Holidays in Rivera and Provence | France

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Riviera & Provence Overview

While Provence is the epitome of relaxed, beautiful, rural France, the French Riviera is a world away; playground to the beautiful people and home of conspicuous champagne consumption.

This is where glamorous resorts contrast with sleepy hillside villages, and where elegance and endless sunshine are combined in equal measure. Yet that’s what makes this region such a favourite with Eurocamp customers; it really does offer you the best of both worlds.

The Riviera boasts some of the best known resorts in the world, including St Tropez, Nice, Monte Carlo and Cannes to name but a few, not to mention a host of less famous but equally lovely resorts including Fréjus, St Aygulf and St Raphael, whose fabulous beaches are firm favourites with all generations of Eurocampers.

Yet while glamour and sunshine are crucial to the popularity of the region, Provence offers so much more. The historic city of Arles isn’t just the gateway to the wildly beautiful Camargue, it is also home to some superb Roman remains, with the Ampitheatre and Palais Constantine representing some of the most perfectly preserved monuments in Europe.

The spectacular ramparts of Avignon, with its glorious Palais de Papes is another must-see city. And should you ever tire of modern glamour and ancient architecture, the Provençal countryside simply begs to be explored, offering up everything from plummeting gorges, and endless salt flats to pretty fields of lavender.

Lovers of good French food will also be wowed by the fabulous Mediterranean cuisine you will find here, with the bouillabaisse a particular delight.

With great cuisine across all the French regions take a look at the other regions Eurocamp have campsites in on our French campsites section.

Places to visit - Sightseeing

When you come to Provence and the French Riviera, you really do get the best of both worlds: idyllic countryside as well as glamorous seaside resorts. So wherever you camp here, you will find plenty of reasons to get out and explore:

Cannes
Famous for its annual Film Festival and bevy of ‘beautiful people,’ Cannes is also a stunningly pretty and historic resort. From the famous beachside Boulevard de la Croisette to the lovely Old Port and the Musée de la Mer, it’s simply unmissable.

Fréjus
The original port of Forum Julii was founded here by Julius Caesar himself in 49BC. So today, while Fréjus is a charming seaside resort in its own right, it is the impressive Roman remains including a vast ampitheatre that make the town so special.

Arles
This ancient town’s position on the Rhone makes it a natural gateway to the Camargue. It also offers a host of Roman remains, including a superb ampitheatre, and the Espace Van Gogh, which looks at the great man’s life, is also well worth a visit.

St Tropez
This lovely old port is now home to more luxury yachts than fishing boats, yet it still retains much of its old world charm. A great place to simply watch people from the many cafés, though the 16th century citadel above the town is equally diverting.

Gorges du Verdon
Arguably the most dramatic natural features in France, these huge canyons were created by erosion from the River Verdon, which enables you to combine sightseeing with a host of watersports including kayaking and white water rafting.

The Camargue
This unique area is home to a wealth of flora and fauna, where you will see herons, egrets and flamingos, not to mention bulls and wild horses. In fact, while this area is fine for walkers, a trip on horseback is the definitive way to view the Camargue.

Marseille
The second city of France, Marseille has a rich seafaring past and a beautiful old town, which contrasts beautifully with Le Corbusier’s more modern architecture. As the gateway to the colonies for centuries, it also has an exotic, cosmopolitan ambience.

Aix en Provence
Still known as the Florence of Provence, Aix offers beautiful facades and handsome squares at every turn. It has also been home to many artists, and the Cezanne walk, marked with a series of Cs is a popular way to discover the city’s secrets.

Great for younger kids

Fun City
Situated in both Fréjus and Cannes, Fun City offers safe, indoor fun for children from 3-12 years of age. With its soft playbarn areas, ball pools and tropical theme, it’s a great idea when little ones want a break from the sun.

Marineland
Not only is Marineland near Antibes one of the largest oceanariums in the world, with everything from killer whales to dolphins on display; it also offers a spectacular mini golf course that the whole family will love.

Great for older kids

Aquasplash
Right next to Marineland you wil find Aquasplash, the largest water park in the region, which offers more than 2,000m of waterslides, together with a host of swimming and paddling pools that are suitable for the whole family.

La Ferme du Far West
Also next to Marineland you will find La Ferme du Far West, a wild west theme park offering rides for all ages, including the interactive School for Sheriffs game, which is suitable for children and adults alike.

Places to visit - Activities & events

Walking & Hiking
Provence really is a walker’s paradise, with literally thousands of kilometres of GR routes ranging from short strolls to serious hikes. You will find maps available at tourist offices across the region.

Horse riding
While there are many places where you can enjoy trekking on horseback here, the pick of the bunch are to be found in the Camargue; with some of the most accessible equestrian centres situated in Les Saintes Maries de la Mer.

Golf
Thereare more than 20 beautiful courses across the region, with many of them to be found a short drive from our Riviera parcs, including three courses close to Saint Raphael, and the popular Golf de Barbaroux at Brignoles.

Watersports
With the clear Mediterranean waters of the Cote d’Azure close by, you will find all sorts of watersports available here, from sailing, windsurfing and kite surfing to sea kayaking, and even deep sea diving courses.

