“A catastrophic stay”, “services not at all up to par”, “ruined holidays”… The summer was a nightmare for many holidaymakers who stayed in Vendeespecifically in three campsites of the Vnaya group is the target of many criticisms. “We receive new testimonies every day, laments Bénédicte Wallyn, who leads a facebook group of dissatisfied customers with 2,500 members. Today we ask that everyone can get a full refund. It’s not possible to get rich on the backs of people in such a dishonest way. »
When this mother from the Channel arrived at the four-star La Dive campsite in early July, she quickly realized that nothing was wrong. go as planned. “After two hours of waiting for the keys, we arrived in a filthy mobile home, covered in mold, with a rickety terrace… We had to clean the house ourselves at 10 p.m., recalls Bénédicte. On Wednesday the pool closed due to bacteria. For 900 euros per week, this is not possible. The manager didn’t want to hear anything, he totally did it the wrong way to us. »
An establishment finally closed, at the end of August
Very quickly, other holidaymakers staying in campsites of the same group, La Fresnerie and La Puerta del Sol, made themselves heard. Hygiene problems, few staff, broken equipment, various rubbish in the aisles… A petition was launched by a client of the Fresnerie campsite, and has now reached nearly 1,500 signatures. “Unsanitary toilets, overflowing garbage cans at the entrance,” he writes. I am launching this petition in order to obtain compensation and that actions be taken (…). »
Since the first reports and media coverage of the situation, the authorities have reacted. And in particular in Saint-Michel-en-l’Herm where the mayor decided to administrative closure de La Dive ten days ago, after giving notice to the owner to carry out work to bring it up to standard. In mid-August, the prefecture requested the closure of the swimming pool at the La Puerta del Sol campsite, in Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez, after an ARS check established that the water “presented non-conformities recurrent parameters relating to disinfection”. Dysfunctions that would have been denounced by campers from the start of the season, some even complaining of rashes. “Dirty, green swimming pool, smell of sewage everywhere around the basin”, warned a customer on the famous Facebook page, the week preceding this decision.
Class action under consideration
According to Bénédicte Wallyn, “about 200 people” have already filed a complaint with the Saint-Jean-de-Monts gendarmerie and many reports have also reached the departmental directorate for the protection of populations (DDPP). But the steps could go further since a class action could soon be filed, for fraud, misleading advertising and endangering the lives of others.
Asked, the Vnaya group did not respond to requests for 20 minutes. On his website, an email address for complaints has been created. “The management of the group undertakes to compensate you for 30% of your stay”, it is specified. Insufficient for customers who feel aggrieved, who also hope that their action will also lead to “the bringing up to standard” of the three establishments.