The most beautiful campsites by the river

• What would France be without its watercourses? From the most famous rivers to the most anonymous streams, rivers are still contributing to shape our landscapes. On the banks of these rivers, exceptional campsites have been installed. They take advantage of the attraction of some watercourses nowadays, able to welcome tourists in exceptional conditions. In this themed feature, you’ll discover a non-exhaustive selection of some of these, all in the finest riverside campsites category...

  From the Ardèche Gorge to the Verdon Gorge, from the Loire to the Dordogne Valley, the finest French rivers now attract a multitude of tourists. Along their banks, so-called ‘white-water’ activities such as canoeing have taken root, enabling tourists to discover stunning landscapes whilst having fun!

  Often, when staying on a riverside campsite, you can take advantage of a natural beach to swim. These sandy or pebble beaches also allow fishermen to indulge in their preferred passion and canoe enthusiasts can easily launch their boats...

  

• 10/10

  Domaine de la Brèche

  It is on the borders of the most majestic and wild rivers of France, the Loire, that we find 5-star campsite Le Domaine de la Brèche This campsite, situated in Varennes sur Loire, in the department of the Maine and Loire, lies in the middle of the Saumur region. The Royal City of Saumur is only a few kilometres from Le Domaine de la Brèche and in summer, a flat bottom boat, typical of the Loire Valley, allows the campsite guests to get there in only a few minutes!

  This high-end campsite covers several hectares on the banks of the Loire and around the pond of la Brèche, which has given it its name. Green and wooded, it offers comfortable mobile homes ans unusual rental accommodations, such as a cabin in the trees, a trailer or even an amazing fishermen's cabin. Moreover, Le Domaine de la Brèche boasts several leisure facilities, such as a Water Park and a 12-hole Golf Course Pitch & Putt...

  

• 9/10

  Le Ty Nadan

  5-star campsite in the heart of Brittany, Le Ty Nadan is installed by the legendary river the Ellé. 60 kilometres long, it takes its source in the south of the Côtes d'Armor. It then passes through the Montagnes Noires, and then forms deep canyons in the Finistère, especially around the site of the Devil's Rocks, before merging with another river in Quimperlé, forming the river Laïta.

  Ty Nadan is located halfway between the Devil's Rocks and Quimperlé. This campsite in the middle of nature welcomes tourists looking for a holiday in the countryside while remaining close to the coast. Its location by the river offers its residents the opportunity to canoe, but this is not the only asset. This campsite also boasts a great Water Park and an Adventure Park with many activities!

  

• 8/10

  Les Rivières

  The Les Rivières campsite in Canet is set in a perfect location by the Lergue river, offering direct access to a natural beach, great for swimming, relaxation and family games. These unspoilt surroundings appeal to holidaymakers seeking cool countryside escapes, with the chance to simply enjoy the water, within a lush, peaceful setting in the heart of the Hérault.

  To top off these times by the river, the campsite has a convivial aqua park with swimming pools, water slides, paddling pool and a Jacuzzi. In addition, you find numerous leisure facilities and activities for young and old alike. Near Lac de Salagou, an essential spot for fishing, mountain biking and water sports, Les Rivières combines authenticity, comfort and varied activities, for a holiday with a wealth of discoveries and water-based fun.

  

• 7/10

  Le Paradis

  Located at the edge of the Vézère, a natural and wild river in the valley counting as one of the most beautiful valleys in the Dordogne, the name of this campsite, Le Paradis, corresponds perfectly to its environment. Thanks to its idyllic location and its many other assets, it is very appreciated by the guests staying here.

  Tributary of the Dordogne, the Vézère River takes its source in Corrèze, in the heart of the Millevaches highland. 212 kilometres long, it runs through a valley with 14 exceptional sites, listed on the World Heritage List of UNESCO. In this valley we find a concentration of prehistoric sites, which are in fact one of the most important archaeological sites in Europe. Installed by this river, campsite Le Paradis features a pier, easy for the guests to launch their canoe into the water...

  

• 6/10

  Domaine du Verdon

  As its name suggests, the campsite Le Domaine du Verdon is located at the edge of the Verdon River. This 166-kilometre long river takes its source between the Pic des Trois Évêchés and the Allos mountain pass, in the Alpes de Haute Provence. Before flowing into the Durance, this river of the Alps has undoubtedly carved the most beautiful canyons in Europe: the Verdon Gorges. It is in the heart of these canyons that we find this 4-star campsite in Castellane.

