Caravan on a pitch one metre up: our France adventure

France in July. Car loaded to the roof, caravan behind, kids in the back with a tablet and too many sweets. We were one of those families thinking: this is going to be the best holiday ever. And honestly? Up to the campsite barrier it was.

Then we saw our pitch.

The drive that started well

We'd booked months in advance. A mid-sized family site in the Dordogne, lovely photos on the website, great reviews. The confirmation email listed a pitch number — 611 — with the note 'spacious and sunny at the edge of the site'. Sounded perfect. Room for the kids, no neighbours pressed against our awning, and sun for the solar panels.

The drive was smooth. French tolls, a lunch stop near Reims, a night in a hotel on the way. On arrival we were handed the card and gate code, and directed to the back field.

And then: that step up

Pitch 611 was indeed spacious and sunny. It was also a full metre higher than the access path. No slope, no ramp — a steep grass bank, with the flat pitch on top where our caravan had to go. The path itself was narrow, with a ditch on the other side. Reversing, wide turns, angled approach: all impossible.

We got out and looked at each other. Our son asked: 'Dad, how are we going to get it up there?' Honest answer: no idea.

Four people, a lot of grunting, one caravan in place

The reception was surprisingly matter-of-fact: 'Ah oui, pitch 611. Il faut pousser.' There are more like it, the owner said, designed for seasonal pitches that were once put there with a tractor. For touring caravans? They just do it by hand.

Two Dutch neighbours, one Frenchman walking his dog, and the owner's son with a wooden beam as a lever. We pushed, they pushed, someone shouted 'doucement!' in broken French, and after 45 minutes of sweat our caravan stood on top. Applause, scraped hands, and one warm drink from the cool box as reward.

It became a lovely holiday in the end. But those first two hours? Top of our list of 'situations we'd rather not repeat'.

What we'd have wanted to know in advance

There was nothing about the height difference on the website. Nothing in the confirmation email. Nothing on Google Maps — that shows satellite imagery, not contours. And the reviews? Mostly about the pool and the baguettes at reception. Not a word about the climb up to pitch 611.

Looking back we think: if someone had been there before us and taken a single photo from the path looking up towards the pitch — we would never have booked this spot. Not out of fear, but out of common sense. We'd have asked for pitch 41 or 55, which sit lower. Or picked a different campsite altogether.

That missing bit of information is exactly why Pitchviewer exists: real photos of real pitches, taken by campers who stayed there.

Help the next camper — with a single photo

Since that holiday we do it differently. On arrival we photograph our pitch — including the approach route, the height difference, the position of the electric hookup. And we upload it.

Here's how:

• Was the campsite already on Pitchviewer? Just open the campsite page and tap the + button to add a pitch. Photos, pitch number, height difference in the description — done.
• Not on there yet? Add the campsite first. Three taps via add campsite: search Google Maps, check the details, confirm. Then add your pitch to it.
• Not sure how it works? Our guide how to add a campsite or pitch walks through it step by step.

Book smarter: what we now check

For our next French trip we have a small list of questions. Handy for any booking — not just mountainous regions:

• Is the pitch level with the access path? If not, how big is the difference?
• Can you reach the pitch without a sharp turn or steep slope?
• Is there any hardstanding, or is it pure grass (which turns to mud in wet weather)?
• Are there recent photos — not of the site in general, but of your specific pitch?
• Can you reserve a specific pitch, or is one assigned on arrival?

Not sure about a spot? Look up the campsite on Pitchviewer and see whether other campers have shared photos. Nothing there? That's also a signal.

Related stories

Recognise anything in this story? Read our earlier experience no shade, just disappointment — a different pitch, same principle: brochure ≠ reality. And for the technicalities of a comfortable spot, our piece on what is a fully serviced camping pitch.

In closing

Four people, one caravan, one metre of height difference. It's turned into a funny story around the camping table — but it could easily have gone another way. One photo up front would have saved us the whole thing.

Heading off soon? Check Pitchviewer before you book. And when you get back? Share your photos, including the approach route. That way the next family arrives with caravan and nerves both intact.