Summer 2026 trip - Santander to Cherbourg

Ok, so been trying to book up some sites. The site in Spain, Orio, opened for booking yesterday and seemed to be booked up already but I think they are not fully open for booking short breaks in peak season until next week (or they simply sold out in a day!)

The site in ile d’oleron looked ok and was just trying to work out what <2m vehicle or >2m vehicle meant when I noticed the loos don’t have seats. This could be a problem for the lady. I must say I’m a little confused by this, seems common in France now. I actually understand and like the hole in the floor toilets (unintentionally foot wash flushes aside), they make sense but it seems the other option now is a loo with no seat, what’s the deal with that, are you supposed to just sit on the bowl or hover or what? Anyway, 0 nights booked still!
 
Loo seats are an exception rather than the rule in Europe. And to be fair what’s the difference from sitting on a seat or the rim of the bowl? Yours won’t be the first arse that’s sat on either that day. If a lack of loo seats is a dealbreaker, then I’d be staying closer to home tbh. As soon as you cross into Italy/germany/austria, you’ll find squat loos are the norm.
 
We did 3 weeks in Spain last year and can't say i remember a single site that didn't have standard loos. Further south you go it may change maybe. Camping Orio definitely had normal toilets
 
Wot @Salty Spuds sed - take a couple of packs of anti-bacterial wipes if you're that bothered. I suspect t that the porcelain rim of the bowl would be a lot easier to clean properly than the manky plastic thing sitting on top of it. Also, don't forget that you often have to supply your own bog roll. TBH, If you're going to let an absence of toilet seat put you off, you might as well stay in Blighty.
 
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The site we stayed on at Ille de Rey in 2024 had normal freshly warmed plastic seats as did all the 6 sites in France we visited last summer.
Sometimes you get a mix of traditional safety bogs alongside the hole in a shower tray or where's the seat gone types but there's always a choice if you go out of peak pooping times.:thumbsup:
 
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Stay Frosty said:
The site we stayed on at Ille de Rey in 2024 had normal freshly warmed plastic seats as did all the 6 sites in France we visited last summer.
Sometimes you get a mix of traditional safety bogs alongside the hole in a shower tray or where's the seat gone types but there's always a choice if you go out of peak pooping times.:thumbsup:
Click to expand...
We spend a fair bit of time in Italy & Austria skiing and the squat bog is more common. Once you get over the psychological hurdle, they’re actually cleaner & easier to use. The squat position is more “natural” than sitting and there’s no contact at all between you and the bog, which negates the whole seat or no seat conundrum.
 
Salty Spuds said:
We spend a fair bit of time in Italy & Austria skiing and the squat bog is more common. Once you get over the psychological hurdle, they’re actually cleaner & easier to use. The squat position is more “natural” than sitting and there’s no contact at all between you and the bog, which negates the whole seat or no seat conundrum.
Click to expand...
Like I said, I have no problem with the hole in the floor loos, a bit of bombing practice an all that. I was just used to either those or a toilet with a seat. Toilets are intended to have seats, I’m not overly sure why but they are and so the lack of one just gives a vandalised public convenience vibe imo. We went through Germany, Austria, Italy and Switzerland last year and only came across a loo with no seat at the stop in France on the way back, otherwise everywhere had the full standard loo, seat and bog roll combo. Let’s see if she is willing to accept these third world conditions for a few nights as I’d like to stay on the site as it looks great!
 
cgtmiles said:
I noticed the loos don’t have seats. This could be a problem for the lady.
Click to expand...
My missus had a similar reaction to the one you're anticipating, though she found the apparent absence of subsequent hand washing by the locals even more "disconcerting".✋💩🤚
 
@cgtmiles. Regardless of it's utility, I suspect if my Mrs realised that I had bought her something labelled as being 'for Seniors' she would probably try to beat me to death with it!
 
When I was waiting for a boat trip on Tonle Sap Lake, Cambodia, I got caught short on the wooden jetty. Went into the ‘toilet’ which turned out to be a wooden shed with nothing more than a round hole in the floor (you could see the lake through it) and a bucket full of water to wash hands.
Any European toilet is a luxury.

