I hope the following 8 campsites in southern France help you plan the perfect south France camping trip.
I love France.
And I’ve been lucky enough to see a fair amount of the country over the last few years! It’s all beautiful.
But the south of France is particularly special.
There’s constant sunshine, azure Mediterranean waters, an abundance of pretty little towns to explore and a general laid back European vibe that’s hard to beat.
All of these attributes make southern France perfect for camping.
There’s just something special about being outdoors here, sleeping under canvas, and waking up to stunning French scenery.
Loving France and camping as I do, then, I thought I’d put together a guide on south France camping for anyone considering a camping south of France trip.
Want to learn more about where to go for epic camping holidays in France? Keep reading!
The Top Campsites South of France for an Unforgettable France Camping Trip
I’ve scoured the web to find some of the top campsites in the South of France. Here’s a selection of the best.
Heading to Nice while you’re in the country? Check out these 10 things to do in Nice, France!
South of France Campsites by the Beach
Let’s start with a few of the many beachside campsites.
La Tour Fondue is a top rated south France camping site next to the sea.
1. La Tour Fondue
Services: nursery, food, restaurant, bar, motorhome parking area, diving club, wifi, launderette, dogs welcome.
Website: https://www.camping-latourfondue.co.uk/
If you’re looking for peace and quiet next to the sea, then La Tour Fondue campsite will be a good bet.
It sounds pretty ideal!
It’s located in La Cote D’Azur, far to the south of Presqu’île de Giens. This area is renowned for the beauty of its weather and landscapes.
The campsite is on the doorstep of Porquerolles Island too. This little place is known as ‘The Golden Island’ and you can access it from the ferry port, which is only 200m away from where you’ll be staying.
Part of the reason it’s so peaceful here is that there are no organised activities on site.
However, in the summer months of July and August, there’s entertainment and activities available a couple of kilometres away at a Camping Presqu’île de Gien- another local campsite.
But you can explore the area by foot all year round, with masses of hiking trails to tackle.
Another bonus is the diving club that’s next door.
Learn to dive and/or head out on an organised diving or snorkelling trip around the area. If you’re hoping to explore the waters around the campsite and beyond then this will be a major perk.
Camping Cote Vermeille would provide another epic family camping trip in Southern France.
2. Camping Cote Vermeille
Services: Restaurant, Bar, Mini-market, Laundry, Free Wi-Fi, Games room, Water park, Cinema, Multisport area, Pets welcome.
Website: http://www.camping-cote-vermeille.fr/?lang=EN
This campsite seems to be the perfect family destination.
It’s located in the Languedoc Roussillon region of Southern France, in Port-La-Nouvelle.
From all accounts, it’s a beautiful part of the country with a lot to do.
There are abbeys, a wind farm, a chateaux and a famous fortified city called Carcassonne to explore.
It’s also a mere 250m to golden sand beaches, with all the water sports you’d expect to see. There’s also windsurfing, diving and horse riding if you’re feeling adventurous.
If that’s not enough, there’s a 400m^2 water park with heated pools on site too. The kids (and adults) will love it.
The Martigues Provence campsite in the south of France looks and sounds incredible.
3. Campsite Martigues Provence
Services: wellness centre, restaurant, paid Wi-Fi, chalets, petanque area, bikes, kid’s play area, free canoes and bikes, launderette, dogs welcome.
Website: https://www.camping-marius.com/?lang=en#
Say hello to another slice of paradise.
Set in the La Couronne area of Martigues, along the Mediterranean coast (not far from Marseille), this is another quieter campsite, with a chilled out family vibe.
Situated between the Camargue National Park and Marseille, it’s in the heart of the ‘Cote Bleue’ (the Blue Coast). There’s countryside all round and you’re literally 200m from the nearest beach.
The campsite continues its relaxed vibes with its very own wellness centre. And there are plenty of other activities around too, including boat trips, canoeing, diving, nearby markets and walking in the area.
Camping South of France, Further from the Sea
The south of France has some great campsites set back from the sea as well. Here are 2 of them:
Any families going on a south France camping trip will have a whale of a time at Camping de Aubredes.
4. Camping des Aubrèdes
Services: restaurant, bar, laundry, free Wi-Fi, games room, water park, cinema, multisport area, pets welcome.
Website: http://www.campingaubredes.com/?lang=EN
Camping des Aubrèdes is situated in Provence Alpes Cote d’Azur, in the village of Puget-sur-Argens.
This looks like another option for families looking for fun in a beautiful location.
This place is picture-perfect, set in a pine forest between Cannes and St.Tropez. You can expect constant sunshine set to the sound of cicadas in the background.
The stunning medieval village of Puget-sur-Argens is quintessentially European, with narrow streets and squares galore.
And it isn’t far from the sandy beaches of Fréjus/St Raphaël either, which are 7km away. These offer the usual water-sports, but you may choose to remain in the heated waters of the waterpark on-site.
There are fully equipped mobile homes and furnished tents, alongside the usual pitching options too.
Anybody looking for budget camping south of France should check out Camping Du Bourg!
5. Camping Du Bourg
Services: internet access, laundry facilities, a bakery, tennis courts, common room, pets allowed, outdoor activities and organised nights out.
Website: https://www.france-voyage.com/campsites/campsite-digne-les-bains-68604.htm
Located in Les Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, near Dignes-Les-Bains, Camping Du Bourg is a cheaper alternative to the options above.
But it’s no less impressive. It seems ideal, both in terms of the beauty of its natural surroundings and the activities available (on-site and in the local area).
This place would be great for people and families hoping to escape the noise of resort-type campsites.
