What to see in France

Camping in the Corbières Maritimes: a complete guide for your holidays

Les Corbières maritimes à Gruissan
Les Corbières maritimes à Gruissan

The Corbières Maritimes, located in the Aude department along the Mediterranean coast, represent the coastal part of the Corbières massif. This region offers a unique combination of fine sandy beaches, salt ponds, vine-covered hills and Mediterranean scrubland, all bathed in a sunny climate and the typical Tramontane wind. The Corbières Maritimes are ideal for camping holidays combining nature, water sports and cultural discoveries.

A region between sea and nature

The Corbières Maritimes are characterised by the diversity of their natural environments. To the north, salt ponds and lagoons offer unique landscapes and protected areas for many species of birds. The hills covered with scrubland and vineyards typical of Fitou and the Corbières offer a contrast to the beaches and wild coastline.

La Franqui in Leucate, between sea and lagoon
La Franqui in Leucate, between sea and lagoon© iStock

Choosing the Corbières Maritimes for your camping holiday means opting for a destination that combines nature, leisure and culture. Here's what makes the region particularly attractive:

  • The diverse landscapes between the sea, lakes and hills offer a variety of environments to explore.
  • There are activities for everyone, including swimming, water sports such as kitesurfing and windsurfing, and walking or cycling in Mediterranean surroundings.
  • The local produce and gastronomy will appeal to lovers of AOC wines (Corbières, Fitou), Provençal markets and local products.
  • There are also many family outings to enjoy, with nature reserves, animal parks, traditional villages and historical heritage sites, such as the fortress of Salses, all within easy reach.

These assets make the Corbières Maritimes a complete destination for a camping holiday, whether you come with your family, as a couple or with friends.

Campsites in the Corbières maritimes

The Corbières Maritimes region includes many towns where campsites are concentrated, notably Leucate, Port-la-Nouvelle, Le Barcarès, Torreilles and Narbonne. These seaside resorts offer a wide choice of sites, ranging from intimate family campsites to 4-star campsites with swimming pools and entertainment, suitable for all types of holidays.

Domaine Presqu’Île de la Franqui in Leucate (11)

The campsite swimming pool
The campsite swimming pool© DOMAINE PRESQU'ÎLE DE LA FRANQUI (Leucate - 11)

Domaine Presqu’Île de la Franqui**** is located between the sea and a lake and offers direct access to the beach. This campsite combines a preserved natural setting with proximity to water sports, ideal for families and sailing or paddleboarding enthusiasts.

Camping Côte Vermeille in Port-la-Nouvelle (11)

A campsite just a stone's throw from the beaches
A campsite just a stone's throw from the beaches© CÔTE VERMEILLE (Port-la-Nouvelle - 11)

The Côte Vermeille*** campsite, located by the sea in Port-la-Nouvelle, allows you to enjoy long sandy beaches and the entertainment offered by the port. It is perfect for those who want to alternate between swimming, relaxing and water sports.

MS Vacances Les Tamaris in Barcarès (66)

Enjoy the indoor swimming poo
Enjoy the indoor swimming poo© LES TAMARIS (Le Barcarès - 66)

MS Vacances Les Tamaris***** is located near the lagoons and the town centre of Le Barcarès. With its water park, playgrounds and sports activities, this campsite is ideal for families and groups who want to combine relaxation with exploring the coastline and lakes.

Camping La Barbacane in Narbonne (11)

A campsite with a water park, for the enjoyment of young and old alike
A campsite with a water park, for the enjoyment of young and old alike© LA BARBACANE (Narbonne - 11)

Camping La Barbacane***, close to Narbonne and the beaches of Gruissan, offers the ideal setting for combining culture and swimming. Roman heritage, local markets and easily accessible beaches make this campsite an excellent base for exploring the region.

