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We stayed at Camping Du Letty for the last 2 weeks in August 2011. In the 90's/early 00's, when our children were small, we stayed at Du Letty for a number of consecutive summers initially as 'tenters' but latterly as caravanners. We all loved the site and our children never wanted to go anywhere else. Our previous review of this site is the first one on UK Campsite and a number of folk commented how our very positive original review had encouraged them to try Camping Du Letty - It's a pity we're not on commission for our recommendation! Our last previous visit was in 2003.

As the site has had opened a new water park for 2011 we decided that we would return to Du Letty. We spent the first 2 weeks of August at Camping Porte La Chaine on the north coast near Pleubian. We then drove down to Benodet arriving at Du Letty on 12 August.

We had booked a pitch in May and asked for a pitch as near to the sea as possible. On arrival we were given a warm welcome by the English speaking staff but our pitch on Les Bruyeres 10 was a long way from the beach. After checking out the pitch we returned to reception and asked if there was nothing nearer to the beach and were offered a pitch only slightly nearer. We returned again to reception and spoke with the Manageress Madame Christine Benois-Guyader. She was very assertive and at first insisted that there was nothing available nearer to the beach, complaining that everyone wanted a pitch near the beach. I, however, persisted and in the end was offered a pitch on Les Chardons Bleus which was right behind the new water park complex and much closer to both the beach and reception. We gratefully accepted this pitch.

The 'paddock' on which our pitch was located was only big enough for 2 pitches and alongside the main roadway through the site. The pitch was on slightly sandy grass and with some shade from the hedges and mature trees. Unfortunately the drinking water taps for our 'paddock' were on the opposite side to our pitch so we were unable to use our water connection hose for a direct supply, although many other pitches do have access to their 'own' tap. There was a drain for 'grey' waste water adjacent to our 'van. Our pitch was plenty large enough for our 'van, awning and Kia Sorento. After quite a lot of moving the dish I was able to get a good signal on our satellite TV system. We were, also, able to access the site's free wi-fi from our caravan.

We found Du Letty much busier than in previous years. Even at the end of August when we were leaving there were still English folk arriving when in previous years the site would have been quietening down after the French children had returned to School. In addition there were a lot more English guests staying generally. I think the new pool complex was a big factor in this increased popularity. Some people we chatted to bemoaned these changes but we found Du Letty an excellent and even improved site.

The site's new pool complex is wonderful. The indoor pool has a uniform depth of approx 1. 5 metres with a Jacuzzi and several other fun features. The water was pleasantly warm and very well appointed with lovely surrounds with ornate tiling and a range of tropical plants. The outdoor pool is well designed too with slides and a number of other features. There are lots of sun loungers. All these facilities are included in the pitch price.

The bar near reception has been extended with an outdoor patio which overlooks the pool complex. Nearby there is the camp mini-market which sells a good range of food and drink and newspapers. There is, also, a food take-away which serves a range of food (including fish and chips!) but we did not use this facility.

Madame Christine and her staff, who all speak excellent English, were all very helpful and helped me find a supplier for some satellite accessories and someone to check a problem with our caravan. When there was a problem with the site wi-fi Madame Christine gave me a complimentary hour on one of the 'pay' PCs in the library.

The beach adjacent to the site was much the same as we had found it previously. The sand is very coarse but the beach was less crowded than on previous visits, probably because of the swimming pool complex. The water in the small river adjacent to the site varies from a shallow stream to a fast running torrent depending upon the state of the tide. The water temperature is warmer than the sea at the mouth of the river. Across the river there is the Mer Blanche a very long sand bar with the sea on the far side. The bar can be reached by crossing the river and a lot of campers cross to this bar as the sand is less coarse. It is important to choose one's crossing time for when the river is low or otherwise a boat or swim is necessary.

As always campers had lots of boats moored in the river ranging from small inflatables to largish motor cruisers. We had our 2 metre Zodiac out on the river (we bought this secondhand from a French camper at Du Letty about 12 years ago!) There is a diving platform anchored in the river near the campsite. The sea just out of the river mouth is ideal for sailing, windsurfing, etc. Kayaks are available for hire form Monsieur Philippe who has a base near reception. (He, also, hires out full size fridges)

The town of Benodet is about 20 minutes walk from the campsite and is very pleasant. It has a large promenade and beautiful beach of fine sand. There is a limited range of shops and restaurants and a twice weekly market on the main car park. There is a small Carrefour Supermarket on the outskirts of the town and this, also, has the town's only petrol station. The marina at the mouth of the River Odet spanned by the high level bridge is very picturesque. There are C of E Family services at the Catholic Church near the harbour every Sunday morning during the months of July and August. We went to these services this year as we have done in previous years and enjoyed the warm welcome we received.

The annual celebration of the Feast of the Assumption in Benodet is not to be missed. There is a procession of illuminated ships and a magnificent night-time firework display launched from a platform in the bay.

There are a number of interesting places to visit nearby. The Cathedral city of Quimper about 15 miles away has a lovely centre with flower decked bridges over the river Odet and an interesting Cathedral. There are, also, several large hypermarkets with adjacent Centre Commercial (shopping centres) as well as a range of smaller shops including a Lidl supermarket.

The fishing port Concarneau and its historic Ville Close on an island in the harbour is worth a visit. During the annual Fillet Bleu Festival there is musical entertainment and a spectacular firework display over the harbour.

Pont Aven is a very picturesque town built along a river valley. Historically it had more than 7 water mills, now converted into restaurants, shops and art galleries and was a haunt of impressionist painters.

In 2011 we drove down from Calais stopping off overnight at the excellent riverside Municipal Campsite at Pont Farcy on the outward and return journeys. For 2012 we have booked Brittany Ferries from Plymouth to Roscoff. We got a good fare of £494 with the Caravan Club for the 2 of us, car and 'van. We included 7 Camping Cheques in the package as this lowered the price - I hope to sell those on as we cannot use them during the peak season. Although more expensive than our usual DFDS Dover to Dunkerque crossing this will be partly balanced out by the lower fuel costs in France and the additional benefit of avoiding the M25 during the Olympic season!

We very much enjoyed our return visit to Camping Du Letty - so much so that we booked 4 weeks next summer as soon as the 2012 booking opened in November 2011. The increased popularity of the site does mean that the management have changed the booking procedures. Previously it was possible to just turn up and get a pitch or book without any deposit. For 2012 it is necessary to give firm dates and pay a non-refundable deposit of 30% of the cost of the booking. In addition the first row of pitches adjacent to the beach have been named as 'Premium' pitches with prices to match!

Even for standard pitches Camping Du Letty is NOT cheap but we feel that the many 'free' facilities and its ideal location make it very worthwhile. We highly recommend this site although we're still not on commission!?? The site's website is excellent and includes an online booking facility.