A family who tired of Center Parcs' high prices found a cheaper alternative in France, with one key difference that won them over. The turning point came when they paid £5 for two Fruit Shoots at a Center Parcs resort, prompting them to look elsewhere.
They booked a lodge at Domaine des Ormes, a Eurocamp site in Brittany set in 400 acres of countryside with a forest, lakes, golf course and a medieval castle. The accommodation featured a large covered decking area with an L-shaped sofa and dining table, optimised for outdoor living in the warmer French climate.
During their stay, temperatures reached 30°C, so the family spent most of their time outdoors eating, playing card games and watching movies on a tablet. The lodge had no TV but free wifi, which was reliable enough for streaming. The kids appreciated having their own bedrooms.
The resort's main attraction was its large aquapark with slides, a lazy river, wave pool and indoor and outdoor pools, all included in the price. A zip line over the lake cost just €6 per person for two goes, far cheaper than comparable Center Parcs activities. Other paid activities included a circus, archery and horse riding, but the family found the pool and downtime sufficient.
Overall, the family described the holiday as idyllic and are already planning a return trip, highlighting the better value and outdoor-centric design as the main differences from their Center Parcs experiences.
