Hiking and camping, the perfect mix for your holidays in France
Whether you love the mountains, the sea, the vineyards or the green plains, there are plenty of ways to explore France's natural beauty on your next camping holiday. From a simple stroll along the water's edge to a hike in the lower mountains during your holiday in France, your camping holiday can allow you to combine a sporting holiday with the discovery of magnificent landscapes in the heart of nature and at the rhythm of the sun. Holidays in France, walks to feast your eyes on and a campsite to reconnect with nature... A great programme, isn't it?
If you love walking and want to combine camping and hiking, or even if you prefer a bike ride or a trip in a camper van, we've put together a list of ideas for charming hikes and walks to enjoy with the family or to unwind on your own. Situated in the heart of nature, the campsites are usually on the edge of footpaths where there are surprises around every bend.
Before setting off on a walk, be sure to find out about local paths, weather conditions and safety recommendations. In addition, always respect the environment and follow local nature conservation rules when exploring the area around your campsite.
Walks and hikes by the sea
The Calanques of Marseille
The Calanques of Marseille are a series of spectacular limestone cliffs plunging into the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean Sea. These steep rock formations create secluded coves and pebble beaches, offering breathtaking scenery.
Marseille's Calanques offer plenty of opportunities for hiking along the marked trails. You can explore routes of varying lengths and difficulty, offering magnificent views of the coastline, cliffs and sea.
The Calanques are home to a wide variety of plant and animal species, some of which are endemic to the region. As you explore the paths and coves, you can spot typical Mediterranean plants, seabirds, reptiles and perhaps even dolphins off the coast.
Close to the Calanques are several picturesque villages, such as Cassis and La Ciotat, which are well worth a visit. You can sample local cuisine, explore bustling markets and soak up the region's charming atmosphere.
2 campsites welcome you to discover Marseille and its creeks:
•Le Camping du Garlaban *** set in a 7-hectare pine forest at the foot of the Garlaban mountain, this campsite offers a large number of fully-equipped pitches in the heart of nature, with ecolodges and comfortable cabins.
• In the heart of the Pinède, on the outskirts of Marseille, the La Verdière ** campsite has become more ecological and closer to nature, and has become an LPO establishment. This shady campsite has 66 pitches.
The Douaniers Trail in Brittany
The Sentier des Douaniers in Brittany, a coastal path also known as the GR 34, runs along a large part of the Brittany coast. Campsites along this coastline offer an excellent base from which to explore a variety of coastal landscapes, from rugged, jagged cliffs to charming sandy beaches, secluded coves and picturesque fishing villages. You can admire the waves breaking on the rocks, the lonely lighthouses standing against the sky, and the turquoise waters of the Atlantic Ocean.
Walking along the Sentier des Douaniers, you will be able to observe a wide variety of marine fauna and flora and spot seabirds such as seagulls and cormorants, coastal plants adapted to saline conditions and shellfish in the natural pools formed by the tides.
The Sentier des Douaniers passes through many charming coastal villages where you can discover the authentic atmosphere of Brittany. Stop to sample local specialities in the seafood restaurants, stroll along the cobbled streets lined with colourful houses, and discover traditional art in the craft shops.
There are many campsites where you can discover the Côtes-d'Armor. Here is a selection close to the GR34:
Located in Saint-Cast-le-Guildo, in this pretty, charming town 800 metres from the beach, Les Blés d'Or campsite **** welcomes you to a relaxing green setting. The campsite offers 46 comfortable pitches with individual sanitary facilities.
In the heart of a protected natural site, Le Ranolien ***** plunges you into the enchanting scenery of the famous Pink Granite Coast. The campsite has a huge water park with heated pools, multi-track slides, paddling pools and whirlpools.
Mont-Saint-Michel
If you're camping near Mont-Saint-Michel in Normandy, don't miss the opportunity to take a walk around this iconic rocky island. The changing tides and views of the abbey make for a memorable experience.
Dominating the landscape from the top of the rock, the Abbey of Mont-Saint-Michel is a masterpiece of medieval architecture. You can visit the abbey to discover its fascinating history, its majestic rooms and enjoy the panoramic view over the bay from the ramparts.
Lose yourself in the narrow cobbled streets of Mont-Saint-Michel, lined with medieval stone houses. You can discover craft shops, traditional restaurants and art galleries, as well as picturesque views of the bay and the changing tides.
The bay surrounding Mont-Saint-Michel is a remarkable natural site, renowned for having the highest tides in Europe. You can stroll along the seawall, take a boat trip around the Mont, or even cross the bay on foot on a guided tour.
