Published by Camille
Okay, I’ll be honest with you. Every year, the question of July vacations is a bit like the Everest of family logistics. Between Lea, who’s 12 and starting to think everything’s “rubbish”, and Tom, who’s 5 and absolutely wants to do things “like the grown-ups”… finding a campsite that suits both of them is mission impossible. And yet… This year, we found the rare gem. Here’s the story.
Arrival: an instant favorite
We’d been looking for a truly natural campsite for a long time, not the kind with a giant slide and a sound system blasting until 11pm. We wanted fresh air, mountains, hiking, things to do outside – but also something that was accessible to a 5-year-old. And when we arrived at the Champ la Chèvre campsite, at the entrance to the Jarjatte valley in the Drôme, I almost cried because it was so beautiful.
Seriously. The campsite is at an altitude of 1,000 m, and when you arrive at the site, the Aiguilles de Dévoluy are staring you in the face. A landscape worthy of the Alps – except that we’re in the Drôme, bordering the Hautes-Alpes, and just a stone’s throw from the Vercors Regional Nature Park. My husband said “we’ll be back next year” literally five minutes after we got out of the car. 😄
Cool weather: the ultimate luxury in July
Ah, that! We had ZERO sweltering nights. In July, at 1000 m altitude, the nights are mild and restful, and during the day, there’s no question of dying of heat. It was an absolute treat. We slept with a blanket, the kids woke up in a good mood, and I felt like I was in shape for the first time in years during a summer vacation. For that alone, I recommend it.
The highlight: the hike to Lac du Lauzon
We weren’t sure where to start, because there are so many possibilities around the campsite. And that’s when Cécile and Vincent, at reception, really came through. They recommended a hike suited to our family, with Tom as a toddler and Léa starting to get good legs.
Head for Lac du Lauzon, starting from La Jarjatte. Approximately 2 km of approach, then a loop of about 4h30. Yes, it’s long – but frankly, accessible! Tom kept up, and Léa was blown away by the scenery. We had a picnic with our sandwiches by the lake, with a view… I’m at a loss for words. Spectacular. The kind of moment when you look at your children and tell yourself that yes, life is beautiful.
In the evening, return to the campsite and dive straight into the heated indoor pool. It’s perfect when you’re back from a walk and the temperatures are cooler. The kids flock to it every day, and it’s become a late-afternoon ritual.
Canyoning at Les Marmites du Diable: the ultimate experience
Another day, we went canyoning with a local village canyoning company. We headed for Les Marmites du Diable, about a 30-minute drive away. And there… Tom was IN HIS LIFE. And so was Léa, even if she pretended to be blasé at first (12-year-olds, you know). Fun, refreshing, suitable for everyone – we loved it. Definitely an activity not to be missed if you’re passing through.
The star party: the unexpected thing we’re still talking about
I didn’t expect it at all, but it’s perhaps the strongest memory of the stay. Jérôme, a former mountain guide, organized an evening in a field next to the campsite – reading stories related to the starry sky. Tom was hanging on every word. Léa took photos of the Milky Way with her phone. I cried a little (let’s be honest). It was magical, simple and so well done.
Sunset hike with the guides
On the same day as the canyoning, we followed up with an evening hike with the family – departing around 6pm to enjoy the sunset, guided by Laurent and Mélanie, the campsite guides. And as a bonus: we spotted some chamois! Tom still talks about them every week. “Mom, do you remember the chamois?” Yes, Tom. I remember the chamois. 🦌
For children: everything has been thought of
What really surprised me was how freely and safely the children could move about. The setting is reassuring, the people are friendly, and for 6-12 year olds there’s even the Cabane des Petits Chamois – a dedicated area, in French and English. Léa spent some time there, and Tom loved the playground and bouncy castle (in high season). The multi-sports field did the rest for the afternoons.
And in high season, the campsite also offers free guided hikes for the whole family: the Cascade de Maujiou, the Col de la Croix, Chaleyras… Enough to fill up the program without taking your head off.
The surrounding area: we haven’t done everything, and it’s not for lack of trying
The campsite is also perfect as a base for exploring the region. We strolled through the Sunday morning market in Lus, literally 300 m from the campsite – lovely. We also took a trip to the Pusteaux lavender distillery 15 km away, with the kids fascinated by the flowers and essential oils.
We didn’t have time to do it all – but we made a note for next year:
- Cirque d’Archiane (40 km) – apparently breathtaking
- Mont Aiguille (40 km) – hiking and climbing for all levels
- The medieval village of Châtillon-en-Diois (30 km), awarded the “Plus beaux villages de France” label
- Cascade du Sapet (36 km)
- Mountain bike trails for all levels, including the blue Les Sarrazines trail (11 km, beginner level) and the red Chevalet trail (17 km, advanced level).
- Saint-Julien-en-Beauchêne night market, 10 minutes away by car, on Tuesday evenings in summer
The results?
We came home rested, refreshed, and with a list of things we didn’t have time to do. That’s the sign of a really good vacation, isn’t it?
Camping Champ la Chèvre is the campsite for families who love nature, the real thing. No pretence, no giant water park – just mountains, passionate guides, fresh air, and memories that last. We’ve found our family campground. ❤️
Do you have any questions about the trip? Accessible hikes for little ones? Logistics with children of different ages? Ask me in the comments!
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