What are the best campsites in the Camargue?
Pitching your tent, parking your campervan or staying in a mobile home as close to nature as possible allows you to experience the Camargue at the pace of its landscapes and iconic wildlife. So why not turn this cinematic memory into a real travel experience and come and spend your next holiday in the Camargue? Follow the guide! This region has it all, plus a wide choice of campsites to stay in. Here is a selection of the best:
4-star campsite with water park in the Camargue
Camping L'Abri de Camargue **** is situated in Le Grau-du-Roi, in the heart of the Camargue, in the Gard department of the Occitanie region. Nestled in a wooded park, it offers pitches for tents, caravans and motorhomes, as well as fully equipped mobile homes. Close to the beaches and the resort centre, it offers a pleasant setting from which to explore the landscapes and traditions of the Camargue, with swimming pools and leisure facilities for the whole family. The campsite is open from April to September.
3-star campsite in Le Grau-du-Roi (30)
Camping L’Elysée *** is situated in Le Grau-du-Roi, in the heart of the Camargue, in the Gard department of the Occitanie region. Nestled between the sea and the lagoons, on the shores of Lake Salonique and around 1.5 km from the beaches, it mainly offers fully equipped mobile homes across a vast site. The campsite features a water park with a swimming pool and slides, as well as numerous leisure facilities and seasonal entertainment for the whole family. It is open from April to September.
4-star campsite in the heart of the Camargue
Camping Fleur de Camargue **** is situated in Saint-Laurent-d'Aigouze, in the heart of the Camargue. Set in a typical Petite Camargue setting, near Aigues-Mortes and about 9 km from the beaches, it mainly offers mobile homes and a wide range of facilities for family holidays. The campsite features a water park with heated pools and slides, as well as entertainment and leisure facilities for all ages in a friendly atmosphere. It is open from April to September.
Cheaper campsite in Le Grau-du-Roi in the Camargue
Camping du Soleil ** is situated in Le Grau-du-Roi, on the edge of the Camargue. Set in a shaded site on the shores of Lake Salonique and close to the beaches of L’Espiguette, it offers pitches for tents, caravans and motorhomes, as well as mobile homes. The campsite offers a range of services and facilities, including a bar-restaurant, a playground and summer entertainment in a friendly atmosphere, just a few kilometres from the centre of Le Grau-du-Roi. It is open from April to September.
How about setting off to explore the Camargue?
The other Golden Triangle
- The Camargue is an area of around 150,000 hectares formed by the Rhône delta. It consists of three main zones:
- The Grande Camargue, situated between the two active branches of the Rhône — the Grand Rhône to the east and the Petit Rhône to the west (Bouches-du-Rhône).
- The Petite Camargue or Camargue Gardoise, to the west of the Petit Rhône, in the Gard and eastern Hérault.
- Le Plan du Bourg, to the east of the Grand Rhône (Bouches-du-Rhône).
This division reflects the diversity of landscapes, wilderness and culture that make up the richness of the Camargue.
Step into a picture postcard
Choosing the Camargue for your holiday means being sure of breathtaking scenery from dawn to dusk. Here, the water merges with the sky, the colours shift with the light and the time of day, and the wide-open spaces invite you to daydream. The region is home to semi-wild horses, Camargue bulls and thousands of migratory birds, all within a protected environment designated as a Regional Nature Park.
There are several ways to explore these landscapes. Walkers and cyclists can follow the many paths along the dykes, passing through rice fields, salt marshes, meadows and dunes. Mosquito repellent is recommended, and it is important to respect the protected areas to preserve this exceptional biotope. You can explore the area independently using guidebooks and maps, or with a local guide, who will reveal some amazing spots and the stories of the Camargue.
The horse, king of the Camargue
In our view, the best way to explore the region is on horseback, the symbol of the Camargue. From rides lasting a few hours to trips lasting several days, the possibilities are almost endless. For beginners, a short walk at a gentle pace is enough to get a taste of the pleasure of riding. For the more adventurous, treks lasting 1 to 3 days allow you to encounter herds of horses and bulls. Tourist offices offer various packages to suit all levels and preferences.
Traditions and local festivals
The Camargue is also a land of encounters and culture. Every May, Roma, Manouche, Tsiganes and Gypsies converge on Les Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer for the pilgrimage of Sara la Noire, their patron saint. For 8 to 10 days, they fill the town, its streets and squares, celebrating their traditions and baptising their children. Although the festival is primarily a Gypsy event, it is open to visitors, offering a unique cultural immersion.
Must-see villages and towns
Visiting the Camargue also means discovering its iconic towns and villages. Arles, considered the region’s historic capital, boasts over 2,500 years of history with its ancient theatre, amphitheatre and Roman circus. Every summer, it hosts the Rencontres de la Photographie, founded by photographer Lucien Clergue. Just a few kilometres away, Aigues-Mortes with its medieval walls and Le Grau-du-Roi, a charming fishing port, are also well worth a visit.
Local flavours and cuisine
Finally, the Camargue is a feast for the palate! The local cuisine offers a variety of traditional specialities: seafood, fougasse, Arles sausage and even bull meat prepared in a multitude of ways. An experience that perfectly complements the exploration of its landscapes, wildlife and culture.
Having read all this, only one question remains: when are you coming?