There are around fifty campsites near Mont-Saint-Michel where you can find a campsite to suit your needs:
•La Route Blanche campsite ***** is located just 1 km from the beaches of Breville-sur-Mer, and has a lovely water park, a range of facilities and attractive pitches and mobile homes. What's more, the campsite has bikes for hire, so you can enjoy some great cycling.
• Just 4 km from Mont-Saint-Michel, Les Pommiers campsite **** is the ideal place to explore the south-western tip of Normandy. You can choose from a selection of accommodation options for your stay, including mobile homes, chalets and pitches with access to electricity and water.
Sports holidays and walks in the low mountains
The Gorges du Verdon
Campsites near the Gorges du Verdon offer easy access to some of the most beautiful walks in France. The Gorges du Verdon are a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts. The gorges are criss-crossed by numerous hikes and trails, and there are plenty of activities to choose from: climbing the rock faces, kayaking or rafting in the tumultuous waters of the Verdon river, or simply enjoying nature by exploring the varied landscapes. The Gorges du Verdon are lined with picturesque villages and charming towns, such as Castellane, Moustiers-Sainte-Marie and Aiguines. These hilltop villages offer a glimpse of traditional Provençal life, with their cobbled streets, stone houses and bustling markets.
Don't miss the many panoramic viewpoints along the gorges, such as the famous Point Sublime, the Belvédère de l'Escalès and the Sentier Martel, which offer spectacular views of the rugged, wild landscapes of the Gorges du Verdon.
Around sixty campsites near the Gorges du Verdon welcome you for your camping holiday:
•The Terra Verdon campsite **** is located in the magnificent village of Castellane, close to one of Europe's most spectacular canyons. On its green estate, you'll enjoy brand new mobile homes to rent, as well as pitches with a host of features and a water park surrounded by deckchairs for relaxing
•Les Gorges de Provence **** in the middle of the Verdon flora of Provence, at the crossroads of the Lac de Ste Croix and the Gorges du Verdon, this campsite welcomes you for a successful holiday under the Mediterranean sun. On site, you'll enjoy the aquatic area with its large heated outdoor swimming pool and children's pool, as well as a new 150m² wellness area with hammam, sauna and jacuzzi.
The Ardèche Gorges
The Ardèche Gorges are famous for their steep limestone cliffs, rising up to 300 metres above the River Ardèche. These spectacular rock formations offer breathtaking views along the scenic route that winds through the gorges.
Several points along the route of the Ardèche Gorges offer panoramic views of the cliffs, the river and the surrounding countryside. These vantage points are perfect for taking photos and admiring the natural beauty of the region.
The Gorges de l'Ardèche is home to a protected nature reserve, where you can observe a variety of native flora and fauna. The reserve is an important habitat for many species, including birds of prey, bats, reptiles and rare plants.
There are 82 campsites in the Gorges de l'Ardèche to choose from for your sporting holiday:
• Situated on the banks of the river, close to the famous Pont d'Arc, Camping Le Riviera**** welcomes you for your holidays in the Ardèche from April to September. You'll enjoy a superb riverside setting with a large private beach just for you! Whatever your taste in camping, at Le Riviera you'll find the right accommodation for you: mobile homes, small tents, canvas bungalows and marked-out pitches.
• Located in Vallon Pont d'Arc, at the gateway to the Gorges de l'Ardèche, in a magnificent riverside setting, La Roubine campsite ***** offers camping pitches and mobile homes to rent for the whole family to enjoy. A large private beach with deckchairs and swings gives you direct access to the Ardèche river.
The Cévennes
The Cévennes, in the south of France, is a wild, mountainous region of breathtaking natural beauty, exceptional biodiversity and rich cultural history.
The campsites in the Cévennes offer access to hiking trails through mountainous landscapes, crystal-clear rivers and picturesque villages. It's the ideal place for a nature getaway to discover the local flora and fauna.
The Cévennes is a hiker's paradise, with hundreds of kilometres of signposted trails through the mountains. You can hike through the Parc National des Cévennes, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and discover a remarkable diversity of landscapes and wildlife.
On foot or in your motorhome, you can visit traditional villages with stone houses, historic Protestant churches and discover the history and culture of the Cévennes in local museums.
Some sixty establishments welcome you for your camping holiday in the Cévennes, here is a selection:
The Isis campsite in the Cévennes *** offers you a stay with your feet in the water, in fact the campsite is bordered by the river Hérault for almost 2 km, natural and private beach, hot rocks, pebbles with ricochets, will delight the youngest as well as the oldest.
