An exceptionally wet winter and historic floods in western France
Since the beginning of the year, record rainfall has fed the region's main rivers. The Loire, Serein and Mayenne rivers and their tributaries have experienced rapid rises in water levels, causing exceptional flooding in several departments.
State and local authorities quickly placed certain areas on orange flood alert, while access roads to some campsites were temporarily cut off. These episodes serve as a reminder that flooding is part of the natural cycle of these rivers.
Campsites flooded in February
Several campsites across France were directly affected by the floods, with water levels varying depending on their proximity to rivers. In Varades, Loire-Atlantique, the Loire burst its banks and almost completely submerged the Eco'Loire campsite, while the Belle Rivière campsite in Sainte-Luce-sur-Loire saw its paths and rental areas partially flooded, making access temporarily impossible.
In Maine-et-Loire, the Terre de Loire campsite in La Ménitré was flooded to a depth of 1.5 metres, and the Municipal La Rivière campsite in Nyoiseau had areas that were impassable due to water in. In Gennes-Val de Loire, the Au bord de Loire campsite, so well located by the river for a holiday by the water, is flooded... Just like every year!
In Châteauroux, in the Indre department, the Le Rochat Belle-Isle campsite was also affected by rising waters, caused by the Indre river overflowing in Belle-Isle park. In Yonne, the Municipal Le Serein campsite in Chablis was directly affected by the overflowing of the Serein river, and in Mayenne, the Bac campsite at Menil was partially submerged. Finally, in Sarthe, the Le Port campsite in La Suze-sur-Sarthe, managed by Camping-Car Parc, had to carry out preventive evacuations.
Although the water caused material damage, all the operators remain mobilised and ready to prepare for recovery as soon as the waters recede, highlighting their resilience in the face of an exceptional natural phenomenon.
Focus: at the heart of the crisis with campsite operators
In La Ménitré, the Terre de Loire campsite was flooded up to 1.5 metres. The manager has launched an appeal for help, describing the situation as "exceptional and difficult to manage". Damage caused by exceptional flooding is only partially covered by insurance policies, making recovery difficult for this small independent campsite. Check out the Leetchi fund launched by Jessica, the campsite manager, to help her restart her business as soon as possible.
In Varades, the Eco'Loire campsite was almost completely submerged by the Loire. Images show the site transformed into a stretch of water, with mobile homes and chalets partially submerged. In Sainte-Luce-sur-Loire, the Belle Rivière campsite saw its facilities partially flooded, making access temporarily impossible.
Even when only part of the site was affected by the flooding, managing the situation required vigilance and responsiveness. These episodes highlight the resilience of operators in the face of unusually severe flooding : the Le Rochat Belle-Isle campsite in Châteauroux reports that the campsite is closed until further notice but that everything is fine, as there is no damage!
Restoring campsites after flooding
As soon as the water begins to recede, teams at the affected campsites set to work cleaning and securing the facilities. Pathways and grounds are cleared of debris, wet areas are dried out, and damaged equipment — mobile homes, chalets, reception offices and sanitary facilities — is inspected and repaired. Operators also coordinate with insurance companies and local authorities to obtain compensation related to the natural disaster classification, which facilitates reconstruction and the purchase of missing equipment. All of these actions not only make the campsites safe for visitors, but also prepare for the reopening of the summer season, with facilities ready to welcome the public again in good conditions.
Receding waters and recovery: hope returns to campsites
The waters are receding in most of the affected areas. Water levels are gradually falling, and roads and access routes to campsites are beginning to clear.
Despite the exceptional floods of winter 2026, these campsites remain standing and resilient, like the Au Bord de Loire*** campsite in the attached video (in French). Operators are already hard at work preparing for the summer season, offering the opportunity to enjoy the Loire landscapes and picturesque riverbanks now free of water. After the ordeal, nature is reclaiming its rights. And the campsites are already preparing to write the next chapter of the season.