Enjoy the Corbières Maritimes during your camping holiday

Beaches and water sports

The beach is all about relaxation... and sometimes a little sport too!
The beach is all about relaxation... and sometimes a little sport too!© LE FLORIDE (Le Barcarès - 66)

The Corbières Maritimes offer fine sandy beaches stretching along the coast, ideal for swimming, relaxing and water sports. Seaside resorts such as Leucate, Port-la-Nouvelle, Gruissan and Le Barcarès offer supervised areas suitable for families, as well as quieter areas for those seeking peace and quiet.

The wind and currents also make it a prime location for board sports: kitesurfing, windsurfing and paddleboarding are very popular, especially around the Leucate lake and coastal ponds. Kayak and stand-up paddleboard enthusiasts can explore the region's lagoons and canals, enjoying the garrigue landscapes.

 Windsurfer on the windy lake of Salses-Leucate
Windsurfer on the windy lake of Salses-Leucate© iStock

For those who want to combine easy access to the beach with unspoilt natural surroundings, the Le Floride campsite***** in Barcarès is a good example, allowing you to quickly enjoy the beaches and local water sports.

In short, whether you're into relaxation, swimming or water sports, the Corbières Maritimes offer a variety of accessible beaches to suit all types of holidaymakers.

Hiking and nature

 Hiking trail in the Sainte-Lucie regional nature reserve, in Port-la-Nouvelle
Hiking trail in the Sainte-Lucie regional nature reserve, in Port-la-Nouvelle© iStock

For nature lovers, the Corbières Maritimes offer a variety of trails:

  • Along the lagoons and ponds of Salses-Leucate, Barcarès, Canet and Torreilles, perfect for bird watching, especially flamingos, and enjoying the Mediterranean scrubland. Cycle paths and footpaths make for walks that are accessible to all.
  • The Narbonnaise en Méditerranée Regional Nature Park, accessible from Narbonne and Gruissan, protects a wide variety of natural environments. There are marked trails for walking or cycling, with panoramic views of the sea, vineyards and lagoons.
  • The Clape trail, south of Narbonne, offers a more challenging hike through scrubland, pine forests and cliffs overlooking the Mediterranean.
Flamingos in the lagoons around Leucate-La Franqui
Flamingos in the lagoons around Leucate-La Franqui© iStock

These trails are perfect for beautiful walks or bike rides, with unique panoramic views of the sea, vineyards and local wildlife. Whether you're looking for a leisurely stroll or a more challenging outing, the Corbières Maritimes offer the ideal natural setting for all levels.

Family discoveries and cultural outings

Le caThe Robine Canal in Narbonne, not far from the Gilles Ancelin keep
Le caThe Robine Canal in Narbonne, not far from the Gilles Ancelin keep© iStock

To round off your camping holiday, the Corbières Maritimes also offer a wealth of cultural discoveries and outings suitable for the whole family, including historical sites, traditional villages and original experiences:

The fortress of Salses, near the town of Salses-le-Château, is an impressive example of 15th-century military architecture and tells the story of the border between France and Spain.

The Sigean African Reserve, near Barcarès, offers a unique experience of observing wild animals in a semi-natural setting.

In Narbonne and Gruissan, you can discover Roman heritage, local markets and canals, such as the Canal de la Robine, which is ideal for a family walk.

The wine-growing villages of Fitou and La Palme offer an immersion in the local terroir, with tastings and visits to traditional cellars.

Gastronomy and local produce

Fresh fish at the market: the catch is local!
Fresh fish at the market: the catch is local!© iStock

The Corbières Maritimes region is also a place of gastronomic discoveries: seafood, oysters, fresh fish, AOC wines (Fitou, Corbières) and Mediterranean products. The local markets in Leucate, Narbonne and Port-la-Nouvelle are ideal places to sample the region's specialities.

 

The Corbières Maritimes are an ideal destination for a varied camping holiday. Between the sea, lakes, scrubland and wine-growing villages, there is something for everyone: relaxing on the beach, water sports, hiking, cultural discoveries and local gastronomy. Whichever campsite you choose, the Corbières Maritimes guarantee a stay rich in experiences and memories.

 

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