The new French regions: where to choose your campsite?

Dune du Pyla © OC

 

On 1 January 2016, a government reform lowered the number of French administrative regions from 21 to 12. Four of them - Ile de France, Pays de Loire, Provence Alpes-Côte-d’Azur and Brittany were unchanged. Centre has only changed its name, and is now Centre-Val de Loire. The other 16 regions have been merged and there are now just seven: Normandy, Hauts de France, Grand Est, Nouvelle Aquitaine, Occitanie, Bourgogne-Franche Comté and Auvergne Rhône-Alpes.

7 new regions in France

OCCITANIE: THE SEA AND THE MOUNTAINS

When you choose this region, resulting from the merger of Midi-Pyrénées and Languedoc-Roussillon, for your holiday, it is a guaranteed feast for the eyes, since Occitanie has so many rich and wonderful sights to see. There are natural sights in the Pyrenees, in Cévennes or on the shores of the Mediterranean, architectural sights in Carcassonne, the Cathar Castles, Nîmes and its Roman remains, Toulouse or the Canal du Midi. And for holiday campsites in Occitanie, there is such a wide choice that you are sure to find what you are looking for.

NOUVELLE AQUITAINE: SPOILED FOR CHOICE

Stretching for over 500 km, from Ile de Ré to Hendaye, Nouvelle Aquitaine provides an almost endless variety of landscapes, making this the ideal destination for holidays and shorter stays. Whether you prefer the sea in all its variety, the mountains, both high and low, or the quiet of the green countryside, there is sure to be a landscape, a region or a culture to suit you, especially since the number and types of campsite awaiting visitors are also practically endless.

HAUTS DE FRANCE: THE DIVINE SURPRISE

From the former mining regions of the Nord region to Baie de Somme via the beaches of Pas-de-Calais, Hauts de France has plenty of great surprises in store if you opt for this region. The campsites here are as varied as the possibilities on offer, with visits to the memorial areas in the Somme or trying your hand at sand-yachting on the beaches of Pas-de-Calais.

GRAND EST: A WONDERFUL RANGE OF LANDSCAPES

From Strasbourg in the east to Nogent-sur-Seine in the west, the Grand Est region brings together ten French departments. The range of landscapes, and the variety of campsites on offer for your holiday, is particularly wide, from the Champagne vineyards to the wine route in Alsace, the little streets of Troyes to the colourful houses of Kaysersberg in Alsace, via the famous war memorial sites or the landscapes such as the plains of Champagne and the magnificent Vosges forests.

AUVERGNE – RHÔNE-ALPES: ALL THAT’S MISSING IS THE SEA

Choosing the Auvergne Rhône-Alpes region for your camping holidays, means a very wide range of possibilities to choose from. If you like the mountains, then that’s fine, because the choice ranges from hiking in the Auvergne Volcano Park or in Vercors to trails for experienced mountain climbers in the Chartreuse mountains. But spending your holiday in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region also means a taste of Provence in Drôme Provençale. If you are feeling peckish after all this effort, then succumb to the temptation of local specialities from Aubrac or the diabolically tasty Lyon cuisine.

BOURGOGNE - FRANCHE-COMTÉ: MADE-TO-MEASURE HOLIDAYS

Whether you are a fan of beautiful stone buildings or historic sites, a keen hiker or gourmet, the Bourgogne-Franche Comté region provides a wide range of choices for your camping holiday. Go back in time with a visit to the Vézelay basilica, the Royal Saltworks in Arc-et-Senans, or the Hospices of Beaune. Pull on your walking shoes and follow the large number of signposted trails in Vosges or Jura. If you are a fan of the fruit of the vine, pay a visit to the small Jura wine region, the home of “Vin Jaune”, or the magical sites of Burgundy with names that make the eyes shine and the excite the taste buds, such as Mercurey, Vosne-Romanée, Chassagne-Montrachet, Nuit Saint-Georges, etc.

NORMANDY

On holiday at a campsite in Normandy, horse-riding fans can gallop along the beach of Deauville, while literature buffs can admire the Etretat cliffs.

Rent a mobile home in a campsite with a swimming pool between Cabourg and Grandcamp-Maisy, and visit the Caen memorial. Continue your journey with the Normandy Landings beach circuit (Utah Beach and Omaha Beach).

(Re)visit the other French regions:

LA PROVENCE-ALPES-CÔTE D’AZUR

In south-eastern France, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur is bathed to the south by the Mediterranean Sea. Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur is a major French destination thanks to a high rate of sunshine. Rent a mobile home in a campsite with a swimming pool in Var, and enjoy all the activities in the ports, with water sports and water parks.

Going camping in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur also means a visit to the Gulf of Saint-Tropez with its charming villages.

CORSICA

For a short stay or a longer holiday, treat yourself to a getaway in Corsica! Campingfrance.com can help you organise your stay with a selection of campsites in Corsica. Southern Corsica is famous for its creeks and exceptional landscapes. And if you prefer a campsite in upper Corsica, there is a wide variety of destinations, too. Near Bastia, Calvi, Corte or Île-Rousse, you are sure to find the campsite of your dreams on campingfrance.com.

CENTRE-VAL DE LOIRE

Between the Vallée des Rois in Loiret, the Route Jacques Cœur in Cher or Chartres Cathedral, your holiday in the Centre region will introduce you to a deeply rich historic heritage, with the Châteaux of Loire displaying all their splendour.

From a campsite in Centre-Val de Loire, you can set off along the paths of the Brenne National Park, the land of a thousand lakes, and explore what is known as the “Garden of France”.

BRITTANY

Your campsite in Brittany next to the sea

On campingfrance.com, over 860 campsites in Brittany are on offer, from north to south! To find a campsite in Brittany next to the sea, just click on “Gulf of Morbihan”! For example, you can head to Carnac or Crach to stay a step or two away from the Gulf and the magnificent Quiberon Bay. Of course, on campingfrance.com you will also find a selection of northern Brittany campsites in Perros-Guirec, Erquy or Morlaix. Digemer mad (Welcome)!

ILE-DE-FRANCE

Although Paris, the City of Light, may overshadow its neighbours, there are plenty of over reasons to spend your holiday in Ile-de-France. The Château de Versailles and the Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte are two of them.

For camping holidays in Ile-de-France, set off to the Saint-Germain forest or the Chevreuses Valley. Ile-de-France is also the home of Paris. Visit the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, and walk along the River Seine - you’ll go home with your head filled with memorable images.