General issues:
What about Wifi?
Ah, wifi, wifi, wifi…. So, do we have it? Well, yes indeed we do, but it isn’t available throughout the whole campsite because we believe it does you good to unplug while on holiday! We have a wifi hotspot area around the welcome cabin. And seeing as setting up a simple wifi hotspot was easy-peasy, we thought we’d make use of it free to our guests. All you have to do is ask us for the password. All we ask in return is that you keep your usage to a reasonable amount and don’t hog all the bandwidth.
Will I be able to use my mobile phone?
There’s no reason why not. While this may be the countryside, we’re not totally cut off from the world outside. Ok, full disclosure: we can’t guarantee you a 4G connection, but 3G works fine – although you may find certain providers’ networks get better reception than others’.
Can I do my laundry on site?
Yes of course, a cute little laundrette is at your disposal.
Can you accommodate mobility-impaired persons?
Well yes and no! Yes, in that we are committed to welcoming one and all here, but also a bit no, because we’re not yet fully equipped for it, and the site is quite hilly and untamed in places. Making our campsite more accessible is a big project we will be working on over the coming three years to address this, but for now we have to admit this isn’t the most accessible of campsites.
Can I bring my own barbecue?
For security and insurance reasons, only the communal barbecue is authorised for use on the site. We supply each cabin with their own grill rack so that no-one’s meal ends up tainting another’s. This also helps avoid any arguments about whose turn it is to clean the rack: everyone looks after their own!
Are there mosquitoes?
If we had a penny for every time we were asked this question…! Despite the fact that there are several lakes on-site, the answer is none, or at least very few. A number of the mozzies’ natural predators (frogs, birds, fish, bats) live here and this helps keep their numbers down. Also, we have virtually no standing water, and our lakes are exposed to the wind, meaning no mosquitoes.
What happens if I break or damage something?
Accidents do happen from time to time. If you break something of value, we’ll just deduct this from your security deposit. For more valuable items, we’ll talk this through together, and may have to get the insurance companies involved. On the other hand, if we’re just talking about a small item (say, a glass or plate), we’d just ask you to consider putting a small donation in our money box, the “box of little nuisances”, found at reception.
Is there anywhere to eat on site?
We haven’t yet gotten around to re-opening our on-site restaurant, but we do aim to do so in the future. But don’t worry, you’ll find all you need in your cabin to prepare meals, and there are lots of excellent restaurants nearby that we’d be happy to direct you to.
Accommodation:
Do I need to bring sheets and towels?
We will normally advise you about what to bring when you reserve your stay, but to make things easy for you: we supply high-quality, recyclable bedding for all short stays of less than 4 nights, but we don’t supply towels. For all stays of a week or more, we ask you to bring your own sheets and towels.
Do you provide crockery?
With the exception of our tent pitches for our more traditional campers, all of our lodgings come with everything you need to cook, including crockery.
Do I need to bring cleaning products?
To keep things simple, and to promote the use of eco-friendly products, we supply you with everything you need for cleaning and washing up. Please note that unless you’re willing to pay some rather hefty extra charges, we do not clean up after you! You are expected to leave your lodgings in the same condition in which you found them.
Camping:
Are the tent pitches supplied with electricity?
Yes, this is included free as part of your booking. We can usually supply a maximum of 10A per pitch.
Are there tables available at the tent pitches?
Yes, this too is included as part of your booking. We aren’t a fan of going camping without a table, and as we thought we might not be alone in that, we’ve got you covered.
Can you accommodate caravans?
It’s not often we say No, but in this case, we’re just not well-equipped to accommodate caravans or motor-homes. You would do better to check-out the campsites at either Saint-Saud or Brantome, which are both close by. We can however house small camper-vans.
Entertainment:
Can I swim on-site?
We have a substantial 1.5 hectare (3.7 acre) bathing lake that is open to all over the age of 12. Its inviting, fresh water is at your disposal for swimming lengths or for diving. There is also a 180m², 80 cm deep swimming pool that is ideal for children and less confident swimmers. The pool has a “Californian beach” (ie, a long, gentle downwards slope) that means it is suitable even for the smallest children.
Can I fish on-site?
Yes, we have a fishing lake that is at your disposal. This is a different lake to our bathing lake as we’ve noticed that fishermen and swimmers don’t always tend to get on! This way everyone can take advantage of the water. The two lakes are about 150m apart. Please note that to preserve its biodiversity, a no-kill policy is in effect in our fishing lake, so please don’t plan on cooking up your catch, even if it is a tasty carp, pike, perch or roach.
Will I see the stars during my stay?
We have taken pains to avoid light pollution on our site, so ordinarily yes, you will! Looking up at the stars from the edge of the lake is a real treat that will fill your suitcase with beautiful memories.
Will I see any animals?
This really is the countryside, and we share our 27-hectare grounds with a variety of wild animals. We’ve come across stags, deer, hare, foxes, frogs, carp, boar, pike, otters, loads of birds, ants, dragonflies, and even squirrels. Our wonderful wild creatures are wary and some will run away, but who knows what may happen while you’re out taking a stroll…
Ask a silly question…
Will I get bored at Parenthèses imaginaires?
Well, it certainly hasn’t happened yet! Unless you’re the sort of person for whom words like daydreaming and strolling are synonymous with boredom, we invite you to really take advantage of your stay here to take your time and relax. Our guests often find that they don’t have enough time to make use of all of the games and activities on offer either on-site or close by.
Does it look like the photos?
While our photos may technically be non-contractual, we nonetheless have to answer that with an emphatic YES, because if there’s one phrase we tend to hear when guests arrive, it’s “Oh, it looks just like it does in the photos!”. We try to give a sense off the beauty and tranquillity of the grounds with the photos on this website, of which you will find hundreds.
Why come to Parenthèses Imaginaires?
Well, first of all because we are expecting you…: -) but also because seeing as you’ve just read through all our FAQs, you should by now realise that what awaits you is a truly unique and unforgettable holiday experience.