‘I love Eurocamp holidays – the best is by a beach with sunsets that people applaud’

There are few things more wholesome than the sun setting over a perfect beach – and perhaps none more spectacular than those seen over Messanges Plage Sud.

Such is its beauty, that visitors bring their hands together in applause. Over the summer, locals and tourists alike head through the pine forest and over the dunes of to sit on the Atlantic coast with bottles of fizz, clapping as if to toast the gods that created such a glorious scene at the end of the day.

As the sun sinks into the ocean, returns back to her Eurocamp park. After an unforgettable stay at Le Vieux Port holiday park, Vicky said the sunset “made us so glad we’d chosen this site”.

Vicky and her family are “real Eurocamp fanatics” thanks to the facilities, entertainment and activities on offer – as well as the freedom of self-catering and taking her own transport. She added: “Being close to a surfy beach is always a bonus for us, and the waves at Messanges Plage Sud, just a few minutes’ walk away from our modern, with decking, really made the holiday for us.

“Le Vieux Port is a very large and lively park too, with holidaymakers scurrying everywhere in swimwear and folks walking with baguettes tucked under their arms.”

The Eurocamp static mobile homes at Le Vieux Port are located on a quiet lane on the edge of the site. This means you’re rarely disturbed by fellow campers passing through and using the roads, shower blocks or entertainment.

Amongst the facilities are a pop-up patisserie offering all the croissants, bread and pastries you could ask for each morning. But there’s also a Spar shop near the entrance if you need to top up on other supplies.

This camp is also home to some with speedy chutes, flumes for inflatables, a walk-in wave pool, splash zone for younger visitors, a death slide and a Jacuzzi and surf simulator.

There are also plenty of sunbeds for allcomers – no early morning scramble to secure prime spots by the pool here. Vicky added: “We spent several hours a day here just messing about in the pool and chilling.

“There’s also an enormous amount to do, with organised football matches, tennis courts, a large play park, games room, outdoor gym, kids’ club, spa and live entertainment at night, plus on-site eateries. And of course, there’s that giant stretch of , just out of the back gate.”

Cross-border cuisine

If you’re looking to get out and about away from the camp, Bayonne is a fine choice for a day trip. Located just 27 miles south from the campsite, the city stretches along the banks of the Rivers Adour and Nive and is famed for its narrow medieval streets.

Its riverside location lends itself to outdoor dining, with a number of cafes and bars along the waterfront. And due to its proximity to the Spanish border, many serve up and pintxos – stacked, flavour-packed snacks of crispy bread, cured meats, cheeses and pickles.

Vicky recalled: “We stopped for a bite to eat at L’Estegi Restaurant, grabbing a table by the water’s edge, and picked our way through plates of fried octopus, cheese and thinly-sliced Bayonne ham, traditionally cured for seven months to produce its delicately salty flavour and pink colour, and served with chillies and gherkins.

“Bayonne is, in fact, so serious about its ham, the town has a museum dedicated to its history and how it is made. Try it with a glass of Irouleguy wine, a local speciality from the .”

Another few miles along the coast, visitors will find the seaside city of Biarritz. In the 1800s, it was home to the first French production centre of chocolate confectionery.

Fitting then, that it is where the first ‘bonbon’ – filled chocolate – was created during the reign of Louis XV in the early 18th century. As such, Biarritz is home to many chocolate shops and the Planete Musee du Chocolat, where visitors get to sample a drop on their way in.

Those of a certain age may remember when named its triangle-shaped box of dark chocolates after the city in the 1980s and an accompanying TV ad featuring the song ‘Bermuda Triangle’ by . Vicky said: “Biarritz still exudes a ritzy kind of vibe, with elegant villas, art deco details, trendy beachfront bars and seafood restaurants.”

“It has six beaches to choose from including Cote de Basque, its epicentre for surfing backed by enormous cliffs (park at the top, then zig-zag down the steps and ramps), plus there’s Le Grand Plage, a large stretch of sand in the centre, next to Miramar Beach. For a different swimming experience or relaxed paddle-boarding, head for the sheltered cove of Le Vieux Port.”

Two countries for the price of one stay

If you venture as far south as Biarritz, you may as well make the extra effort and extend your trip into Spain. Vicky said: “There’s always something rather thrilling about driving across a border between two countries – in our case, the A63 motorway which crosses the Bidasoa River.

“We visited the Spanish coastal city of , famous for its jumble of foodie streets, vast golden beaches, lush hillsides and islands. Parking at the seafront car park at Zurriola Beach, we didn’t get far at first, stopping for a giant paella with squid ink at Zmare, an upmarket glass-fronted restaurant right on the promenade.

“We then followed the coastal path around the beach, crossing the bridge over the Urumea River and round the lush Mount Urgull, as the waves of the moody Bay of Biscay crashed into the rocks. Passing the picturesque harbour full of boats, complete with al fresco seafood restaurants, we then weaved through the streets of the old town, crammed with tapas and pintxos bars, shops selling chocolates, souvenirs and T-shirts.”

Visitors can also continue to the famous La Concha beach, so-called for its shell-like shape. But San Sebastian has a little of everything and is worthy of much more than just a one-day trip.

You may be tempted by a ferry straight from the UK, as offering a 20-hour service from Plymouth to Santander or two-night crossings from Portsmouth to Santander or Bilbao. Vicky and her family travelled on Brittany Ferries’ overnight service from Portsmouth to ­St Malo, then drove down to Landes, which took around 10 hours with stops.

Whichever way you get there, this curious coastal corner of France and Spain is bursting with character all of its own.

Book the holiday

• Seven nights in a Premium ­­three-bedroom holiday home, sleeping up to six, at Le Vieux Port, Landes, with Eurocamp is from £410.34, arriving May 24 (half term), and £1,876.56 for seven nights arriving July 19, with 15% saving in Eurocamp’s Big Splash Sale.
• Brittany Ferries offers return sailings on its new ship, Saint-Malo, from Portsmouth to St Malo during April/May from £519, including a four-berth ensuite cabin on the outward overnight sailing, plus car.
• More info at