Bought
in 1957 the actual campsite was part of a vast agricultural
property. At the time it represented what is known as
the maquis, scrubland, unsuitable for cultivation. In
the Reyran valley, lower down, peach trees were cultivated,
which gave rise to the nickname the Pink Valley.
In December 1959 Fréjus was marked by a sombre
event - the Malpasset catastrophe. The rupture of the
dam caused severe human loss and the town and its surrounding
areas were devastated. The Domaine du Colombier wasn't
an exception, but for the second time the headland where
the restaurant is today, played an important role :
some of the property's employees on hearing the far
off thundering noise of flowing mud, realised straight
away that it could only be coming from the dam ! Without
wasting a second they found refuge at the top of the
hill ! They watched, deafened and unable to do anything,
as the now sadly famous torrent of mud went past. Safe
and sound they survived thanks to their quick thinking,
born from living at the foot of this headland. Due to
its position in the valley, with a clear view of the
sea, it was a strategic point for the Germans during
the 2nd World War, and they built a bunker here.
1962
The family, owners of the property, decided to make
use of this abandoned land by creating a campsite. A
novel idea at the time ! Tracks were turned into roads,
the land developed for future construction and low stone
walls were built to outline the plots without changing
the natural lie of the land. We wanted to preserve and
maintain the typically Mediterranean environment of
the place. Today, a large part of the property and certain
trees are listed, protected by environmental laws.
1963
The last buildings were finished : restaurant, shops,
wash blocks and the swimming pools ! The first swimming
pool measured 20 x 10 metres. It was a classic shape
(the shallow end was 1 metre deep and the deep end went
down to 2.5 metres) and was overlooked by a sun terrace.
The second was an egg shaped paddling pool. These swimming
pools were situated just below the restaurant's terrace
and already, even though it wasn't obligatory then,
a life guard was present.
1975
The Domaine du Colombier is spread over 25 acres and
can hold up to 2500 people per day, and it became necessary
to build new swimming pools at the lower end of the
campsite. In June 1975 one of the largest swimming pools
to be made in a campsite was completed : 30 x 20 metres,
the water lapping up over the edges onto the sides.
It is the same depth as the first swimming pool. The
paddling pool is 50m². A small snack bar was built
for the sale of ice-creams and there are now 2 lifeguards
to ensure the safety of swimmers.
1987
We finally decided to transform the shell of the first
swimming pool, situated next to the restaurant, into
a true discotheque. It is naturally soundproof, as it
is underground. The shallow end became the bar area,
the deep end became the dance floor and in between them
both is the DJ's cabin. Situated around the dance floor
are little, intimate semi-circles of sofas and tables
and at the far end there is a changing room reserved
for entertainers. The walls and ceiling of the discotheque
are a sea of light using 6400 different shaped/coloured
lightbulbs. The sound and lights are controlled by computer.
In short, we wanted our clients to be satisfied and
it has to be said we had a great time designing and
building it ! 1987 Creation of 3 tennis half-courts
and their lighting. Allowing adults and children to
play together due to the small size of the court : its
not a question of strength, but improving technique.
1988
New computer program that improves administration tasks,
an investment that wasn't seen by the clients but which
allowed the business to go forward with the times and
reduced the workload.
1990
wash blocks were renovated : the inside walls pulled
down and reconstructed using a new material (polyrey)
that offered easier maintenance and better results when
cleaned with a high pressure water jet. The interior
design was obviously modern and functional, but we decided
to roughcast the outside walls and tile the roofs to
give the wash blocks an air of small provencal houses.
1993
Mobile homes were bought
1994
We invested in computer equipment
1995
The restaurant was renovated : new paintwork inside
and out, new electrics, new awnings and pergola to give
a covered seating area outside of 120m²
1996
More mobile homes were bought
1997
The roads were lit up and the entrance redesigned :
palm trees were planted, electric barriers installed
and a boules area was created with outside lighting.
1998
3 water slides were added to the swimming complex. At
the end of the season we invested in completely different
computer hardware.
1999
We enlarged the decks of the swimming pools to give
a large sunbathing area and add palm trees. A beach
volley ball area was created. The restaurant terraces
were renovated and a stage for cabaret events was built.
6 mobile homes were bought.
2000
The swimming pools and 1 wash block heated. 1 new wash
block, and a wall against noise pollution are being
built. 25 new mobile homes.
2001
Creation of a picnic area with collective BBQ, new games
area for little children, total renew of the principal
children games area, creation of a mini football area,
new mobil-homes plots fully equiped, joining one of
the camping area to the sewerage system, total renew
of the office, creation of a new office for the security
guards and late arrivals, settling of a cash bank automat
Société Générale Bank. Purchase
of sun beds for your comfort on the edge of the swimming
pools. Purchase of new mobil-homes.
