What to see in France

Camping in Occitania, between Pyrenees, Mediterranean and natural parks

Collioure
Collioure

 

Occitanie, the merger of the Languedoc-Roussillon and Midi-Pyrénées regions, comprises 13 departments in the south-western quarter of France. With its many mountain reefs and rivers, the Occitanie region is blessed with extraordinary landscapes in which you are bound to find a campsite.

Questions and answers about campsites in Occitania

The choice of campsites in Occitania is so wide that there is bound to be one waiting for you: in this mega-region in the south of France, almost 1500 campsites are open to you. But which ones, and where to pitch your tent or rent a mobile home?

Occitania campsites by number of stars

You will certainly have expectations in terms of comfort and services and for this the campsite's classification is a good indicator. The number of stars determines the size of the campsite, but also the space of your pitch, the facilities (such as swimming pools, fitness rooms...) that will be required, as well as other services (spa, treatments, mini-club for children...) that you will find on your pitch.

You will find a wide choice of campsites in Occitania in all ranges: a third of the campsites in Occitania have 3 stars! You will also find 282 2-star campsites, almost as many **** campsites, as well as around 60 ***** campsites.

What is the size of the campsites in Occitania?

In terms of campsite size, almost two thirds of the campsites in Occitania have less than 100 pitches: these human-sized campsites are often a guarantee of calm, conviviality and a peaceful family atmosphere. At the same time, nearly 400 campsites in Occitania have between 100 and 300 pitches. A hundred or so offer more than 300 pitches, real holiday villages in the middle of nature.

How many seaside campsites are there in Occitania?

268 campsites in Occitanie are located less than 5 kilometres from the Mediterranean Sea. For those who really want a camping holiday with their feet in the water, you can consult a selection of campsites in Occitanie with direct access to the beach, for more comfort and safety!

Campsite by the water
Campsite by the water© LES MEDITERRANÉES - NOUVELLE FLORIDE (Marseillan - 34)

Our recommendation: Les Méditerranées Nouvelle Floride ***** in Marseillan or L'Espiguette *** in Grau-du-Roi.

Campsites by the lakes and rivers in Occitania

1100 campsites in Occitania are located near a freshwater point. That's a lot, but the region, crossed by 74,000 km of waterways, is full of lakes, pools and waterfalls, all of which are great places to swim with very good quality water. From the Tarn gorges to the Dordogne valley, check the list of campsites near a lake or river in Occitania.

Which campsites have an eco-label in Occitania?

If environmental protection and eco-responsible behaviour are important to you, choose your next holiday destination from among the Green Key or Ecolabel campsites. About fifty "green" campsites in Occitania have them.

For example, we recommend camping Les Sablons ***** in Portiragnes, in the Hérault.

Camping Les Sablons, in Hérault
Camping Les Sablons, in Hérault© Les Sablons (34)

Campsites with swimming pool in Occitania

If your children like to have fun at the pool on holiday, then Occitania is the place for you: in this beautiful region more than 800 campsites have at least one swimming pool - mainly an open-air pool! For added comfort, campsites also offer their holidaymakers heated pools and, more rarely, covered pools, ideal for days when the weather is a little less pleasant.

 The joy of a water park
The joy of a water park© LES MEDITERRANEES - CAMPING LE CHARLEMAGNE (Marseillan - 34)

The must for holidays: choose a campsite with a water park in Occitania! At around fifty of them, you can enjoy pools, lagoons, waterslides and other aquatic areas for fun for young and old alike, for example at the La Sirène campsite ***** in Argelès-sur-Mer or at the Les Méditerranées Le Charlemagne campsite ***** in Marseillan.

Discover Occitania during your camping holiday

The Occitanie region is sure to appeal to you, whatever your expectations.

The beaches and seaside resorts along the Mediterranean will allow you to enjoy the pleasures of swimming and lazing around in the water.

