bayonne, City of art and history at the confluence of the nive and the adour

From the Pic du Midi de Bigorre where it rises, the Adour takes a diversion through the Gers and the Landes before ending its journey in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques at Anglet. Only a few kilometres before it meets the Atlantic Ocean, its waters welcome the Nive river, which comes from the mountains of Basse-Navarre. At the confluence of the river and the Nive, the city of Bayonne has grown, at the crossroads of the Pyrenean and Atlantic cultures. The Romans had already chosen this site to set up a port and a garrison camp. The commercial activity of this port exploded during the English domination under the Plantagenets. In the 15th century, when Bayonne became part of the Kingdom of France, the town became a stronghold and remained so until the dawn of the 20th century. The citadel and ramparts built by Vauban at the request of Louis XIV bear witness to Bayonne’s military past. Very well preserved and enhanced by green spaces, these ramparts are a pleasant place to walk in Bayonne.

Bayonne was awarded the City of Art and History label in 2011. It owes this in particular to its well-preserved old town where Sainte-Marie cathedral stands proudly. This beautiful Gothic cathedral, topped by two majestic spires, was built between the 13th and 16th centuries. It opens onto a superb cloister, the largest cloister in France. From the cathedral, the rue du Port-Neuf leads to the banks of the Adour. This street is one of the most typical in the city. It is lined with arcaded houses that house craftsmen and terraces of cafés and restaurants. If you are a chocolate lover, don’t miss a break at Cazenave, a particularly famous chocolate maker in Bayonne. Take the time to stroll through the pedestrian streets of the old town and admire the beautiful facades of the half-timbered houses. One of the most beautiful views is probably from the banks of the river Nive, where tall houses are crowded together. The ideal spot for a souvenir photo of Bayonne to take back from your camping holiday in Bayonne with your caravan, tent or motorhome. If you have time, a visit to the Basque Museum will allow you to learn more about the regional culture and the history of the city.

Bayonne, a gourmet city

In addition to its architecture, Bayonne also stands out for its many traditions and its gastronomic wealth, with its famous ham at the forefront. It is a must for any stay in the Basque Country. Protected by a PGI (Protected Geographical Indication), this ham must respect very precise specifications: selection of breeds, salting with Salies du Béarn salt and a minimum of 7 months maturing. It can be eaten as tapas, accompanied by guindillas (sweet peppers in vinegar), in the many bars of Bayonne. If you like ham, choose to come camping in Bayonne during Holy Week. This is the date when the Bayonne Ham Fair is held, a convivial and gourmet moment.

The other great gastronomic speciality of Bayonne is its chocolate. Cocoa arrived in Bayonne in the 17th century in the suitcases of Jews expelled from Spain and Portugal. The presence of the port and the intense trading activity then contributed to the development of the chocolate industry in Bayonne. From the 19th century onwards, Bayonne was considered the chocolate capital of France. This tradition has been maintained to this day, as can be seen from the many chocolate shops, pastry shops and confectioners that dot the shopping arcades of the Rue du Port-Neuf and the pedestrianised streets of the old town. To learn more about Bayonne’s chocolate, you can opt for the guided tours organised by the tourist office or visit the chocolate museum. You can also time your stay in the Pyrénées-Orientales around the dates of the Bayonne chocolate days. For 3 days in May, the city celebrates its chocolate with visits, tastings, etc. Whatever you do, make sure you fill up on chocolate during your camping holiday in Bayonne, otherwise your friends will be angry with you!

The festivities in Bayonne

Let’s be clear. If you like crowds of people and music until the end of the night, the Bayonne Festivals are for you. If, on the other hand, you want to visit Bayonne peacefully, choose another date for your camping holiday in the Basque Country. For five days, on the last weekend of July, the city centre, which is closed to traffic, is invaded by hundreds of thousands of people in white and red colours to watch the Landes cow races, fireworks, Basque pelota tournaments, popular dances and concerts that take place all over the city. It’s festive and friendly and there’s something for everyone. Unless of course you prefer peace and quiet!

Our campsites in Bayonne

A selection of caravan, tent and motorhome campsites near Bayonne.

