Sirène Holidays

History

"The Sirène Song "

 

It was in the springtime of 1967 that the adventure began.
The Carletti Family - Josette, Claude and their two children, Eric and Sylvie – decide to sell their house and business on the Cote d’Azur. A car and caravan in tow and they were on the road for a Mediterranean adventure.

It was in Argeles sur Mer, at the Campsite La Sirène, that “the boat dropped its anchor.”

The Carletti’s offer to buy the Campsite from the Galmiche brothers, who were feeling discouraged at the thought of substantial financial investments.

A 2 star campsite of 3.5 hectares with 3 sanitary blocks, a grocery store and a reception…….

This is the beginning of what would become in a few years time, one of the best 4 star campsites in Europe.

In 1969 the campsite begins to grow. One by one, the surrounding plots of land are bought, and of course, the make-over begins, with improvements to water and electricity supplies and not forgetting the leisure equipment. In 1980, the first swimming pool was built and in 1984 the Beach Club was born, connected to the campsite by a regular shuttle bus.

The end of the 1980’s marks a new ambition. A demand for more comfortable accommodation was becoming a popular trend. Eric Carletti, who little by little was taking his father’s place in the family business, had a feeling about this growing market.

In 1988, he starts his business in buying and selling mobile homes.

In 1989, he is amongst the first to build 20 wooden chalets all set in the middle of flourishing vegetation.

Today’s boom in this type of accommodation, following the current ecological problems, proves that the managers of La Sirène have always been a few decades ahead of the rest!

The 3.5 hectares are transformed in to a beautiful wooded park of over 20 hectares, and the campsite obtains its 4 stars. Sylvie takes her place in accountancy, with Eric on the look out for the new trends and tendencies.

The “Big Revolution” arrives in 1992. Invited by a Spanish company specialising in Theme Parks, Eric visit’s a water park in Rimini, Italy. Impressed by the fountains, waterslides, imitation rocks, beaches and grassy areas….the project - a first for campsites in Europe - for a vast water park complex, was in the making. The success is immediate, and this aquatic paradise quickly becomes a benchmark for things to come.

Holidaymakers are also offered a wider choice of activities, with the addition of new partners, such as the Diving school and Sea Kayaking club.

In 1994, a new acquisition is made, just across the road the Campsite L’Hippocampe is bought, with the same objectives, immediately a similar aquatic park is built, smaller, but just as much fun.

In the beginning of 1997, the campsite in Le Racou, on the rocky “Vermeille” coastline, was about to get the “Carletti treatment”, making it a campsite worthy of its exceptional geographical location. It was impossible to envisage the end of this project until the year 2000, due to strict planning restrictions concerning the protection of woodland in this area. It was an eye opening experience that taught the Carletti Family a lesson: incorporating the natural surroundings plays a very important part in any project. La Sirene, L’Hippocampe and Le Bois de Valmarie will benefit from this lesson, with vast investments being made into landscaping these magnificent tropical campsites.

Far from stopping at this environmental vision, Eric is one of the first to imagine his own specific designs for mobile homes. In the year 2000, his first mobile homes are built; using his knowledge regarding existing mobile-homes and understanding his clients and their needs and desires, the new models combine comfort, well-being and design. Every year, new mobile homes are built, more luxurious and welcoming, and easily integrating their natural setting.

The comfort, the warmth and the magnificent surroundings were an excellent recipe for a memorable holiday…..but still, it wasn’t enough. In the 21st Century (just after the year 2000!) it became essential to offer the “campers” high quality entertainment. The Entertainment team, with Manu as their leader, began to make their first shows, using some of the best selling musicals as an example: The Lion King, The Blues Brothers, Grease, Cats…..with their new stage and its professional equipment, entirely rebuilt in 2006, more than 1000 spectators can now enjoy, participate, dance and sing.

Last but not least to join the group, which is now named “Sirène Holidays” is the 3 star Campsite Les Dunes, bought in 2008, another Mediterranean acquisition, situated in Torreilles Plage, represents their latest potential for development.

Marketing also benefited from this “pioneer spirit”! At the end of the 1990’s La Sirène already had its own website. Since then, the website has progressed through all of the great evolutions of the net. The “made to measure” reservations system could be the envy of any large travel company. The offers are optimized by answering surfer’s requests, making it possible to offer the ideal holiday in real time.

Never losing sight of the family values instilled by Mr Carletti Senior at the beginning of his adventure – honesty, sincerity and ambition – the Carletti Family have always worked hard to advance further in their trade. Using the campsites as their tool, their job goes much further: it consists of making people happy.
The history of La Sirène is a bewitching story that leads to just one thing: bringing people together, families, children, friends…..by the sea, under the Roussillon sun….. Making the most of LIFE!!!

 

Diaporama

Go over 40 years of La Sirène history

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