Hello friends and campers!
Gourmet Girl Denise here from the little village of Mouliherne, France in the Maine et Loire. All of the oak forests are in leaf and bustling with life in this part of France. Swallows are nesting and just the other day I looked out of my kitchen window and there on my driveway was a large male pheasant in full breeding plumage. He was quite the dandy!
The country roads are perfect for bicycling and last weekend my friend Gerard and I went for a ride. We came across this sign along the way.
I was very curious to see this facility so Gerard said “Go knock on their door. I’m sure they will be happy to show you around.” So I followed the arrow to this entrance and knocked on the door:
An Englishman named Julian came out and began showing me his lovely campground. He and his partner Tina purchased the property two years ago and began fixing it up. It is called ‘Camping La Fortinerie’ and is minutes from my farmhouse, Le Petit Saint Barnabé.
They are a truly creative couple! They used their talents to hide this gas tank that fuels the kitchen oven which I thought was brilliant!
I was amazed by this facility. It includes a huge lawn area for either tent or RV camping, the latter of which is the preferred type of camping in France. There are electrical hookups for both.
There is a house that is just for campers to use that includes a full kitchen with two clothes washing machines, a book exchange, a veggie and herb garden which campers can help themselves from, and big safari tent with its’ own hot tub and an umbrella tent for glampers!
The two, side by side bathrooms are brand new and very tastefully done. Everything is spotless!
There is also a very large outdoor firepit area that has a big grill lowered by a pully for grilling and an outdoor kitchen with barbecue, tables and just about every amenity you can imagine!
Here’s a picture of Julian under the arch entrance to the firepit area;
Yes, he built that arch out of the branches of an old tree that needed to be felled. The furniture in this area is also made from that old tree. And this cleverly concealed electrical hookup.
Creativity and attention to detail abound at La Fortinerie. You can go to their website here: www.campinglafortinerie.com
Thank you, Julian, for the wonderful tour! We Gourmet Girls wish you every success!
So friends, make that plane reservation soon and come on over the pond to experience camping/glamping like you never have before! And then stop by Le Petit Saint Barnabé for a camp cooking class! See you soon!
Denise, Gail, and Lindsey