These are the houses near the jetty:
IMG_0480.webp
 
Skyliner33 said:
When I was waiting for a boat trip on Tonle Sap Lake, Cambodia, I got caught short on the wooden jetty. Went into the ‘toilet’ which turned out to be a wooden shed with nothing more than a round hole in the floor (you could see the lake through it) and a bucket full of water to wash hands.
Any European toilet is a luxury.

These are the houses near the jetty:
View attachment 318333
Click to expand...
Same method as Yorkshire Water adopt in their sewage "processing" plants.
 
Ok so some updates on the campsites.

Still can’t book the Spanish site. Hopefully pitches will come available next week or I’ll need to reconsider

Then 3 nights booked at a site just over the border https://maps.app.goo.gl/FtMussDyArrFhpb57?g_st=ic
Then 2 nights booked in the dordogne

Then 4 nights at the site in ile d’oleron


Just have one night left to book somewhere near Cherbourg. Any suggestions?
 
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cgtmiles said:
Ok so some updates on the campsites.

Still can’t book the Spanish site. Hopefully pitches will come available next week or I’ll need to reconsider

Then 3 nights booked at a site just over the border https://maps.app.goo.gl/FtMussDyArrFhpb57?g_st=ic
Then 2 nights booked in the dordogne

Then 4 nights at the site in ile d’oleron


Just have one night left to book somewhere near Cherbourg. Any suggestions?
Click to expand...
Camping Blanche Nef in Barfleur. Municipal site, top notch, loo seats included. Stunning location, Barfleur is a gem.
en.normandie-tourisme.fr

Camping municipal de Barfleur "La Blanche Nef" - BARFLEUR : Normandy Tourism, France

The campsite La Blanche Nef is a small family campsite by the sea located 500 m from the town of Barfleur, one of the most beautiful villages in France. Our camping friends will be delighted to discover the breathtaking view of the sea but also of Barfleur and the Gatteville lighthouse (2nd...
en.normandie-tourisme.fr en.normandie-tourisme.fr
 
@cgtmiles Please let us know how you get on with the booking at Orio. We're lhoping to stay there for a few days in May but I really don't want to book it too far in advance (if at all!) as we don't really like being tied down to a schedule. Cheers.
 
@cgtmiles the missus had a problem booking one particular site and it was a case of clearing the cache of cookies on our PC as that was jamming things up and not allowing the desired campsite booking dates to show.
Yep, I know that was a pretty technical explanation ie. I'm a digital outcast but at the time it was like the site didn't appear to want bookings, luckily her in drawers is a proper weapon at wearing down technical problems and getting stuff properly booked in.
 
Stay Frosty said:
@cgtmiles the missus had a problem booking one particular site and it was a case of clearing the cache of cookies on our PC as that was jamming things up and not allowing the desired campsite booking dates to show.
Yep, I know that was a pretty technical explanation ie. I'm a digital outcast but at the time it was like the site didn't appear to want bookings, luckily her in drawers is a proper weapon at wearing down technical problems and getting stuff properly booked in.
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I’ve tried on my phone and on the laptop so I don’t think this is the issue also:

To facilitate the management of reservations and offer a more agile and orderly service, this year we will open the reservation calendar in parts, depending on the length of the stay.

This system will apply (only) to bookings corresponding to high season, that is, bookings between June 15th and August 31th, 2026.

  • On 2nd and 3th March opening of bookings for stays longer than 30 nights (from 10 a.m. on 2nd March)

  • On 4th and 5th March, the opening of bookings for stays of 15 nights or more (from 10 a.m. on 4th March)

  • From March 6th, bookings for stays longer than 7 nights can be made (from 10 a.m. on March 6th)

Thank you for your trust and fidelity. See you soon at the campsite to enjoy a new season together!
 
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Ayjay said:
@cgtmiles Please let us know how you get on with the booking at Orio. We're lhoping to stay there for a few days in May but I really don't want to book it too far in advance (if at all!) as we don't really like being tied down to a schedule. Cheers.
Click to expand...
I think you should be ok as the issue is linked to the high session booking as above
 
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