Upon arrival

Where to eat well when camping: a guide to restaurants and snack bars

Resttaurant au camping ©Domaine de la Sainte-Baume
Resttaurant au camping ©Domaine de la Sainte-Baume

Going camping doesn't mean giving up good meals. Between on-site restaurants, fast food outlets and regional specialities, French campsites offer a wide range of options for enjoying a meal without having to take the car.

Don't feel like cooking every meal during your camping holiday?

When on holiday, cooking plays an essential part in the camping experience. As these are long-awaited holidays, not everyone wants to cook, at least not every meal. Fortunately, there's no need to visit the campsite mini-market every day, as there are other solutions!

Some prefer quick and convenient meals, while others like to sit down and enjoy traditional or regional dishes prepared with care. Many campsites have developed restaurants and snack bars on site, allowing guests to enjoy fresh produce, local specialities and sometimes even gourmet menus, all without leaving their holiday destination. Whether you want to enjoy an ice cream after a day of swimming, share a family meal in a friendly atmosphere or discover the flavours of the region, there is always a solution to suit every taste.

Relaxing with the family at the campsite restaurant
Relaxing with the family at the campsite restaurant© L'HIPPOCAMPE (Volonne - 04)

Today, among the services offered by campsites, the vast majority of 3-star and above campsites have at least one catering option - this is mandatory for 4- and 5-star campsites: this may be a snack bar, a traditional restaurant or more gourmet options; some even offer several options to suit all tastes and budgets.

Snack bars and fast food: quick and smart eating at the campsite

A snack bar by the pool?
A snack bar by the pool?© LE VAL DE L'ARRE (Le Vigan - 30)

For those who want to eat quickly, simply and without breaking the bank, campsites offer a wide range of snack options. These quick meals allow you to save time to enjoy activities, avoid long waits and stay close to the campsite atmosphere. Ideal for families or after a day of sport, snacks can be enjoyed on the campsite's friendly terraces. If you fancy pizza, hot dogs, croque-monsieur, charcuterie or cheese platters, this offer is for you!

 Meals on the go, or to accompany an aperitif...
Meals on the go, or to accompany an aperitif...© LA GRAINETIÈRE (La Flotte - 17)

This type of food is available in snack bars, but also sometimes in certain campsite restaurants that offer quick meals or takeaway dishes. At Azureva Fouras***, La Grainetière***** (La Flotte) or at Caravan’Île***** (La Guérinière), you can enjoy simple pizzas, burgers or ice creams. At Le Val de l’Arre**** campsite (Le Vigan), families can enjoy a variety of snacks and ice creams for quick gourmet breaks.

The campsite food truck
The campsite food truck© LE MOULIN DE LA PIQUE (Pays de Belvès - 24)

Finally, some campsites, such as Moulin de la Pique***** in Pays-de-Belvès, bring in a food truck during the season, offering quick and tasty dishes that are often changed to surprise holidaymakers throughout the summer.

Traditional, home-style cooking: camping classics

Lunch with friends at the campsite restaurant
Lunch with friends at the campsite restaurant© MS VACANCES - LE TRIANON (Les Sables-d'Olonne - 85)

For those who enjoy classic French cuisine in a friendly atmosphere, campsites offer a wide range of restaurants serving fish, meat, salads and homemade desserts. These restaurants allow you to enjoy complete, balanced meals in the warm and relaxed setting of the campsite, ideal for families or groups of friends who want to enjoy their stay without any constraints.

A "guingette" atmosphere at the campsite restaurant
A "guingette" atmosphere at the campsite restaurant© SLOW VILLAGE LES PONTS-DE-CÉ (Les Ponts-de-Cé - 49)

At the MS Vacances Le Trianon***** campsite (Les Sables-d'Olonne) or the International La Réserve**** (Hyères), you can enjoy a varied traditional cuisine with dishes to suit all tastes and seasonal menus. Slow Village Les Ponts-de-Cé*** and L'Orée du Bois***** (Les Mathes) focus on a friendly atmosphere and carefully prepared daily specials, perfect for outdoor lunches or dinners. Finally, campsites such as Le Cap de Bréhat**** (Plouézec) and Le Cabellou Plage***** (Concarneau) offer simple, comprehensive menus ranging from salads and grilled meats to fish dishes, with something to satisfy everyone.

