Camping in Central France

Exploring Central France

Historic cities, quirky palaces and fantastic food - just some of the delights that await you in this endlessly rewarding region of France. Countryside, castles and great food await.

Discover the Dordogne's châteaux and delicious food, or Loire's equally-magnificent châteaux and vineyards. Charente Maritime features beautiful beaches and historic ports, but if beaches are your thing, glorious sands await you in the Vendée too, with charming resorts alongside.

In the east, Alsace enchants with its half-timbered houses, and the Vosges mountains feature lush forests and hiking trails. Outdoor lovers will enjoy Jura's pristine lakes, or the French Alps' hills and thrills.

Beaches Things to do

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Best places for camping holidays in Central France

Central France boasts some of the country's most spectacular scenery, from soaring mountain peaks to the rolling hills of its world-renowned wine country. This region truly has it all.

Charente-Maritime

Sun-soaked islands, historic coastal towns, and delicious seafood make this Atlantic region so thrilling

Jura

Pristine lakes, dense forests, and distinctive wines await in this off-the-beaten-track region

Loire

Fairy-tale castles, picturesque vineyards, and the majestic Loire River form an enchanting landscape

The French Alps

Majestic peaks, pristine lakes, and top ski resorts (even in summer!) provide year-round adventure

The Dordogne

Prehistoric caves, medieval castles, and gastronomic delights await in this lush region

Alsace

Half-timbered villages, timeless vineyards, and a unique culture create a fairytale setting

Vosges

Forested mountains, thermal spas, and traditional crafts make this eastern region a tranquil retreat

Our favourite Central France beaches

Central France's Atlantic coastline offers some of the country's most family-friendly shores. In Charente Maritime, the islands of Ré and Oléron feature miles of pristine beaches and gentle cycling paths. La Flotte and Le Bois-Plage-en-Ré offer calm waters and gentle slopes perfect for families with toddlers.

The mainland beaches around Royan offer excellent swimming conditions with promenades lined with cafés and ice cream shops. In the Vendée, Les Sables-d'Olonne features excellent beaches and water activities aplenty. La Tranche-sur-Mer boasts 13km of fine sand and shallow waters ideal for younger children - many beaches here have earned the 'Famille Plus' certification, guaranteeing family-friendly fun.

Best things to do in Central France

Historic wonders

The Loire Valley is known as the 'Garden of France,' famous for its magnificent Renaissance châteaux dotting the landscape along France's longest river. Chambord features distinctive French Renaissance architecture, while elegant Chenonceau spans gracefully across the River Cher.

The Dordogne takes you back to prehistoric times with ancient caves revealing human artwork from millennia past. Medieval villages cling to limestone cliffs, and golden stone buildings create storybook landscapes.

Alsace showcases the magnificent Strasbourg Cathedral, a Gothic masterpiece, while Colmar's well-preserved medieval centre displays distinctive half-timbered houses. The Jura features the magnificent Cascades du Hérisson waterfalls and emerald-green lakes formed by ancient glaciers.

Fascinating cities and towns

The Loire Valley's beautiful villages are perfect for exploring between château visits, with world-renowned wines adding to the appeal. Dordogne's castle-topped villages, such as Sarlat, are framed dramatically by the river, their medieval streets winding through centuries of history.

Charente Maritime's La Rochelle is simply gorgeous, its ancient harbour guarded by medieval towers - a maritime gem on the Atlantic coast. In Alsace, the famous Wine Route winds through picturesque villages with half-timbered houses and flower-bedecked balconies, while Strasbourg blends French elegance with Germanic charm.

The French Alps offer timeless alpine towns like Annecy, with its crystal-clear lake and medieval old town creating an unforgettable backdrop. Vosges features the 'Pearl of the Vosges' - Lac de Gérardmer - surrounded by forest-clad slopes perfect for relaxation.

Great family days out

We think Central France delivers brilliant family experiences across every region. The Loire Valley offers excellent cycling routes connecting châteaux, with most castles featuring beautiful gardens to explore and run about in. Dordogne families can kayak along the serene river, passing beneath dramatic cliff faces and medieval villages.

Charente Maritime and the Vendée provide exceptional water sports and beach activities, plus boat trips to explore the Atlantic islands. The French Alps are adventure-seeker heaven with hiking, mountain biking, paragliding, and whitewater rafting amid spectacular mountain scenery.

Vosges offers hiking through lush forests and water sports on crystal-clear lakes. The Jura's pristine lakes like Lac de Chalain are perfect for swimming, hiking, and enjoying tranquil natural beauty away from the crowds - perfect if you’re seeking authentic French rural life.

Travelling to Central France

Ferry

You can catch a ferry to the western Channel ports to drive to the Vendée (routes such as Plymouth to Roscoff, or Portsmouth to St Malo are popular), with Les Sables-d'Olonne only a three hour drive from St Malo, and the Dordogne around six and a half hours.

Flight

Heading further into Central France and don’t fancy the longer drive? There are plenty of airports to fly into, including La Rochelle (Charente Maritime), Tours Val de Loire (Loire) and Geneva (French Alps).

Train

You can also catch the Eurostar and onward train connections can take you to Jura from Calais in around 6 hours. Alsace can also be reached by Eurostar, as the trains from Paris to Strasbourg takes 6 hours.

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