A little reminder of the area's geography is enough to give you an idea of exactly how vast the Paca region's tourism potential is. It can satisfy lovers of big beaches or small calanques, those who prefer low, medium or high-altitude mountains, and those who are above all looking for restful landscapes. The Provence-Alpes-Côte-d’Azur region (PACA) is made up of six departments (Hautes-Alpes, Alpes de Haute Provence, Alpes Maritimes, Vaucluse, Bouche du Rhône and Var), offering almoste 750 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-Alpes-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 lavender fields 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 about 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...) that will be required, as well as other services (spa, treatments, mini-club for children...).
In terms of campsite size, the majority of campsites in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur have less than 100 pitches, i.e. campsites on a human scale. In the South of France, only about sixty campsites have more than 300 pitches!
Which campsites in Provence are by the sea, lake or river?
Out of 750 campsites in the region, nearly 200 are located near the sea. Of these, about fifteen campsites by the sea claim to have direct access to the beach, which is a great way to enjoy lazing around and swimming with all the comfort and safety possible. Campsites by the sea in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region offer all kinds of fun and sporting activities, especially water sports.
330 campsites are also located near a river (maximum 5 km), which allows you to enjoy water sports and, why not, to try your hand at fishing! If you are interested in camping near a lake or a river in the PACA region, there is a wide choice!
We recommend the campsite Les Rives du Lac **** in Veynes, in the Hautes-Alpes, which, apart from its direct access to the lake, has 3 heated swimming pools for holidaymakers, or the beautiful campsite L'Hippocampe ***** in Volonne in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence.
How many campsites in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur have a swimming pool?
Alternating between swimming in the sea and in the pool is a must for any holiday! Of the 430 campsites with at least one swimming pool, 200 have a heated pool and 91 have a waterslide. If you're going on a family camping trip, the water park at your campsite in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur will be especially appealing to children. Make your choice from these campsites, or from our selection of campsites with a heated pool (ideal for the low season).
What are the little extras at the best campsites in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur?
Some ideas for choosing your campsite in the South: 31 campsites have an "ecolo" label, guaranteeing measures to respect the environment. 160 campsites have a children's club (see our selection of campsites for the best way to welcome your children).
120 campsites in PACA are open all year round. Finally, if you are looking for a cheap campsite or an attractive offer for your camping holiday in the south, consult our list of good deals in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur.
To find your tailor-made campsite in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, feel free to use the search filters (on the left of the campsite list) or the advanced search (on the right of the search bar).
Destination Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur: the shimmering sea...
When you think of Paca, the image of a beautiful beach in front of a warm, azure sea may well come to mind. In fact, from the Italian border to the edge of Gard, there is no shortage of destinations to choose from. Here are some of them, and access to lists of campsites that will allow you to discover these exceptional sites.
© Campingfrance.com
The Calanques massif:
Spread across the municipalities of Marseille and Cassis, this is undoubtedly one of the region's most spectacular landscapes. These are basically inlets developed in the limestone rock, some of which are only accessible by sea. The Calanques Massif has been a National Park since 2012.
French riviera:
The Côte d’Azur runs from Hyères to Menton and has around 180 campsites. The widest range of campsites is divided between Antibes or Cagnes sur Mer in the Alpes Maritimes or Hyères in Var with 17 campsites just for this very expansive municipality. 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.
Gulf of Saint-Tropez:
Gulf of Saint Tropez is certainly one of the region's legendary destinations with the Massif des Maures and the water of the Big Blue. There are also a dozen or so small villages like Saint-Tropez of course, but also Cavalaire, Cogolin, Gassin, Grimaud, Ramatuelle, etc.
Destination Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur: between sea and mountain
The Camargue:
Straddling Bouches du Rhône and Var, the Camargue is formed by the Rhône delta. It's a protected landscape (Regional Nature Park) of immense expanses, manades (bull ranches), salt marshes, etc. The Camargue is also Arles, the largest municipality in France, Aigues-Mortes and Les Saintes Marie de la Mer, known for the annual gypsy pilgrimage.image
Provence:
Paca is also Provence, the land of Giono, Pagnol or Mistral; of Alphonse Daudet's "Letters from my Windmill", of the Sainte Victoire mountain as painted by Cézanne. Provence is a multitude of paths, and that warm light that makes the place so special. 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.
Lubéron:
This massif of Luberon straddling Alpes de Haute Provence and Vaucluse, is so much more than its reputation as a region for boho tourists. Luberon, for example, has many little hillside villages, each one cuter than the one before it. It's the "Provençal Colorado", the combined work of nature and man with its ancient ochre quarries, and nowadays, hiking paths and themed activities.
Vaucluse:
You could spend your entire holiday in this department alone as it has so much to offer. Vaucluse includes Avignon, the city of Popes. There is also the Comtat Venaissin and its capital, Carpentras. But Vaucluse is also a land of vineyards including Châteauneuf du Pape. Mont Ventoux towers proudly over it all.
Destination Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur: Mountains
Last but not least, the Paca region is the real deal when it comes to mountains. Choose from Alpes Maritimes with Mercantour National Park, Hautes-Alpes with Les Ecrins National Park, ski resorts like Serre-Chevalier and towns like Gap or Briançon, which was once fortified by Vauban. This is a destination for lovers of the great outdoors, beautiful mountainsides, Grande Randonnée hiking trails, etc.
The Verdon gorges :
The Gorges du Verdon, apart from the fabulous views offered by this protected site, form a natural border between the Var and the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region. Camping in the Gorges du Verdon attracts sports enthusiasts in particular, who can enjoy activities such as hiking, paragliding, canoeing...