Focus on Castel Château de Lez Eaux campsite
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Hello Cécile, could you introduce yourself?
I am Cécile de la Varde-Poignant, manager of the luxury campsite Castel Château de Lez Eaux. I took over the campsite from my father, who had himself taken it over from his parents. My husband, Olivier, joined me in the adventure, and we live on the campsite with our children.
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What is your role within the campsite?
I am the manager, so I oversee all the campsite teams and make sure everything runs as smoothly as possible. But I also take on various tasks depending on what is needed.
When was your campsite founded? Could you describe it for us?
It has existed since 1960 and was created by my grandparents. It was originally a family home that gradually became a campsite in order to maintain the estate.
We offer a 5-star service, with 229 pitches (both rental accommodation and camping pitches), as well as two treehouse cabins. We also have an outdoor swimming pool and a covered water park of 1,300 m².
The campsite is perfectly suited to families with young children, as well as to those seeking peace, quiet and nature.
What are your values and ambitions for the future?
That 100% of our guests are more than satisfied with their stay! But also that my team feels happy at work — that’s very important.
I also want to maintain the property to the highest standard, both in terms of the buildings and the natural environment, preserving the local flora and fauna. Finally, I hope my family remains proud of Lez Eaux and can live here peacefully, despite the challenges of living where you work.
Could you share an anecdote? Your best memory?
My fondest memory is when I accompanied a family with a seven-year-old boy to our “Damoiseaux” treehouse. His eyes were shining — he wanted to see everything and know everything about the cabin.
As they were leaving, he said to me: “It was amazing — and the chocolate tasted like it reached the sky.”
Our treehouses make children’s eyes sparkle — and nature lovers’ too.
What is your favourite spot on the estate?
By the pond, under the plane trees, in the sunshine. It’s a calm and peaceful place — perfect for clearing your mind and enjoying the present moment.
What is your favourite moment throughout the seasons?
In autumn, it’s the cyclamen near the house.
In spring, the apple trees in blossom.
In summer, the concert evenings, when guests gather on the lawn in front of the house — happy and dancing.
And in winter — which is rare — when it snows.
Three things people don’t know about running a campsite ?
There are many things people don’t realise about running a campsite. First of all, it’s not just one job — it’s fifty, I think. At least fifty different jobs.
There’s all the back office, customer relations, everything you don’t see. We’re open for six months of the year, but we work all year round. We’re not on holiday for six months!
Have you ever welcomed any well-known personalities?
We have welcomed several notable guests and wonderful people. In 2012, we hosted the Castels general assembly. We welcomed all the Castels campsite owners — with their experienced eye for camping standards!
It was a very friendly and memorable moment: Olivier’s introduction to the Castels community. A lovely evening and a wonderful week.
What was your best season and why?
My best seasons were when I was pregnant. I had a huge bump, and guests took more care of me than I did of them! Those seasons felt easier and more enjoyable, with very different kinds of relationships.
We welcome many families, so mums and dads were always especially kind and attentive towards me. It was very sweet.
What is your next project?
We have several, but the one currently taking up most of our discussions is perhaps a new swimming pool. The current one is a little small and slightly ageing, so we are considering relocating and enlarging it.
It’s still at the planning stage, so all ideas are open. We are trying to imagine what would truly delight our guests.
What is your greatest fear?
My greatest fear would be failure — any kind of failure. I don’t want our guests to be disappointed, nor my team to feel unhappy. So yes, failure in general.
Your greatest success?
The return of our guests. When a guest comes back two or three weeks after their stay for one or two extra nights and says: “We felt the soul of Lez Eaux campsite — the Castels spirit in your campsite.”
Your most unusual anecdote?
One day, a guest in the covered swimming pool had everyone evacuated, warning us that a snake had entered the pool.
We went to investigate, wondering how on earth we were going to remove a snake from a swimming pool — and especially why it would be in chlorinated water!
From the outside, it really did look like a snake. It was moving slightly, wriggling. The gentleman, quite solidly built and confident, kept saying: “It’s there! Watch out!”
We weren’t feeling particularly brave… We took a pool net and retrieved it quite easily. In the end, it was a plastic shoelace at the bottom of the pool.
I said to him, “Well, that’s a relief — it’s not too dangerous after all.”
He replied, slightly embarrassed: “Ah yes… well, that’s good then.”
Everyone returned to swimming, reassured.
Your passion?
It would probably be climbing. We met on a climbing wall, and our eldest daughter is about to start climbing as well.
So yes, climbing. Being close to nature, training indoors in winter when we have more time, and when the weather is fine, going climbing outdoors on the cliffs.
In your opinion, what does it mean to be a Castels campsite?
That’s a big question.
Being a Castels campsite is something a little indescribable. A Castels campsite always has something distinctive — something unique compared to a standardised campsite.
It must have a soul — an extra touch that can’t quite be put into words.
And then there is a shared foundation: a group of independent managers and owners who share the same commitment to guest satisfaction and to protecting the heritage entrusted to them.
In the end, Castels is a big family. The relationships between us, the mutual support — I think that’s essential.
A final word?
We would like to thank all the guests who have stayed at Château de Lez Eaux, and we hope their experience lived up to their expectations.
And to everyone else — we hope to welcome you very soon. See you soon
