No shade, just disappointment: what our summer pitch taught us

It was the first real summer day of the year. We had looked forward to this holiday for months: two weeks in the south of France, a quiet family campsite, and — according to the website — a pitch in the shade of old oak trees. The photo on the booking page showed a cool, green spot. Our kids could play outside, we could read under the trees. Perfect.

Until we arrived.

The reality on arrival

The receptionist kindly pointed us to pitch 47. We drove past the promised oaks — they really did exist — and ended up on an open grass field fifty metres further on. Not a tree in sight. The midday sun was high and the car thermometer read 34 degrees. Our caravan caught the full blast.

We assumed it was a mistake. But no: pitch 47 was indeed on this field. The 'shaded pitches' on the website? Those were pitches 1 to 20, on the other side of the grounds. They had been fully booked months ago.

Why this happens so often

Campsites tend to show their prettiest corners on the website. That makes sense — that's how marketing works. But a campsite can have hundreds of pitches, and the differences between them can be huge:

• One sits under dense trees, another in full sun.
• One overlooks the pool, another the bin shed.
• One is flat and spacious, another sloping and cramped.

A general catalogue page doesn't tell you that. And the person on the phone doesn't always know what pitch 47 looks like in July, when the sun is at its highest.

What we did

We discussed it politely at reception. Moving wasn't possible — everything was full. We ended up buying an extra sun sail, leaving the awning out as long as possible and adjusting our daily rhythm: at the caravan in the morning and evening, at the pool or the forest in the middle of the day.

It became a lovely holiday in the end. But the first two days were a hit to our mood — and our water bill.

The lesson: ask for real photos of your pitch

Since that holiday we do things differently. Before we book, we look for photos of the specific pitch — not the campsite in general. We email the campsite, we check forums, and we use platforms where campers share photos of individual pitches.

That is exactly why Pitchviewer exists. We collect real photos of real pitches, uploaded by campers like you. No brochure romance, just reality: the shade (or lack of it), the neighbouring pitches, the view, the slope.

Checklist for your next booking

Avoid disappointment with these questions before you pay:

• Is there shade on this specific pitch, and during which part of the day?
• How big is the pitch in square metres, and is it level?
• What is next to and behind the pitch? (Other caravans, a road, a bin?)
• Are there recent photos available — not the catalogue page, but this exact spot?
• Can you reserve a specific pitch, or is one assigned on arrival?

A good campsite answers honestly. Getting only marketing speak back? That tells you something too.

Finally

Camping remains one of the most beautiful ways to travel. But the magic is in the details — and in honest expectations. Hopefully our story helps you pick your next pitch perfectly. And when you return: share your photos. You'll be helping the next camper.