A little geography is all it takes to get a clear idea of the immense tourist potential of PACA, the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region. It can satisfy the desires of lovers of large beaches or small creeks, of those who prefer low, medium or high mountains and of those who are above all looking for varied and soothing landscapes. The Provence-Alpes-Côte-D'azur region is made up of six départements (Hautes-Alpes, Alpes de Haute Provence, Alpes Maritimes, Vaucluse, Bouche du Rhône and Var), which together account for nearly 730 campsites in the south of France.
Camping in the south of France is an excellent way to spend a holiday or weekend in nature: warm weather, sunshine, clear waters and the song of the cicadas... The landscapes are magnificent, the vegetation is lush and the cuisine itself is bathed in sunshine, with world-famous regional products such as salade niçoise, bouillabaisse and lavender honey.
Campsites in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
Which campsite to choose in Provence, on the Côte d'Azur?
There are many campsites in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur (PACA), each offering a unique experience. So there's plenty of choice when it comes to renting a mobile home or pitching your tent on a bare pitch.
Here are a few suggestions to help you choose a campsite in the PACA region:
- Location: choose a campsite according to the location that interests you, because there are campsites adapted to every environment: by the sea on the famous "Côte d'Azur", inland (between fields of lavender and olive oil) or in the mountains for nature lovers, near a lake in high season or close to a ski resort in winter...
- Services and facilities: some campsites offer top-of-the-range facilities such as swimming pools - and even real water parks, sports grounds, restaurants, children's entertainment, etc. These facilities and services generally depend on the campsite's star rating.
- Size of campsite: Campsites can vary in size, from small intimate campsites to large complexes. If you prefer a quieter, family atmosphere, a smaller campsite may be more suitable. If you're looking for more entertainment and activities, a larger campsite might be a better option.
- Local and tourist activities: consider the local activities and attractions around the campsite. If you're interested in the beach, make sure the campsite is close to the coast and has direct access to the beach. If you prefer hiking in the mountains, choose a campsite in the Alps.
- Budget: Determine your budget and look for campsites that match your criteria while respecting your financial constraints.
Which campsites in the PACA region have the most stars?
Depending on your expectations in terms of comfort and services, the region offers a wide choice of sites: 227 3-star campsites, 153 4-star campsites, almost as many ** campsites and around thirty ***** campsites.
As a reminder, the number of stars will determine the size of the campsite, but also the space of your pitch, the facilities (such as swimming pools, fitness rooms, etc.) that will be required, as well as other services (spa, treatments, mini-club for children or entertainment, etc.).
In terms of campsite size, the majority of sites in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur have fewer than 100 pitches, making them ideal for family holidays with young children. In the south of France, only around sixty campsites have more than 300 pitches!
Luxury: 5-star campsites on the Côte d'Azur, particularly in the Var
There are 17 5-star campsites in the Var: these beautiful campsites on the Côte d'Azur offer you the very best in terms of facilities and services, Premium accommodation in a magnificent outdoor setting... It's not for nothing that several campsites in the south of France feature among the 15 best campsites in France . See also our selection of the most beautiful campsites on the Côte d'Azur - Mediterranean.
Which Côte d'Azur campsites are by the sea?
Of the 730 campsites in the region, almost 200 are located close to the sea. Of these, around fifteen campsites by the sea claim to have direct access to the beach, a great way to enjoy lazing around and swimming in complete comfort and safety. Campsites by the sea in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region offer all kinds of fun and sporting activities, particularly water sports.
Which Provences-Alpes Côte d'Azur campsites are close to a lake or river?
330 campsites are also located near a river (5 km maximum), so you can enjoy water-based leisure activities and, why not, try your hand at fishing! If you're interested in campsite near a lake or river in the PACA region, you'll find a huge choice!
We particularly recommend Les Rives du Lac **** campsite in Veynes, in the Hautes-Alpes, which, apart from its direct access to the lake, has three heated swimming pools for holidaymakers, or the very beautiful L'Hippocampe ***** campsite in Volonne in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence.