It is a territory rich in unique landscapes, very popular with hikers and climbers, recognised for its remarkable historical heritage: Occitania has many monuments, and no less than 8 sites classified as World Heritage by UNESCO. The region is full of prehistoric, ancient, medieval and contemporary wonders.

The beaches of Occitania, with their feet in the Mediterranean

Landscape of the Côte Vermeille in the Pyrénées Orientales
Landscape of the Côte Vermeille in the Pyrénées Orientales© IStock

The Occitan coastline stretches from the Spanish border to the Camargue in southern France. Discover first the Côte Vermeille, a wild coastline of rocky coves, charming little fishing ports and hillside vineyards, located in the Eastern Pyrenees, then the Côte d'Améthyste, with its preserved, warm and authentic coastline, which stretches from Argelès-sur-Mer to the Camargue.

Occitania has 220 km of beaches that can be wild, made up of long stretches of fine sand or set in rocky coves. From east to west, the seaside resorts in Occitanie are numerous and attractive: le Grau du roi, Grande-Motte and Palavas les flots, jump to Cap d'Agde, Leucate, Le Barcarès and Sainte-Marie-la-Mer, then arrive at Argelès-sur-Mer and Collioure...

Espiguette beach in Grau-du-Roi
Espiguette beach in Grau-du-Roi© iStockphoto

Between host countries and exceptional monuments, a heritage to discover

Occitania is rich in wonders, so this list is not exhaustive, but here is an overview of what you can discover in this region:

To the east of Occitania is a piece of Camargue, called "Petite Camargue".

Still to the east, drop in at Saint Guilhem le Désert: a stone's throw from the Hérault gorges, wander through its narrow streets with Romanesque or Renaissance windows and visit the Gellone abbey on this stage of the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela, which is one of the most beautiful villages in France

Plan a visit to Montpellier or Nîmes, to see the famous arena.

Nîmes in the Gard
Nîmes in the Gard© IStock

Inland, why not choose to spend your camping holiday in the Cévennes massif, located mainly in Lozère and Gard. The wide open spaces will particularly appeal to those seeking fresh air.

Finally, don't miss the Grands Causses Natural Park, the 3rd largest natural park in France, which includes the Millau Viaduct and the Tarn Gorges, popular with sportsmen (hiking, canoeing, climbing) but also for its Mediterranean climate.

You may prefer the Gorges de l'Aveyron, a 15km canyon with high limestone cliffs, or the Gorges du Gard (where you can admire the famous Pont du Gard).

Aveyron landscape
Aveyron landscape© IStock

In the west of Occitania, closer to the coast, discover the Corbières and the Corbières maritimes, including the towns of Narbonne, Perpignan and the famous city of Carcassonne.

Inland, drive to Toulouse, the city of Albi, Montauban and the Quercy region, where you can enjoy the regional nature park and Geopark of the Causses.

Albi in Tarn
Albi in Tarn© Istock

The south of the Occitanie region is bordered by the Pyrenees. If you choose a campsite in the Pyrenees, discover the narrow valleys and enchanting peaks of the Bigorre region and climb the Pic du Midi, visit Lourdes and admire the great cirques of the Pyrenees (cirque de Troumouse and cirque de Gavarni). If you have the opportunity, visit the castles of the Cathar country.

Finally, enjoy the spas and even the hot springs in the middle of nature.

The Gavarnie cirque, Hautes-Pyrénées
The Gavarnie cirque, Hautes-Pyrénées© Adobe Stock

More information on the sites to discover on tourisme-occitanie.com

The flavours of the Occitan region

Occitania is a region with Mediterranean, Atlantic and mountain influences and has a rich, varied and authentic gastronomy. During your camping holiday in Occitania, you will enjoy local specialities. Discover cassoulet, Toulouse sausage, aligot, truffles, foie gras, oysters and roquefort.

 

 

Campsites connected with this article

Campsites in Occitanie
See all my campsites consulted