Camping Atlantic Coast

A land of a thousand discoveries, breathtaking panoramic views, and ancient historical and natural landmarks, the French Atlantic Coast should be on every camping enthusiast’s list of places to visit. It offers up a fantastic mix of splendid coasts with crystal clear waters, harbours, towns full of art and history, festivals, historic sites, huge vineyards and, last but not least, simple cuisine with genuine flavours and wines. It is a place with a lot of events, itineraries, and experiences to discover. Plan your camping holiday now to explore the wonderful French Atlantic Coast! 

The French Atlantic coast, or Atlantic facade, is bordered in metropolitan France by the Iroise Sea, the Bay of Audierne, then the Bay of Biscay and stretches from Le Conquet to Hendaye. It is made up of municipalities in the departments of Finistère, Morbihan, Loire-Atlantique, Vendée, Charente-Maritime, Gironde, Landes, and Pyrénées-Atlantiques, forming part of the respective regions of Brittany, Pays de la Loire, and Nouvelle-Aquitaine.

Bordeaux.

The city has a great deal of 18th-century architecture, an attractive riverfront area, the longest shopping street in France, and museums and galleries to explore. This 'city of culture' is now listed as a 'UNESCO World Heritage Site." It is rapidly becoming one of the most interesting and attractive cities in France.

Angoulême. 

Located on a plateau overlooking a meander of the river Charente, the city is nicknamed the "balcony of the southwest". When in Angouleme, do not miss Musée d'Angoulême, Cathédrale Saint-Pierre and Musee du Papier. 

Arcachon - one of the most popular resorts.

Protected by the peninsula of Lège-Cap-Ferret and the famous Dune of Pilat, Arcachon Bay has a mild climate and plenty of sunshine throughout the year. Beautiful oyster villages that have remained authentic, like L'Herbe, Piraillan or Le Canon, located in the municipality of Lège-Cap-Ferret, are worth a visit.

Ile de Ré.

It is a popular place for families looking for a sunny beach holiday. It is known for amazing beaches like the Plage de la Conche des Baleines, backed by dunes and pine trees. Nearby, the Phare des Baleines is a lighthouse offering expansive views. The main town of St-Martin-de-Ré has the 17th-century Fortifications of Vauban, plus outdoor cafes overlooking the marina. Bicycle paths crisscross the island.

La Rochelle. 

It is a lovely town set around a bustling harbour. It is the highlight of the department, a lovely and interesting small city with lots to enjoy and discover, including medieval towers and the Les Minimes marina.

1. Zoo La Palmyre.

Nestled at the heart of an 18-hectare pine forest, it is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Charente-Maritime. It offers the visitor the opportunity to observe more than 1600 animals of all kinds, divided into 145 species.

2. Bordeaux vineyards.

There is a great deal for wine enthusiasts to enjoy in this region, with many of the world's most famous wines coming from vineyards within 50 miles of Bordeaux. Many people visit the region with the sole purpose of visiting the wine chateaux and restocking their cellars!

3. Saint-Émilion.

East of Bordeaux a particularly lovely town can be seen at Saint-Emilion, a beautiful historical town (listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site), running up the hill and looking out across the Gironde vineyards, with a very great reputation for its wine.

4. Saint-Macaire. 

A little medieval town located on the banks of the Garonne river, about 50 km from Bordeaux. Saint-Macaire is a very attractive destination for those interested in history and beautiful architecture. During the 13th and 14th centuries, it was one of the most prosperous cities in Aquitaine due to its significant agricultural and trade activities. 

5. Cadillac.

It is a little town located on the right bank of the Garonne river in the Entre Deux Mers wine region. It’s quite a popular destination, attracting many tourists, especially during the summer. Cadillac is hard to miss when driving the D10 route to the south of Gironde. You will be greeted by a big defensive wall and the main gate into the old medieval centre, built in the 13th century. However, its undeniably most famous monument is the Château des Ducs d’Épernon, built by the Duke of Épernon in the 17th century. 

Explore the salt marshes of the Guérande peninsula as well as its medieval town, officially recognised as a "Ville d’Art et d’Histoire" in 2004.

Visit the Château de Gilles de Rais, alias "Blue Beard", which dominates the medieval town of Pornic.

Be spellbound by the underwater world of the Aquarium de La Rochelle, where you can discover the largest and most beautiful species of fish in Europe.

Take a boat trip from Boyardville or Fouras to visit Fort Boyard, a fortification built in the 19th century and now famous thanks to the French TV game show of the same name.

Discover the maritime heritage of the Arcachon basin with its huts built on stilts, fishing ports and villages famous for oyster production.