How many campsites in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur (PACA) have a swimming pool or water park?
Alternating between swimming in the sea and in the pool is a real holiday must! Of the 430 campsites offering at least one swimming pool, 200 have a heated pool and 91 have a waterslide. If you're going on a family camping trip, a water park at your campsite in the PACA region will be particularly appealing to children. The best campsites have one. Don't hesitate to choose from these campsites, or from our selection of campsites with heated pools (ideal for the low season).
Focus on the 5-star Domaine de la Bergerie campsite in Roquebrune-sur-Argens in the south of France
This magnificent 5-star campsite, in the sunshine of the Côte d'Azur, is located at the gateway to the medieval village of Roquebrune sur Argens, just 7km from the fine sandy beaches of Saint-Aygulf. It's impossible not to fall in love with the exceptional site offered by Domaine de la Bergerie***** with its 60ha wooded park where the cottages are nestled in the heart of nature.
What budget for a week's camping on the Côte d'Azur?
In the south of France, a bare pitch for 2 people for a week in high season costs an average of €310.1 in the Var, €271.6 in Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, €265.8 in Bouches-du-Rhône and €261.2 in Alpes-Maritimes. In low season, the average rate starts at around €12 a night, or €84 a week.
If you're looking to rent a mobile home, chalet or bungalow on the Côte d'Azur, you'll start at around €200 a week in low season for a 3-star campsite inland, rising to €700 for a 5-star campsite in the Var. In high season, on the other hand, mobile home rental prices start at around €870 and can go up to €1,500 a week if you choose a luxury campsite and a top-of-the-range rental for 5 to 8 people.
Prices in high season are generally higher because of the high demand in summer. Prices vary depending on the campsite, the type of accommodation required and the services offered. To find out exactly what costs at a campsite, we recommend you visit the campsite websites directly or consult good deals for campsites in Provence-Alpes côtes d'azur to discover special offers.
Of course, to make the most of your holiday, don't forget the budget for hiring a jet-ski and discovering all the gastronomic specialities of the south: caillette provençale, tapenade, salade niçoise, soupe au pistou, bouillabaisse or ratatouille, not forgetting the delicious olive oil...
What are the little extras at the best campsites in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur?
A few ideas for choosing your campsite in the South of France: 31 campsites have an "green" label, guaranteeing measures to respect the environment. 160 campsites have a children's club (consult our selection for the best facilities for your little ones). 120 campsites in the PACA region are open all year round.
To find your tailor-made campsite in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, feel free to use the search filters (on the left of the list of campsites) or the advanced search (on the right of the search bar) to find the ideal establishment among the best campsites in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur.
Destination Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur: the sea we see dancing
If you think of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, it's quite possible that the image of a beautiful beach in front of warm blue water will cross your mind. In fact, from the Italian border to the edge of the Gard department, there's no shortage of destinations to choose from. Here are just a few of them, along with lists of campsites where you can discover these exceptional sites.
The Calanques massif :
Spread over the communes of Marseille and Cassis, it is undoubtedly one of the most spectacular landscapes in the region. In a nutshell, these are coves carved out of a limestone massif, some of which are only accessible by sea. The Massif des Calanques became a National Park in 2012.
The Côte d'Azur :
Côte d'Azur stretches from Hyères to Menton and includes around 180 campsites. The widest choice of campsites can be found in Antibes or Cagnes-sur-Mer in the Alpes Maritimes or Hyères in the Var, with 17 campsites in this very large commune alone. The Côte d'Azur stretches along around 120 kilometres of coastline and is renowned for its varied beaches and crystal-clear waters, ranging from small secluded coves to more extensive sandy beaches. Don't miss Saint-Raphaël, a seaside resort renowned for its beaches, creeks and marina, and its 12 campsites, or Mandelieu-la-Naplouse, located near Cannes.
A seaside campsite on the famous Côte d'Azur, with its feet in the water, is a real asset for your holiday or weekend.
