Camping La Côte des Roses

When you’ve tried all the waterslides at the pool, head down to the Mediterranean beach (five minutes’ walk) to have a crack at water sports like land yachting, karting and jetskiing. Inland, you can follow a seafront cycle path from the exit to the campsite, go horse riding in the pine forests or take the kids for paintballing sessions (both five minutes’ drive). For a change of pace, explore the once-important Roman sea port of Narbonne (25 minutes), now snoozing inland on the side of the River Aude. This attractive city has promenades along the Canal de la Robine, a medieval cathedral and the enticing undercover food market at Les Halles – just the place for a lunchtime charcuterie snack and a glass of cold white wine. Another historic treasure in the region is the once-fortified city of Carcassonne (55 minutes). A day trip rewards with a cobbled old town, walks around the ramparts of the sprawling Château Comtal and the spiky facade of the Gothic-era cathedral.