When we listen to it, we have the impression of seeing scenes from the film of the same name. Jean-Pierre Costentin tells the stories of the campsite, like an open book. Originally from Normandy, then from the Vosges, where he married Sylvie, Jean-Pierre Costenin became a resident of the Jura in 1979 and has worked in various professions. On 11 April 1990, he responded to the call for tenders from the municipality at the time, to take charge of the fate of the Lons-le-Saunier campsite. The adventure begins.
I arrive in an unknown land
Restrained, he applies the next day to go “learning in the field” as he puts it. He immediately moved into the house next to the campsite with his family. As he says: “Functions cannot be improvised, you have to know how to do everything: maintain, repair, market, count, animate, sell and respond to everyone. From then on, nothing would stop him and his wife, both eager for hard work and a job well done. Not even learning languages: German, English and Dutch.
Beyond a daily life, where they don’t count their hours, Jean-Pierre and Sylvie establish contacts with many people. This is how in 30 years, after having honored six calls for tenders, they have seen several generations remain faithfully on the site, which has 190 pitches.
Later generations, and even marriages…
To name a few, the Pasdeloup family, originally from Aisne, have been coming for years from mid-April to mid-October, i.e. 6 months! Now, aged 77, they have abandoned the tent, then the caravan, and now live in a mobile home for the same six months! “A large family, a mini-company, a large village, with surprising stories…” continues the passionate Jean Pierre, who joyfully opens his notebook of memories. “We also went to the wedding in Belgium of two tourists who met at the campsite. Of all the guests that day, one third of the campers stopped by! »
They will continue to go camping
In parallel with his duties as “tenant manager”, as he calls himself, the dynamic Jean-Pierre also has several mandates, including that of president of the departmental federation of open-air hotels. He will pass his hand silently. But as they say in chorus with his wife: “We will continue to go to Camping de la Marjorie, it is our life! “. It will now be with daughter Aurélie and her husband Cédric at the helm … as they have just won the tender.