The Castel Rose campsite **** welcomes you to Anduze, at the gateway to the Cévennes, in a privileged setting on the green banks of the Gardon d'Anduze. Take advantage of the water park, bar-restaurant and a wide choice of activities for all ages.
Unmissable walks in the hinterland
The Ochre Trail in Roussillon
The Sentier des Ocres takes you through extraordinary landscapes of cliffs and rock formations sculpted by erosion over time. The natural ochres create shades of red, orange, yellow and brown, creating a striking visual spectacle.
As well as the spectacular views, a walk along the Sentier des Ocres offers a unique sensory experience. You can smell the distinct scent of earth and minerals, and it's even possible to feel the soft texture of the ochre rocks beneath your feet.
During your walk, keep an eye out for the diversity of the local flora and fauna. You'll see plants adapted to arid and rocky conditions, as well as birds and other animals that live in the area.
Camping l'Arc en Ciel*** welcomes you to the Colorado Provençal, ideally situated in the heart of a 6-hectare pine forest, with 70 spacious, semi-shaded pitches.
Burgundy vineyards
The vineyards of Burgundy are among the most famous and prestigious in France, renowned for their high-quality wines and exceptional terroir.
Campsites near Burgundy's vineyards offer opportunities for walks through vineyards, picturesque villages and rolling green hills. You can also visit cellars and taste local wines along the way.
Villages such as Beaune, Nuits-Saint-Georges, Chablis and Meursault are particularly worth a visit.
Burgundy is also famous for its many historic châteaux and wine estates, where you can learn more about the region's history and winemaking techniques. You can visit vaulted cellars filled with oak barrels, elegant tasting rooms and peaceful gardens surrounding the estates.
As well as its famous wines, Burgundy is also renowned for its delicious cuisine. Enjoy traditional dishes such as boeuf bourguignon, Burgundy snails, and local cheeses such as Epoisses and Brillat-Savarin, accompanied of course by the region's wines.
There are around ten campsites along the Burgundy wine route, including many municipal ones.
Les Landes
The Landes region is renowned for its fine sandy beaches, which stretch as far as the eye can see along the Atlantic coast. Whether for swimming, water sports such as surfing or simply relaxing in the sun, the Landes beaches offer an unforgettable seaside experience.
Nearby campsites offer walks along the Atlantic coast, with sand dunes, pine forests and nature reserves to explore. The Landes region is also famous for its vast expanses of maritime pine forests, some of the largest in Europe. Explore these forests on foot or by bike along the many signposted footpaths, and discover a wild and unspoilt natural environment.
The Landes is a paradise for food lovers. You can sample local specialities such as foie gras, duck breast, Landes asparagus and the famous free-range chicken. And don't forget to try the regional wines, especially the Tursan and Adour wines.
You'll be spoilt for choice for your camping holiday, with over 190 campsites in Les Landes to welcome you for most of the year. Here is a selection:
•Les Oréades campsite ***** is located in Sanguinet, just 30 metres from the Lac de Cazaux-Sanguinet, in a pretty setting of flowers and trees. It offers comfortable accommodation, a bistronomic restaurant and a full range of services, sports and festive activities.
•Camping Au Lac de Biscarosse *****, offers you an unforgettable holiday of comfort, discovery and swimming in an exceptional natural setting, between forest and ocean.
Provence and the lavender fields
Provence is a region of south-east France renowned for its sunny climate, picturesque landscapes, delicious cuisine and authentic traditions. Lavender fields are one of Provence's most emblematic sites.
During the summer season, campsites in Provence offer the chance to stroll through fields of lavender in bloom, creating a colourful and fragrant landscape that will take your breath away.
Lavender fields offer a striking visual spectacle, with their vast expanses of purple flowers stretching as far as the eye can see. Depending on the time of year, you can admire the fields in full bloom, offering an explosion of colours and bewitching fragrances.
A hundred or so campsites welcome you for your stay in Provence. Here is a selection:
•The Domaine de la Saint Beaume **** is located in the heart of a lush forest in Nans-les-Pins. Take advantage of its magnificent water park, its many services and activities of all kinds.
•L'Hippocampe campsite ***** is situated at an altitude of 430 metres, near Volonne. The 11-hectare estate is surrounded by trees and flowers. The campsite offers a wide range of spacious, flat, grassy pitches for caravans, motorhomes and tents. The rental accommodation ranges from simple canvas bungalows to luxury mobile homes and unusual accommodation.