The best campsites in the Hautes-Alpes
Camping Les Rives du Lac, enjoy Lake Serre-Ponçon and a water park
Camping Les Rives du Lac **** in Veynes welcomes you to an exceptional natural setting, close to Lake Serre-Ponçon. This campsite with swimming pool offers spacious pitches and comfortable accommodation, as well as an aquatic area with heated swimming pool. Its privileged location means you can take full advantage of the lake's water activities and hikes in the surrounding mountains.
A water park with slides and heated pools
Les Princes d'Orange *** campsite in Orpierre is nestled in the heart of the Baronnies provençales Regional Nature Park. This human-sized campsite with a swimming pool offers a breathtaking view of the climbing cliffs for which the village is famous. The shady pitches and comfortable accommodation make it an ideal base for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts.
Eco-friendly accommodation - Camping La Clarée Huttopia
La Clarée Huttopia *** campsite in Val-des-Prés nestles in the magnificent Clarée valley, at an altitude of 1,400 metres. In this haven of peace, respectful of the environment and bordered by the river, holidaymakers enjoy accommodation in perfect harmony with nature. Its location is perfect for discovering the high altitude lakes and hiking trails of the Ecrins National Park.
4-star Camping Solaire, a swimming pool in the mountains
Camping Solaire **** in Veynes promises unforgettable holidays in a natural and peaceful setting. This family campsite offers spacious 150 m² pitches, perfectly shaded and ideally located. With its nearby lake and high-quality facilities, this campsite with heated swimming pool offers the ideal haven of peace to recharge your batteries in the heart of the Southern Alps.
Camping Les Écrins *** in L'Argentière-la-Bessée is in the heart of the Hautes-Alpes, between the Écrins National Park and the Queyras Regional Nature Park. Boasting a Mediterranean climate with 300 days of sunshine a year, this authentic campsite lets nature lovers enjoy the lavender-scented mountains. There are plenty of cultural and sporting activities on offer, from hiking to white-water sports.
Here you'll find all the campsites in the Hautes-Alpes, some of which are located in ski resorts and therefore open in winter. Small and discreet, they often offer fabulous scenery that you can enjoy from the terrace of your accommodation. More fun than a hotel, camping will be an unforgettable holiday memory for your children.
There are a number of campsites in the Hautes-Alpes, some of which are in ski resorts and therefore open in winter. Small and discreet, they often offer fabulous scenery that you can enjoy from the terrace of your accommodation. More fun than a hotel, camping will be an unforgettable holiday memory for your children.
What's the most beautiful place in the Hautes-Alpes?
The natural jewel of the Méouge
The gorges de la Méouge are one of the jewels in the crown of the Hautes-Alpes. It is a listed biological reserve, part of the Parc régional des Baronnies provençales. It's the perfect place to enjoy a swim in the cool waters, soak up the sun on the banks or go canyoning. Sculpted by the river over thousands of years, these gorges offer a spectacular setting combining waterfalls, natural pools and surprisingly shaped rocks. The site is also popular with hikers and wilderness lovers, who enjoy the peace, freshness and unspoilt scenery. Some areas are well-maintained and relatively easy to access, making them ideal for families with children, as long as you remain vigilant, especially near water and on the sometimes-slippery rocks.
Escape to Lac de Serre-Ponçon
The Lac de Serre-Ponçon was created in 1959. The lake's colour is reminiscent of the most beautiful southern seas, thanks to the large quantities of minerals and sediment in its water. Located in the heart of the Southern Alps, its climate, with 300 days of sunshine a year, accentuates its exotic character. It's an ideal place for water sports (your children will love the Aquaparc Embrun), swimming, sunbathing and strolling along its 80 kilometres of shoreline to discover its superb panorama. Several supervised, well-equipped beaches allow families to enjoy the lake in complete safety. Shallow, accessible and supervised swimming areas are ideal for younger children, making it a popular destination for families.
