River, stream, or creek campsites in Lorraine with campfires
Four seasons of outdoor adventures at France's northeastern frontier.
- Lorraine
Popular camping styles for Lorraine
River, stream, or creek campsites in Lorraine with campfires guide
Overview
This former French region might be best known for its quiche, but there's much more to Lorraine than pastry! France's little-explored northeastern frontier is the perfect spot for campers to escape the crowds. Bordered by Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, and the French Alsace, Lorraine is a cultural melting pot, bound by the rambling Vosges mountains and miles of woodlands. Lorraine's four departments―Meurthe-et-Moselle, Meuse, Moselle, and Vosges―afford campers endless options for rural getaways with four seasons of outdoor activities. Come in summer to hike, canoe, and rock climb, or rent a cosy chalet by the ski slopes through the winter months.
Where to go
Meurthe-et-Moselle
Meurthe-et-Moselle is the central heartland of Lorraine and home to the regional capital, Nancy. Once you've taken in Nancy's UNESCO-listed centre, swap city life for the villages of Vaudemont or Vezelise, or find a tranquil campground along the Moselle River. The vast Lorraine Regional Nature Park is a highlight, where you'll find some 500 kilometres of hiking and biking trails.
Meuse
If you're looking to escape the crowds, this is the place to be—the western department of Meuse is among the most sparsely inhabited in France. You'll find quiet camping spots dotted throughout the Meuse Valley and the Argonne forests, peppered with WWI battlefields and memorials. Lachaussée Regional Nature Reserve and Madine Lake, both within the Meuse section of the Lorraine Regional Nature Park, are bird-watching hotspots.
Moselle
The cathedral city of Metz is the gateway to the northeastern department of Moselle, and is strategically situated for day trips to Luxembourg and Germany. In the north, Rodemack is one of the “most beautiful villages of France,” while to the southeast, you'll find fortified chateaux and pretty stone villages hidden in the forest-clad mountains of the Northern Vosges Regional Natural Park.
Vosges
Lorraine's mountainous southern department is the spot for outdoor adventurers, blanketed with forests and lakes. In the east, the Ballons des Vosges Regional Natural Park stretches into Alsace and Franche-Comté, affording endless terrain for hiking, mountain biking, paragliding, and rock climbing. In winter, head to the ski resort of La Bresse to enjoy skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing.
