🌿 About Us
From London deadlines to long French sunsets — here’s how we ended up running a rural campsite with a seasonal kitchen in Normandy.
Hi, I’m Dawn — originally from the U.S. — and my husband Steve, is a born-and-bred Brit. We met in 2009 and built a life together in the UK, where I became a British citizen in 2018. That same year, we packed up our lives and made the leap to France in search of something simpler, freer… and more connected to nature (and each other).
We now run Camping Sous les Étoiles Normandie — a peaceful, countryside campsite in Normandy with a friendly seasonal bar and grill. It’s become a place where people gather in the evenings, share stories over a local beer or burger, and friendships are often born under the stars.
👩‍🍳 From Catering to Campfire Cooking (and Everything in Between)
We always knew we wanted to work together — but with UK property prices and business costs climbing, we couldn’t see a way to make it happen at home.
So, we looked further afield.
I’ve worked in food and hospitality for years, both front and back of house, and most recently as a Catering Section Manager for a major UK retailer. Steve comes from a totally different world — film and TV post-production — and ran his own company, Arion Communications, for many years before industry shifts and the actor’s strike made it harder to sustain.
Buying an existing campsite in France seemed like a bold but beautiful solution — a place to live, create, work together, and grow something of our own.
đź› What This Blog Is For
We created Seasonal Success Hub to share:
- The real behind-the-scenes of running a campsite, kitchen, and bar in France
- Mistakes we’ve made, what’s worked, and what’s been wildly unexpected
- Tips for others dreaming of seasonal work or campsite ownership abroad
- Free resources for seasonal business owners to stay inspired, strategic, and sane!
We started out with all kinds of ideas (burgers, pizza, chilli — we threw it all at the wall). We had no clue what would stick. Some nights, the grill takes over, and I’m cooking non-stop from April through September. But we’ve adapted, streamlined, and even invited our local butcher, Pascal, to run Friday BBQs (guests love practicing French with him!).
🌠Why We Share
There are so many glossy dreams about buying a campsite or running a bar in France — but not enough honest stories from people actually doing it. This site is our way of sharing what it’s really like: the good, the challenging, and the surprisingly wonderful.
If you’ve ever dreamed of making the leap, working seasonally, or just want to hear what it’s like to pivot careers and live slower — you’re in the right place.
đź’Ś Want to Say Hello?
We love connecting with fellow dreamers, campers, and seasonal business owners.
Reach me via email: dawnunderstarsmarketing@gmail.com