Naturist camping in the South of France

Dream beaches characterise the Mediterranean coast in the south of France. The Côte d'Azur in particular, with its famous holiday resorts between Marseille and Monaco, is ideal for relaxing, sunbathing and sporting activities. Many surfers can be found on the rougher Atlantic coast near Biarritz. Nudists can enjoy even more peace and quiet at the many lakes in the hinterland. Between the Alps and the wine-growing region of Bergerac, there are numerous options for a nature holiday without clothing.

Top tips

• Just outside Bordeaux and halfway between the naturist campsites on the Gironde estuary and the southern French seaside resort of Biarritz lies the highest dune in Europe. Near Arcachon, the Dune du Pilat rises 110 metres into the sky.
• Near Montpellier, travellers will find some of the best surfing beaches and many of the most secluded naturist camps in France. Bare-bones holidays with surfing are possible on Agde beach, for example.
• South of Bergerac, one or two naturist campsites in the south of France delight their guests with their proximity to lakes and wine-growing areas. A real tip for the region are canoe trips on the Dordogne River, which runs past several picturesque medieval towns.

Activities and excursions

When naturist camping in the south of France, travellers can surf on the Atlantic and Mediterranean or relax against the backdrop of beautiful canyons and wine-growing areas in the hinterland.

Swimming fun and excursions on the water

The Côte d'Azur in the south of France is home to many small, picturesque bathing bays for naturists, which can also be reached by sailing boat. Between June and September, for example, Fréjus on the Mediterranean is a good destination for naturists, while the beaches of Théoule-sur-Mer and the Batterie beach just a few minutes outside Cannes are also ideal for nude bathing. In the hinterland, the many canyons and river courses are popular with canoeists. The small municipality of Tudet with the Ruisseau de Mazerolles watercourse is particularly suitable for this sport.

Exciting hikes between the Alps and Pyrenees

On the border with Italy, naturist holidaymakers can set off into the Alps. The Mercantour National Park near Nice in particular, with its snow-capped peaks, offers an impressive panorama. The Pyrenees, the border mountain range to the Iberian Peninsula, are also worth a visit. Hikes here lead through the Pyrénées Catalanes nature park, for example, or to the Basque chilli farms around Ainhoa and Espelette.

Discover the south of France by bike

In Languedoc-Roussillon alone, there are up to 3,300 kilometres of cycle paths to choose from. Cycle past picturesque old towns such as Uzès with its famous farmers' market or the numerous palaces and the former cathedral. The purple lavender fields in June and July as well as the spectacular Ardèche and Tarn gorges make for a fascinating landscape.

Rich cultural history in the south of France

France's harbour cities fascinate with their rich cultural history. In Marseille, it is worth strolling through the old harbour district and crossing over to the historic prison island of If. Nice, on the other hand, is interesting for all fans of art - the selection of galleries and museums here is particularly large. Away from the coast, the papal palace in Avignon is a highlight, from where the fortunes of the Catholic Church were controlled for over 100 years.

Events

The South of France inspires with a number of events in the areas of music, film and cuisine.

May

• Cannes International Film Festival: the Côte d'Azur becomes the world centre of the film industry in May.

June

• Fête de la Musique: On 21 June, France celebrates the longest day of the year with a huge music festival. Bands perform free of charge on numerous stages in almost every city in the country.
• Montpellier Danse: Fans of contemporary dance get their money's worth at the festival in Montpellier.

July

• National Day: On 14 July, the storming of the Bastille and the French Revolution are commemorated with much pomp, grand speeches and military parades.
• Biarritz Surf Festival: In the third week of July, visitors to Biarritz experience the spectacular surf festival on the Atlantic coast.