Unmissable events in the French Riviera and Provence

Soirées Estivales
Taking place from June to September, these ‘Summer Evenings’ comprise of more than 450 free performances of everything from classical music to jazz, which you’ll find right across the French Riviera.

Liszt Festival
This annual festival in Uchaux celebrates the life and music of Franz Liszt through a series of concerts held in the candle-lit grounds of the lovely Château Saint Esteve. A must for every lover of classical music.

The Prize-Winning Choir Festival, Vaison
Vaison la Romaine in Provence is now known as the European Choir City, largely for hosting this annual festival that features only prize-wining choirs, for a week or so every July.

Nice Jazz Festival
Taking place every July since 1948, this most venerable of Jazz Festivals has a new home in the centre of Nice and continues to attract some of the biggest names in soul and jazz, from Wynton Marsalis to Morcheeba.

Places to visit - Eating out

There are really two great cuisines to enjoy here, from the rustic simplicity of Provencal cuisine to the sophistication of the restaurants you will find along the coast:

Bouillabaisse – This seafood stew is made in a variety of ways across France, but it is considered to be most authentic in Marseille.
Soupe au Pistou – a little like Minestrone, this popular Provencal soup is made with vegetables, pasta and beans, flavoured with a pesto sauce.
Daube Avignonnaise – a rich stew made with lamb, bacon, carrots and plenty of garlic, you will find it on menus across the region.
Rosé Wine – 75% of Provencal grapes become Rosé wines, and they make the perfect accompaniment to almost every meal here, served very, very cold.

Campsites in region

Domaine du Verdon | Castellane

This lovely parc close to the Gorges du Verdon offers wonderful scenery, watersports, and an easy walk into the town of Castellane with its shops, bars and restaurants.

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Pachacaïd | Canadel

The terraced woodland setting here really is a feast for the eyes, and the huge pool area with no less than seven giant waterslides is just as spectacular.

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L'Etoile d'Argens | St Aygulf

A real hidden gem, this parc nestles in secluded woodland close to a lovely beach, which you can reach via the parc’s own shuttle boat along the placid River Argens.

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La Baume | Fréjus

The combination of palm-fringed pools on parc and chic resorts nearby make this a Eurocamp favourite, with nearby Aqualand making it even better for teens.

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Esterel | St Raphaël

While the tree-lined parc with its lovely pool complex is gorgeous in its own right, it’s the views and walks in the Esterel hills that will take your breath away.

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Domaine de la Noguiere | Le Muy

With its relaxed, village atmosphere and beautiful surroundings Domaine de la Noguière is a lovely parc with a genuine Provencal style.

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Holiday Green | Fréjus

This is a great base from which to explore the South of France and its beaches. It also offers a friendly, French atmosphere and entertainment most evenings.

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Apartments in region

Pont Royal | Mallemort

You're in the heart of Provence, you have a world renowned 18 hole golf course at your disposal, and you're in a traffic-free village with a huge wavepool complex. Does it, we wonder, get any better than this?

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Les Restanques | Grimaud

Les Restanques is situated in a truly exceptional spot in the south of France. Set in 25 acres of enclosed parkland, with mimosa trees and pine woods adding to your privacy, Les Restanques has wonderful panoramic views over the sea and the town of St Tropez.

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Cap Esterel 3 Suns | St Raphaël

A rocky headland, carefully transformed into a patchwork of bright blue pools, lush green parkland and red-roofed holiday homes, that's Cap Esterel.

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Cannes Villa Francia | Cannes

Overlooking the thrills of the city, Cannes Villa Francia is situated on a quiet, residential hillside. Its ideal location means that Cannes Villa Francia is perfect for Pimms by the pool, a good book and some Factor 15.

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Mandelieu | Mandelieu

Perfectly placed for watersports and golf lovers, Mandelieu is a fascinating, historic port in its own right - with a large, busy harbour, sprawling castle and great restaurants.

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Villefranche | Villefranche

Immersed in thousands of years of history, Villefranche and its surrounding countryside is almost too photogenic to be true.

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Grimaud | Grimaud

It's not all high fashion and frolics on the south coast. At Grimaud, history is more important than hysterics. This fascinating mediaeval village is a world away (although, actually, rather near) the bright lights of St Tropez.

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Six Four les Plages | Six Four les Plages

Between the forest and the sea lies Six-Four-Les-Plages, a beguiling spot on the French Riviera. Coastal trails meander along hidden inlets and creeks all the way to the lovely fishing port of Le Brusc, with its animated nightlife.

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Arles - Résidence Club L'Estajan | Arles

Located in the heart of the Camargue region, the Residence Club Maeva Camargue is set on a 35 hectare estate just 4 km from Arles, a city of UNESCO World Heritage monuments, and listed as a 'City of Art and History'.

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Les Issambres Club | Les Issambres

Three villages set in the south eastern corner of Mediterranean France, overlooking the Gulf of St Tropez, just kilometres inland from the seductive buzz of the coast, these villages nevertheless jealously protect their atmosphere of privacy and calm.

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