deckings.
Is the Lake Shallow?
The lake is very shallow for a good few meters making it really good for young children to play and paddle in (with supervision obviously).
Is the campsite flat?
The campsite is really flat and perfect for bikes and scooters. Children will really enjoy being able to scoot around the site – you can even hire bikes and scooters from the campsite itself, so if you’re flying and can’t pack one your child doesn’t have to miss out
Are there mosquitos at Camping la Rive?
Mozzies are a bit on the carnivorous side and there are a lot of bugs around because you are so close to the lake and forests. Take some good plug in mosquito killers if you’re in a mobile home, and lots of deet or similar to spray on yourselves.
Is it easy to get a sunbed around the pool?
Low season is fine but in high season it can be difficult to get a sunbed. In fact, if you have left your sunbed unattended for a long period of time, the lifeguards will remove your towel – nobody messes with them!
What happens if I arrive to the campsite late?
If you arrive really late the gates may be shut. There is security on site who will be able to get you sorted with your accommodation, however you will have to leave your car on the other side of the barrier in the main car park.
If you know you’re arriving late, pack an overnight bag with your essentials for that night until you can get your car through in the morning.
We arrived just after 8pm and there was a Eurocamp courier in the reception (working late because of opening day).
If you’re with a tour operator and arrive after 7pm you will need to phone the telephone number provided to reach your onsite representatives. They will be able to provide you with a map, and input your car details in the system so you can enter the campsite barrier.
Do you need to wear a wristband?
YES. Wristbands are mandatory for security reasons. If you are booked with a tour operator like Eurocamp you will receive it at their reception. If you try and go to the pool without yours on you may get sent away (as we discovered).
Do men have to wear swim trunks?
We didn’t get questioned on it and Mike was able to wear his normal swim shorts. However it’s never guaranteed, so make sure you have a spare pare of Jammers or speedos with you.
Are there BBQs on site?
Yes you are allowed BBQs. There are gas BBQs provided by Eurocamp and communal charcoal BBQs dotted around the site.
Electric BBQs are banned, probably because they use too much of the campsite electricity and cause power outages.
Is the beach sandy enough to do sandcastles and play, or is it more shingle?
Both Biscarosse beach and the lake beach at the campsite are really sandy and perfect for digging moats and building sand castles.
Can you use rubber dinghies and floats on the lake?
You can definitely use dinghies, but I’d be careful using lilo’s – stay safe and keep close to the shore.
What’s the weather like in Spring/Summer?
Generally warm and sunny in April, May and late September. Throughout June, July, August and September it can be scorching hot with temperatures averaging mid 20s to mid 30s. During times of a heatwave it can feel more like you’re in Egypt, so we would advise booking a mobile home with air conditioning.
Bear in mind that the Atlantic coast can suffer from freak storms and weather, so although in general the weather is good – do be prepared for a storm or two.
Where can you watch the sunset?
The sunsets at the campsite lake are amazing! It’s the perfect time to grab a picnic and some drinks and sit on the beach and relax.
Can you park on your pitch/Emplacement?
We could park on our Eurocamp pitch although it was slightly tight and that’s with a mini. If you have a larger car, it may be worth adding a request to your booking to see if they can place you somewhere with a larger pitch.
Can you take pets on the campsite?
Yes. We saw plenty of dogs and even a rabbit. Double check with the campsite or tour operator when booking to ensure you are placed in the right accommodations that allow for pets – you may incur some extra charges for this.
Is there disabled accessibility on the campsite?
The campsite is really flat and would be easy to push a wheelchair around. Even down to the lake there is a wheelchair friendly path. Though, I am unsure if the accommodations are wheelchair accessible and you would need to double check when booking.
Is there an ATM on site?
There is an ATM located at the front of the campsite near the reception area.
Where’s the nearest supermarket?
Lidl is 10 mins away, but turn right at the roundabout and 2 mins further is a huge E. Leclerc which is really good. We drove past a small intermarche on our way to the campsite in Sanguinet but unfortunately it closed at 7.30 and we got there at 7.33…
My flight isn’t till late, can I stay on site after check out?
Most tour operators will have check out before 11am, however once you’re out of your mobile home you can continue to use the campsite facilities like the pool and kids play areas.
Review conclusion
FAMILY CAMPING EUROPE SCORE
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Reviewed by Breanne Lovatt
