Camping in the south of France: the ideal combination of sun, nature and culture!
From the Mediterranean to the Atlantic, in a 5-star or 4-star campsite, the south of France and its many treasures can be explored in a thousand and one ways! Lazing on the beach, hiking through the countryside, soaking up the beauty of the southern cities or enjoying a refreshing dip in a river or lake… choose how you want to spend your camping holiday in the south of France.
And it’s not just your holiday plans that are bespoke – your campsite can match your style too! Campsite with mobile homes, pitches to set up your tent, or how about a quirkier kind of accommodation… there are so many options that you're sure to find something to tick all your boxes, whether you’re coming with your fabulous family, your special someone or your best friends.
And when it comes to choosing your destination, an array of stunning settings awaits: for a glamorous getaway, the Côte d’Azur and the iconic towns of Saint-Tropez and Saint-Raphaël are the obvious choice. For a sunny escapade, head to Languedoc-Roussillon and its seaside resorts of Cap d’Agde and La Grande-Motte. Looking for wild and unspoilt nature? Set off for the Aquitaine where the pine groves are ideal for cycling while the beautiful vast beaches of Hossegor and Capbreton in the Landes are the perfect playground for surfing or simply breathing in the salty sea air.
Finally, one final point to convince you – there are campsites in the south of France to suit every aspiration: campsites with water park, with swimming pool, with spa, on the water’s edge or with direct access to the sea. It’s a destination with so much going for it, it’s decided: your next holiday will be in the sunshine of the south of France!
Our great ideas for your campsite holiday
Although it benefits from a sunny climate for most of the year, the weather can be a bit tricky even in the south. If that’s the case, head to the indoor water park to splash around whatever the season!
Whether you prefer the ocean, sea or nature, in the south of France you can enjoy a change of scenery with every stay. So there’s no chance of falling into a routine when it comes to your traditional holiday in the south!
Seafood, charcuterie, cheese... the south is also a destination for foodies! Calories don’t count on holiday, so treat yourself and try the whole range of specialities!
There is no shortage of activities on land and in the water in the south of France: surfing, kite-surfing, hiking, cycling, horse-riding, tackling a tree-top adventure trail or canyoning. The adventure starts here!
Camping South of France, book your stay!
Advice and inspiration, top hits and holiday hints:
Our top reasons to stay at a campsite in the south of France
The south of France benefits from sunshine pretty much all year round, but especially during the long summer holidays. The sheer variety of landscapes to explore during your stay will appeal to the whole family, kids included.
A stay at a campsite in the south of France is also a great opportunity to try the region’s many culinary specialities, such as bouillabaisse, tapenade and Roquefort (particularly in the Alpes-Maritimes, Var, Pyrenees and Alpes-de-Haute-Provence), or the wines of Languedoc-Roussillon…
And after a delicious meal, you can’t beat a bike ride or hike to burn off some energy and admire the region with the whole family, including the kids.
Finally, during a holiday at a campsite in the south of France, you’ll benefit from a superb setting with heated swimming pool, water park, waterslides, sports activities, clubs with entertainment for the kids, a playground for your children, rental accommodation for peaceful nights’ sleep, and camping pitches for tents, caravans and camper vans.
If you can’t make up your mind between several campsites for your next family holiday with the children in the south of France, our guest reviews are a good place to start. To pick a campsite in the south of France that really suits you, you can also compare prices based on availability.
The best time for a camping getaway in the south of France depends on the kind of holiday atmosphere you’re looking for.
- May-June: plenty of sunshine and warm temperatures, a quieter campsite with fewer children, a water park and heated swimming pool without the school holiday crowds, an affordable choice of accommodation and deserted beaches.
- July–August: sunshine and high temperatures are pretty much guaranteed, along with a buzzing family atmosphere at the campsite, water park and heated swimming pool, a full range of entertainment and activities on offer at the available campsites, and beaches packed with fellow holidaymakers.
- September: still plenty of sunshine but temperatures warm rather than hot, fewer children around, water park and heated swimming pool without the summer crowds, more affordable choice of accommodation and uncrowded beaches.
Our verdict: If you don’t have children, or have little ones who aren’t tied to the school calendar, and you’re looking for a budget-friendly camping holiday in the south of France, low season is ideal. On the other hand, if you love a lively atmosphere with plenty of activities and entertainment, opt for a camping holiday in the south of France during the summer holidays.
Again, it all comes down to the kind of holiday you’re looking for at a campsite in the south of France. If you’re keen for a stay on the water’s edge, head for the coast. You’ll have quick and easy access to the beaches, along with an array of watersports and activities. For a more nature-focused say at a campsite in the south of France, head inland and seek out a riverside or lakeside setting.
At our star-rated campsites in the south of France, you’ll find an accommodation option to suit every taste. Whatever you choose, you’re guaranteed a superb stay and one peaceful night’s sleep after another.
Mobile home: designed for your comfort, mobile homes are fully equipped and furnished.
Friends mobile home: perfect a large family or a group of friends, this rental can accommodate up to 10 people.
Premium mobile home: this high-end mobile home offers particularly refined décor.
Mobile home for people with reduced mobility: our PRM accommodation is carefully designed to combine comfort, accessibility and space for a serene holiday.
