Camping Les Ayguades

Families with kids in tow won’t have to go far to keep everyone entertained: within five minutes’ drive of base, budding motorists can race around a go-karting circuit, the whole family can get competitive with a spot of paintball, timbers can be well and truly shivered at Pirat’Parc amusement park, and two waterparks have plenty of slides to zoom down. Grownups have to go just a little further for some kid-free adventures, but the extra few minutes in the car shouldn’t dampen spirits too much. Roll the dice on that with a stop at Casino de Gruissan five minutes away, or opt for some winery tours instead: La Cave de Grissan and Domaine Bel Eveque are within 20 minutes… Or you could dive into history at the ruined Château de Gruissan, then venture further afield to learn all about the area’s salt industry at the Musée du Sel or with a tour of the salt flats; both are 15 minutes away. There’s lots for active types around here too: treetop courses, canyoning, laser tag and archery are within 10 minutes, and a longer drive to Le Gouffre de l’Oeil Doux (30 minutes) will lead to scenic hikes and walks around a limestone sinkhole and its green lagoon. If that whets the appetite for outdoor explores, the Massif de la Clape nature site is 20 minutes away, and a branch of the 240-kilometre-long Canal du Midi can be reached in 25.