Everything you need to know about campsites in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
More than 1230 campsites in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region welcome tourists. Among the different departments that make up the region, we find Ain, Allier, Haute-Loire and Rhône with between 25 and 65 campsites, followed by Cantal, Haute-Savoie, Savoie, Isère and Puy de Dôme which have between 90 and 125 campsites. Finally, the Drôme and the Ardèche are the two favourite territories for campers, with more than 150 campsites for one and almost 290 for the other.
Stars awarded to campsites in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
When choosing a campsite, we all have different requirements and wishes depending on our age, family situation and of course our taste. This choice will be made in terms of comfort and it is the stars that will guide you to determine the campsite that best suits you. The number of stars defines the facilities and services offered by a campsite, such as the water park, the size of a pitch, the children's club or the wellness area.
Most campsites in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes have two and three stars. There are more than 210 ** campsites and almost 395 *** campsites. For the others, the region has more than 130 campsites **** and 26 campsites *****. Finally, there are also more than 65 * campsites.
Size of campsites: how many pitches do campsites in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes have?
Most campsites have less than 100 pitches (bare pitches + rentals). The campsites in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region are therefore rather small campsites, on a human scale. Only 17 campsites have more than 300 pitches. This is the case of the La Nublière campsite **** in Doussard, which has 412 pitches and offers you the chance to put your bags down on the shores of Lake Annecy and to reach Annecy by the greenway from the campsite. It has direct access to the beach but also fully equipped rental accommodation.
Which campsites in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes are close to a lake or river?
Known for its immense natural heritage, many campsites are located in privileged places with enchanting landscapes. For example, 997 campsites are located next to a lake or a river in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. This is the case of the l'Europe campsite **** in Murol. Family friendly, it is located 15 minutes walk from the lake of Chambon which offers walks, swimming and water sports.
What are the campsites with unusual accommodation in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes?
A large number of campsites in the region offer unusual accommodation. There are 180 of them and they will make your weekend or your stay a moment you will not forget. Whether you are with your family or as a couple, unusual accommodation offers a change from the ordinary for a moment that you always find too short. Sleeping in a tree house, in a bubble in the middle of nature or in a caravan is a real special moment that you should know how to treat yourself to. Les Jardins de Privas **** campsite in Privas offers you the chance to sleep in a caravan! Far from the road and on a grassy pitch, the caravans are equipped with a kitchen and a sleeping area for two. In the living room there are two single beds, perfect for an unusual family stay. For those who like to be close to nature but with a touch of comfort, the Jungle Lodge is made for you, it has a wooden terrace to enjoy the outside.
Which campsites have an eco-label in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes?
If you are particularly close to nature and the protection of the environment is a real issue for you, you should know that 34 "eco" campsites will welcome you in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. Like the La Source *** campsite in Berrias and Casteljau in Ardèche. With the Green Key label, the first European environmental label, it offers you a stay in the green and close to nature with rentals installed in a corner of preserved nature and in Nature Lodge tents, all in a simple and very family atmosphere.
The best of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region
Le Palais Idéal du Facteur Cheval, masterpiece of naive architecture
A monument still admired today by many artists, the Palais Idéal du Facteur Cheval is in the Drôme in the commune of Hauterives. Classified as a historical monument in 1969 by André Malraux. Inspired only by the landscapes he saw, the readings he made or the postcards he distributed, it was in 1879 that Ferdinand Cheval, a postman by trade, started the construction of his palace composed of creations as varied as mosques, Hindu temples, fortified castles, Egyptian tombs, animals and characters from mythology. After 33 years of construction the palace was finally completed in 1912. The tomb of the Facteur Cheval is also worth a visit.image
The Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière, a symbol of the city of Lyon
Located at the top of the Fourrière hill, the Notre-Dame basilica has been overlooking the city of Lyon since the late 19th century. Its height, which reaches 85 metres, mixes the Byzantine Gothic and Romanesque styles, which constitutes its singularity.
Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is composed of four dizzying towers, nearly 50 metres high. Inside, made entirely of pink granite, green onyx, ebony and ivory, one can admire the immense red marble staircase of wisdom located at the altar, as well as its statue that welcomes visitors.
Annecy, the pearl of the French Alps
Annecy, the capital of the Haute-Savoie department, is located in the northern part of the French Alps, and it is its superb and immense natural lake and the beauty of its surroundings that have made the city's reputation. A stroll through the old town of Annecy is a real treat. Its colourful facades, its pedestrian streets, its canals adorned with flowered bridges cannot but seduce. It is easy to understand why Annecy is known as the Venice of Savoy. The beautiful arcades of the houses on Rue Sainte-Claire, the Palais de l'Ile, the building of the Annecy History Museum, which once housed the courthouse and prison, and the former residence of the Counts of Geneva, the castle-museum which dominates the town, are also not to be missed.
