2023 CAMPING GUIDE


Marseille’s bouillabaisse (fi sh soup) are all must-taste dishes. And let’s not forget that this region is the home of not only pastis, the aniseed apéro so beloved of local pétanque players, but also a raft of superb rosé wines. Further information Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur tourist board provence-alpes-cotedazur.com


OCCITANIE The peaks at Vignemale, Hautes-Pyrénées (Occitanie) in summer


For some serious views, head to Gorges du Verdon, France’s answer to the Grand Canyon. Accessed via a breathtaking corniche route around the rim of the gorge, the area of outstanding beauty is a haven for intrepid hikers and has lots of (safe) river swimming and canoeing. For those who like to explore a little local history, there are abundant ancient towns and cities to explore – top of any wish list are Arles (Bouches-du-Rhône)


and culturally rich Avignon (Vaucluse) as well as the region’s two major cities, Marseille and Nice. All along the coast there are dazzling seaside gems such as Bormes- les-Mimosas (in the Var), Saint-Tropez and Antibes. When it comes to local produce, this sunny region is charmed. Classics such as socca (chick pea pancake, most notably found in Nice’s Cours Saleya market), pissaladière (onion tart), authentic salade Niçoise and


Occitanie is awash with idyllic camping spots, from


riverside gems to Plus Beaux Villages to the thrills of the mountains.


Combining the former Languedoc-Roussillon and Midi-Pyrénées regions, Occitanie occupies a massive part of southwest France and counts Toulouse, Montpellier, Carcassonne, Auch, Nîmes, Cahors, Albi and Perpignan among its many urban must-sees. The countryside in Lot, Gers, Aveyron, Ariège


A bit of paradise directly at the sea... YOUR CAMPSITE ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ AT THE CÔTE D’AZUR


• Situated directly at a sandy beach • 45 ha of pinewood • Camping - Caravaning Camping car - Bungalow • Sport - Entertainment Kids’ Club • WIFI - Bar-restaurant Supermarket - Wellness


2581 Route de Bénat - La Favière - 83230 Bormes-les-Mimosas - FRANCE - Tel : +33 (0)4 94 71 03 12


mail@campdudomaine.com - www.campdudomaine.com CAMP DU DOMAINE


and more offers many stunning camping options with Plus Beaux Villages aplenty, riverside campsites and great outdoor activities. The Hautes-Pyrénées, its most westerly, mountainous department, boasts some great ski resorts in winter and for summertime campers is equally appealing. Hikers love it – choose from gentle routes through the rolling foothills and plains, or superb way- marked trails of the Louron valley, Gavarnie and Grand Tourmalet. You can spot tremendous fl ora and fauna when exploring by bike or on horseback. Thermal resort Saint-Lary is an authentic Pyrenean village with all manner of family-friendly activities from climbing to archery. In short, Hautes- Pyrénées with its wildly spectacular backdrop, is a super adventure playground! Further information Occitanie tourist board www.visit-occitanie.com/en Hautes-Pyrenees tourist board www.pyrenees-holiday.com FT


Feb/Mar 2023 FRANCE TODAY ❘ 145


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