Our selection of summer camping destinations will help you make the most of summer in the great outdoors. We've selected the best places to camp in France, whether in the mountains, by the sea or in the countryside. What they all have in common is that they let you sleep in some of Europe's most beautiful natural environments.
1. Saint-Jean-de-Monts, Vendée
Saint-Jean-de-Monts is one of Vendée's most popular seaside camping destinations. With a superb 8 km beach, numerous summer events and the richly cultivated Vendée lifestyle, the commune has a lot going for it. What's more, the seaside resort offers a wealth of sporting activities, including horse riding, pétanque, tennis, golf and cycling, making it one of the best destinations for camping this summer. You can also take advantage of the many activities organized for children on a family trip, and even try your hand at taming the wind on the Atlantic coast by kite-flying with, or without, your children! Every summer in Saint-Jean-de-Monts, don't miss the La Déferlante festival, featuring art and music shows for young and old alike.
2. Canet-en-Roussillon, Pyrénées-Orientales
Leaving the Atlantic behind, we reach the Mediterranean Sea and its beautiful sandy beaches. Canet-en-Roussillon is a pretty little seaside resort in the Pyrénées-Orientales. It boasts a beautiful 3 km se afront and a cute little historic center. If you've had your fill of things to do in Canet-en-Roussillon, you can easily visit the surrounding area, starting with Perpignan, just 12 km away, Argelès-sur-Mer, and why not take a trip to Spain, whose border is only a 40-minute drive away. Canet-en-Roussillon is also an ideal destination for camping this summer, as it organizes numerous events, such as the Sun & Sea festival, during which several free concerts are held with your feet in the sand.
3. Ile d'Oléron, Charente-Maritime
The Ile d'Oléron boasts some of the best campsites in Charente-Maritime. It offers all the advantages of an island - nature and tranquility - without the disadvantages, as it is not isolated. In fact, it's linked to the mainland by a bridge, so you can easily get around to visit Charente-Maritime. But you may already have enough to do on the island, as it is particularly rich in beautiful sandy beaches, surfing and scuba diving spots and pine forests. The best way to explore the island of Oleron is to get on a bike and explore its 160 km of cycle paths. And between pedal strokes, don't forget to sample the delicious oysters that are the islanders' pride and joy.
4. Lacanau, Gironde
If you're hesitating between freshwater and saltwater tourism, Lacanau is for you. This pretty seaside resort in Gironde boasts not only a superb seafront dotted with fine sandy beaches, but also a pond, the Etang de Lacanau. Surrounded by the Landes forest, where you can go hiking, you can enjoy windsurfing, canoeing or water skiing in a superb setting. There are plenty of other things to do in Lacanau, including golf, casino evenings or why not take a surfing course. If you'd like to explore the surrounding area, Bordeaux is only an hour's drive away.
5. Calvi, Haute-Corse
Calvi is one of Corsica's most beautiful towns. The Genoese city boasts a beautiful citadel, as well as a charming historic center with numerous churches. While the marina is the beating heart of the town, you'll find quieter, more relaxing and wilder spots further away from the marina. Calvi boasts some excellent seaside campsites where you can sleep in a tent or bungalow. Some of these havens of peace in the heart of the Mediterranean countryside have even been awarded an eco-label, helping you to reduce your ecological footprint.
Discover our article What to do in Calvi, Corsica? 11 must-sees
6. Cap d'Agde, Hérault
Cap d'Agde is one of the best destinations for camping this summer, thanks to its beautiful beaches, numerous leisure activities, summer concerts and many restaurants. The seaside resort, well known for its naturist quarter, is in fact much more than that, making it one of the must-visit places in the Hérault region. Indeed, there's plenty to do in Cap d'Agde, including sunbathing on the black sand beaches, sailing in the large marina, trying your hand at golf, partying in one of the resort's many clubs or even taking the whole family to the amusement park. The destination boasts a large number of campsites, particularly by the sea, many of which have been awarded ecological or quality labels.
7. Quiberon, Morbihan
Attached to the mainland by a cordon of land and sand, it's hard to find a wilder, more exotic place than Quiberon, which is why it's one of the best destinations for camping this summer. Once a major canning port, Quiberon has evolved into a highly-developed tourist resort, and all this has been achieved without ever changing its character. For example, the municipality has set up a summer rail service called the Tire-Bouchon, which allows visitors to tour the region. As well as being an environmentally-friendly means of transport, this train avoids the summer traffic jams that often plague Brittany. The commune has a number of excellent campsites, all by the sea.
What to do and see in Quiberon and its peninsula? The 11 must-sees
8. Ornans, Doubs
Ornans is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful destinations in the Doubs, and it's the place for you if you're looking for a place that's both natural and historic, yet unspoilt by tourism. Ornans is a large, charming village anchored in the Loue valley. A city of culture, Ornans is known as the home of the famous painter Gustave Courbet, to whom a museum is dedicated. Away from the historic streets of the center, you'll discover a rich natural heritage around the Loue river, where you can enjoy kayaking or fishing. Ornans has an ecological campsite and several other campsites on the edge of the commune, surrounded by nature. It's one of the best places to camp this summer if you're more interested in authentic family campsites than large tourist complexes.
9. Biscarosse, Landes
A visit to Biscarosse promises a vacation rich in experiences, since with two large lakes and an ocean within paddling distance, the resort has no shortage of leisure activities to offer! You can try your hand at surfing, water-skiing, pedal-boating, windsurfing, wakeboarding, paddleboarding and much more. And if water isn't your thing, you'll have plenty of time to enjoy the Landes region on foot or by bike, since thanks to the Landes forest, Biscarosse is a particularly complete destination, boasting an ocean, two lakes and the largest forest in mainland France. Biscarosse offers a wide range of summer events, including concerts, shows, aperitifs, guided tours and group outings.
10. La Rochelle, Charente-Maritime
La Rochelle is an excellent destination for camping this summer, with a pretty historic center, a charming harbor, plenty of activities and nature never far away. In fact, the commune takes the environment particularly seriously, with protected areas, an extensive network of cycle paths and campsites equipped with eco-friendly equipment, such as solar water heaters. Among the things to do in La Rochelle, you can visit the old port and the old town, of course, but also the renowned La Rochelle Aquarium, which will be the perfect activity if you're on a family camping vacation. And don't miss the Halles covered market, where you'll find plenty of local specialities!
11. The Ardèche gorges, Ardèche
The Ardèche gorges are one of France's most beautiful natural sites. It's a superb 30 km rocky canyon through which flows the river Ardèche. The best campsites in the Ardèche are mostly located around the gorges, and you'll have no trouble finding one, whether you're looking for a quiet family campsite or a fully-equipped luxury establishment.
