Lacs in the Landes region, marshes in the Charentes region, gorges of the Gard river or banks of the Loire river: France is full of preserved places for a green break. Destinations, activities, accommodation: the perfect place to disconnect as a family or as a couple, away from the hustle and bustle.
Leaving without having to cross the planet, cutting off notifications and waking up with the sun rather than with the alarm: the formula of nature camping is quite simple. The network Slow Village This has become his guiding principle. He has planted a dozen small, human-sized gardens at the edge of a lake, river or ocean, where slowness is claimed as an art of living.
From the Landes lakes to the gorges of the Gard, where to pitch your tent?
On the Atlantic side, the island of Ré remains a reliable destination. Around Saint-Martin-de-Ré, whose fortifications built by Vauban are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the cycling trails wind through vineyards, salt marshes and beaches.
Further south, the Marennes-Oléron basin unfolds its clear oysters and flat horizons. As we head towards the Loire-Atlantique, Pornic and the coast of Jade play on the charm of the coves and the coastal path.
In the Landes, Biscarrosse changes its scenery: large lakes surrounded by pines, a few kilometers from the ocean. A calmer water, appreciated with young children.
The South offers more mineral-rich landscapes. In La Roque-sur-Cèze, a village perched on the Gard and classified as one of the Most Beautiful Villages in France, the Cèze snakes its way through the rocks of the Sautadet waterfalls.
Anduze, the gateway to the Cévennes, opens onto valleys that are hemmed in by steep slopes. In the Dordogne, Saint-Cybranet is nestled in the Céou valley, in the heart of the Black Périgord. Fans of river landscapes will finally find the Loire and its islands at Ponts-de-Cé, at the gates of Angers.
Hiking, paddle boarding and binoculars: what to do on site?
Hiking remains the best way to explore a territory. Coastal trails, forest paths, and Cévennes peaks can also be explored by bike or even horseback. On a body of water, canoeing and stand-up paddle allow you to discover the banks from a different perspective.
It’s better to slip a pair of binoculars into your bag. On the island of Ré, the Lilleau des Niges nature reserve welcomes thousands of migratory birds every year. Compared to Oléron, that of Moëze-Oléron is a major stopover for the little terns. On the Loire, the sandbanks shelter colonies of terns in summer. The golden rule: leave early, stay discreet and keep your distance.
On site, the campsites offer a variety of friendly activities, from pétanque to mölkky and yoga or orienteering games. But a green holiday is also about doing nothing: a book by the water, a nap in the shade, a final swim when the sun is setting.
Tent, cabin or tiny house: where to sleep in peace?
Purists will choose the classic location for a tent, caravan or camper van, with or without electricity. Comfort is limited to shared sanitary facilities, but the immersion is total.
For those who want to get away without giving up a real bed, there is glamping, a contraction of «glamour» and «camping». Cottage, wooden lodge, platform cabin or tiny house: these unusual accommodations feature a private bathroom, a kitchenette and heating or air conditioning. Couples can find a second home here, while children can enjoy an adventure playground.
Last advice: May, June and September often offer more tranquility than the heart of summer.