2026 Season Countdown: Key Dates & Booking Tips for Pitches, Rentals, and Residential Stays

Ready to plan your Lake Geneva getaway? This 2026 Season Countdown pulls together the key dates and booking tips for pitches, rentals, and residential stays so you can secure the best options at the right time. You’ll find opening periods, minimum-stay rules, payment timelines, arrival and departure times, and practical advice to make booking easy and your stay effortless.

Key 2026 Dates at a Glance

Stay types at Camping du Châtelet have distinct calendars. Here are the essentials for your planner:

• Pitches and Rentals (2026): April 4 → October 25, 2026
• Residential Pitches (2026): March 7 → November 29, 2026

Reception Hours

• Off-season: Monday–Saturday, 9:00–12:00 and 15:00–19:00 (closed Sunday)
• July–August: Daily, 8:30–12:30 and 14:00–19:30

Tip: If you need assistance with bookings, arrivals, or documents, time your call or visit during these hours to get prompt support.

Booking Essentials: How, When, and What to Expect

How to book

• Online: Book directly at www.camping-chatelet.com (search your dates from the homepage).
• Phone: Call +33 (0) 4 50 72 52 60 for reservations, quotes, or to place an option.

You can also generate a quote online or by phone. If you’re booking multiple accommodations or pitches, make two separate reservations and note that you’d like to be placed near each other.

Minimum stays and arrival flexibility

• Off-season: Minimum 2 nights; arrivals any day of the week.
• High season:
  • Accommodations: Minimum 1 week.
  • Pitches: Minimum 2 nights.
  • Arrival days vary by accommodation type.

Deposit, balance, and payment methods

• Booking deposit: 25% of the total to secure your stay.
• Balance due:
  • Accommodations: 30 days before arrival
  • Pitches: On arrival
• Payment options:
  • Online: credit card, bank transfer, cheque, ANCV holiday vouchers or ANCV Connect
  • By phone: credit card
  • On arrival: credit card, cash, ANCV holiday vouchers or ANCV Connect

Cancellation and insurance

• How to cancel: Submit in writing (email or post).
• Fees & refunds: Booking fees and any cancellation insurance are non-refundable.
• Timing rules:
  • More than 30 days before arrival: deposit forfeited
  • 30 days or less before arrival or no-show: full cost of the stay due
• Optional cancellation insurance: Available at booking; policy details can be downloaded from the Practical Info section of the website.

Security deposit on arrival

• Accommodations: €300 deposit (cheque or card imprint), refunded no later than 10 days after departure, minus any restoration costs.
• Pitches: No deposit required.

Booking confirmations and options

• After booking, you’ll receive a confirmation email with all stay details.
• Prefer to hold an option before confirming? Call the campsite to place an option.

Arrivals, Departures, and On‑Site Practicalities

Check-in and check-out

• Accommodations (chalets & mobile homes):
  • Check-in from 4:00 PM
  • Check-out before 10:00 AM
• Camping pitches:
  • Arrival from 11:00 AM
  • Departure before 11:00 AM

On arrival, head to reception for check-in, barrier code, and useful information. If you’re leaving a rental before reception opens (before 8:30 AM), your deposit will be cancelled later, with a confirmation message sent afterward.

Parking and visitor policy

• Included parking: One vehicle per pitch or accommodation. Additional vehicles are subject to availability and extra charge.
• Where to park:
  • On a pitch: park directly on your pitch.
  • In a rental: parking is right next to your accommodation.
• Visitors: Must park at the entrance car park and check in at reception. Access to the camping area is reserved for registered guests.

Connectivity, laundry, and handy services

• Wi‑Fi: Available throughout the campground (data plans sold at reception).
• Laundry: 3 washing machines and a dryer; tokens and detergent sold at reception.
• Bakery (high season): Baguettes and pastries available from 8:30 AM at reception.
• Post & printing: Drop mail in the black mailbox before noon; photocopies/prints at reception (€0.20/page).

Families, linens, and equipment

• Baby equipment (free with advance booking): travel cot, bed rails, high chairs, booster seats, baby baths.
• Bedding & towels: Pillows and duvets/blankets are provided in all accommodations. Rent on site:
  • Bed linen: €15/double set, €13/single set
  • Towels: €6/person
• Electric hookup on pitches: Bring a ~25 m extension cord and a European plug adapter.
• Barbecues & fires: Charcoal barbecues allowed (supervise and fully extinguish). Campfires are not permitted.

Choosing Your Stay: Pitches, Rentals, or Residential

Camping pitches

• Size & capacity: Standard pitches are about 95 m² and can host up to six people; shrubs provide privacy.
• From-price: Standard pitch from €18/night.

