Lake camping : your holidays near a camping lakeside
In the countryside or in the mountains, recharge your batteries at one of our lakeside campsites. Whether you're hiking, swimming, canoeing or relaxing on the banks, you'll enjoy a rejuvenating vacation in a lush green setting, ideal for relaxing or getting away from it all.
16 camping(s) found
Why choose a lakeside campground in the mountains?
Breathe in the fresh air of the Hautes-Alpes and the Pyrenees
Choosing a high-altitude lake lets you enjoy the cool weather, panoramic views, and outdoor activities that are easy to organize. From a mountain campground, days often begin with soft light bathing the hills, followed by a hike along the trails or a swim in crystal-clear water. The scenery changes rapidly, ranging from pine forests and meadows to mountain streams and lookout points offering views of the peaks.
To plan your days effectively, schedule your most strenuous outings for the morning, when temperatures remain pleasant. In the mountains, lake shores are often connected to marked trails, lookout points, or longer hiking routes. A family stroll may be enough to reach a viewpoint, while seasoned hikers can continue on to a mountain pass, a high-altitude lake, or a section of the GR trail. The afternoon is better suited for swimming, paddleboarding, canoeing, or a more relaxing break on the beach.
Enjoy Lake Serre-Ponçon and the vast Alpine landscapes
With its turquoise waters and mountains as a backdrop, Lake Serre-Ponçon is one of France’s most spectacular lake landscapes. Located near the Écrins National Park, it combines an alpine atmosphere, the climate of the Southern Alps, and a wide range of water sports. Around Savines-le-Lac, Embrun, and Chorges, well-maintained beaches, secluded coves, marinas, scenic trails, and hilltop villages come together to create a vibrant setting where everyone can enjoy their vacation at their own pace.
Staying at a campground in the Hautes-Alpes lets you enjoy this blend of southern mountains and the gentle waters of the lake. In the morning, the more active travelers set out on hikes to scenic overlooks, follow trails around Embrun, or hop on a bike to ride along the shores. In the afternoon, it’s time for swimming, kayaking, sailing, or stand-up paddleboarding, with the mountain peaks as a backdrop. For travelers who want to make water the focus of their stay, a campground specializing in water sports makes it easy to organize an introductory session, a guided outing, or a more challenging session, depending on your preferences. For an even more immersive experience of the area, a campground at Lake Serre-Ponçon offers easy access to the beaches, water sports centers, and trails that run along the shores.
Explore the Pyrenean Lakes at a Leisurely Pace
The Pyrenees have a unique way of blending majestic landscapes with unspoiled natural beauty. Around the high-altitude lakes, hiking is an integral part of the experience. In the Hautes-Pyrénées, head to Lake Oô, known for its waterfall, or to Lake Bleu and Lake Oule, nestled among rocky peaks, fir forests, and clear waters. Lake Oô is usually reached on foot from Les Granges d’Astau, making it a popular destination for a day hike.
A campground in the Pyrenees is ideal for travelers who want to alternate between nature outings and simple family time, without planning an overly tight schedule. Before setting out, always check the elevation gain, the weather, and the actual walking time, especially when traveling with children. Some lakes are accessible after a moderate hike, while others require genuine mountain experience.
Which lakes and rivers should you choose for a lakeside camping trip in the Southwest?
Rediscover the laid-back atmosphere of the Périgord
In the Dordogne, the beauty of the water is often revealed as you travel through the valleys. The Vézère and Dordogne rivers, forest-lined bodies of water, and recreational centers paint a peaceful landscape, characterized by blonde stone, charming villages, and prehistoric sites. A camping trip in the Dordogne makes it easy to combine swimming, cultural heritage, and fine dining. In the morning, you can set out to visit Sarlat, Lascaux, La Roque-Gageac, or Beynac-et-Cazenac. Later in the day, returning to the riverbanks offers a welcome respite—whether reading in the shade, fishing, cycling, or taking a break by a lake.
