Now the French are eyeing this lucrative market and there is set to be a mini-boom in park and holiday home sales
across the Channel.
Traditonally most French holiday parks are small-scale, family-run affairs but at least one company has been quietly expanding and now has 15 parks. Siblu Parcs, which has been in business for 30 years, has also just scooped a huge sum to improve its Domaine de Litteau holiday park in Calvados, Normandy. Local development councils have awarded €1.5million towards the plan, which will see a fi ve-fold increase in the number of holiday home pitches, bringing the number to more than 500.
The improvements will make Domaine de Litteau one of France’s most environmentally-friendly holiday parks, with
rigorous energy conservation and tree management plans.
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APPEALING MIX: The apartments in Pommard, Burgundy. Margot and John Bilham are fans
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Siblu has already completed a reed-bed sewage treatment pond to purify waste naturally. Siblu has invested steadily
since acquiring Domaine de Litteau in 2007, with upgrades to facilities and the creation of new mobile home pitches.
Now it will be able to bring all facilities to a four-star standard and add a covered swimming complex, tennis courts, sauna and steam room, multi-sports pitch and gym.
It’s great news for British couple Margot and John Bilham, from Canterbury, Kent, who were among the fi rst buyers there in 2007.
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Siblu also offers a managed letting programme so owners can earn from their home when not using it.
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Quality
Mrs Bilham said: “The quality of accommodation surprised us – in effect we have a three-bed home that is like a small flat, with all the space and facilities we need. Plus our pitch is huge and overlooks a small fishing lake on the edge of Cerisy Forest.”
Living so close to Dover and Folkestone means the Bilhams are used to shopping trips, long weekends and summer holidays in France. Their holiday home is within easy reach of Caen, served by Brittany Ferries, but they usually cross the Channel via Boulogne.
Mrs Bilham added: “We’ve travelled throughout France and love the country. We wanted a place to stay where we could immerse ourselves in French culture. I wanted to buy a traditional property but my husband felt we’d be taking a home away from a local. We also have the bonus of knowing we have everything waiting for us when we arrive and when we are not there our home is cared for at all times.
“We love Normandy. Favourites include the National Stud at St Lô, Velo Rail – old railway tracks that can be ridden along using pedal-powered carts, taking in old villages, picnic spots and the chocolate factory at Bayeux.”
Entertainment
New homes in French parks can cost as little as €9,995. Siblu also sells the largest holiday home available – the 50 sq m St James, which retails at around €79,000. All homes have hot showers, fully equipped kitchens and air-conditioning. The parks offer a range of services and entertainment including pool complexes, often with heated and indoor pools, waterslides and toddler pools, free children’s clubs, a wide range of sports activities including tennis, basketball, scuba diving and sailing and family-friendly shows and events.
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Domaine de Litteau Holiday Park
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Siblu also offers a managed letting programme so owners can earn from their home when not using it.
In northern France, another Siblu park close to the ferry port of Roscoff is Domaine de Kerlann, a scenic park near Pont Aven, in Finistere, southern Brittany.
INFORMATION:
● www.siblu.com/ 0800 960 512