Rental accommodations

• Range: From small budget chalets (including a 7 m² option) to larger chalets (1, 2, or 3 bedrooms, typically 32–40 m²), a 21 m² couple’s chalet, a 12 m² small chalet, a 15 m² two-bedroom lodge tent (without private facilities), and a 2-bedroom mobile home.
• Budget tip: The 7 m² chalet (without private facilities) is the most economical choice, from €32/night for two people.
• Comfort bikes: Every chalet in the Comfort range includes 2 hybrid bikes at no extra cost.
• Accessibility: One accommodation unit is PRM-accessible, and one of the two sanitary blocks is adapted for guests with reduced mobility.
• No smoking: Smoking is not permitted inside chalets or mobile homes.

Need more detail? Browse “Accommodations,” “Pitches,” and “Residential” on the website to compare layouts and sizes.

Residential pitches

• Season: March 7 → November 29, 2026
• Ideal for long-stay guests who want to settle in for the broader season and enjoy the lake-and-mountain rhythm at their own pace.

Timing Your Trip: Seasonal Tips and Nearby Activities

Choosing the right dates can shape your experience:

• Early spring (March–April): Residential season starts March 7; pitches and rentals open April 4. Cooler air, quieter paths, and the Sciez Nautical Center already operating (open March–October) for sailing, catamarans, windsurfing, and SUP with lessons or rentals.
• Peak summer (July–August): Longer days, daily reception hours, and on-site conveniences from early morning. Minimum stays are longer—plan ahead and book early.
• Golden autumn (September–October): Softer light and calmer shores; pitches and rentals continue until October 25. Residential guests can still enjoy the area through November 29.

On-site, enjoy a multi-sports field, pétanque courts, ping-pong, and foosball. The Sciez marina is about a five-minute walk. For two wheels, Comfort-range chalets include bikes, and additional mountain or hybrid bikes can be rented at reception; electric bikes are available from nearby providers. Prefer public transport? The Jussy bus stop is roughly 500 m away (about 6–7 minutes on foot), connecting you to nearby towns and attractions.

If sustainability is important to you, you’ll appreciate the campsite’s long-standing commitments, including the Green Key eco-label (since 2004) and the Camping Qualité label (since 2010), alongside practical actions like solar-heated hot water, selective waste sorting & composting, and biodiversity-friendly green-space management.

Frequently Asked Questions for the 2026 Season

When do pitches and rentals open and close in 2026?

• April 4 to October 25, 2026.

When are residential pitches available in 2026?

• March 7 to November 29, 2026.

What are the minimum stays?

• Off-season: 2 nights (arrive any day).
• High season: 1 week (accommodations), 2 nights (pitches); arrival day depends on the accommodation type.

What time is check-in/check-out?

• Accommodations: Check-in from 4:00 PM; check-out before 10:00 AM.
• Pitches: Arrival from 11:00 AM; departure before 11:00 AM.

Are pets allowed?

• Yes: One pet per accommodation or pitch, on a leash at all times, and never left alone. Category 1 & 2 dogs are not allowed. Add this option when booking; a daily rate applies.

Are barbecues permitted?

• Charcoal barbecues: Allowed with supervision and full extinguishing.
• Campfires: Not permitted.

Practical Takeaways & Pro Tips

• Mark your calendar:
  • Pitches/Rentals: Apr 4 – Oct 25, 2026
  • Residential: Mar 7 – Nov 29, 2026
• Book early for high season: Minimum stays apply; popular weeks fill fast.
• Secure your spot: Pay the 25% deposit to confirm; for rentals, plan your balance 30 days prior.
• Protect your plans: Consider optional cancellation insurance when you book.
• Prep for power: Bring a ~25 m extension and EU adapter for pitch electricity.
• Travel light: Rent bed linen (€15/€13) and towels (€6) if you prefer.
• Arrive smoothly: Rentals from 4 PM; pitches from 11 AM. Stop by reception for codes and info.
• Think mobility: An accessible chalet and adapted sanitary area are available; contact the team with any specific needs.
• Go car-light: Use the Jussy bus stop (~500 m) or bikes (included with Comfort chalets; more at reception).
• Know the rules: Visitors park at the entrance and check in at reception; smoking is not allowed in rentals.

Conclusion

With the 2026 dates set—April 4 to October 25 for pitches and rentals, and March 7 to November 29 for residential stays—now’s the perfect time to plan your Lake Geneva escape. Book online at www.camping-chatelet.com, or call +33 (0) 4 50 72 52 60 for tailored advice, to place an option, or to request a quote. For documents like the campsite map, brochure, and cancellation insurance terms, explore the Practical Info and FAQ sections. See you between the lake and the Savoyard mountains!

Address for your GPS: Camping du Châtelet, 658 chemin des Hutins-Vieux, 74140 Sciez-sur-Léman, France