It’s also a great destination for low-key activities. A canoe trip down the Dordogne lets you see the cliffs and villages from the water, while the Vézère Valley is perfect for cultural visits and more leisurely walks. For a full day out, alternate between a prehistoric site in the morning, a local market at noon, and then a swim or a shaded stroll in the late afternoon.
Treat yourself to a nature getaway in the Aveyron and the Cévennes
With its plateaus, gorges, forests, and developed lakes, the Aveyron and the Cévennes offer a wilder side to a vacation by the water. The landscapes here are vast, sometimes rocky, and often quiet. People come here to hike, breathe in the fresh air, swim, and reconnect with nature. A campground in the Aveyron, for example, provides access to bodies of water such as Lake Pareloup—popular for its beaches, water sports, and sweeping views—or serves as a base for exploring the Tarn Gorges and charming villages.
In the Cévennes, the rivers, rolling hills, and stone villages lend the stay a more intimate atmosphere. Hiking enthusiasts can explore routes around the Causses, trails through the gorges, or certain sections of the GR trails, depending on where they’re staying. Here, days can be very simple: a hike in the morning, a swim in freshwater in the afternoon, followed by a quiet evening under the trees.
Enjoy a vacation that combines cool weather, cultural heritage, and breathtaking landscapes
The Southwest is also appealing because it doesn’t force you to choose between relaxation and exploration. The rivers invite you to slow down, while the villages, markets, castles, caves, and hiking trails offer a thousand reasons to set out and explore the surrounding area. This variety makes camping by the lake particularly enjoyable for stays of a week or more.
To make the most of it, it’s best to keep your days open. A good plan is to alternate a day of sightseeing—for example, exploring a village or a cave—with a more leisurely day by the water. Families can also plan short, easy-to-repeat activities: fishing at the end of the day, a picnic on the shore, a stroll at sunset, or a swim after a sightseeing trip.
Where can you go camping by a lake—from the Loire Valley to the Great Lakes of Italy?
Combining Nature and Cultural Heritage in the Centre-Val de Loire Region
In the Loire Valley, lakeside life takes on a whole new dimension. The landscapes are gentler, the horizons more open, and cultural heritage fits seamlessly into your itinerary. From a campground by a lake, you can enjoy a quiet morning on the shore before setting out to visit Chambord, Chenonceau, Villandry, or Azay-le-Rideau, joining the Loire à Vélo bike route, or strolling through Amboise. The lakes offer the coolness and simplicity of a nature-filled vacation, while the surrounding castles, gardens, and villages add substance to your days of exploration.
To avoid overpacking your days, focus on one castle or garden at a time. Villandry is ideal for garden lovers; Chenonceau can easily be visited in half a day; while Chambord requires more time if you want to fully enjoy the estate. The Loire à Vélo route also allows you to plan short loops, which are better suited for families than a long stage.
Get away to Lake Garda or Lake Como
The great lakes of northern Italy offer a Mediterranean take on a lakeside getaway. Around Lake Garda and Lake Como, crystal-clear waters meet colorful villages, gardens, harbors, and the Alpine mountains. Here, you’ll find the tranquility of a stroll along the shore, the joy of a swim, and the desire to linger on a terrace.
The pace can be very flexible. One day might be spent exploring Sirmione, Lazise, Limone sul Garda, or Bellagio; another might be dedicated to a boat trip, a bike ride, or a day at the beach. On Lake Garda, boats connect several villages without the need to drive. On Lake Como, ferry crossings provide access to villages, gardens, and viewpoints that vary greatly from one shore to the other. From a campground near an Italian lake, nature is close at hand, but so are cultural excursions.
For families, this mix works well: children enjoy the water and easy walks, while adults can plan a sightseeing trip, a visit to a market, or an evening out in a lively village without straying too far from the tranquility of the lakeshores.
