Book your VACAF campsite in France!
Let's face it, 80% of the 100,000 bookings made each year with CAF (Caisse d'allocations familliales) aid are for just one type of accommodation: campsites. What a success! To help you book the holiday of your dreams at a VACAF campsite, the Familytrip team has decided to produce a short guide for families. How to book your campsite with the help of the CAF? Where are the VACAF campsites located? What type of accommodation is available at a VACAF campsite? What are the main services to look for to satisfy children? And finally, what are the major advantages of booking a VACAF campsite?
How to book your VACAF campsite?
You've received a letter or text message informing you that you "have CAF aid". That's great! But how can you go away thanks to VACAF assistance? How can you use this aid easily and optimally to book your holiday rental at a campsite?
Let's say it straight away: a campsite with VACAF approval is a campsite like any other, but it accepts CAF vouchers! So all you have to do to book is to proceed as you would for any accommodation approved by the CAF. Familytrip has selected a large list of VACAF campsites, so all you have to do is select the one you like and contact us on 09.72.26.99.33 with your benefit number.
As far as VACAF-approved campsites are concerned, there's something for every taste and every budget. Our advisers do not receive commission on sales, so don't hesitate to specify the standard of accommodation you are looking for. We have entry-level, mid-range and top-of-the-range VACAF campsites... If you are looking for a top-of-the-range campsite, you need to specify this, as we will automatically rule out certain destinations. So if you're looking for a campsite with starred CAF aid, it's possible.
In terms of the number of nights for your holiday, this type of accommodation is usually booked for Saturday nights in multiples of 7 nights. You can therefore book 7 nights, 14 nights or 21 nights. Please note, however, that the CAF will only pay for the number of nights authorised by the CAF. The remaining nights will be billed to you in full.
When it comes to actually booking your holiday, the Caisse d'allocations familliales offers third-party payment. This means that when you call us, we will pay for your holiday directly. We will deduct the CAF's share from the total cost of your holiday. Familytrip accepts VACAF vouchers from approved campsites, as well as ANCV cheques and payments in several instalments free of charge. As you can see, booking CAF campsites is not complicated, in fact it's easy! But where to go on a camping holiday?
Where are the VACAF campsites located?
With Familytrip you'll have no problem finding a campsite that perfectly matches your search: we have campsites all over France. Many of our campsites are on the beach, but we also have some in the countryside. Each of these destinations has its advantages and disadvantages. By choosing a beach holiday you can be sure that the children will have fun, but it's often more expensive. What's more, we're getting more and more feedback from customers who find the heat of the south hard to bear in a mobile home. You need to think about air conditioning and terraces. VACAF campsites in the countryside are often cheaper and often have a swimming pool or water park. As the climate is sometimes a little worse in the countryside, we even have accommodation with an indoor swimming pool. You can be sure of choosing accommodation in the countryside and by the lake! We also have some VACAF campsites in the mountains: in the Alps or the Pyrenees. These can be great for a more natural and relaxing holiday.
A few of the top destinations for our VACAF campsites by the sea are the Mediterranean, of course, with Provence and Languedoc. But we have also selected accommodation on the Aquitaine coast, Charente Maritime, Vendée and Brittany. Beware of rain in the latter case. Finally, we have a lot of people living in the Paris region, so we've looked for some nice VACAF campsites in the north of the country to minimise transport time and costs.
As far as countryside destinations are concerned, we've got them all: Loire, Auvergne, Lozère... You're spoilt for choice. Every region of France is worth a visit, so the choice is yours! Depending on the destination, you'll find something more natural or more cultural. For example, the Loire Valley is great for visiting the famous châteaux of the Loire, while Lozère is much more natural.
What type of accommodation can you find at a VACAF campsite?
At a VACAF-accredited campsite, you'll be able to book all the classic types of campsite accommodation!
The most classic is the mobile home, that famous little plastic mobile home... which isn't actually mobile and is becoming less and less plastic. Camping has come a long way in the last twenty years or so. The good old mobile home of our childhood has very often become a beautiful accommodation, perfectly equipped, totally optimised, aesthetically at the top and with one, two or even three bedrooms for the largest mobile homes. In short, it's a very comfortable place to stay, especially if you opt for a Michelin-starred campsite.
As the search for nature continues to grow, campsites have also developed a chalet or cottage rental offer. The level of comfort is similar to that of mobile home accommodation. Let's just say that it's more the external part of the accommodation that will be different. You'll find more natural materials: wood to be precise.
Mobil home, chalet, cottage, whatever the type of accommodation, you'll often have a terrace. It has to be said that a terrace is very practical. And why is that? Because it's often covered, so you can protect yourself from the rain and, more often than not, from the sun! A terrace is also a nice way of avoiding having lunch in the middle of insects... In short, a terrace is not a luxury on a campsite!
In terms of surface area and space, mobile homes are similar to cottages and chalets. Expect to pay between 20 and 40 m².
Finally, at VACAF campsites, you'll also find the famous tent pitches. Familytrip does not offer this type of accommodation. We specialise in family holidays and we know that comfort is important. When it comes to comfort, you can often refer to customer reviews.
The classic services found at VACAF campsites!
You'll find plenty of activities on site for a successful holiday with children. First of all, there's the water: a swimming pool at the very least, and very often a water park. This is essential because children love water. Some campsites even have a heated swimming pool, which can be useful in two cases: with a baby and for the Easter holidays. Most campsites have multi-sports pitches. It's a great way to meet other people! There are often lots of children on the campsite and staying in a mobile home brings people closer together. It's easier for children to make friends. But there's nothing like a children's club to help them get closer. Many VACAF campsites have children's clubs! Then, to keep you amused and occupied, you'll find a menu of daytime and evening activities. Of course, you don't have to take part in all the activities. As for comfort, check out our customer reviews to make the right choice...
You now have all the information you need to book your VACAF campsite. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact our specialists, who will be able to guide you honestly. A final word to conclude: if you ask a Familytrip specialist what is the most important service on a CAF camping holiday? The answer is without hesitation the swimming pool and water park if possible! So don't hesitate to use your VACAF aid to book.