Camping Naturiste Verdon Provence

Lovely lakeside and Provencal village Esparron-de-Verdon has a beach for lazy mornings and several independent shops for almost as lazy afternoons; out of town, it's crossed by the GR 4 hiking trail from France's southeast to west coasts. The many cycle trails around the Provence and its lavender fields are also topping options for long scenic days out. But if you're in the area, you must spend much time at the Gorges du Verdon, the deepest gorge in France and a land of spectacular scenery, mountain biking, climbing and kayaking. And – mais oui – hiking: travel along the Sentier Martel trail and the Route des Crètes just to start you off. (If you prefer water, the gorges link five lakes, Esparron, Quinson, Artignosc, Sainte-Croix and Castillon, all well worth days' worth of dreamy activities each.) For village hopping and cuisine sampling, find the rural communes of Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, Riez, Gréoux-les-Bains and Castellane, to investigate Provcencal specialties like tapenade, olive oil, aubergine caviar and aîoli – all souvenirs to be taken home in bulk.