Choosing a 4 or 5 star campsite next to the water, whether beside the sea, a river or a lake, is a new way to have your cake and eat it too. This is a holiday solution that will open up a wide range of possibilities. You can choose the kind of water for swimming you prefer, salt water or freshwater, with or without waves, inside or out. You can try your hand at different water sports or just stay in the campsite and enjoy the wide range of activities on offer.
Direct water access
This is one of the main selling points for these campsites, a direct access to the beach. It means you can dive into the water without walking a long way, take your car or bike. Sometimes you don't even have to leave the campsite grounds, which is a major safety advantage – ideal for families with children. There is specially designed access, sand paths through the dunes, stabilised paths or tarmac roads. This direct access can make your stay at the campsite a lot more pleasant. You can go and take a swim or do some sailing, for example, without leaving the campsite grounds and your children can go and have fun next to the water without getting lost.
For fans of water sports
Choosing a 4/5 star campsite next to the water also means you can make the most of water activities on offer both onsite or nearby.
In addition to the programme of activities offered directly by the establishment, agreements may have been made with external service providers. This may mean sailing or water-skiing lessons in the sea or lake, canoes and kayaks to rent in Ardèche, etc. and also the chance to explore other fun sports like jet-skiing or parasailing.
And for those who like more thrills, this may also be the opportunity for you to discover other more fun disciplines such as jet-skiing or parasailing.
© BELLE PLAGE (Ploemeur - 56)
If the campsite has made agreements with these service providers, you can even benefit from preferential rates.
Don’t feel like going out and about?
All the same, there’s nothing stopping you from enjoying everything the campsite has to offer onsite. Many of them often have magnificent water parks with several pools, some of which are covered, spectacular slides, a paddling pool for toddlers and, more and more often, a fun water play area and a spa area. These water parks enjoy more and more success and are often the liveliest places in the campsite. Here the kids can have fun in the water in the pool with their friends or play with the paddling pool games, while the parents bask in the sunshine on a sun lounger or make the most of the wellness area (sauna, hamam or massages). Plus, you will often find everything onsite, whether for basic items (small supermarkets) or restaurant meals (to eat in or take away). All reasons encouraging you not to go – or not often – beyond the campsite gates, even just as far as the beach.
Luxury rentals and high-end services
For those who want their camping holiday to be synonymous with resort comfort, some 4- and 5-star campsites now offer luxury rentals: premium mobile homes, wooden lodges, spa villas and even panoramic suites. These accommodations are distinguished by their high-end finishes, premium bedding, equipped terraces, and sometimes even a jacuzzi or private pool.
At the same time, premium services are on the rise: gourmet restaurants or brasseries on site, lounge bars, wine cellars, concierge services, spas and thalassotherapy centres accessible directly from the campsite, shuttle buses to the beach, and high-end fitness centres.
Before booking, check carefully:
- What type of accommodation is offered: ‘premium’, ‘grand luxury’, ‘spa villa’;
- Whether the restaurant is part of the establishment or simply a cafeteria/snack bar;
- What services are actually included (spa access, shuttle, room service) or whether they incur additional charges.
Choosing this type of package is a bit like opting for a ‘camping resort’: the higher the standard, the higher the price... but so is the experience. If you just want a good mid-range mobile home, there's no need to go that far. On the other hand, if you want to combine nature, the seaside and luxury comfort, these options are perfect.
5-star campsites have to meet a certain number of qualitative and quantitative criteria to obtain this accreditation. This 5th star is generally a guarantee of quality. On this subject, you may also like to read: what does the campsite classification mean?