Chalet: a fully equipped wooden rental that blends into the surrounding nature.
Cottage with spa: you have a private spa on your terrace.
Lodge: the ideal compromise between mobile home and tent for an authentic stay.
Furnished tent: perfect for glamping fans, this fully equipped tent combines the charm of camping with comfort.
Villa: spacious and well-equipped, villas are ideal for a stay that feels like home.
Campsite pitch: with water and electricity connections, perfect for a camper van or caravan holiday.
Tent pitch: specially designed for your tent, so you can fully enjoy the great outdoors.
Premium pitch: includes a private sanitary block with sink, shower and toilet.
Quirky accommodation: savour a real sense of escape in a one-of-a-kind accommodation choice, such as a tree-house, gipsy caravan or teepee. The kids will love it!
During your stay at a campsite in the south of France, you’ll enjoy facilities designed for the whole family. Among the must-haves:
- A heated swimming pool accessible in any season, and sometimes even a wave pool (depending on the campsite) for all the fun of the seaside, right at your campsite!
- Wellness areas combining massage jets, whirlpool baths and a solarium terrace for total relaxation,
- A fun water park with waterslides, aquatic play areas and a fun paddling pool, perfect for children,
- Themed pools with wild river, lagoon pool or Caribbean beach for a total change of scene!
- A covered area with water jets, waterfalls and sometimes even a hammam (depending on the campsite) – just the thing for relaxing come rain or shine.
In addition to the water park, depending on your campsite, you can join in a wide variety of sports activities (canoeing and kayaking, pétanque, tennis and so on) and entertainment (theme nights, games, friendly tournaments and the like).
To make your stay at a campsite in the south of France complete, your campsite will also feature:
- a children’s playground
- launderette
- bar, restaurant, snack bar
- Free Wi-Fi
- Bicycle hire…
Enough to delight campers of all ages, regardless of the weather or season, for a fun-filled holiday at a campsite in the south of France.
The offer may vary depending on our campsites in the south of France and when you take your holiday.
If, for you and your family, a holiday at a campsite in the south of France is synonymous with the seaside, then hit the beaches! Think swimming, chilling, sunbathing, sandcastles, fun and games in the water, entertainment…
Some of the most beautiful beaches near the star-rated campsites in the south of France include:
- L’Espiguette beach in the Gard
- La Franqui beach in the Aude
- The beaches in Vias-Plage, Sérignan-Plage, Valras-Plage and Vendres-Plage in the Hérault
- Torreilles beach in Argelès-sur-Mer in the Pyrénées-Orientales
- The beaches of Fréjus, Saint-Raphaël and Saint-Aygulf in the Var
To choose a campsite that suits your holiday style, we recommend focusing on a few factors.
- Campsite location: on the coast or beside a river or lake, in the countryside, close to a town for lively entertainment, or a village for a more peaceful stay.
- Campsite amenities: heated swimming pool, water park, kids’ play area, services, catering, free Wi-Fi…
- Accommodation offering: tent pitches, camper van or caravan pitches, or mobile home rentals
- Period: low season – outside the school holidays (fewer activities and entertainment on offer so much quieter), or high season – during the school holidays (a full range of activities and entertainment available at the campsite with a lively family atmosphere).
The price of a camping stay in the south of France varies, depending on several factors:
- Period (outside or during the school holidays)
- Location (prices can often be a bit higher near the coast, lake or river than inland)
- Amenities (water park, heated swimming pool, services…)
- Category (prices are typically higher for a 5 star campsite than for a 4 star establishment)
- Accommodation type.
For 7 days/7 nights, rates naturally vary between low season and high season. At Sandaya, our prices also reflect your chosen comfort level (pitch, mobile home, premium and so on) and include access to the campsite’s amenities and entertainment.
To find the most affordable option, the best thing is to compare the dates (high/low season) and length of your stay (7 nights, weekend or short stay), based on your preferred accommodation.
During your camping holiday in the south of France, you’ll have the best of both worlds – beaches, coastline and lakes on one side, unspoilt countryside on the other. The south of France offers a wealth of places to visit for a truly tailor-made holiday.
The south of France is home to a great many towns with unmissable tourist appeal.
- For lovers of Roman and cultural heritage: Avignon, Nîmes and Arles
- For those who love a Mediterranean atmosphere and boats bobbing in the harbour: Corsica, Sète, Collioure, Saint-Raphaël and Saint-Tropez
- For fans of medieval history and fortified towns: Carcassonne and Aigues-Mortes
- For those who want the dynamism of the city and the proximity of the seaside: Montpellier, Perpignan and Toulon
- For those who love charming, characterful villages: Uzès, L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue and Bormes-les-Mimosas
While on holiday in the south of France, make sure you also take time to discover:
- The calanques in Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur
- The garrigue in Provence and the Languedoc-Roussillon
- The coastline and beaches of Aquitaine on the Atlantic, and the Mediterranean shores of the Languedoc-Roussillon, Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur and Corsica –with activities and entertainment aplenty
- The Pyrenees mountains
- The Gorges du Verdon and its natural park, between the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence and the Var
- The Corsican maquis and unspoilt interior – plus the island’s famous charcuterie!