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Charming towns and villages to visit during your camping holiday in the Périgord

What stands out the most when listing the towns and villages of the Périgord is the incredible richness of this territory. With no less than 10 villages classified as the Most Beautiful Villages in France, the department has a unique heritage. The highlight is the Dordogne valley. Within a few kilometres, no less than 4 listed villages await you, nestling in the meanders of the river, so close that they sometimes seem to be watching each other: Domme, perched on the heights, offers an unrestricted view of the Dordogne, La Roque-Gageac, which stretches along the river, or Castelnaud and Beynac, dominated by their castles. So many jewels that make the Dordogne a splendid necklace. And if these four villages were not enough to make you happy, they are only a few minutes away from Sarlat. With 66 listed monuments in an area of 11 hectares, Sarlat is in the record books. Roofs of lauze, cobbled streets and blonde stone buildings make up the decor of this perfectly preserved Renaissance town. Don’t miss the opportunity to discover it during your camping holiday in the Dordogne.

However, the Périgord is not limited to the banks of the Dordogne. With its 44 listed monuments, Périgueux seems to want to compete with Sarlat. Although the city boasts a Roman history with its Vesunna museum, it is the cathedral of Saint-Front, with its white stone and Byzantine domes, that best symbolises the city. To the north of Périgueux, don’t miss Saint-Jean-de-Côle, which is one of the 10 listed villages in Périgord, and Brantôme, whose abbey, steeped in history, is the pride of the Périgord Vert.

The Dordogne, from one castle to another

In addition to the listed villages, the Périgord has a myriad of castles that bear witness to the region’s glorious history. From your campsite in the Dordogne, there is bound to be a castle to visit. Of all these, the castle of Puyghuilem is one of the most surprising. With its Renaissance architecture, this elegant building is more reminiscent of the castles of the Loire. The castle of Hautefort was once a stronghold before it became a residence with a French garden in the 19th century. Once the property of Josephine Baker, the château des Milandes is also famous for its formal garden, which is now used as the setting for a bird of prey show. On the edge of the Agenais region, the château de Biron has watched over the borders since the Middle Ages. When you visit it, you will no doubt recognise the setting for cloak and dagger films such as D’Artagnan’s Daughter. When one speaks of Monbazillac, one thinks above all of the wine. Whether you like wine or not, the Château de Monbazillac alone is worth a visit.

camping in nature

Of course, the Dordogne has a rich heritage to discover from the campsite where you spend your holidays. But the Dordogne also has beautiful green hillside landscapes where the Vézère, Dordogne and Dronne rivers meander. In the north of the department, the Parc Régional du Périgord Limousin is located. It is an area of plateaus and hills suitable for hiking and cycling. In all seasons, the region enchants the nature lover, whether in spring when the orchids bloom or the mushrooms in autumn. Among the treasures of this region where water is everywhere, go for a walk to the Saut du Chalard waterfall or to the Tourbière de Vendoire. This 65-hectare peat bog is an island of preserved nature. Educational trails invite you to discover these surprising landscapes.

the dordogne in prehistoric times

The heritage of the Périgord does not date back to the Middle Ages, but much earlier. Indeed, the Dordogne is one of the world’s leading centres for prehistory and cave art. The most famous site is of course the Lascaux cave. This cave, discovered in the 1940s, is one of the most beautiful decorated caves in the world. In order to preserve the original, a facsimile was built to welcome the public. In 2016, a new version opened its doors in Montignac with Lascaux IV, International Centre for Cave Art. During your camping holidays in the Dordogne, don’t miss the opportunity to discover this fantastic site using all the latest technologies to immerse yourself in prehistory. Several campsites in the Dordogne allow you to stay close to Montignac to facilitate access to the cave. Lascaux is not the only prehistoric site in the Périgord. The Vézère Valley has one of the largest concentrations of prehistoric sites in Europe. Fifteen of them have been listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites. Among the must-see sites in the Vézère valley, the Roque-Saint-Christophe, a limestone wall with dwellings, and the National Museum of Prehistory at Les Eyzies-de-Tayac, which will give you a better understanding of this period.

canoe trip and balloon ride

Canoeing and hot-air ballooning are two of the great classics for discovering the green, hilly landscapes of the Dordogne. There are many rivers where you can go canoeing. The Dordogne, the Vézère and the Dronne are just some of them. Ask at the reception of the campsite where you are staying during your camping holiday in the Périgord for the best addresses for a canoe trip. As the sun descends over the Dordogne valley, it’s time for the hot air balloons to come out. It is a superb spectacle that colours the Perigordian sky every evening. If you have the opportunity, take a ride in one of these hot-air balloons. You will discover the Dordogne, its listed villages and its castles from another angle.

