France Summer Holidays: Discover the Best of France at a Les Castels Campsite

France is the world’s most visited country, and for UK travellers it has a particular magic: just short enough to drive, just different enough to feel like a real holiday. British campers are among the most loyal visitors to French campsites — and the numbers keep growing, up 4.6% between May and August 2024 according to the French outdoor hospitality federation FNHPA. The reasons are not hard to understand.

What British families love most about France

• The countryside: bocage, river valleys, lavender plateaus and ancient forests — a rural beauty that British campers consistently rate as their top motivation
• The food markets: local producers, farmhouse cheeses, wine from the vineyard — every Les Castels site is within easy reach of a proper French marché.
• The morning boulangerie: fresh croissants and a warm baguette, eaten on the terrace. 
• The right temperature: warm and reliable, but not the punishing heat of Spain — Normandy feels like a guaranteed British summer, the Loire and Ardèche genuinely hot.
• Outstanding value: a week for four in a Les Castels mobile home typically costs less than the same week at a UK coastal holiday park — with better food and a better view.
• Excellent infrastructure for road trips: fast motorways for long distances, scenic departmental roads for leisurely driving.
• Pet-friendly: France is one of Europe’s most dog-welcoming countries, and most Les Castels campsites accept dogs.

A Les Castels 4-star or 5-star campsite is not the camping of childhood memories. It is a genuinely premium holiday: château grounds, spacious accommodation, heated pools, an on-site restaurant, and the freedom to follow your own rhythm rather than a hotel’s schedule. The holiday starts the moment you park.

Les Castels 13 campsites cover France from the Opal Coast to the Ardèche. Here are the four natural groupings — choose by distance from the ferry and the kind of France you are looking for.

Northern France — The Opal Coast, Normandy and Brittany

The natural first choice for British families — close enough to drive in a day from the ferry, diverse enough for a fortnight. The Opal Coast is 15 minutes from Calais Port with white cliffs and Le Touquet on the doorstep. 

Normandy offers the D-Day beaches, Bayeux, Mont Saint-Michel and the cider-farm bocage. Brittany goes further west with wild Atlantic coastline, the walled city of Saint-Malo, the GR34 coastal path and some of the best seafood markets in France.

Les Castels in Northern France — 5 campsites: 

• Domaine de la Bien-Assise (Guînes, Opal Coast) — 5★, 15 km from Calais, indoor pool
• Château de Martragny (Calvados) — 15 min from Omaha Beach, ideal for D-Day families
• Le Brévedent (Pays d’Auge) — quiet 4★ estate in cider and cheese country
• Les Ormes Domaine & Resort (near Saint-Malo) — full resort with water park and horse riding
• Domaine de la Ville Huchet (Emerald Coast) — beach access and coastal walking. 

The Loire Valley is a UNESCO-listed France at its most elegant — Chambord, Chenonceau, Amboise and the Loire à Vélo cycling route linking them all. 

The Sologne stretches east from the Loire: an immense plateau of lakes, forests and heathland, perfect for families who want nature and quiet rather than châteaux. The Sarthe, straddling the Loire and Normandy, offers bocage countryside and — for motorsport fans — the legendary Circuit de la Sarthe at Le Mans.

Les Castels in the Loire and Heart of France — 3 campsites: 

• Parc de Fierbois (Indre-et-Loire, near Tours) — 5★ estate on a private lake, directly on the Loire à Vélo, Chenonceau 30 min
• Les Bois du Bardelet (Loiret, near Gien) — 4★ Sologne estate with lake beach and fishing, Chambord within an hour
• Château de Chanteloup (Sarthe, near Brûlon) — 4★ château estate, Le Mans 30 min. Drive time from Calais: 4h30 to 5h15.

The Vendée Atlantic coast is wide, sandy, sheltered and warm — the kind of beach holiday the British go to Spain for, but with better food, French atmosphere and considerably less overcrowding. Puy du Fou, consistently rated one of the world’s greatest theme parks, is 40 km inland and a firm favourite with British families. 

The tidal causeway to the island of Noirmoutier — passable only at low tide — is one of those travel experiences children never forget.

Les Castels in the Atlantic West — 1 campsite: 

• La Garangeoire (Vendée, near Saint-Julien-des-Landes) — 5★ château estate on 200 hectares with private lake, multiple pools, horse riding and karting. Consistently praised by British families.

For families and couples who want to drive further south and discover a France most British visitors never reach. Burgundy is France’s finest food and wine region — golden-stoned villages, Beaune, Cluny Abbey and Canal de Bourgogne cycling. 

The Creuse is one of the country’s least-visited departments: river gorges, the Monet valley at Crozant, medieval granite villages and complete quiet. The Ardèche is the most dramatic of all — a 30 km canoe descent through limestone gorges, the world’s oldest known cave paintings and Mediterranean warmth for those who make it south.

Les Castels in Deep France — 3 campsites: 

• Château de l’Épervière (Saône-et-Loire) — 4★ château overlooking its own lake, Beaune 35 km, Mâconnais wine villages 20 min
• Château de Poinsouze (Creuse, Boussac-Bourg) — 4★ château on the Petite Creuse river, Crozant gorges 45 min, Limoges 1h;
• Domaine de Sévenier (Ardèche, Lagorce) — 5★ hillside estate above the gorges, Chauvet-Pont d’Arc UNESCO cave 15 km. 