Wild encounters at Serre-Ponçon
The Serre-Ponçon wildlife park is an exciting activity to enjoy with the whole family during your holiday in the Hautes-Alpes. Situated right next to the lake, foxes, marmots and birds of prey will be presented to you by the park wardens. A unique moment to share. The trail is designed to be accessible to children, with easy, safe paths. Educational activities and discussions with the animal handlers allow the youngest visitors to discover the fauna of the Alps in a fun and exciting way, in a protected natural setting.
The unspoilt Clarée Valley
The Clarée valley, located near the Italian border and accessible from Briançon, is a genuine natural jewel. The best way to explore the valley is to start by visiting the church of Saint-Marcellin in the charming mountain village of Névache, then take a walk to discover the Laramon, Serpent and Lac Vert lakes. The site is perfectly suited to families, with several well-marked and varied trails, some of which are accessible to children. The routes can be chosen according to the level of difficulty, and the beauty of the scenery - between forests, flower-filled mountain pastures and crystal-clear mountain waters - will delight young and old alike. However, it is advisable to be well equipped and to allow for breaks, as some sections may be slightly uphill.
The Grand Tour des Écrins
The Grand Tour des Écrins takes in the breathtaking scenery of the southern Alps. This route crosses the heart of the Ecrins National Park, one of the most beautiful and wildest in France, offering an exceptional immersion in Alpine nature. Best done in summer with children, you can explore this area on foot, mountain bike or even horseback, depending on the stage. Some sections of the tour are suitable for families, with shorter, well-marked and accessible routes, particularly around Vallouise, Le Bourg-d'Oisans and La Grave. On the other hand, the full route, which covers more than 400km, is aimed more at experienced hikers. If you're a family, it's best to select a few specially adapted sections, so you can enjoy the panoramic views without any restrictions. It's a great way to introduce youngsters to hiking and discover the wealth of fauna, flora and landscapes in the mountains.
Nature and heritage in the Queyras
The Queyras Regional Nature Park in the Hautes-Alpes, close to the Italian border, is home to a wealth of flora and fauna. On your walk, you may be lucky enough to spot a marmot, a chamois or a bird of prey soaring over the ridges. There are plenty of well-maintained trails, making this a perfect place for a family outing, with easy routes accessible even to young children. The Queyras fort, dating from the 13th century and remodelled by Vauban, is also in the valley. A visit to the fort offers a wonderful cultural interlude in the heart of this natural area. A park that's not entirely "wild", but where nature and heritage blend harmoniously for the enjoyment of young and old alike.
Briançon, a hilltop town
Considered to be the highest town in France, Briançon is perched at an altitude of over 1,300 metres in the heart of the Hautes-Alpes. A town of history and character, it boasts a rich military and architectural heritage. You must climb to an altitude of 1,440 metres to visit the Fort des Têtes, a UNESCO World Heritage site designed, once again, by Vauban. This impressive site offers panoramic views of the surrounding valleys and the old, fortified town. The visit is suitable for families: the access paths are laid out, and guided tours allow children to discover military history in a fun way. With its cobbled streets, ramparts and Alpine landscapes, Briançon is a must-see destination that combines culture, nature and adventure for everyone.
Serre Chevalier, a must-see resort
Just 15 kilometres from Briançon, Serre Chevalier is the largest ski resort in the Southern Alps. Spread over several villages in the Guisane valley, it is a benchmark for residents of the Hautes-Alpes and holidaymakers alike. In winter, it offers a vast ski area suited to all levels, with pistes for beginners, fun areas for children and freeride zones for the more experienced. It's an ideal destination for families, thanks to its ski schools, nurseries and activities for the very young. Serre Chevalier is not just about skiing, it also offers a wide range of activities all year round: snowshoeing, dog sledding, mountain biking, hiking, thermal baths and an adventure park... Something for all the family, summer and winter alike.