If nights under canvas and evenings making your meals over an open fire have long since filled you with a creeping sense of dread, then the chances are that you might not be a regular camper. But gone are the days of tiny tents, minimal facilities and lumpy flooring, because camping has officially gone luxury.
These days, the best campsites offer a range of heated indoor accommodation options, as well as a wealth of high-end facilities including heated swimming pools and spas, lavish on-site restaurants and sophisticated bars. From opulent lodges and static caravans to igloos and glamping teepees, there are plenty of ways to enjoy the great outdoors without giving up your creature comforts, and with electrical hook-up and entertainment coming almost universally as standard, it’s an upgraded camping experience that is almost unrecognisable compared to the original back-to-basics approach.
While there’s no denying that the past year has seen us enjoy a new-found appreciation for nature and the great outdoors, we love our luxurious bedding and mod cons a little too much to give them up entirely – so it’s reassuring that we no longer have to and can finally enjoy the best of both worlds.
France is leading the way when it comes to the world’s best campsites, and is quickly becoming one of the most popular travel destinations for those looking for a luxurious camping holiday. While the nation currently remains on the UK’s amber list, there are hopes that it is set to go green over the coming weeks – so if you’re eager to start planning a luxury getaway with a difference this summer, then these are the top destinations to make sure you have on your radar, hand-picked by the experts in 5-star French camping at Campsited.com
Camping le Paradis
Located on the banks of the ézère River near Montignac-Lascaux, Saint Léon sur Vézère, as luxury campsites go, Camping Le Paradis is up there with the best of them. Home to a range of luxury cottages and ‘Canadien’ tents for the full glamping experience, here you’ll be left wanting for nothing.
Set in picturesque surroundings, it’s a great choice for outdoor lovers, with numerous walking trails accessible nearby. Here, the service is second to none, and with numerous outdoor activities to choose from in a relatively remote location, it’s the perfect place to detox from the stresses and strains of daily life.
Camping Sunêlia L’Hippocampe, Volonne
Nestled in a scenic location in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, south-eastern France, Camping Sunêlia L’Hippocampe is the perfect pick for families, and adults alike, with a comprehensive entertainment programme catering to all ages.
Whilst the children splash around in the paddling pools and take on the maze of water slides the park has to offer, you can relax in the jacuzzi with a glass of bubbly. For family time, canoeing and fishing are great ways to enjoy the great outdoors together, and the breath-taking landscapes, fauna and flora of the Alpes de Haute Provence certainly won’t disappoint.
There are plenty of scenic sights to enjoy a little further afield, too. The Verdon Canyon, the famous lavender fields of Valensole, and the natural parks of Luberon are all within easy reach and are the icing on the cake for the idyllic French escape of your dreams.
Camping Écologique La Roche D’ully, Franche-Comté
A beautiful ecological campsite set in the heart of the Loue Valley and flanked by the breath-taking Jurassian mountains, this one-of-a-kind luxury campsite and resort borders the city of Ornans, and offers a range of high-end accommodation options including lodges, log cabins and chalets.
On-site, you’ll find a jacuzzi, sauna and spa to make for a relaxing experience, as well as indoor and outdoor pools and a waterpark for the kids, as well a selection of bars and eateries to choose from. Hiking, cycling and climbing are all popular activities to engage in whilst here, and all the mod cons come as standard.
Le Village de la Champagne, Champagne
When it comes to the most luxurious of camping experiences, where better to get your fix than in the upmarket region of Champagne?
Le Village de La Champagne is nestled in woodland just a stone’s throw from downtown Bar-sur-Aube, where you’ll find plentiful shops, bars and restaurants to choose from, so if you like to be a little closer to civilisation when camping then this could be just the ticket. And, with the Nigloland amusement park and an assortment of pretty lakes nearby where you can partake in water sports, it’s the perfect spot for a family location.
With the vineyards of Champagne located nearby, it’s the perfect opportunity for the adults to indulge in a tour and tasting experience, where you’ll get to sample some of the region’s very finest varieties. Back on-site, you’ll enjoy access to a heated indoor pool, sauna and clubhouse, as well as various dining and drinking options.
Le Domaine du Lieu Dieu, Beauchamps
Located just a two-hour drive from Paris, the Lieu Dieu campsite offers beautiful surroundings and the utmost in comfort. Here, you can camp out in five-star yurts on the water for an unusual and unique experience you’re unlikely to forget in a hurry.
Outdoor activities on offer include hiking, biking and horse riding, as well as fishing, water skiing and a range of other watersports for the ultimate immersive escape in France’s beautiful countryside.