2002
Total renovation of the kitchens' restaurant and take
away service. New tarring for the entrance of the Domain
and its parkings. Purchase of new mobil-homes.
Conclusion : During the last decade, an average
of 153.000 € net (183.000 € brut) per year
has been invested in the Domaine du Colombier. Onto
these major investments you have to add the cost of
the upkeep of the land, the pruning and the plantation
of new trees/plants, the repair/maintenance of buildings
and an ever increasing publicity budget.
2003
Construction
of an enclosing wall, renewal of the fences, purchase
of mobile-homes. Reorganization of the terraces of the
restaurant, bar. Monday July 28th, around 5pm; it's
a catastrophe : a fire coming from the plains devastates
the Domaine du Colombier and its fabulous pine forest.
Nobody will be hurt, thanks to the quick reactions of
the owners who, with the help of their team, evacuate
the area calmly. Here we salute the exemplary courage
and discipline of these young people who reacted immediately,
following orders, whilst disregarding their own safety.
The town of Fréjus and a number of it's residents
put in place, with brilliant organisation, lodging and
food for some 1,500 holiday-makers from Colombier. As
a result, a number amongst them returned to the spot,
shocked, but aware that if the fire had come and destroyed
their belongings, then the local people had lost much
more in the destruction of their landscape. Autumn 2003
saw the clearing of the site; the teams of woodcutters
removed nearly 1000 tonnes of wood and the metal press
nearly 100 tonnes of metal of all sorts.
2004
During the winter and spring of 2004 the Chaix family
undertake the reconstruction of the Domaine du Colombier.
Throughout this period, messages of support were received
from a large number of holiday-makers. The State, through
the different services, participates in the reconstruction
by allocating subsidies; the residents of the neighbourhood
and especially our colleagues, the owners of other campings,
immediately undertake a gesture of solidarity by offering
plants. The reconstruction starts the beginning of January,
all is to be redone: the network for the distribution
of water (20,000 linear metres), of electricity (22,000
linear metres), of sewage(6,100 linear metres), the
roads, the plantations (more than 1,300 trees and 3,500
shrubs) and their watering systems (12,000 linear metres
of watering pipe), lighting of the Domaine (5,000 linear
metres for 85 street lamps). The accent is put on security:
against fire: 5,000 linear metres of fire hose with
40 fire hose reels ready for use and 4 fire hydrants
reserved for the firemen, building of a surrounding
wall, facing the wind, equipped with a sprinkler system
capable of humidifying the Domaine for nearly 24 hours,
and the principle roads are widened. The restoration
of Colombier will cost a total of 4 450 000 Euros. The
3rd July and the first holiday makers enter into a Domaine
rebuilt and new. The Chaix family thank all those who
supported them during this difficult period : the Minister
: Mr Bertrand LEON, the State Services, the Conseil
Régional Provence, Côte d'Azur, the colleagues,
friends, suppliers, holiday-makers and the contractors.
Conseil Général, the CCI of the Var.
2005
So that your holidays at Domaine du Colombier will be
even more beautiful, the planting of new plants is underway
- the Mediterranean and Tropical flora will have you
dreaming : palm tees, fruit trees, eucalyptus, oleander,
hibiscus, banana trees...
The beauty of the gardens, the green areas, security,
the most modern and comfortable buildings and services,
remain our prime objective.
2006
Creation of a
fitness area
From May to September, you can take full advantage of the services and equipment available at the complex for a fitness break at your own pace. Banish stress and forget the humdrum. More infos on Zen holidays >>
Stay connected !
Wireless (WIFI) internet connection on all plots (€) with additional WIFI boxes available free of charge for those clients whose lap top computers are not equipped with WIFI.
Creation of a Multimedia area with internet facilities fitted with memory card readers for digital cameras, web cam, USB key points, CD writer, laser printer, scanner and Open Office Pack (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Acrobat Reader). There will also be QWERTY keyboards.
Internet Access at the 2 restaurants.
New games equipment paddling pool
New games equipment for the children’s paddling pool. More infos on Kid Club >>
2 Heated Jacuzzis®
For your comfort
Possible ½-board to be paid directly to the restaurant on your arrival, price per day/person: Menu 13€ (starter, main dish, cheese or dessert) drinks not included. Children’s menu 8€. Breakfast from 9am around the swimming pool: 7€
New equipment available in our rental accommodation:
- Millenium : safety deposit box and DVD player
- Top Luxe : safety deposit box, television and DVD player (bring your children’s favorites DVDs).
Take
advantage of our offers
08-15 october 2008 Roc d'Azur Fréjus Roquebrune-sur-Argens49€ per night up to 5 persons Know more >>