Gourmet Dordogne

More than any other region in France, the Dordogne is associated with gastronomy. Black Périgord truffles, foie gras, confits, ceps and walnuts are all delicious Périgord specialities. They can be tasted in restaurants, of course, but also on the traditional markets. They are of course washed down with Bergerac wines. The Bergerac vineyards, in the western Dordogne, produce delicious red wines such as Pécharmant, but also rosés and whites, as well as the famous sweet wine of Monbazillac.

To learn more about truffles, be sure to visit the Musée de la Truffe in Sorges.

The campsites in the Dordogne often have a restaurant where you can taste recipes based on the emblematic products of the Périgord. Take advantage of your holidays in the Dordogne to go and eat there. And if you are looking for something a little more gastronomic, the campsite managers will be able to show you their best gourmet addresses around the campsite.

Our campsites in Dordogne

A selection of campsites in the Dordogne for holidays in a tent, caravan or motorhome.

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firenze, city of arts

The biggest problem on your first camping holiday in Tuscany is how to reconcile the desire to take your time and enjoy the gentle way of life that pervades the whole region, strolling through the colourful markets or sipping a glass of chianti in the shade of an olive tree in the cobbled piazza of a medieval village, with the desire to see as much as possible. For a long time now, Tuscany has been a land of artists. And few places in the world can boast such a wealth of masterpieces. Its cities, in particular, contain architectural treasures left over from the great hours of the Middle Ages and especially from the Italian Renaissance. Here, each façade, each fountain or each church is a source of wonder. It must be said that in the 14th and 15th centuries, when Italian art was lighting up Europe, Tuscany was home to, or saw the passing of, all the greatest creators of the time. Sculptors, painters or architects, all seem to have made an appointment to turn the region into a real museum. If all the cities can boast one or more monuments of great beauty, our preference is for Firenze, Pisa or Siena. Firenze is the jewel of the region. The entire city is a veritable museum with some of the most spectacular Renaissance monuments and the world’s finest collection of Renaissance and medieval paintings. Here, the glorious past of the city where the Medici ruled is present at every corner. Its cathedral, with its sumptuous pink, white and green marble façade, is one of the most famous monuments in the country, and the Palazzio Vecchio, the city’s traditional seat of government, offers a glimpse of 14th-century Florentine magnificence. Such a profusion of masterpieces has one unfortunate consequence, however: the influx of tourists from all over the world. For these must-see sites, remember to book your place in advance.

pisa, a leaning city

In Pisa, the Piazza dei Miracoli, dominated by the famous Leaning Tower, has a cathedral (Duomo) which was once the largest in Europe. Its facade, with its green and ivory marble stripes, served as a model for the Romanesque churches of Tuscany. If you look closely at the city, you will be surprised to discover that, although it owes its reputation to its tower, it is the whole city that is leaning. The soil of the city is in fact composed of a mixture of sand and clay which makes it particularly loose. The medieval architects did not take this into account. Thus, without reaching the inclination of the tower, the Duomo or the Palazzo Agostini also lean. So do many of the bell towers in Pisa. But this does not detract from their majesty.

Siena, medieval city famous for its Palio

Siena, on the other hand, is a medieval city where Gothic triumphs over Renaissance art. Its cathedral, in particular, is a jewel of its kind. However, the main interest of the city lies in its maze of cobbled streets and its historic centre, where traffic is prohibited wherever possible. If Siena can be visited at any time of the year with the same pleasure, discovering the city during the Palio, its mythical horse race where the different districts of Siena compete, is a unique experience. For those who are not afraid of crowds!

tuscany, land of good food

Alongside these large towns, Tuscany has a multitude of small towns and medieval villages, often perched on the hills. Although their architectural interest is more or less great, they often have a more authentic charm than the large Tuscan cities. However, towns and villages are only one of the many aspects of Tuscany. You have to leave them to discover the rich countryside where vines and olive trees are grown. For the land is an essential element of Tuscan culture. It is synonymous with good things. The region has 8 DOCG (Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita) wines, including the famous Chianti. But don’t hesitate to move away from these most famous appellations and try some of the less prestigious wines, which hold some tasty surprises, especially off the Etruscan coast, south of Livorno.

