2024-11-18 12:20:00
Sn the Arcachon basin, the season ended a few days after the beginning of November. The cold is here. On the road to Biscarrosse, it’s really over: fences block the entrance to the campsites set up at the foot of the Pilat dune. The five establishments are all geared towards spring 2025. Even the former Camping de la Forêt, which has not reopened since the fire of July 2022, but for which planning permission has just been granted.
One of them will approach it under another identity. Indeed, on October 14, the MS Vacances group made public its purchase of Pyla Camping, which had been owned for around ten years by Stéphane Carella from Palois, a former professional rugby player and footballer (still active) Mathieu Valbuena. Although the acquisition has only just been revealed, it has been effective since the beginning of the summer, since the company’s headquarters was officially transferred to Longeville-sur-Mer on July 12. We tried, in vain, to contact the previous owners.
“Our desire is to restore its shine […] It’s lucky to have a campsite in such a place! »
The MS Vacances group is based in Vendée, in Longeville-sur-Mer. It is family-run: Guy and Nadège Raimbaud founded it in the 1990s by purchasing the five-star campsite Les Brunelles. Since then, it has grown considerably, today with thirteen campsites within it, from Argelès in the Pyrénées-Orientales to Les Sables-d’Olonne in Vendée, via Biscarrosse in the Landes and the Côte Sauvage in La Tremblade. in Charente-Maritime. In total, five establishments classified five stars and eight four stars.
It is in this last category that the former Pyla Camping falls, renamed “Le Pyla” on the group’s website. And the MS Vacances group communicates on this “new exceptional destination” by speaking of “a paradise at the Pilat dune”: “We are proud to offer a new destination which strengthens our position in the region. Our desire is to restore its splendor, while respecting its environment and its history. It’s lucky to have a campsite in such a place! »
Spa, padel, salle fitness
In its communication, it offers “from the next season 340 pitches including 170 lodges, 80 mobile homes and 90 bare pitches”, all on approximately 4.5 hectares, as is written by our colleagues at “L’Officiel des campsites”.
Et he announces new things : a relaxation area (sauna, hammam, sensory shower), play areas for children with inflatable structures, a padel, a fitness room, a greening campaign, etc.
The group is currently communicating a lot about this acquisition. And this is quite normal as the destination is promising: the campsites set up at the foot of the Pilat dune are generally full throughout the summer season. Before the fire of July 2022, during the summer, 6,000 campers were permanently counted in these five establishments.
In 2013, Mathieu Valbuena and Stéphane Carella bought Pyla Camping for 6,710,000 euros. But, from 2018, the Gironde footballer and the Béarnais businessman clashed in court to keep or take control of the campsite which they owned equally. The affair obviously ended amicably before the summer, before selling…
An astonishing planning permission
On September 21, the town hall of La Teste-de-Buch granted a rather strange planning permission. It was at Stéphane Carella’s SAS Pyla Camping. But this company has now been in the hands of the family that owns MS Vacances since the beginning of the summer, with a transfer of the company’s headquarters to Longeville-sur-Mer on July 30.
Here is the description of the project for this granted development permit: “requalification of the campsite according to the recommendations of the Clément report, the SDAP (Departmental Architecture and Heritage Services) and the Dreal (Regional Directorate for the Environment, development and housing). Compliance. »
This is astonishing. Indeed, the report by Inspector General Denis Clément published in 2012 recommends, for example, that Pyla Camping should have no more than 35 mobile homes within it. However, MS Vacances announces 80 for the 2025 season… We tried, without success, to contact the new owners of Pyla Camping to question them, particularly on this subject.
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What specific environmental measures is MS Vacances Group implementing to enhance the campsite’s natural beauty?
**Interview with Nadège Raimbaud, Co-founder of MS Vacances Group**
*Date: November 18, 2024*
**Editor**: Thank you for joining us today, Nadège. Your acquisition of the former Pyla Camping has generated quite a buzz. Can you tell us why you chose to invest in this particular location?
**Nadège Raimbaud**: Absolutely! The Arcachon basin, particularly near the Pilat dune, is truly a stunning area with immense potential. Our goal is to restore the campsite’s former glory and elevate it as a premier destination. We see this as a unique opportunity to create a “paradise at the Pilat dune,” which will not only enhance our portfolio but also provide visitors with an exceptional experience.
**Editor**: That’s exciting! You mentioned a desire to respect the environment and history of the site. What specific measures are you planning to implement?
**Nadège Raimbaud**: Ecology is very important to us. We’re committed to a greening campaign to enhance the natural beauty of the site. This will include planting native vegetation and creating spaces that blend harmoniously with the landscape. We want to ensure that our development supports local biodiversity and respects the ecosystem of the area.
**Editor**: You’re planning some impressive amenities for the new camping site, including a wellness area and sports facilities. How do you envision these attractions impacting visitor experience?
**Nadège Raimbaud**: We believe wellness and recreation are key components of a great holiday experience. Our spa area with sauna and hammam will offer relaxation after a day of exploration, while our fitness room and padel courts will cater to those seeking an active vacation. Additionally, creating play areas for children will ensure that families can enjoy their time together comfortably.
**Editor**: With the transformation underway, what are your expectations for the upcoming season when the campsite reopens?
**Nadège Raimbaud**: We are optimistic! We’ve designed “Le Pyla” to offer around 340 pitches with various types of accommodations, including lodges and mobile homes. We anticipate that the combination of exceptional amenities, the stunning natural surroundings, and our commitment to service will draw visitors from across France and beyond.
**Editor**: what message do you have for potential guests looking forward to visiting the new campsite?
**Nadège Raimbaud**: We want them to know that we are passionate about creating a beautiful and welcoming space. We can’t wait to share this incredible piece of paradise with everyone and look forward to welcoming guests to an unforgettable experience at Le Pyla in spring 2025!
**Editor**: Thank you, Nadège! We’re excited to see the transformation and wish MS Vacances the best of luck with this new venture.
**Nadège Raimbaud**: Thank you for having me! We’re eager to make a positive impact and offer something special to all our future guests.
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