Camping Le Moulin

For active antics in the wilderness, it’s half an hour’s drive to the hilly wonders of the Baronnies-Provençale Regional Park, laced with trails and bursting with boat-based thrills for kayakers and canoeists. The towns and villages of the region are just as ripe for exploring (and shopping). Head to Nyons (40 minutes) for produce fresh from the farms, especially the olive oil and Clairette de Die, a pleasant and fragrant sparkling white you won’t taste anywhere else. Pick up fine handmade pottery in Séguret (one hour) and the excellent local rosés everywhere you see a 'Caves' sign. Suze la Rousse (one hour) even has a university dedicated to plonk and it ought to be on your list of must-see places even if you prefer a cup of tea. A hilltop promontory town gazing down onto a valley of vines and lavender, this is peak Provence. If you should hear any moaning from the back along the lines of 'oh no, not another lavender field' then send the family to the crocodiles. La Ferme Aux Crocs (1.5 hours) is an unmissable opportunity to see various breeds of the toothy terrors on a park with giant tortoises, lizards, tropical birds and fish.