How the campsite held on
This week, I hand over to my mother, Jacqueline Laroche.
– Aurore
My husband was a Parisian lawyer. I worked with him as secretary at his law firm. We also had clients in Saint-Raphaël, as we spent a great deal of time at our holiday home in Agay. That connection mattered when it came to launching the campsite, as we already had relationships in the area. I always worked with local people. It creates bonds that you can’t manufacture.
Jean was about twenty years older than me. When he retired, I was only in my forties and had absolutely no desire to remain idle. That is how the idea of the campsite was born.
“I’m with you”
In September 1979, the doctor confirmed what we had feared. Jean had blood cancer. Our daughter Aurore was still young. And the campsite we had built with our own hands had barely just opened.
Stopping was never an option. Jean told me clearly, as he always had: “Do whatever you want – I’m with you.” That was rare, for a man of his generation. I never forgot the freedom he gave me.
Living on the campsite
On 1st May 1980, we moved into a new flat opposite the reception (in the building that today houses the Spa). I wanted to be there, on the campsite, to manage things, while staying close to Jean. His illness required various treatments, back-and-forth trips to Toulon for dialysis… Living on the campsite was the only way to hold everything together at once.
Building, without him
Through the 1980s, I continued developing the campsite. All the shops were run under management contracts. That helped. I couldn’t do everything myself.
Tour operators were beginning to organise themselves – Eurocamp in particular, which opened up the British market to us on a large scale. Jack Houlton had also sold mobile homes to private owners. And then the German holidaymakers arrived – loyal, regular. Even today, in 2026, the campsite is fully booked at Easter thanks to them.
The key to success, for me? Welcome, a smile, kindness. And making sure the staff doesn’t change! A guest who sees the same faces year after year is a guest who comes back. It really is that simple.
I managed the campsite until 1996 – around twenty seasons. My husband passed away on 20th January 1991. The campsite carried on.
Between us: Lady Jacky
Mum is still very much a presence on the campsite. At nearly 94, she is part of every celebration, every evening, every special moment… At the first white-themed evening of the 2026 season, some people spotted her dancing on the patio.
Always sharp and cheerful, the woman my friends affectionately call Lady Jacky loves to stroll along the paths, stop by the pitches and chat with guests – especially if they have dogs, her great passion.