It’s situated in nature and between two well-known lakes, and the town of Dignes is only a 1km walk from away. Here you’ll find many places of cultural and historic interest (museums, cathedrals, cultural centres…).
And, on-site, there are tennis courts and access to all manner of outdoor adventures.
There’s hiking, thermal pools nearby, mountain biking, and a Via Ferrata, among many other activities available.
Head to Camping Du Bourg for real camping, at a reasonable price, in a beautiful place, and with masses to do.
What About Glamping South of France?
If traditional camping isn’t your thing, you might consider going glamping instead.
It’s camping with a luxury twist (glamping is literally glamorous camping) and it’s an increasingly popular holiday trend.
Glamping comes with a heftier price tag but combines the essence of camping with the comfort of far fancier accommodation.
The south of the country offers a bunch of glamping France options. Here’s a couple of glamping France options:
Here’s another family-friendly south France site, ideal for anyone looking for glamping France opportunities.
6. Pagel Glamping at Moomba Lodge
Services: laundry, wifi, kid’s playground, pools, showers, fully furnished and equipped accommodation.
Website: https://www.pagel-france.com/accommodation/pagel/glamping-moomba-lodge-elephant/
Child-friendly glamping doesn’t get much better than at Pagel, located in Lot, Midi-Pyrenees.
It’s specifically designed with young families in mind.
In fact, the whole point of the Pagel site is to offer families a place to explore Southern France and make friends in a safe environment, in the thick of nature.
There are two pools (a normal one and another for toddlers) as well as a bunch of kid-friendly activities (climbing frames, sandpit, table tennis, trampolines…). And all books, toys and baby equipment are provided too.
It’s not just for kids though!
With local villages to explore and an area that’s renowned for its red wine, grownups are sure to enjoy themselves too.
Lac Vert is nearby too where you can swim and sunbathe around the lake until your heart’s content!
Dreamsea France surf camp sounds perfect for younger people looking to go camping or glamping in Southern France.
7. Dreamsea France Surf Camp
Services: airport transfers, basketball court, BBQ areas, bikes for hire, bar/lounge, fitness centre, volleyball, yoga, surfing, camp chef, table tennis.
Website: https://www.glamping.com/destination/europe/aquitaine/moliets-et-maa/dreamsea-france/
Dreamsea France is another perfectly positioned Glampsite in Moliets-Les-Cigales, in the southwest of the country.
It’s a nature lover’s paradise.
The campsite’s only a 5-minute walk to the beach. And it’s even closer to the pristine Moliets Lake. The protected forest of the Landes area is nearby too. You’ll be in your element if you enjoy the outdoors.
A lively atmosphere is meant to be another bonus of Dreamsea.
People come from all around for an energetic environment where you can skate, surf (this seems to be the major attraction here), play volleyball, listen to music and generally have a great time.
But don’t be put off if you’d prefer some quiet.
The glamping accommodation is positioned in calmer spots on the camp, giving you the peace you’re after outside of the surf camp parties!
You stay in luxurious looking tents, kitted out with all the amenities you’ll need.
5 Star Camping South France
Here is a 5* camping option if camping and glamping France just won’t cut it!
Nouvelle Flouride looks like five star camping south France at its best. Check it out for a bit of luxury camping in south France.
8. Camping Nouvelle Floride
Services: restaurant/bar, swimming pool complex, jacuzzis and fountains, internet, playground, volleyball, table tennis, basketball, tennis courts, TV room, supermarket, bakery, football pitch, bike hire, BBQs, mini-golf, sandy beach, entertainment programme & laundry service.
Website: https://en.lesmediterranees.com/camping-beach-club-nouvelle-floride-marseillan-plage
This 5* campsite in Marseillan-Plage, Languedoc-Roussillon, looks pretty amazing.
It’s not cheap by camping standards. But that’s to be expected for a 5* site with such an array of attractions, in such a perfect location.
There’s an impressive range of things to do (see below for a full list), starting with the beach, which is only 300m away.
But then you’ve got a swimming pool complex with slides, heated water, and covered pools available. There’s also a bunch of sporting activities to get involved in, as well as a spa centre, bars, restaurants, and shops too.
The accommodation itself is effectively glamping with extra cherries on top!
There are either deluxe mobile homes or lodge-tents with everything you need for a luxurious time away camping in France.
Free Camping South France
A final note on free camping in southern France (and France in general).
If you don’t fancy paying to stay at an official campsite in France then consider doing it the old fashioned way: free camp.
Free camping is actually my personal preference for camping in the South of France. It’s (obviously) cheaper, less restrictive and allows you to sleep in mind-blowingly stunning places.
There’s nothing better (in my opinion) than waking up to a beautiful view, feeling like you have the entire space to yourself, having not paid a penny for the experience.
You’ll hear mixed things about the legality of free camping in France though. And I honestly don’t know whether it is or isn’t allowed.
What I do know is that it’s widely done and generally tolerated.
But there are certain unwritten rules to follow:
- Choose somewhere out of the way.
- Respect the land you’re on.
- Clean up after yourselves.
- Leave no mess or rubbish behind.
- And don’t light fires (unless you can absolutely guarantee it won’t spread- wildfires cause problems every year in France).
Enjoy Camping South of France!
As you can see, there are some truly beautiful places to go camping in the South of France.
Camp by the beach. Camp with the family. Glamp if you want extra luxury. Or simply free camp wherever you fancy!
However you choose to camp in this beautiful part of the world, you’ll be sure to love the experience of south France camping.
Now I’d love to hear from you! Which site sounded the best to you? The 5* option at the end, or somewhere quiet next to the beach, like La Tour Fondue?
Let me know in the comments!
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