· La Ceze has plenty of good swimming places and is not as crowded as Le Gardon. The river near Vallon Pont d'Arc is full of canoe parties, as it is around the aqueduct. We camped at Chateau de Boisson (in Eurocamp catalogue and Castels et Camping). Le Ceze was close by, and there were good swimming places - our son learned to swim there. The campsite also had good facilities, including painting courses and gourmet meals.
Ruth Turner

· I recommend a three-star site called Le Prelombard in Tarascon-sur-Ariege (voted campsite of the year, 2001) on the banks of a river where you can fish. This is an excellent place to relax in the heart of the wild mountainous country. There are a wide range of outdoor activities offered, with bikes for hire, horse riding, white-water rafting, potholing and a hang-gliding practice area. A well-equipped mobile home with a double and three small singles for one week costs £384 in July and August. Call 0870 442 9843 for a Midi-Pyrenees 2003 Unspoilt South-West France brochure.
Julia