Gulf of Saint Tropez :
The Golfe de Saint Tropez is certainly one of the region's legendary destinations, with the Massif des Maures on one side and the Grande Bleue on the other. It also boasts a dozen or so small villages, including Saint-Tropez of course, but also Cavalaire, Cogolin, Gassin, Grimaud, Ramatuelle, etc.
Roquebrune-sur-Argens, between the Esterel mountains and the Massif des Maures
Located between Fréjus and Sainte-Maxime, Roquebrune-sur-Argens is a village full of character, stretching from the land to the sea with the Issambres district. Its emblematic Roquebrune rock, a reddish rock formation, dominates the landscape and offers spectacular views over the region. With its medieval streets, water sports activities and walks, it's an ideal destination for nature and heritage lovers.
To the east, the Massif de l'Estérel stands out with its red porphyry cliffs plunging into the Mediterranean. This volcanic massif, criss-crossed by footpaths, is the perfect playground for hiking and mountain biking, offering breathtaking views of the coastline.
To the west, the Massif des Maures stretches from Hyères to the Gulf of Saint-Tropez. More wooded and wild, it is covered with cork oak and chestnut forests, creating a typically Provençal atmosphere. The massif is home to hilltop villages such as Collobrières, famous for its chestnuts, as well as trails where you can discover unspoilt flora and fauna.
Where to go camping in the south, between the sea and the mountains?
The Camargue :
Straddling the Bouches du Rhône and Var departments, the Camargue is formed by the Rhône delta. It's a protected landscape (Regional Nature Park), made up of vast stretches of land, manades (bull farms), salt marshes and more. The Camargue is also home to Arles, the largest town in France, Aigues-Mortes and Les Saintes Marie de la Mer, famous for the annual gypsy pilgrimage.
La Provence :
Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur is also la Provence, the Provence of Giono and Pagnol, the Provence of the "Contes de mon moulin", the Provence of the Montagne Sainte Victoire painted by Cézanne. Provence is a multitude of paths and warm, distinctive light. Visit Aix-en-Provence, 30 km north of Marseille, renowned for its magnificent architecture and lively cultural scene, or Les Baux-de-Provence, a charming village in the Alpilles mountains, renowned for its medieval architecture and breathtaking views over the surrounding countryside.
The Luberon :
The Lubéron massif, which straddles the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence and Vaucluse departments, is far better than its reputation as a region for bobos. The Lubéron, for example, is full of cute little hilltop villages. It's the Colorado Provençal, the result of the combined efforts of nature and man, and of ancient ochre quarries, now home to hiking trails and themed activities.
Vaucluse :
This department alone is so rich that it's well worth a holiday. The Vaucluse is home to Avignon, the city of the Popes. It's also the Comtat Venaissin and its capital Carpentras. But Vaucluse is also a land of vineyards, including those of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. All topped by Mont Ventoux.
Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur destination: the mountains
The Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region is at last the mountains, the real thing, whether in the Alpes Maritimes with the Mercantour National Park or in les Hautes-Alpes with the Ecrins National Park or ski resorts like Serre-Chevalier or towns like Gap or Briançon, once fortified by Vauban. This is the destination for lovers of wide open spaces, beautiful rock faces, long-distance hiking trails, etc.
The Verdon gorges :
The Gorges du Verdon, apart from being a fabulous protected site, form a natural border between the Var and the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region. The campsite in the Gorges du Verdon attracts sports enthusiasts in particular, with activities such as hiking, paragliding and canoeing. Pass through Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, the gateway to the Gorges du Verdon, set in an exceptional setting between the cliffs of the Verdon mountains and the shores of Lake Sainte-Croix.
Not far away, discover the Valensole plateau, which stretches between the communes of Valensole, Riez and Puimoisson, in the south-east of the region, not far from the Verdon. This is a mid-mountain area, characterised by vast expanses of lavender, typical Provencal landscapes and olive groves.