Plan excursions without sacrificing the peace and quiet of your stay
A lakeside campground often makes it easy to explore the surrounding area. In both France and Italy, the lakeshores are rarely isolated from everything else. Nearby, you’ll find villages, markets, scenic overlooks, bike paths, and sometimes cities known for their art or major natural sites. From the great Italian lakes, for example, Verona, Bergamo, or Milan can make for wonderful day trips.
The best pace often involves alternating between an active day—with sightseeing or hiking—and a more relaxed day by the water. Before setting out on an excursion, check travel times, parking options, and whether you can book boat crossings during peak season. Planning ahead helps you avoid spending too much time traveling and leaves room for the unexpected—which often makes for the best memories.
How to Choose the Right Lakeside Campground?
Choosing the Right Lake Based on Your Preferences
To choose the right lakeside campground, start by deciding what kind of vacation you’re looking for. A large alpine lake is ideal for those who enjoy sweeping views, water sports, and active days. A more secluded body of water will appeal more to travelers seeking tranquility, fishing, or reading by the water. Lakes near villages or historic sites, on the other hand, make for more varied stays.
Before booking, take the time to check out the immediate surroundings.
Is the beach within walking distance or just a few minutes away? Are there trails, a water sports center, supervised swimming areas (depending on the season), paddleboard rentals, a dock, shaded spots, or useful on-site amenities? These details may seem practical, almost secondary, but they make your stay much more comfortable day to day. Also check whether swimming is allowed everywhere or only in certain areas, as the rules vary from lake to lake.
Think about comfort on site
Part of the appeal of a lakeside vacation is the simplicity of each day. Well-equipped accommodations, a pleasant patio, shaded areas, and easy access to the campground’s amenities make a big difference to the experience, especially when traveling with family. After a swim or a canoe trip, being able to come back, take a shower, prepare a simple meal, or just relax in peace really adds to that vacation feeling.
If you’re traveling with young children, check for access to the water, walking paths, and play areas. With teenagers, the availability of water sports, sports fields, bike paths, or a nearby recreation center can make all the difference. To make your stay run more smoothly, also locate local shops, equipment rentals, any shuttle services, and hiking trailheads that are accessible without having to get back in the car.
FAQ: Lakeside Camping
Choosing a campground by a lake lets you stay near a body of water while still having easy access to outdoor activities. Depending on the region, your days can be filled with swimming, walks, water sports, and sightseeing. Around Lake Serre-Ponçon, for example, you can enjoy beaches, stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, sailing, and hiking. In the Dordogne, the Aveyron, or the Centre-Val de Loire region, a lakeside stay pairs perfectly with visits to places like Sarlat, the Tarn Gorges, or the châteaux of the Loire Valley.
A campground on the shore of a lake minimizes the need to travel to access water-related activities. Depending on the location, vacationers can enjoy a beach, a water sports center, hiking trails, bike paths, or fishing spots.
At a campground along a river or lake, activities vary depending on the destination and the facilities available. The most common activities include swimming, stand-up paddleboarding, canoeing, kayaking, sailing, fishing, walks along the riverbanks, and hiking. In the Dordogne, a canoe trip lets you explore the cliffs and villages from the river. In the Hautes-Alpes, the shores of Lake Serre-Ponçon offer access to beaches, water sports centers, and routes around Embrun, Savines-le-Lac, and Chorges.
Yes, a campground by a lake can be a good choice for families if access to the water, swimming areas, and activities are well organized. Depending on the location, children can enjoy swimming, easy walks, developed beaches, or recreational centers. Before booking, it’s a good idea to check for shaded areas, walking paths, playgrounds, and convenient amenities.
Yes, it’s often possible to swim and enjoy water sports from a campground on the shore of a lake, but this depends on the site’s rules. Some lakes have designated beaches, docks, designated swimming areas, or water sports centers that rent equipment. On lakes such as Serre-Ponçon or Pareloup, activities may include stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, canoeing, or sailing. Before booking, check whether swimming is permitted and whether a water sports center is accessible from the campground.