The Chauvet Pont d'Arc cave, a prehistoric masterpiece
Discovered in 1994 by three speleologists, the Chauvet cave is an ornate Palaeolithic cave that has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2014. According to most of the scientific community, its drawings are the oldest in the world. There are a thousand of these works, including 14 different species of animals. The Raval site, open in Vallon-Pont-d'Arc since 2015, is a replica of the cave made up of five buildings as well as a permanent exhibition on the theme of cave art and the Aurignacians.
Around Vallon-Pont-d'Arc and the Ardèche Gorges, discover numerous activities such as horse riding, canyoning on the Ardèche, canoeing in the gorges or even parachute jumping.
The nature parks (PNR) of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, a breath of fresh air
A succession of preserved and grandiose landscapes with peaks often exceeding 3000 metres in altitude, the Vanoise NRP has something for mountain and hiking enthusiasts. A high place for the protection of fauna and flora, it was first intended to protect the ibex.
With its exceptional natural heritage, the PNR des Volcans d'Auvergne is the largest Regional Nature Park in France, straddling the Cantal and Puy-de-Dôme departments, with its famous Puys chain, of which the Puy de Dôme is undoubtedly the most popular volcano with visitors. The four volcanic massifs of the PNR des Volcans d'Auvergne are ideal for hiking.
The PNR du Haut-Jura extends over three departments, including the Ain, where you can discover the winter and summer sports resorts of the Monts Jura for skiing, sledging, mountain biking and hiking, as well as the listed military site of Fort l'Ecluse.
The Ecrins National Park covers a mountainous area from Isère to the Hautes-Alpes. Very popular with hikers, it is also popular with climbing enthusiasts, as it is the second most popular climbing site in France. With its rich flora and fauna, you can see mountain animals such as golden eagles, chamois, ibex, foxes, etc.
A wide range of activities is also offered in the Vercors Natural Park located between the Drôme and Isère departments, with its deep gorges, high cliffs, forests, and mountain pastures, all of which are different landscapes that bear witness to a very rich natural heritage.
Even if the Pilat NRP attracts lovers of outdoor sports, it is also known for its important architectural heritage and its many villages, mills, churches, and castles that transport you back in time.
The Basilica of Orcival
It is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful churches in Auvergne! Located in the heart of the PNR des Volcans d'Auvergne, the Notre-Dame d'Orcival basilica dates from the 12th century and is a marvel of Romanesque art. The superb statue of the Virgin in Majesty and the magnificently sculpted capitals are well worth a visit to this basilica which attracts many pilgrims on Ascension Thursday.
Le Puy en Velay, the ancient stronghold of the Romans
Le Puy-en-Velay is a city of art and history, with a significant natural and built heritage. Famous for its lentils and lace, it's in the south of the Massif Central in the Haute-Loire. Its Notre-Dame cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a fine example of Romanesque art. It is located at the foot of the Corneille rock, which overlooks the historic centre of the town. You can reach it by a staircase with 134 steps. The superb cloister adjoining the church is not to be missed. Made in the 19th century, the statue of Notre-Dame de France is installed at the top of the Corneille rock and offers a magnificent view from its platform.
Tournemire, in the heart of the Cantal mountains
A small village located between Salers and Aurillac, Tournemire is classified as one of the most beautiful villages in France. As you walk through the village, you will discover charming little houses made of lava stone. Then, overlooking the village, stands a medieval fortress in excellent condition. The castle of Anjony and its four round towers is impressive, it is one of the most remarkable of the Haute-Auvergne. It has been inhabited by the same family since its construction and its interior has preserved its furnishings in perfect condition, including tapestries from Flanders and a large fireplace. Magnificent religious frescoes can also be seen in the chapel.
Clermont-Ferrand capital of the Auvergne
Nestled at the foot of the Puy de Dôme, Clermont-Ferrand is situated in a remarkable setting between the Puys chain and the Limagne and is also the birthplace of the philosopher Blaise Pascal. A walk through the city leads to the Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption cathedral, built of black lava stone, with its splendid old stained-glass windows. Then there is the Basilica of Notre-Dame-du-Port, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The black virgin in its crypt and the sculpted capitals of its choir are particularly attractive to visitors. Clermont-Ferrand has an important built heritage as shown by the majestic private mansions such as the Fontfreyde hotel. The huge Place de Jaude with its statue of Vercingetorix is the heart of the city's entertainment, the ideal place to have a drink in the evening or a coffee during the day to soak up the Clermont-Ferrand atmosphere. Finally, the typical Rue des Gras and Rue des Chaussetiers lead to the beautiful Renaissance lava stone Amboise fountain and the pretty houses of Rue Pascal.