The region is famous for its superb wines, the strong but silky smooth spirit of cognac and its array of seafood, but there are plenty more local specialities to enjoy. Grab a table on the terrace of an oyster shack and savour a tray of oysters accompanied by a bottle of local Muscadet or an Entre-Deux-Mers white. Feast on shrimp and clams fished at low tide, or try a Charentais mouclade, a speciality prepared with fresh mussels grown on posts. Nothing beats the catch of the day in a coastal restaurant: opt for anchovies or sardines at Turballe or Croix de Vie, and sea bass on Noirmoutier Island, or sole with beurre blanc or beurre nantais, a half-salted butter sauce with white wine and shallots. Do not miss the dessert! Let yourself be tempted by a Vendée brioche, sablé biscuits from Retz or fleur de sel caramel. Try ice cream in resort towns: the seven Fraiseraie boutiques (in Guérande, Pornic and Nantes, among others) sell sorbets, ice creams and jams. On the Bay of Arcachon, Ô Sorbet d’Amour has everything to indulge ice cream lovers.

The most visited place is the area of marshes and canals known as the Marais-Poitevin: take a boat trip for the best way to appreciate the unusual environment. For bird watchers and nature lovers, there are several nature reserves like Estuary Park, which consists of 3.5 hectares of land, owned by the regional council of Charente-Maritime, and is located in a stunning location at the mouth of the Gironde estuary, in the Suzac forest.

Thus, the French Atlantic Coast offers many other activities, from sailing, surfing and other water sports, to hiking, cycling and golf. There are beaches of every variety, from calm, sheltered places to excellent surf spots: Inland waterways perfect for kayaking and boating in general; Dedicated cycling routes often along former rail lines, canal towpaths or old logging road; A total of 70 golf courses along the coast stretches from Le Crosic and La Baule in the north to Biarritz and Saint-Jean-de-Luz in the south.

As the region is a major tourist destination, visitors can find many outdoor shopping spots. The markets are full of local products like vegetables, fruits, seafood, clothing, and various antiques. These are just some of them: 

In La Rochelle - every day in a town centre. 

In Royan - every day except Monday.

In Saintes - every day (location changes, look out for signs). 

In Cadillac. The famous Cadillac market is held every Saturday. Here you can buy oysters from Marennes, macaroons, brioches, cannelés, cheeses and fish.

Châtelaillon-Plage Kite Festival in April. The resort of Châtelaillon-Plage kicks off the summer season with its Kite and Wind Festival: 3 days of shows in the wind for the whole family, on the main beach. The unmissable events that have made this festival famous include free-flying, Rokkaku fighting, night flying and kite-making contests. So much fun! 

International Sailing Week in Rochelle at the end of May. After being chosen to host the annual French Olympic Sailing Week (Semaine Olympique française - SOF) in 2012, this event has taken place here ever since. It is one of the biggest places in France where people go sailing, with all disciplines coming together.

Free live music festivals are held in many locations on the 21st of June (midsummer).

The Francofolies, music festival of La Rochelle. Every July, the city transforms itself into an open-air stage, welcoming the greatest Francophone artists! On the program, the best of the current French scene for five days of unforgettable concerts!

La Rochelle Marathon, at the end of November. It features a full 42.195 km marathon race as well as a 10 km race for amateur runners, a half marathon for wheelchair athletes, and a recreational 4 km jog around the city’s harbour.

The French Atlantic Coast offers everything for camping enthusiasts: amazing landscapes, including the sea, forests, plains, and good weather, which has a significant impact on a camping experience, and, of course, amazing food. There is a huge variety of camping types: farm, motorhome, naturist, glamping, family camping, mini camping, city camping, and even castle camping. But, the most popular ones are family-friendly campsites that have swimming pools and other facilities equipped for all family members' quality relaxation. Do not want to leave your four-legged friend at home? Bring them along! Most of the campsites are pet-friendly but check that before going. 

RV campings here are well-equipped, usually comes with electricity connection and water drainage. Sanitary facilities and camper service are always at your disposal in the campsite area. Go and enjoy the best camping experience in the French Atlantic Coast's natural surroundings! 

Want to try something new other than classic camping? Try glamping! Glamping provides different kinds of accommodation, from the most popular to the most unusual ones: tended cabins, safari tents, cottages, yurts, villas, domes, tree houses, bell tents, and many others. Choose the one you prefer the most and enjoy the closest connection with nature! 

Choose the ideal camping type with fantastic facilities, comfortable accommodation, many activities and much more to ensure a super sun-kissed escape: holiday parks. Holiday parks are the best choice for quality camping. Many French Atlantic Coast holiday parks welcome you with a combination of bathing resorts, comfortable accommodation, many shops, a wide choice of restaurants and bars, and a variety of activities blending harmoniously with the beauty of nature. Thus, holiday parks are often pet-friendly, where you can walk your dog everywhere on the campsite and access all areas, where you can find pet showers, off-leash areas, and even pet beaches. Holiday parks are the best choice if you are planning holidays with your friends or family, it is the place, where you will find both relaxation and entertainment. Do not wait and book your holidays now!