Campgrounds for backpackers in France

Camping Le Beaussement

• Leafy and shaded site on the banks of the Ardèche river
• A 10-minute walk from Chauzon and 15 kilometres from the Pont d’Arc
• Swimming, fishing and canoe and kayak rental all from the site

Camping du Lac de Bujaleuf

• Terraced lakeside site with views of Lac de St Hélène from every pitch
• A 20-minute drive from Eymoutiers and 40 minutes from Limoges
• Canoe and pedalo hire; fresh bread and pastry daily during high season

Camping de La Motte

• Spacious family-friendly holiday park in the Vendée countryside
• A 20-minute drive from Puy du Fou theme park; an hour to the coast
• Fishing pond, playground and indoor and outdoor pools; snack bar

International Camping

Domaine de Maumont

• Set in the grounds of a spectacular 18th-century French manor
• On the edge of the Perigord-Limousin Regional Natural Park
• Pool, hot tub, bar, restaurant, pétanque court and two playgrounds

Camping Le Grand Batard

• Peaceful, off-grid farm camping at Le Grand Bâtard in the Dordogne
• Abbaye d’Échourgnac 50 minutes by bike; Saint-Aulaye an hour
• Set on the Camino Francés pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela

Camping Le Temps de Vivre

• Peaceful family-run site in the Périgord Noir
• Wildlife haven with many walking trails nearby
• Pool, paddling pool and massage parlour

Camping à l'Orée du Bois de Montalan

• Quiet rural site in woodland near Saint-Hilaire-les-Andresis
• In the Loire Valley within 45 minutes' drive of Fontainebleau
• Playground, barbecue area and picnic tables

Camping A l'Ombre des Tilleuls

• Friendly site in the foothills of the Pyrenees
• 7km from Lourdes and 8km from the Caves of Bétharram
• Swimming pool, multisports pitch and restaurant on site

Camping Les Lacs de Courtès

• Countryside park between Bordeaux and Toulouse
• In the rural and foodie department of the Gers
• Two pools, spa, sun deck and private lake for fishing

Camping de La Fraignaye

• Quiet family-friendly site a five-minute walk to Saint-Denis-du-Payré
• Less than a 20-minute drive to Plage des Bélugas beach
• Pool, kids' games, ping pong, snack bar, pétanque and table football

Camping des Hautes Grées

• A 400-metre stroll from the white sandy beach of St Michel in Erquy
• 27°C heated pool, sauna, hammam, summer kids' clubs and cooked meals
• On the GR 34 close to Cap Erquy and nine Erquy beaches

La Bastide d'Albignac

• Sprawling site in the scenic grounds of a pretty 19th-century house
• A 35-minute drive from Grands Causses and 45 minutes from Albi
• Swimming pool, bar-restaurant and miniature farm on site

Camping La Plage

• On the banks of the Dordogne river and within easy reach of Rocamadour
• Canoeing from the site, plus climbing, caving and canyoning nearby
• Weekly meals, DJ nights and illuminated night swims in the pool

Camping La Kilienne

• On the edge of a 45-hectare forest and near a disused railway line
• A short drive from France’s oldest citadel in Doullens
• Heated indoor pool with toboggan slides and Jacuzzi; miniature golf

Camping L'Escale

Camping Le Doumergal

• Small peaceful Aveyron site at 700 metres altitude
• Near the village of Arvieu and 6km from Pareloup lake
• Play area, fishing, pétanque, ping pong and table football

Camping La Grangeonne

• Friendly-family campsite near Esparron lake
• Provençal villages, lavender fields and local markets nearby
• Snack bar and wifi

Camping des Gorges de l'Allier

• Large woodland park with direct access to the Allier river
• A short walk from Langeac and the Allier gorges tourist train
• Restaurant, play area, fishing, pool and TV room

Camping La Borie Basse

• Flower-filled and family-run farm site in the Aveyron countryside
• Within 15 minutes of Toulouse-Lautrec's château and Pradinas zoo park
• Horse treks from site; a three-minute drive from shops, bars and eats