Camping Holidays in South of France
Why we love
holidays in South of France
Of course it starts at the beach. As most things tend to do in Southern France. The Cote d'Azur, or the French Riviera - whatever you want to call it - is where the burnished blue of the Mediterranean meets the pastel coloured hotels, sleek marinas and golden sands of the French coast. But travel further and you’ll discover ancient hilltop villages, intoxicating fields of lavender and peaceful countryside inhabited by wild horses and exotic birds. Paradise on earth? We’d say you were pretty close.
Best places for camping holidays in South of France
We’ve campsites, villages and resorts in the south of France perfectly situated to explore the wider region's beaches, cities, historic sites and lively resorts. Find out where you can go, and where you should explore …
- Sample the terrific beaches of Cap d’Agde.
- Explore the Roman ruins of lively Fréjus.
- Lose yourself in the old town of Nice.
- Soak in the history of elegant Bordeaux.
- Take in the sunset from Dune du Pilat.
- Cycle around, or swim in lovely Lac d'Hourtin.
- Cruise along the Canal du Midi.
- Explore Catalan culture in Perpignan.
- Head to the beaches and galleries of arty Collioure.
- Savour the views from the Pic du Midi observatory.
- Hit the surf, or the shops, in Biarritz.
- Find your spot on any of the five beaches surrounding pretty St Jean de Luz.
- Hike in terrific Parc National des Cévennes.
- Visit the amphitheatre in Nîmes.
- Kayak under the awesome arch at Vallon Pont d’Arc.
- Be mesmerised at the emerald bay of Calvi.
- Enjoy the vibrant old town restaurants of Bastia.
- See why Porto Vecchio is called the St Tropez of Corsica.
Our favourite things to do in South of France
Whilst you’re holidaying in south of France, you’ll never run out of things to do, or adventures to delve into. What do we love most about this part of France? Here are just some of the highlights this wider region has to offer ...
Sample the high life
Yes, the French Riviera is everything you’d imagined. The Promenade des Anglais in Nice offers the best views of town and sea, by strolling, cycling or roller skating! There’s a similar gorgeous promenade in Cannes, Promenade de la Croisette, lined with glitzy hotels and seafood restaurants. St Tropez is home to elegant beach clubs and a vibrant mix of old town meets new money! Talking of money, the Casino in Biarritz is epicentre of this chic and sporty resort with a real buzz about it.
Head for the hills
When the sleek superyachts lose their seductive sway (which is pretty quickly in our experience) you can head to the hills to escape the rampant consumerism and stroll through the hilltop villages of Provence. The views over the Med come for free, as do the simple charms of walking through timeless villages, to stop for lunch (OK, you’re going to have to pay for that). Try gorgeous Les Baux-de-Provence for starters. Or head to the Pyrennes, for jagged peaks and big, big skies.
Be awe-inspired
Explore nature at its rawest and most powerful in Southern France. The deep gorges and valleys of Ardeche and Auvergne are majestic reminders of the power of our planet. The Gorges du Verdon, Europe’s ‘Grand Canyon’ offers mile after mile of super-sized scenery just waiting to be hiked, kayaked or hot air-ballooned over! The towering sand dune, Dune du Pilat, in Gironde is getting larger every year -climb it for terrific sunset views. Or witness the majesty of the mountains.
Go wild in the water
Life along the coasts of Southern France is all about the water. You can enjoy the wet and wild waterslides of Frejus, kayaking along the calanques - narrow inlets below towering cliffs - of Marseille or simply pootle along the Canal du Midi on a rented pleasure boat. Then again, for more high adrenaline thrills, you could kite surf your way past the beaches of the Cote d’Azur. Fancy hitting the surf - there’s only one place to head, the Atlantic beaches of Charente-Maritime.
Smell the air
Inland, the South of France’s heady climate and fresh sea air is the perfect foundation for the region’s rich harvest of perfume-rich flowers and herbs. Little wonder the world’s ‘perfume capital’ Grasse is located in the heart of the Provencal countryside, and is definitely worth visiting. As are the lavender field that patchwork the countryside in spring and early summer. Head to the inland of Corsica for the wild thyme and juniper that scent your hikes in the hills.
Take a ride
Horse riding is justifiably popular in Southern France, whether it’s through the pine forests and alongside the lakes of the Gironde, through the deep valleys and gorges of the Languedoc and Roussillon region where you’ll discover the white Camargue horse, one of the oldest breeds in the world, closely related to the prehistoric horse. Or take a trek in the foothills of the Pyrennes, in the elemental deep south of the country.
Frequently asked questions about camping holidays in the South of France
What are the best campsites for holidays in the South of France?
We feature over fifty campsites in the South of France across eleven regions and islands. Catering for all budgets, the majority of our campsites are four and five-star rating, all with a superb range of facilities, activities and entertainment including small to spectacular swimming pool complexes, and on-site restaurants. Choose countryside or coastal regions, or combine both for the best outdoor holiday experience, across Gironde & Charente-Maritime, Ardeche & Auvergne, Riviera & Provence, Languedoc & Roussillon, Landes & Pyrenees and Corsica.
Where are the best campsites near to a beach in the South of France?
If it's warm sandy beaches you're after, head to the coast of Languedoc & Roussillon and you'll find many of our campsites within a short distance from, or with direct access to, a glorious golden beach. For a touch of glamour, combine beach with the buzz of the sizzling French Riviera towns of St Tropez, Cannes and Nice. Or, hop across to the beautiful island of Corsica and dive into the deep Mediterranean waters. One of our campsites in Corsica is directly on a beach, with the other just 1.5km from the lovely sandy Solenzara beach.
How do I travel to campsites in the South of France?
We have lots of ways to help you get to your campsite in the South of France. With a huge choice of ferry operators and routes - not to mention Eurotunnel, taking your car and combining with stop-offs at villages and vineyards en route from Calais, can transform the journey into a real adventure. Alternatively, rail travel is a relaxing and comfortable way to get there, with direct Eurostar services from London reaching Avignon in under six hours, you can be exploring Provence in no time! Or the TGV network will get you to Nice from Paris in just over five and a half hours. We can also make your flight-inclusive arrangements for you, taking the hassle out of finding the best routes. When you book a package holiday with us you're also fully protected by our ABTA and ATOL bonding.
How can I see which campsites are available to book a holiday in the South of France?
You can search using the calendar on individual campsite pages or use our main search function on our website to quickly see which campsites are still available under SOUTHERN FRANCE during the period you want to go on holiday.