Chateau du Gandspette

Chateau du Gandspette, 133 Rue de Gandspette, 62910 Eperlecques, Tel: 03 21 93 43 93

To Find Site:- This site is situated not far from St Omer just off the Dunkerque D300/D600 road and is signed from a roundabout. From the A26 leave at junction 2 or 3 and follow signs to Dunkerque or from Calais use A16 and then follow St Omer signs. Alternatively from the D943 heading south from Nordausques turn left onto D221 and follow signs for site and Eperlecques Blockhaus. Watch out for camp signs in both directions as entrance not immediately easy to see.

We have been using Chateau du Gandspette for some years now and it has become one of our favourite sites. Its a handy first or last stop to or from your crossing as its only about 22 miles from Calais and there appears no restriction on early departures. Gandspette, along with Le Bien Assise at Guines are the best quality sites I have found in the area but I accept that others might prefer more rustic sites. It is used predominantly by British and Dutch campers. Reception is based in one of the old outbuilding adjacent to the Chateau which also houses the Bar/Restaurant and the takeaway. In 2007 an extension to the popular Restaurant was built giving useful extra capacity. Its usually best to book the restaurant if the site is busy. There is no onsite shop but a bread van also calls each morning and ice creams can be purchased from the bar. There are several pitching areas on the original parts of the site, plus a newly developed area towards the back of the site which is shared with some mobile homes which some are for hire and others are private. This site does have some permanent caravans but over the years these have decreased in number and the space given over to touring pitches. All pitches are of a reasonable size and the ones in the new area are particularly generous. Depending on what way you pitch your van you may need some side to side levelling as the site has a gentle slope down from the main entrance. Some of the pitches around the perimeter roads from the Chateau can be a little difficult to maneuvour onto because of the narrow access road and over hanging trees. Also in the last year they have added a few hardstandings pitches for larger motorhomes . Water points are available at regular intervals around the site. Electric connections are via a mix of CEE17 blue connectors and the old style two pin connectors, both rated at 6 amps. Reverse polarity is quite common. There are two toilet blocks both of an excellent standard with seated toilets and paper provided. During 2005 a new laundry room had been built. The site has lots of open space so kids have ample space to play, some new play equipment has been recently added. In addition there is good play area, a Swimming pool, and other sports facilities including tennis courts and a recently added basket ball/5 aside football court. WiFi is available in the area near reception, although at €5 an hour it is quite expensive. Given its location, being handy for both ferries/tunnel and local vets the site does get extremely busy. Therefore it might be wise to either book ahead or arrive early to guarantee a pitch. Camping Cheques are accepted in the low season and the site can be booked via the Caravan Club ABS service. Date of latest visit late June 2011. It has come to my notice that the site does not accept twin axle caravans during the high season, best to contact site for clarification.

About 5 minutes away is a Carrefour Market supermarket. This site is often used as a stopover so that people can visit the big Supermarkets in Calais, Boulogne or Dunkerque. Very close to the site is the 'Eperlecques Bunker' which was to have been a launching base for V1 and V2 rockets but after many allied raids it was in the most part used to produce the fuel. An interesting place to visit if on the eerie side! If when you head back to Calais for the ferry and you decide to join the A26 at junction 2 be aware that entrance to the autoroute is by automatic barrier, you can pay the toll by coins or credit card.

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