Family Camping Holidays in South West France

Camping in South West France

South West France boasts more days of sunshine than most of Europe, making it a perfect choice for a camping holiday. On the Atlantic coast you’ll find endless sandy beaches and the chic seaside resort of Biarritz. Inland is the vibrant city of Bordeaux and the Dordogne region, centred around the town of Perigueux. The area and Bordeaux of course are famous for wine, and you’ll find vineyards nestled in between small villages of old stone houses on the hills, alongside medieval fortified cities. The Dordogne is known for its pretty villages, imposing castles and gardens and rolling landscape, with the Dordogne River flowing gently through the region.

Things to do while you’re camping in South West France

Biarritz is a great destination for families, with beautiful palaces and houses built by a variety of aristocrats to admire along the coast. Head to the lighthouse at the far northern point of the city to admire the views, and you can even climb the 200+ steps to the top if you’ve got the energy! Biarritz’s most famous landmark is Virgin Rock, which is connected to the mainland by a small footbridge. From here you can board Le Petite Train de Biarritz, a train ride that takes you leisurely round the city. Hop off at the Grand Plage – the city’s stunning main beach, which children and adults alike are bound to enjoy.

Most of Bordeaux’s city centre is a UNESCP World Heritage site, meaning that there are no shortage of historical sites to see. The Grand Theatre and Jardin Public are particularly spectacular and you’ll also find carousels dotted about the city, which youngsters are sure to enjoy.

For a castle that children will actually enjoy visiting, take a trip to Chateau de Castelnaud at Castelnaud-la-Chapelle. Perched on a rocky hilltop, the castle puts on practical demonstrations during the summer such as watching a mock battle! If you’ve based yourself in the Dordogne, your kids will love a visit to Aux Etangs du Bos, a water park at Saint-Chamassy (40 minutes west of Sarlat). There are several pools of varying lengths, a lake with inflatables, water slides, crazy golf and a play area – plenty to keep the kids busy all day.

If you’ve got children between 7 and 12, you can get reduced rates on a hot air balloon ride with Montgolfières Du Périgord. Floating over the hills, woodlands and rivers of the Dordogne is a lovely relaxing way to see the region.

Getting there

By far the easiest way to get to South West France is by plane, with flights available to Biarritz and Bordeaux with airlines such as EasyJet, Flybe and Air France.

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