Nature tuscany

Because of the exceptional artistic heritage of its cities or the finesse of its agricultural production, we often tend to forget that Tuscany is also a region where nature holds an important place. This small piece of Italy has three national parks: the Parco Nazionale delle Foreste Casentinesi (the largest and best preserved forest in Italy), the Parco Nazionale den Apenino Tocano Emiliano (which encompasses the Apennines) and the Parco Nazionale dell’Arcipelago Toscano, the largest marine park in Italy. According to legend, Venus was born in the latter, throwing jewels into the sea on occasion. These would have become the islands of the archipelago off Piombino, the largest being the island of Elba. He reminds us that Tuscany has a large coastline dotted with Etruscan archaeological sites and seaside resorts where it is good to come and bask in the sun and taste some seafood specialities.

our campsites for caravan, tent or motorhome in Tuscany

We offer you a selection of campsites in Tuscany for your holiday in a caravan, tent or motorhome.

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Small in size, Beaune is easily visited on foot. In half a day, you may have toured the city. However, expect a full day if you want to visit wineries and especially THE HOSPICES DE BEAUNE.

Winery visit to Beaune

During your walk in Beaune, you will have the opportunity to visit some cellars open to the public. The most spectacular cellars of Beaune are without a doubt the cellars of theMaison Patriarche. Their 5 kilometres of vaulted galleries running under the city of Beaune make them the largest wineries in Burgundy. Nothing less ! They are located on the site of an ancient convent and some date back to the 13th century. If, however, you want to taste and meet winemakers, give your preference to small estates. The reception will certainly be less professional, but more authentic. There are many areas around Beaune as well as some beautiful addresses in the city centre. Located in the ramparts of Beaune, the cellars of the Françoise André estate,for example, offer a pleasant tasting environment. You can enjoy some great Burgundy appellations. If your preference goes to these small areas, do not consider that they are open all day to the public. It is always best to call before you go to make an appointment or to check the availability of the winemaker.

The House of Climates of Burgundy

In Burgundy, when we talk about wine, we talk about Climates. Climates are these parcels of vine precisely demarcated for centuries and classified as UNESCO WORLD PATRIMOINE since 2015. To understand these climates, be sure to visit the House of Climates of Burgundy. Thanks to a film, a model of the vineyard and an exhibition embellished with augmented reality, the climates of Burgundy will no longer have any secrets for you. A playbook is provided for the children to make this visit fun.

Les Hospices de Beaune, jewel of Burgundy

Besides wine, the other reason to go to Beaune is its superb HOSPICES DE BEAUNE. These Hospices, whose glazed tile roofs are one of burgundy’s emblems, were created in the 15th century. This hospital, designed to accommodate the poor, is a masterpiece of flamboyant Gothic architecture. It testifies to the golden age of the Dukes of Burgundy. The Hospices de Beaune owns a winery whose wines are sold every year in November, on the occasion of the sale of the Hospices de Beaune which attracts to Burgundy the whole world of international wine. Perfectly preserved, these Hospices are now visited. You can admire the large room of the poors its impressive frame in overturned boat hull, its Gothic chapel, the kitchen or the beautiful apothecary. The highlight of the visit is the polyptych of the Last Judgment, a masterpiece of medieval religious art by the Flemish painter Rogier Van der Weyden.

A lively and gourmet city

In Beaune you will find a wide selection of wine bars and restaurants where you will enjoy discovering Burgundy cuisine. The right addresses are many. We particularly appreciate the Caves Madeleine restaurant. A nice address with very reasonable formulas for lunch. If you visit Beaune on Saturday morning, take the opportunity to take a short tour of the market held in the square opposite the Hospices de Beaune. The opportunity to discover the city in a different way, by tasting some Burgundy specialties on the colorful stalls.

To learn more about Beaune: www.beaune-tourisme.fr

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