Way back in 1959, a local family opened a campsite on the banks of the
Verdon river at the mouth of the splendid
Gorges du Verdon. Today, Domaine
Chasteuil-Provence is still run by their
descendants, who take great care to create a
welcoming place for adults and kids alike.
The campsite itself is massive, spanning
500 or so acres; but the pitches (which at
an average of 100 sq. m certainly verge
on the generous side) sit handily on the
nearly 15-acre patch beside the sparkling
Verdon. The pitches are shaded naturally
by an assortment of trees and, though the
site is fairly large, the gentle whisper of
leaves combined with the soft whoosh of
the river perfectly illustrates the fact that
the emphasis here is on the natural, not
the commercial.
The facilities are extensive without being
obtrusive with a well-organised reception, a
reasonable restaurant, a handy shop, plus
well-maintained toilet and shower blocks.
Being riverside, a host of aquatic activities
naturally present themselves: canoeing and
kayaking along the Verdon is a great way of
experiencing the scale of the gorges. The owners have been working with a rafting
partner for years and can easily arrange
individual and family excursions.
If you don’t fancy the river, but still want
some water-based fun – simply sashay
across to the heated pool. Walkers and
climbers will be spoiled for choice, too,
thanks to the abundance of hiking trails
and climbing walls in the nearby area.
Throughout the summer the site organises entertainment twice a day for kids and can arrange extra family-style canoeing and walking trips. With so much land at your disposal, hide and seek is always an option. You could even trat yourself to a relaxing horse ride around the gorges and lakes. Ask at reception for details.
The Parc Naturel Régional du Verdon
envelops an area of almost 200,000 hectares,
and there’s plenty of opportunities to
explore this natural wonderland. The cute cliff-top village of Castellane –
about 5 miles (8 km) away – is the place to
get info and organise trips, though much
can be arranged directly through the
helpful people at reception.
If you have a car, a great scenic drive leaves
Castellane and follows the D952 along the
north rim of the canyon for 20 or so miles
(30 km), taking in the Point Sublime – a
popular spot with spectacular views along
the canyon’s narrow, deep cleft. A full drive
around the whole 60-mile (100-km) rim takes
an entire day with a few stops.