  Downstream of the village of Castellane, on the borders of the Verdon, a river bewitching everybody with its colours, Le Domaine du Verdon is a high-end campsite, member of the Castels Group. Its location at the entrance of the Gorges is idyllic in more than one way and the natural beaches bordering it allow its guests to easily swim in the river. There is also a great Water Park and many high quality rental accommodations.

  

• 5/10

  Les Ramières

  In Sahune, the Les Ramières campsite offers an enchanting natural setting by the Eygues river, perfect to make the most of a holiday by the water. Having direct access, everyone can indulge in swimming, fishing or even have an adventure by building small dams out of pebbles, to children’s delight. Here the river becomes a life-sized playground, perfect for times of relaxation and quality time together in the heart of the Drôme Provençale, the southern part of the Drôme department in south-eastern France.

  In addition, the campsite boasts a vast water park for guests with swimming pools, a paddling pool and water slides, and a multitude of convivial activities for all ages. Surrounded by unspoilt countryside, with river activities to cool off and quality facilities, Les Ramières combines authenticity and comfort, offering holidaymakers an unforgettable stay in the heart of Provence.

  

• 4/10

  Le Castel Rose

  Le Castel Rose in Anduze extends along the Gardon river, with more than a kilometre of natural banks where holidaymakers make the most of pebble beaches, refreshing swims and times of relaxation on the water. The river is the perfect playground for families, with fishing, children’s games and shared times in a lush relaxing setting at the foot of the Cévennes mountains.

  To round off this water fun, Le Castel Rose has a vast water park with swimming pools, a lagoon, water slides and splash pad for the very young. There are also sports facilities and a range of activities. Combining nature, comfort and conviviality, this riverside campsite perfectly epitomizes the way of life during family holidays in the south of France.

  

• 3/10

  Le Soleil Vivarais

  Le Soleil Vivarais enjoys an exceptional location by the Ardèche river, in a breathtaking natural setting with the cliffs and forests reflected in the water. Holidaymakers have direct access to the campsite beach to swim, fish or go off in a canoe to explore the Ardèche Gorge whilst making the most of a relaxing, lush setting. In the immediate vicinity of the river, the establishment has a unique atmosphere, perfect for a holiday on the water.

  Beyond this rare privilege, Le Soleil Vivarais stands out for the high-end facilities; two vast aqua parks with pools and water slides, a spa with steam room and sauna, and a wide choice of entertainment and sports activities for young and old alike. With relaxation, comfort and nature, this 5-star campsite perfectly epitomizes the art of staying by the river in the superb Ardèche region.

  

• 2/10

  Domaine de Soleil Plage

  Le Domaine de Soleil Plage enjoys an incredible location by the riverside. This 5-star campsite in Vitrac is settled on the edge of the Dordogne River, a watercourse that definitely counts as the most beautiful and the most attractive one of the South-West! Forming at random a semi-loop around Vitrac, le Domaine de Soleil Plage lies within this natural arc.

  Facing impressive cliffs that the river has helped shape over the centuries, this campsite by the water enjoys a very pleasant environment. Greenery is all around. There's no lack of space either and the peace of the site is only sometimes interrupted by the joyful cries of kayakers and canoeists coming down the river. the river takes them to the heart of the Périgord Noir and near the most renowned tourist sites of the Dordogne. First, the village of Vitrac, dominated by the castle of Montfort, then La Roque Gageac, counting as one of the most beautiful villages of France. Finally, the fortress of Castelnaud la Chapelle and its medieval village soon appear before everyone’s very eyes from the river bed...

  

• 1/10

  La Plage Fleurie

  In Vallon Pont d'Arc, La Plage Fleurie is a 5-star campsite bordering the Ardèche River. Its canyons have, in the heart of a limestone plateau, carved one of the most beautiful tourist and natural sites of the South of France. A canyon of thirty kilometres long which you can navigate down by canoe or kayak, and offering spectacular landscapes, like the famous Pont d'Arc, the Cirque de la Madeleine, or the Balcon des Templiers.

  Campsite La Plage Fleurie boasts a great asset to attract the tourists; a natural beach that allows swimming and leisure and water activities in and around the Ardèche River... The magnificent beach with sand and grass of this luxury campsite is indeed the place to be in summer, where it is all happening. Children can have fun digging and building sandcastles, while teens can join the floating platform in a few swim strokes, located a few metres from the shore. Parents, meanwhile, can peacefully relax on sun loungers or simply lie down on the grass to better indulge in idleness... Finally, everyone can enjoy this natural pier to launch his canoe and exploring the beautiful Ardèche Gorges...