Camping by the French Riviera

Côte d'Azur camping: cities, beaches and art

Some of the most beautiful cities in France, long promenades, Mediterranean flair, sunny beaches - and above all a deep blue sea that gives the region its name: the Côte d'Azur in south-east France attracts many holidaymakers every year, especially in summer. The soft light and ochre-coloured house facades have inspired artists such as Picasso and Matisse. Camping on the Côte d'Azur offers an ideal opportunity to explore the beauty of the region.

Campsites on the Côte d'Azur with plenty of choice

The Mediterranean coastline is 120 kilometres long - and there are almost as many options for camping on the Côte d'Azur. Many campsites are located directly by the sea and have access to the beach. But there are also many opportunities in the hinterland of the coastal region as well as in the mountainous region of the Maritime Alps or around the famous lavender fields of Provence. The numerous small campsites for hikers and cyclists in particular offer simple camping on the Côte d'Azur as well as an almost club-like holiday on one of the luxury campsites on the coast. What almost all campsites on the Côte d'Azur have in common is that they are very concerned about cleanliness - and making sure their guests have a pleasant stay. And for campers with dogs, around half of all campsites offer holidays for dogs and their owners.

Camping Côte d'Azur: right by the sea and plenty of sunshine!

Put your feet in the warm, white sand while the waves of the blue Mediterranean gently crash onto the beach: Nowhere in France is this better than on the Côte d'Azur. It is not without reason that the region, especially around Monaco and Saint-Tropez, is one of the favourite destinations of the world's rich and famous. But less well-heeled holidaymakers can also enjoy the sun to the full here. On the coast, many campsites on the Côte d'Azur have direct access to the beach or even their own stretch of beach, sunbed hire or similar. There are also plenty of opportunities to soak up the sun on the wide promenades, for example in Antibes, Cannes or the famous Promenade des Anglais in Nice . And those who have had enough of the hustle and bustle on the coast can enjoy the tranquillity of the olive groves, vineyards and lavender fields of the hinterland. You often don't even need your own car to do this. Many campsites on the Côte d'Azur have excellent bus and train connections.

Art, culture and camping on the Côte d'Azur

Picasso, Renoir, Matisse - they and many other artists have been inspired by the landscape in south-east France. From the campsites on the Côte d'Azur, art lovers can follow in the footsteps of their motifs and places of work. The Chapelle du Rosaire in Vence near Nice, for example, was designed by Matisse. If you want to enjoy the works in a concentrated form, you can visit the Picasso Museum in Antibes or the Musée Matisse in Nice - which is worth a visit for the building alone. The bright red villa from the 17th century stands out colourfully against the deep blue sky. The Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilisations, which opened in Marseille in 2013 when the city was the Capital of Culture, has also been spectacularly built on an artificial peninsula on the Old Port.

Festivals around the campsites of the Côte d'Azur

The campsites on the Côte d'Azur endeavour to offer their guests a wide range of leisure activities, especially during the peak summer season. However, there is also plenty going on on the southern French Mediterranean coast outside the campsites. The southern French joie de vivre is expressed in numerous celebrations and festivals. In April, for example, the cities of Cannes, Menton, Grasse, Nice and Antibes compete for the most beautiful garden at the garden festival. Throughout the rest of the year, visitors can also enjoy around 80 lovingly decorated public gardens and castle grounds. In May, the international film festival attracts actors and film lovers to Cannes. Art and beach holidays are therefore closely linked when camping on the Côte d'Azur.

City tips when camping on the Côte d'Azur

The Mediterranean coast is home to some of the most beautiful cities in the country. Southern French savoir-vivre is combined with lovingly maintained old towns and palm-fringed promenades right on the beach. Here are three places you should have seen when camping on the Côte d'Azur.

Cannes

Almost everyone immediately thinks of the steps of the Palais des Congrès, where the stars of the film industry walk the red carpet at the film festival every year. However, the historic centre of the city is located on the Suquet hill. From there, visitors have a wonderful view of the yachts and historic ships in the old harbour. And it is also worth taking a look in the windows of the numerous luxury fashion and jewellery shops - whether you can afford and like what is on display or not.

Nice

The harbour city is located close to the Italian border and the Principality of Monaco. The beautiful old town, the old harbour and the colourful flower market attract many tourists every year. Nevertheless, Nice has managed to retain its independence and traditions. Locals and holidaymakers stroll along the city beach on the Promenade des Anglais.

Marseille

The southern French harbour metropolis is the oldest city in France and the second largest in the country. Over the centuries, the 111 city districts have retained their character. The old harbour, the Notre-Dame de la Garde basilica and the Canebière boulevard are just some of the sights. The Calanques National Park is also within easy reach of the city and is always worth a visit.

ADAC CampCard benefits for the Côte d'Azur

With the ADAC CampCard, you receive discounts on rental accommodation at many of the campsites on the Côte d'Azur or a discounted price in the low season.

Travel tips for camping on the Côte d'Azur

Travelling to the Côte d'Azur for camping requires patience and strong nerves, especially in the destination area. The coastal region in the south of France is densely populated and heavily frequented, not only by holidaymakers and locals, but also long-distance traffic is in constant use on the A8 Saint-Tropez - Nice - San Remo motorway. Lots of lorries and long traffic jams are not uncommon. The mountainous hinterland is much more secluded, but the narrow roads there are often a challenge for caravan and motorhome drivers. Spending the night outside the campsites on the Côte d'Azur is difficult, as the municipalities know how to prevent this with prohibition signs, height restrictions at the car parks or sharp slate stones at the roadside.