A restaurant overlooking the pool
A restaurant overlooking the pool© LE CABELLOU PLAGE (Concarneau - 29)

These restaurants allow you to enjoy complete and balanced meals while remaining in the warm and relaxed setting of the campsite. It's the ideal solution for holidaymakers who want to treat themselves without having to go out, while still enjoying the convenience of on-site service.

Regional cuisine: discover local specialities without leaving the campsite

Regional specialities in the campsite restaurant
Regional specialities in the campsite restaurant© LES ÎLES (Pénestin - 56)

To discover local flavours and regional specialities, some campsites offer restaurants that showcase the gastronomy of their region. These establishments are perfect for those who want to taste fresh produce, fish of the day or traditional dishes with a twist, all in a friendly, family atmosphere.

The Lou Gaudina restaurant
The Lou Gaudina restaurant© LA PIERRE VERTE (Fréjus - 83)

At the Saint-Pabu Plage***** campsite (Erquy) or Les Mouettes***** campsite (Carantec), Breton cuisine takes centre stage, with seafood, crêpes and homemade galettes. The Salines**** (Hyères) and Les Îles***** campsites (Pénestin) focus on Mediterranean and local flavours, with fish, seafood and specialities from the sea. In the south-east, La Pierre Verte**** (Fréjus) and Domaine de la Sainte-Baume**** (Nans-les-Pins) offer generous Provençal dishes typical of the region. The L'Hippocampe***** (Volonne) and Le Rêve*** (Le Vigan) also showcase local produce and regional recipes. In the south-west, the Domaine de Fromengal***** campsite (Le Buisson-de-Cadouin) serves homemade pizzas and traditional Périgord cuisine, using vegetables from the campsite's own kitchen garden!

 Breton specialities at the campsite
Breton specialities at the campsite© LES MOUETTES (Carantec - 29)

These restaurants not only allow you to discover the local cuisine, but also to share convivial moments with family or friends, while remaining in the comfort of the campsite.

Local and gourmet restaurants: culinary art at the heart of the campsite

A refreshing break at the campsite restaurant
A refreshing break at the campsite restaurant© LES PETITS CAMARGUAIS (Le Grau-du-Roi - 30)

For lovers of fine dining and local produce, some campsites go the extra mile and offer a more sophisticated culinary experience, with refined dishes and menus based on high-quality local produce. These restaurants allow you to discover authentic flavours while enjoying the natural setting of the campsite.

Enjoy a quality meal at the campsite restaurant
Enjoy a quality meal at the campsite restaurant© LES RIVES D'ARC (Vallon-Pont-d’Arc - 07)

At Domaine de Sévenier***** (Lagorce) or La Palombière***** (Sainte-Nathalène), the home-style cuisine showcases local produce, with foie gras, duck breast and other dishes inspired by the region. The Domaine de Massereau***** (Sommières) and Domaine de Verdagne**** (Gassin) campsites offer refined Mediterranean or bistronomic cuisine, where each dish is carefully prepared to highlight regional flavours. Finally, at Rives d'Arc**** (Vallon-Pont-d'Arc) and Les Petits Camarguais***** (Le Grau-du-Roi), the restaurants L'Avalon and L'Octopus focus on fresh, local produce: homemade food reigns supreme and regional gastronomy is showcased in authentic dishes. At Le Talouch**** campsite, you can enjoy dishes from the restaurant that are almost entirely homemade, with fruit and vegetables from the kitchen garden and meat sourced locally from Gers farmers.

These establishments offer holidaymakers the opportunity to enjoy cuisine worthy of a gourmet experience in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere.

Takeaway meals to enjoy in the comfort of your mobile home or chalet

For campers who wish to eat directly on their pitch or in their mobile home, many campsites offer takeaway options. These options allow you to enjoy quickly prepared meals, often made with fresh, local produce.

Some campsites have developed convenient services such as rotisseries, catering corners or takeaway meals from their restaurants. The Domaine de la Bergerie***** campsite (Roquebrune-sur-Argens) is a perfect example, with its rotisserie and snack bar (in addition to its restaurant), while Les Méditerranées – Le Charlemagne***** (Marseillan) offers a catering corner with prepared dishes to take away and enjoy at your leisure. These solutions combine convenience, speed and quality, and are particularly popular with families and holidaymakers in a hurry or those who want to make the most of their day without having to travel.

 

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