> All destinations by region: Explore regions

Every traveller is different, and Les Castels campsites offer a full range of accommodation to suit every style of summer holiday in France:

Camping Pitches

Spacious grass pitches for tents, touring caravans and campervans — typically 80 to 200 m², with electric hook-up and easy access to heated sanitary blocks. For experienced campers who want full independence, a pitch at a Les Castels site gives you access to all on-site facilities at the most affordable price point. Premium pitches (Castels Premium) include private patio furniture, barbecue and fridge; Castels Suite pitches come with a private bathroom block attached to the pitch.

Mobile Homes

Les Castels mobile homes are fully equipped self-catering units with a kitchen, bathroom, private terrace and typically two or three bedrooms. They sleep four to six people comfortably, making them the most popular choice for families spending a week or more in France. Everything you need is provided: bedding, towels, kitchen equipment, outdoor furniture. The quality is consistently high across the collection.

Chalets

Larger and more permanent than a mobile home, chalets at Les Castels sites offer more living space, a higher quality of finish and a greater sense of a real holiday home. Ideal for families with teenagers, or for two couples travelling together. Private terraces, well-equipped kitchens and the ambience of the estate setting make a chalet stay one of the most enjoyable ways to spend a summer holiday in France.

Hotel Rooms and Gîtes

Some Les Castels sites offer hotel-standard rooms on site — ideal for travellers who prefer the simplicity of hotel accommodation combined with the setting and facilities of a premium campsite. Gîtes and apartments are also available at selected sites, offering a more independent living arrangement within the estate.

Glamping and Unusual Accommodation

Several Les Castels sites offer unusual accommodation — safari tents, lodges, tree houses and other formats that combine the outdoor experience with a high level of comfort. For families looking for something memorable beyond the standard mobile home, glamping at a Les Castels site is an excellent option.

When Is the Best Time for a Summer Holiday in France?

France’s summer season runs from late June to early September, with July and August the busiest and most expensive months. Here is how the season breaks down:

• June: warm (20–28°C), quieter sites, lower prices, no school-holiday crowds — the best month most people never book
• July–August: peak season. Hot and vibrant — full activities, evening entertainment, festivals. Book 4–6 months in advance; mobile homes and chalets sell out first
• September: still warm (25–30°C in the south), harvests under way, markets full, sites peaceful. The sweet spot for couples, retirees and flexible families

All Les Castels campsites are designed for car travel — the network covers France from the Opal Coast to the Ardèche, and every site is accessible on fast motorways from the main Channel crossing points. Here is a practical overview:

• Dover–Calais (P&O / DFDS): 90 minutes, up to 23 crossings per day. Fastest and most flexible. Domaine de la Bien-Assise is 15 km from Calais Port
• Eurotunnel (Folkestone–Coquelles): 35 minutes, 24 hours a day. Same journey times as the ferry once in France
• Portsmouth–Caen or Cherbourg (Brittany Ferries): 3–6h. Best for Normandy, Brittany and the Loire. Reduces driving time for western destinations

Planning tips

• Book early: July–August at top Les Castels sites fills by February. Mobile homes and chalets go first
• Consider June or September: same facilities, lower prices, better availability — often the better holiday
• Plan a stopover: for Burgundy, Ardèche or Vendée, a first night at the Bien-Assise near Calais means you arrive at your destination rested
• Documents for France post-Brexit: valid passport, V5C logbook, GB sticker, warning triangle, hi-vis vest, headlight deflectors, EHIC/GHIC card
• Use the Les Castels search tool: filter by region, accommodation type, facilities and dates to find your ideal site

> Book your France summer holiday

When is the best time for a summer holiday in France?

June and September offer the best combination of warm weather, availability and value — the crowds of July and August have not yet arrived or have already left, prices are lower, and the French countryside is beautiful. July and August are the most vibrant months on-site, with full activity programmes and evening entertainment, but require early booking. Les Castels campsites typically open from late April and close in September or October.

What is the best region in France for a summer holiday?

The best region depends entirely on what you’re looking for. For history and easy access from the UK, Normandy is outstanding. For wild coastline and Celtic culture, Brittany. For châteaux and fine wine, the Loire Valley or Burgundy. For sun, adventure and dramatic scenery, the Ardèche. For Atlantic beaches and family resorts, the Vendée and the Opal Coast. Les Castels operates sites in all of these regions, with each campsite individually chosen for its exceptional setting and local character.

Is camping the best accommodation for a summer holiday in France?

For families and couples who value space, freedom, outdoor living and authentic local settings, a Les Castels 4-star or 5-star campsite is consistently the best accommodation choice for a summer holiday in France. It combines the comfort and facilities of a quality resort (pool, restaurant, activities, entertainment) with the setting of a château estate, river valley or coastal domain — at a price that outcompetes most hotels for a family of four.

How far in advance should I book a summer holiday in France?

For July and August at popular Les Castels sites, booking 4–6 months in advance is strongly recommended — ideally by February for a summer holiday. Mobile homes and chalets at the best sites sell out first. Pitches have more availability but premium and suite pitches also fill early. For June and September, 2–3 months in advance is usually sufficient, though earlier booking always gives more choice.

Are Les Castels campsites suitable for summer holidays with children?

Les Castels campsites are exceptionally well suited to summer holidays with children. All sites offer outdoor swimming pools (indoor at some sites), children’s clubs, playgrounds and evening entertainment. On-site restaurants, bakeries and minimarkets mean you never have to drive for essentials. The spacious grounds give children freedom to explore safely. Activities range from tennis and volleyball to bicycle hire, Nordic walking and guided nature experiences — and the surrounding regions offer an almost unlimited range of family-friendly excursions.